Learning to Hear God's Voice | Seek Week 2026 | Pastor Cody Adams
Encountering the Living God
Introduction and Invitation to Worship
- The speaker invites attendees to seek and encounter the one true living God, emphasizing the importance of prayer rooms available from 9 AM to 9 PM and concluding with a chapel service on Thursday.
- An enthusiastic call for participation is made, encouraging everyone to come forward without hesitation as they prepare for worship.
Worship Begins
- The atmosphere is set for worship, with excitement expressed about having a special guest, Bella Frizzio, present at the event. The focus shifts towards praising God.
- A collective call to action is made, urging attendees who are ready to praise to clap their hands in honor of the Lord. This sets an energetic tone for the worship session.
Themes of Worthiness and Creation
- Lyrics highlight God's worthiness as all creation recognizes His greatness; everything created reflects back His glory and goodness. This theme reinforces the idea that all things exist for His purpose.
- The congregation is encouraged to lift their voices in personal worship, affirming that every breath should be used to praise God, reinforcing individual expression in communal worship settings.
Praise and Adoration
- Repeated declarations of God's worthiness are emphasized throughout the worship session, inviting participants to join in singing praises collectively while acknowledging Jesus' deserving nature of glory.
- A strong emphasis on lifting up personal adoration towards Jesus is presented; attendees are encouraged not just to follow along but actively engage in expressing their own unique sounds of praise.
Recognition of Jesus' Sovereignty
- The lyrics proclaim Jesus as holy and worthy of all honor and glory; this acknowledgment serves as a reminder of His sovereignty over all creation and positions Him as central in worship practices.
- There’s a repeated affirmation that there is no one like Jesus—highlighting His uniqueness among all beings—and calling upon congregants to exalt Him above all else during this time of worship.
This structured summary captures key moments from the transcript while providing timestamps for easy reference within the context of a worship gathering focused on encountering God through music and community engagement.
Worship and Praise: The Power of Jesus' Name
The Worthiness of Jesus
- "We are worthy" emphasizes the inherent worth bestowed upon individuals, highlighting a collective affirmation of value in the context of worship.
- The Elders give praise to the Lord, underscoring the theme that there is no one like Him, reinforcing His uniqueness and majesty.
Exalting Jesus
- Repeated declarations of love for Jesus illustrate deep devotion; "We love you, Jesus" signifies a heartfelt commitment to worship.
- The phrase "Will Jesus be the name ever on my lips?" suggests an ongoing reverence and acknowledgment of His significance in daily life.
The Sweetness of His Name
- Expressions such as "It gets sweeter every time I call on him" convey a personal relationship with Jesus that grows deeper over time.
- Acknowledgment that there is no other name but His reinforces exclusivity in faith and reliance on Jesus for spiritual fulfillment.
Healing and Freedom in His Name
- Proclamations about healing emphasize belief in Jesus as a source of restoration; "the healer's in the room" indicates faith in divine intervention.
- Statements about freedom highlight liberation found through faith; "there's freedom in the name alone" reflects transformative power attributed to Christ.
Worship as an Act of Glory
- The act of giving God glory is described as placing life's burdens at His feet, illustrating worship as both surrender and honor.
- Reference to Revelation 5 connects current worship practices with biblical scripture, emphasizing continuity between earthly praise and heavenly adoration.
Worship and Praise: A Call to Glorify God
The Spirit of Worship
- The speaker encourages the congregation to lift their hands in worship, emphasizing the exchange of sorrows for joy through Jesus, who has overcome challenges.
- A call to sing praises to Jesus, highlighting His holiness and uniqueness as God.
- Repeated affirmations of Jesus being "worthy" and "holy," inviting students to join in singing praises collectively.
Surrendering Hearts in Worship
- The speaker expresses a commitment to glorifying God, acknowledging that worship is the primary purpose of creation.
- Emphasizes that every breath is a gift from God, encouraging attendees to return this gift through heartfelt praise and worship.
- A prayerful invitation for the Holy Spirit's presence, asking for transformation and closeness with God during this worship experience.
Openness and Availability
- Students are encouraged to adopt a posture of surrender, expressing their availability for God's work in their lives.
- An invitation for personal prayers of openness before diving into the word; emphasizes seeking knowledge about God wholeheartedly.
Community Engagement
- The speaker invites attendees to celebrate victories together with shouts of praise, creating an atmosphere of communal worship.
- Encourages interaction among attendees by greeting neighbors and sharing what God is doing in their lives.
Recognition of Worship Leaders
- Acknowledgment and gratitude towards Mrs. Bella Fabriio for leading worship, highlighting her role as a young adult pastor at Free Chapel.
- Excitement about new music from Vanguard Worship Collective being released soon on streaming platforms.
Reflection on Previous Messages
- Engaging reflection on a powerful message delivered earlier that day; highlights its impact on understanding spiritual warfare against lies from the enemy.
- Reinforces the importance of replacing negative thoughts with God's truth while actively living out faith.
