The Part of Faith We Don’t Talk About: Being Afraid to Listen
Fear has always stopped God’s people from listening. Pentecost reveals a new way to hear God’s voice — directly, confidently, and without fear.
When the Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost, it was marked by the ability to hear God’s voice. As the Apostle Peter declared: “Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams” (Acts 2:17). Now everyone could hear from God in the same way as the Old Covenant prophets (Numbers 12:6; Hosea 12:10)! Under the New Covenant, we can all experience relationship with God first-hand (Jeremiah 31:33-34).
Afterwards, we see this promise unfold in the life of the church. Just as Jesus promised, the Spirit acted as his continuing voice, guiding his people into truth (John 14:26), spoke about salvation and healing, lead them into mission and spoke about “things to come” (John 16:12-13).
Today, the voice of the Spirit is still speaking to continue the mission of Jesus. The same Jesus who walked the earth two millennia years ago is ministering via his Spirit (John 16:7) to sons and daughters, young and old in our congregations. He is speaking to transform us into followers of Jesus with words that are creative and life-giving (John 6:63; Matthew 4:4). When we hear God’s voice, we will be called to die to ourselves and experience resurrection life (Matt 16:24-25). We will be led into partnership with kingdom ministry and mission.
When we recognise the place of the Holy Spirit in discipleship, the role of the church becomes clear.
God has appointed the local church to be the primary vehicle through which people can experience the voice of the Spirit in ongoing ways (Acts 15:28). “Making disciples” (Matt. 28:19) involves equipping our congregation members to recognise and respond to the voice of the Spirit. When people hear from heaven, they will never be the same.
Of course, hearing the Spirit also has its risks. Humanity’s sin and selfishness mean that people can get it wrong – sometimes with devastating consequences.
The words “God told me” have been used throughout history to manipulate, control and abuse. Such experiences are often the reason why church leaders reject the fullness of our New Covenant inheritance.
The challenges are real, but not insurmountable. In order to facilitate Spirit-led discipleship in our churches, we need to create communities that facilitate hearing God’s voice in ways that are both theologically sound and pastorally safe. At God Conversations, we are committed to providing resources that help do this. Our prayer is that you may build the church where everyone can recognise and respond to the voice of the Spirit for themselves. Ultimately, our goal is to make disciples who build God’s kingdom wherever they go.
Equip Your Church to Hear God’s Voice
50 Days of God Conversations is a tool that equips everyone in your congregation to recognise and respond to the voice of the Spirit for themselves (Acts 2:16,17). The program is based on the conviction that the experience of hearing God lies at the centre of discipleship and belongs in the accountability and safety of the local church. The program includes a 7-week small-group video Bible study, leadership training, a launch day and special Sunday Service focus during the 50 days period.
Equip your people to be the church who hears God’s voice. Book Tania for your next ministry event.
Fear has always stopped God’s people from listening. Pentecost reveals a new way to hear God’s voice — directly, confidently, and without fear.
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