How Easter affects how I hear God

Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed. Since this is Easter Sunday, we thought it would be great to unpack how Easter affects how we hear God. Join us as we unpack how the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ enable us to have a vibrant, living relationship with God, paving the way for communication with Him through both talking and hearing/experiencing Him.

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Transcript

Episode Description:

Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed. Since this is Easter Sunday, we thought it would be great to unpack how Easter affects how we hear God. Join us as we unpack how the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ enable us to have a vibrant, living relationship with God, paving the way for communication with Him through both talking and hearing/experiencing Him.

Episode Notes:

First Principle: God is a living relational God

·        John 11:25-26 I am the resurrection and the life.

·        Relationship is two-way.

·        Different ways of communicating – so if God created us, I gather He specialises or excels in every way of communicating. Seeing, hearing, feeling, knowing, etc

·        Eg lady said recently – perhaps God doesn’t want me to see in the Spirit

·        Great question to ask: “If I’m not ‘hearing God’ – is it something on my end?”

·        I’m sure God doesn’t specialise in the ‘silent treatment’.

·        Colossians 1: 15 – Jesus' image of the invisible God.

·        Hebrews 1:1-2a spoke through His Son.

·        John 1:1-14 God’s Word in flesh. He was the Living Word. Jesus came as the Word of God. Everything Jesus said and did expressed God’s purpose

o   Temple as a kid

o   Healed people

o   Fed the hungry

o   Lifted off shame

o   On the cross, He didn’t belittle the thief.

·        When we remember the eucharist (bread and wine) – what Jesus said and did. Through Jesus’ death, we are forgiven and have an opportunity for restoration. The power of death is cancelled.

Second Principle: Easter removes shame

·        God and shame don’t co-exist. One of the things we see Jesus doing time and time again is removing shame. Dismantling shame. Bring worth and value, grace and mercy to people.

·        In the week leading up to Easter, we read where Jesus had several interactions with people where he could have highlighted and shamed them. Instead, he treated them with respect. Matthew 26.

o   Eg Woman anointing him with a jar of expensive oil

o   Eg Judas – treated like a friend even though he knew he would betray him

o   Eg Jesus knowing that Peter would deny him 3 times

o   Luke 23 - criminal on the cross – extended forgiveness and salvation

Third Principle: Hope and a future replace fear.

·        Reminded of Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

·        God’s unchangeable but in the business of change. When we experience God and His nature and character, we change.

·        Easter transformed the Israelites – legalism broken. In the N.T., sacrificing to gods was rife – needed to appease gods otherwise punished. Jesus tore the curtain in the Temple to enable us to go straight to Him and relate with Him. Pray and listen not through the priest.

·        1 Peter 1:3 – a living hope and confidence through the resurrection, and we can live in security, joy, hope, confidence, and freedom from fear.

Fourth Principle: We can hear God’s voice

·        John 10 – My sheep hear my voice. God wants a relationship with us. A relationship is two-way.

·        Does God’s voice get drowned out by the noise around or within?

·        Do I filter God’s voice through my wants and what’s convenient?

·        Is God’s voice muffled? Where does my ego fit in?

·        Hearing God’s voice and allowing it to change me and my actions/thoughts/words.

Summary:

1. First Principle: God is a living relational God

2. Second Principle: Easter removes shame

3. Third Principle: Hope and a future replace fear.

4. Fourth Principle: We can hear God’s voice

Prophetic activation: 

Turn your heart and thoughts to Father God and ask Him: 

·        “God, what would You love to show me afresh about You this Easter?”

·        You may like to read the Easter journey in Matthew 26-28 and Luke 22-24 and ask God to highlight something new.

Time Stamps:

[2:02] – Gary & Jane share how they have heard God this week.

[5:48] – First Principle: God is a living relational God.

[11:40] – Second Principle: Easter removes shame.

[14:21] – Third Principle: Hope and a future replace fear.

[15:53] – Fourth Principle: We can hear God’s voice.

[17:03] – Gary shares how Easter impacts his ability to hear God.

[17:56] – Summary.

[18:20] – Prophetic activation.

[19:26] – Gary & Jane share a prophetic word for a listener.

[22:03] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:  

·        Sandra Sellmer-Kersten, House of Nacham Ministries in New Zealand: https://houseofnacham.com/ 

·        Elijah House Ministries in Australia: https://elijahhouse.com.au/ 

·        Elijah House Ministries in the US: https://elijahhouse.org/pages/elijah-house-ministries-pastoral-counseling-faith-based-guidance-for-healing-and-restoration 

·        Ellel Ministries (prayer ministry): https://ellel.org 

·        Orbis Ministries (prayer ministry online): https://orbisprayer.org/ 

·        Australian Inner Healing Network (AIHN): https://innerhealing.org.au/ 

·        Restoring the Foundations (prayer ministry): https://restoringthefoundations.org/ 

·        Bethel Sozo (prayer ministry): https://www.bethelsozo.com/ 

·        Bethel Sozo Australia (prayer ministry): https://www.bethelsozoaustralia.com/ 

·        30-Day Devotional 'Hearing God for the Year Ahead' https://www.unlockingthegold.com/product/hearing-god-for-the-year-ahead/

Bible Verses Mentioned:

·        John 11:25-26

·        Colossians 1:15

·        Hebrews 1:1-2a

·        John 1:1-14

·        Matthew 26

·        Luke 23

·        Jeremiah 29:11

·        1 Peter 1:3

·        John 10

·        Matthew 26-28

·        Luke 22-24

Connect with Gary & Jane:

•            Visit the Hearing God podcast website: https://garyandjane.co

•            Email admin@garyandjane.co or garyandjaneb@gmail.com 

•            Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092429006234 

•            Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/hearinggodpodcast/ 

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