Learning to Hear God's Voice
Introduction to Samuel's Story
- The speaker introduces the story of young Samuel from 1st Samuel chapter 3, focusing on his first experience hearing the voice of the Lord.
- Emphasizes the importance of note-taking for spiritual growth, stating that "notetakers are history makers" and that notes help remember what God says.
Context of Hearing God's Voice
- Highlights that during Samuel's time, "the word of the Lord was rare," indicating a lack of prophetic vision in Israel.
- Draws a parallel between Eli’s physical blindness and the spiritual blindness in Israel, suggesting a broader theme of lost vision.
The Call of Samuel
- Describes how God calls Samuel while he is lying down near the ark of God; this moment signifies an important encounter with divine communication.
- Notes that when God speaks, His voice may sound familiar rather than intimidating or foreign to those who are listening.
Understanding Divine Communication
- Points out that "Samuel did not yet know the Lord," linking knowledge of God with understanding His word. This emphasizes a relationship built through familiarity with God's voice.
- After multiple calls from God, Eli instructs Samuel to respond by saying, "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening," marking a pivotal moment in learning to hear God's voice.
Application and Reflection
- The speaker relates this biblical account to contemporary believers' experiences in seeking to hear from God during "seek week."
- Engages the audience by asking them if they can hear Him now, creating an interactive atmosphere for reflection on their own ability to discern God's voice.
Personal Anecdote: Learning Through Experience
- Shares a humorous personal story about being pulled over by police at age 16 while rushing to a prayer meeting, illustrating moments when one might seek divine guidance urgently.
- Reflecting on how such experiences can lead individuals closer to prayer and reliance on God amidst life's challenges.
The Importance of Hearing from God
A Personal Anecdote
- The speaker recounts a personal experience of driving at double the speed limit while listening to loud worship music, which led to being pulled over by police.
- Upon entering a church parking lot, the speaker was confronted by three police cars and attempted to explain his intentions of attending a prayer meeting.
- This incident taught him that his ability to hear (both physically and spiritually) directly affects his ability to respond.
Connection Between Hearing and Response
- The speaker emphasizes that if one cannot hear God, they cannot respond to Him, highlighting the connection between hearing and action in faith.
- He asserts that the greatest factor influencing one's future is their ability to hear from God rather than material needs or ambitions.
The Power of God's Word
- The speaker argues that what people often think they need (money, influence, education) pales in comparison to needing a word from God.
- Citing scripture, he reminds listeners that "Man does not live by bread alone," emphasizing the necessity of divine guidance for life changes.
- He shares how a word from God during a missions trip changed his life direction at 17 years old.
Contextualizing 1st Samuel Chapter 3
- Transitioning into biblical context, he introduces 1st Samuel chapter 3 as a period marked by spiritual darkness where God's word was rare due to people's disobedience.
- He notes this chapter represents significant transitions: Eli's removal as priest, Samuel's growth into prophecy, and Israel's shift towards kingship.
Spiritual Attitude Towards God's Voice
- The speaker explains that despite having access to God's word like never before, many have lost their ability or desire to listen.
- He stresses that it’s not about access but attitude; questioning listeners on their reverence for scripture amidst modern conveniences like smartphones.
How to Hear God's Voice
The Accessibility of God's Word
- In today's world, accessing the word of God is easier than ever; one can simply press play and listen to it being read aloud.
- Despite the abundance of information available, many people struggle with biblical literacy and fail to hear God's voice due to a lack of engagement with His word.
The Importance of Loving God's Word
- Sometimes, what we need is not a new revelation but a return to the scriptures that have already been given; loving God's word is essential for discerning His voice.
- Historical context: In Samuel's time, neglecting God led to silence from Him; this highlights the importance of valuing His presence and communication.
Learning to Hear God's Voice
- The prophetic voice was restored when God called Samuel; this raises the question: How can we learn to hear God's voice?
- Belief in God as a speaking entity is crucial; He desires communication with us and wants us to know Him personally.
Faith and Expectation
- It's important for individuals who feel distant from God to understand that He knows them intimately and desires connection.
- Faith opens our hearts' ears, allowing us to believe that God has specific words for each person seeking Him.
Seeking God Actively
- Attending gatherings isn't just about socializing or entertainment; it's about seeking a genuine word from God.
- Every relationship relies on communication. As believers seek God wholeheartedly, they will find Him—this promise encourages active pursuit.
Scriptural Foundations for Seeking
- Reference Jeremiah 29:13 emphasizes that those who seek God will find Him when they do so earnestly.
- Paul’s teaching in Acts 17 illustrates that creation itself invites humanity to seek out and discover God.
Overcoming Barriers to Hearing
- The challenge lies not in God's willingness or ability to speak but in our difficulty quieting ourselves enough to listen attentively.
Steps Toward Hearing God's Voice
- Get into God's Presence:
- To hear from God, one must position themselves in His presence, as exemplified by Samuel lying down where the ark of the covenant was located.
