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  LISTENING HARD FOR GOD
  by Charles E. Cowman
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Summary: The sermon emphasizes the importance of vision in our lives,
highlighting the need to wait upon God and have a quiet and restful
heart to experience spiritual transformation.

Topics: "Spiritual Vision", "Godly Transformation"
Scripture References: Psalm 46:10, Proverbs 29:18, Isaiah 6:8, Habakkuk 2:2, Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15, John 10:27, Acts 26:19, Romans 10:14, Revelation 7:9

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DESCRIPTION
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Charles E. Cowman emphasizes the importance of having a vision of God,
stating that without it, people perish. He highlights the necessity of
waiting upon God to receive this vision, comparing our hearts to
sensitive plates that need time in His presence to be revealed. Cowman
stresses the transformative power of seeing God, using examples like
Jacob, Gideon, and Thomas whose encounters with God changed their lives.
He also mentions modern-day individuals like William Carey and David
Livingstone, who, after seeing God's vision, dedicated their lives to
missions work.

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CONTENT
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"Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Prov. 19 :18).

Waiting upon God is necessary in order to see Him, to have a vision of
Him. The time element in vision is essential. Our hearts are like a
sensitive photographer's plate; and in order to have God revealed there,
we must sit at His feet a long time. The troubled surface of a lake will
not reflect an object.

Our lives must be quiet and restful if we would see God. There is power
in the sight of some things to affect one's life. A quiet sunset will
bring peace to a troubled heart. Thus the vision of God always
transforms human life.

Jacob saw God at Jabbok's ford, and became Israel. The vision of God
transformed Gideon from a coward into a valiant soldier. The vision of
Christ changed Thomas from a doubting follower into a loyal, devout
disciple.

But men have had visions of God since Bible times. William Carey saw
God, and left his shoemaker's bench and went to India. David Livingstone
saw God, and left all to follow Him through the jungles of dark Africa.
Scores and hundreds have had visions of God, and are today in the
uttermost parts of the earth working for the speedy evangelization of
the heathen.

--Dr. Pardington

There is hardly ever a complete silence in the soul. God is whispering
to us well-nigh incessantly. Whenever the sounds of the world die out in
the soul, or sink low, then we hear the whisperings of God. He is always
whispering to us, only we do not hear, because of the noise, hurry, and
distraction which life causes as it rushes on. --F. W. Faber

"Speak, Lord, in the stillness,

While I wait on Thee;

Hushed my heart to listen

In expectancy.

"Speak, O blessed Master,

In this quiet hour;

Let me see Thy face, Lord,

Feet Thy touch of power.

"For the words Thou speakest,

'They are life,' indeed;

Living bread from Heaven,

Now my spirit feed!

"Speak, Thy servant heareth!

Be not silent, Lord;

Waits my soul upon Thee

For the quickening word!"

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/charles-e-cowman/listening-hard-for-god/
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