Listen to the sermon The Voice That Matters Most found in 1 Kings 13

The Voice That Matters Most By Pastor Eric, New Beginning Church, Rockland

Pastor Eric began his sermon with an intriguing story about meeting a Christian entrepreneur who was doing amazing things for the Lord. Inspired by her accomplishments, he prayed for her success, only for God to reveal something unexpected: “This girl doesn’t listen to my voice.” This revelation caused Pastor Eric to reflect deeply on his own life and the importance of hearing and obeying the voice of God. With this foundation, the sermon explored the theme: The Voice That Matters Most.

God Speaks to His People

Pastor Eric emphasized that hearing God’s voice is vital for every believer. He explained that in the Old Testament, God’s voice was primarily heard through prophets, who carried the divine responsibility of guiding nations, kings, and people. However, in the New Testament, through Jesus Christ, every believer has the privilege and ability to hear God directly. “My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me,” Jesus said. Pastor Eric reminded the congregation that a healthy relationship with God requires communication—a dialogue, not a monologue. Just as relationships between people thrive on meaningful communication, our spiritual lives flourish when we listen to God’s voice. But what happens when we stop listening? Pastor Eric warned that spiritual deafness isn’t because God stops speaking—it’s often because our hearts are hardened. He cited Hebrews 4:7: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

The Story of the Man of God in 1 Kings 13

To illustrate the importance of obedience to God’s voice, Pastor Eric turned to 1 Kings 13. This passage recounts the story of a prophet from Judah sent to confront King Jeroboam of the northern kingdom of Israel. Jeroboam had led his people into idolatry, building pagan altars and turning them away from true worship.The unnamed prophet boldly declared God’s judgment, even performing miraculous signs. When King Jeroboam tried to seize him, his hand withered, and the altar split apart. Yet, after praying for the king’s healing, the prophet refused the king’s invitation to dine with him, obeying God’s explicit instructions not to eat, drink, or return the same way he came. But then, an old prophet deceived the man of God. Claiming to have a word from the Lord delivered by an angel, the old prophet persuaded him to disobey God’s command. Tragically, this act of disobedience led to the prophet’s death by a lion.

Three Key Lessons from 1 Kings 13

Pastor Eric outlined three powerful lessons from this narrative:

1. Hearing God’s Voice is Crucial

In times of spiritual darkness, God calls for men and women who can hear and obey His voice. The northern kingdom was consumed by idolatry, and God’s solution was to send a prophet to speak His Word. Similarly, in today’s world, surrounded by distractions and competing voices, it’s more important than ever to discern God’s voice.Hearing God’s voice isn’t about being “super spiritual”; it’s about guidance, preservation, and purpose. God’s voice brings life, clarity, and transformation. Pastor Eric likened it to Genesis, where God’s words created light, order, and life. He also referenced Matthew 4:4, where Jesus, during His 40-day fast, resisted Satan’s temptation by declaring: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” God’s voice isn’t just information—it’s nourishment for our souls.

2. Not Every Voice is God’s Voice

The man of God from Judah had clear instructions from God, yet he allowed another voice—the old prophet’s—to lead him astray. Pastor Eric warned that not every voice claiming to speak for God is trustworthy. Deceptive voices often come from unexpected sources, even those who appear spiritual or credible. Pastor Eric compared this to the serpent’s tactics in the Garden of Eden, where he questioned and twisted God’s command to Adam and Eve. To avoid such deception, believers must test every voice and seek confirmation. Pastor Eric highlighted several ways to discern God’s guidance:

• God’s Spirit: Jesus promised that His sheep would hear His voice. The Holy Spirit is our guide and teacher.
• God’s Word: Scripture is the ultimate authority. Any message contradicting the Bible is not from God.
• Godly Counsel: Wise advice from mature believers can provide clarity.
• Integrity: God’s guidance aligns with His character and produces righteous fruit.
• Confirmation: God often confirms His messages through repetition or external events.

Pastor Eric urged listeners to ask critical questions:

• Does this voice exalt Jesus or promote selfish desires?
• Is it consistent with God’s revealed character in the Bible?
• Am I tempted to believe it because it’s popular or convenient?

3. Disobedience to God’s Voice Leads to Trouble

The man of God’s downfall wasn’t ignorance—it was disobedience. Despite hearing God clearly, he chose to listen to another voice. This act of defiance led to his tragic death, serving as a sobering reminder of the consequences of ignoring God’s commands.Pastor Eric pointed out that even “good deeds” or spiritual accomplishments don’t excuse disobedience. God Himself said, “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” He shared a powerful example from Genesis 22:18, where God blessed Abraham and all nations through his offspring “because you have obeyed my voice.”

Practical Insights on Hearing and Obeying God

Pastor Eric concluded with practical advice for cultivating a life that hears and obeys God’s voice:

1. Stay in Relationship with Jesus: Hearing God starts with a personal relationship with Him. Regular prayer and time in His Word keep our hearts attuned to His voice.
2. Be Willing to Separate: Like the man of God from Judah, believers are called to remain set apart from the world’s idolatry and distractions.
3. Test the Spirit: Not every “word” is from God. Discernment and alignment with Scripture are crucial.
4. Embrace Obedience: Even when inconvenient or unpopular, obedience to God’s voice leads to blessing and protection.

A Testimony of Obedience

To illustrate the importance of listening to God, Pastor Eric shared the story of Loren Cunningham, founder of Youth With A Mission (YWAM). While traveling in a dangerous area, Loren felt a nudge from God to move his team to a different location for the night. Though inconvenient, he obeyed. The next morning, they discovered that the original location had been targeted by a gang. Loren’s obedience to God’s whisper saved their lives.

Pastor Eric closed with Isaiah 30:21:
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”

He reminded the congregation that God’s voice isn’t just about direction—it’s about transformation. When we listen and obey, we experience life, clarity, and purpose.

Listen to the sermon here: