“Listening to God”
John 3:11-13
“Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.”
A profound conversation:
I want to invite you to listen in on an actual conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. We don’t have an audible recording of what was said but we have a written record of the conversation. Now we are privileged to hear this exchange that begin in John 3:1 till verse 21. These 21 verses are a gold mine of divine information. Nicodemus was privileged to hear some of the most beloved and sacred scriptures in our bibles. Did Nicodemus listen? I believe he did because we see Nicodemus next in John 7:50-51. Nicodemus courageously counters his peers by urging them to hear what Christ has to say before they judge Him. There is a big dispute over Jesus in chapter seven. The Chief priests and Pharisees were frustrated with the officers because they had not arrested Jesus and brought Him before them see 7:45-47. But the answer the officers gave them was not what they wanted to hear. They said “no man ever spoke like this Man!” I’ve got a feeling some of these officers will be in heaven. They were listening to Jesus. I want you to notice something, Nicodemus hears this and feels this too, he is there. These officers failed to perform the arrest of Jesus because Jesus arrested them. His words and wisdom were of God. These officers found themselves listening to God. Nicodemus had previously come to Jesus by night. He had heard the voice of God in Christ. All Nicodemus wanted was his pharisee friends to do the same. But Nicodemus doesn’t divulge his meeting with Jesus but he does urge them to hear Him out. Do we ever open our bibles judging the content, judging the meaning, judging Christ before we even have a chance to hear Him?
A personal testimony:
I want to share my own experience right here. About 14 years ago, I was in a place where I needed God more than at any other time of my life. Tressa and I had clearly heard God calling us back to East Texas, we were not sure why He called us back but we knew it was His desire. We began to preach revivals and share Christ at any door the Lord would open. During this time Tressa and I went through some major life changes and challenges. We were thankful that mom and dad let us move temporarily into their one room cabin out in the country. Our challenges were real, we had it from health, career, home, transportation, school, income and on and on. But we knew despite all the trials we were in Gods Will. I felt a peace and strength that never left me. It was during those crazy times that I began to grow deeper in listening to God. God oftentimes uses our trials to do a greater work. God knew I needed to learn what it means to truly listen to Him. Little did I know at the time how valuable this lesson from the Lord would be, even to this day. God began teaching me how to listen to Him in His Word. Gods Word is
always accompanied by God. In other words, there is never a time that we look into the scriptures that God is not there. Gods Word is living because He is living. The conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus unpacks this beautiful dynamic as we will see in a moment. During those trying years I started reading to hear. We do this by meditating prayerfully on every line, especially the words of Jesus. Not rushing through the scriptures just to meet a reading goal but chewing slowly looking for God to speak to my heart. Looking for Christ and His work in the chapters. We look for original context then we look for how God dealt with things, then applying those principles to things today. My personal fellowship with God really went to a new level. When we approach Gods Word with intent on meeting with Him, then our spiritual ears will be ready to listen. Our minds will not rush the digesting of His word but slowly and methodically receive it. Comparing scripture with scripture. That’s how we listen to God, we let the Spirit of God speak by His Word. It was during these years I saw God do so many incredible things as we patiently trusted Him simply at His Word. Listen, that is what faith is, if we can’t trust God at His Word, then we are denying His very revelation to man as trustworthy and true.
Back to Nicodemus:
This is what Jesus was saying when He said to Nicodemus early on “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?” In other words, Nicodemus, you need to slow down and listen. Quit worrying about what everybody around you thinks but simply slow down and listen to My words. You are a teacher of Israel and that means you have had to study the scriptures. Why didn’t you listen as you studied? Had you learned to meet with Me in God’s Word you would understand what I’m telling you today. I think this question Jesus asked right here in 3:10 was meant to humble Nicodemus so he would listen.
Nicodemus’ life began to change:
I truly believe Nicodemus was a different man after meeting with Christ in John 3. I mean we saw his reaction in John 7 and lastly, we see his action in John 19. Its recorded in John 19:39-40. Here we see Nicodemus with Joseph of Arimathea asking Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a secret disciple for fear of the Jews. And right there with him is Nicodemus. Joseph is rich, he has a tomb to loan. I say loan because Jesus only needed it 3 days. There with him is Nicodemus with 100 pounds of myrrh and aloes and strips of newly bought linen. Why was Joseph and Nicodemus there? They were there because Jesus had spoke to their hearts. They had listened to Him. That’s all we see about Nicodemus but its enough evidence for me to believe he believed in Christ. Nicodemus and Joseph both did a courageous thing right here. They would be harassed by their unbelieving peers for what they did. But they are blessed of God for all eternity, they are listed in the biblical record in a positive light. And I believe we will meet them in heaven someday. Now I want to show you a few things Jesus taught Nicodemus. I will use three “t” words to help you remember.
A lesson on listening to God:
Let’s apply what Jesus said just in John 3:11-13 to ourselves also.
First, in verse 11 Jesus refers to the truth of our listening. When we listen to God, we are hearing truth. God’s Word is a truth infallible, inerrant and incorruptible because it is from God. He tells Nicodemus that there is a “We” and an “Our” about the truths He shares. Now this is a powerful verse. That “We” and “Our” is capitalized because Jesus is referring to the triune
God, the trinity. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. When we read those red letters, when we read our bibles, we are hearing from God in all His triune bodily. Jesus said “if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father”. Jesus is God, He is in the Father and the Father in Him. When we hear Gods Word, we are hearing truth as revealed to us from the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We must approach His Word with that premise. Therefore, this speaks to the truth of our listening. We are hearing truth when Jesus speaks.
Secondly, in verse 12 Jesus refers to the type of our listening. Jesus brings divine truths to affect conversion, transformation and sanctification. When we listen to Jesus, we need to open our hearts and minds to heavenly things. If our type of listening is only as deep as what we can see with our physical eyes (earthly) than we are hardening our hearts to His voice speaking the (heavenly) things. When Jesus speaks, its God speaking. So, the type of listening we give God, is in the spiritual realm. Its in the realm of our heart and soul where our faith and belief are quickened. When we read the words of Jesus in the bible, Jesus is there. The bible says His Word will prosper in that which He sent it to accomplish, See Isaiah 55:11 and Isaiah 40:8. When we read Gods Word or listen to a biblical message from scripture God is there witnessing our attentiveness. Jesus is there, He goes anywhere His Word goes. I remember sharing John 3:16 in the marketplace in Columbia through a translator to random folks on the street. I watched people fall under conviction with just John 3:16. I mean people listening to that verse as from God, not mere men. They were listening and the Holy Spirit was convicting and working.
Thirdly, in verse 13 we see the testimony of our listening. The testimony is that Jesus came from heaven, that He would be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent on the pole. Those that looked in faith and belief were healed. The testimony of Jesus is what we too must believe. He came, He died and He came out of that tomb that when we look and believe we can be saved. Its this testimony of Christ that gives us the ability to listen to God. Our relationship to Jesus is a saving relationship. As believers, its His desire to speak to us, but we also need to have ears of faith willing to listen. What a blessing!
Conclusion
Learning to listen to God is one of the most thrilling adventures of your life. God wants to fellowship with you in His word. He wants to speak to you and draw you into His conversational presence. Through the years I have also benefited by books written by Dr. Charles Stanley and Dr, Tony Evans. These two men speak often on the importance of listening to God. Sometime, dive into those first 21 verses in John 3 and listen in on that conversation with Nicodemus but put yourself in the place of Nicodemus and let Him speak directly to you too. It’s refreshing and profound.
Bro. Bruce Rudd