Am I Listening to Men or God?
The sermon emphasizes the importance of prioritizing time with God and focusing on hearing His voice, rather than the voices of men.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of discerning whether we are listening to men or to God, drawing parallels between the apostle John's revelation on Patmos and our own need for a 'Patmos' experience. He urges believers to set aside distractions and come boldly to God's throne, where they can receive mercy and grace. Wilkerson highlights that many Christians neglect this call, focusing instead on worldly activities, and stresses the necessity of prioritizing time alone with God to hear His voice. He reassures that one can maintain their responsibilities while still seeking a deeper connection with the Lord. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a commitment to listen to the Holy Spirit above all else.
Text
The apostle John was given a revelation of the glory of the exalted Christ: "A door [was] standing open in heaven. And the first voice ... [said], 'Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.' Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne" (Revelation 4:1-2).
A door to heaven has been opened to us today, as well. Like John, we have been called to "come up here." Scripture says, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). This call to come to the throne room has been most ignored by pastors and laypersons alike. Few believers truly know God's voice and few ministers speak as his oracles.
John's time of isolation on the island of Patmos (see Revelation 1:9) was imposed on him by godless men. I believe people in the church need to have a "Patmos" experience -- a self-imposed setting aside of one's self for the purpose of seeking the face of God. Christians today make time to watch television, shop or surf the Internet, communicate with others on social media, but few ever "come up" to God's throne. Yet the Lord promises, "If you come up here, I'll reveal to you my mercy and grace and show you things you have never seen before."
This does not mean we give up our job, our family, our witness. In fact, it is entirely possible to be a busy person and still have a Patmos experience. What matters is that we shut out every voice, activity and thing that hinders us from hearing the voice of the Lord. We are to concern ourselves with one focus: Am I listening to men or to the Holy Spirit?
The Lord is pleased whenever you willingly submit yourself to a time alone with him. Once Christ becomes your sole focus, you will be able to receive discernment and guidance directly from above.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Call to Come Up to the Throne
- A. A door to heaven has been opened to us today
- B. We are called to come boldly to the throne of grace
- II. The Importance of a Patmos Experience
- A. A self-imposed setting aside of one's self for seeking God
- B. Christians need to prioritize time with God
- III. Shutting Out Distractions
- A. We must shut out every voice, activity, and thing that hinders us
- B. Focus on hearing the voice of the Lord
- IV. The Result of Focusing on Christ
- A. We receive discernment and guidance directly from above
- B. The Lord is pleased with our willingness to submit to time alone with him
Key Quotes
“A door to heaven has been opened to us today, as well. Like John, we have been called to 'come up here.'” — David Wilkerson
“The Lord promises, 'If you come up here, I'll reveal to you my mercy and grace and show you things you have never seen before.'” — David Wilkerson
“Once Christ becomes your sole focus, you will be able to receive discernment and guidance directly from above.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We must prioritize time with God and shut out distractions to hear His voice.
- Focusing on Christ allows us to receive discernment and guidance directly from above.
- The Lord is pleased with our willingness to submit to time alone with Him.