The Importance of Positioning in Hearing God's Voice
The Manifest Presence of God
- The Ark of the Covenant symbolizes God's provision, protection, and manifest presence among His people. Samuel positioned himself close to this presence.
Positioning Yourself to Hear from God
- To hear God's voice, one must be positioned in His presence. Proximity to divine things is essential for spiritual clarity.
- Establishing a rhythm of entering into God's presence is crucial. Samuel repeatedly returned to his designated place to connect with God.
Practical Steps for Encountering God
- Reflect on whether you have a specific place where you can consistently hear from God. This could be a physical location or a state of mind.
- For students at Vanguard, chapel serves as an opportunity to encounter God's presence beyond mere obligation; it should be approached with expectation.
Community and Worship as Places for Encounter
- Sundays are highlighted as significant times for gathering in worship and community, which facilitate encounters with God.
- Being plugged into a local church is emphasized as vital for spiritual growth and hearing from God.
The Need for Stillness and Listening
- Finding time to quiet oneself is necessary; distractions hinder our ability to hear from God effectively.
- Just like Samuel heard when resting, we often miss God's voice amidst life's noise.
Learning to Recognize God's Voice
- It’s noted that hearing from God doesn’t come automatically; even prophets like Samuel had to learn how to recognize His voice.
Different Experiences in Hearing from God
- There are two types of people regarding hearing from God: those who struggle and those who seem always connected. This highlights the varied experiences individuals have in their spiritual journeys.
Hearing God's Voice: Discernment and Understanding
The Challenge of Recognizing God's Voice
- The speaker reflects on a personal experience with a license plate that reminded him of Proverbs 3:5, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God rather than relying solely on personal understanding.
- He warns about individuals who claim to have direct messages from God, describing them as "weird Christians" and sharing humorous anecdotes about unsolicited spiritual advice received in inappropriate settings.
- The speaker critiques the misuse of divine claims in relationships, urging honesty instead of attributing personal decisions to God's will, which he refers to as "Jesus jukes."
Learning to Discern God's Voice
- A discussion is introduced on how one can learn to hear God's voice, highlighting that it requires discernment beyond just internal thoughts or feelings.
- The story of Samuel is referenced, illustrating how God called him multiple times before he recognized His voice. This serves as an encouragement for listeners to persist in learning discernment.
Different Ways God Communicates
- The speaker lists various ways through which God communicates: scripture, dreams, desires, doors (opportunities), pain, promptings, and people.
- Emphasizes the need for believers to distinguish between divine communication and human influence by recognizing what is truly from God.
Personal Experience vs. Knowledge About God
- Highlights the difference between knowing about God through church activities versus having a personal relationship with Him; many may be active in ministry but lack true connection.
- Encourages students at Vanguard University to seek their own relationship with God rather than relying on their parents' faith or external influences.
Misplaced Passion and Seeking Guidance
- Discusses how individuals may have good intentions (like Samuel's passion for serving), yet they often turn to the wrong sources for guidance (Eli instead of directly seeking God).
- Draw parallels with Moses’ story where his well-intentioned actions led him astray due to not following God's direction properly.
Direct Communication with Jesus
- References John 13 where Peter seeks clarification from John instead of asking Jesus directly; this illustrates a common tendency among believers to rely on others' revelations rather than seeking direct communication with God.
- Concludes by stressing the importance of developing one's own understanding and relationship with Jesus rather than depending solely on secondary sources like podcasts or other people's insights.
Hearing God's Voice: The Invitation to Listen
Seeking Personal Revelation
- The speaker encourages individuals to seek direct communication with God rather than relying on others for spiritual insight. Emphasizes the importance of personal prayer and connection.
- Highlights the necessity of receiving a personal word from God regarding one's life, future, and relationships, stressing that while wisdom and counsel are valuable, individual revelation is crucial.
Learning to Discern God's Voice
- Spiritual maturity involves actively listening for God's voice. The speaker references Samuel's journey in learning to recognize divine communication.
- To hear God's voice effectively, one must enter into His presence and discern what is truly from God versus what is not.
Availability to God
- The phrase "Here I am" signifies full availability to God. This Hebrew term "henni" reflects a posture of openness and readiness to receive guidance.
- Reiterates the importance of being present with God in various states—pain, joy, mistakes—indicating that true availability leads to deeper communication with Him.
The Power of Surrender
- Emphasizes that God values our availability over our abilities. A fully consecrated person can experience profound transformation through surrendering oneself to God’s will.
- Cites historical figures like Moses and Isaiah who exemplified this principle by saying "Here I am," illustrating the call for listeners to adopt a similar attitude in their lives.
Practicing Listening Prayer
- Encourages participants to practice listening prayer by inviting them to say "Speak Lord, your servant is listening," fostering an environment for divine communication.
- Concludes with a moment of silence for reflection and prayer, urging attendees not only to present their needs but also to listen attentively for God's response.