How to Hear God's Voice | Jason Burns | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

How to Hear God's Voice

Radiant Church • Jul 26, 2026 • 34 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this engaging message, Pastor Jason Burns challenges believers to move beyond keeping God at arm's length and instead build a direct, conversational relationship with Him. We do not have to settle for secondhand faith when God warmly invites us to approach Him as a loving Father and speak face-to-face as friends. By intentionally slowing down, engaging Scripture, surrounding ourselves with godly relationships, and asking God with humility, we can tune out the world's static and step into the supernatural adventure He has planned for us.

Themes

Hearing God's VoicePersonal Relationship with GodDirect Faith vs. Secondhand FaithDivine Guidance and WisdomPrioritizing God's Presence

Pastor's Points

1.

1. Slow down

2.

2. Engage the scriptures

3.

3. Pursue godly relationships

4.

4. Ask God to speak with humility

Key Points

1.
God deeply desires a close, personal relationship with every believer where we communicate with Him face-to-face as a friend.
2.
It is your desire, not your innate spiritual ability, that determines whether or not you hear the voice of God.
3.
Keeping God at arm's length or filtering His voice exclusively through other people leads to a diluted, copy-cat faith.
4.
Secondhand hearing will never give you firsthand faith; stepping out in walk-on-water obedience requires hearing Jesus' voice directly.
5.
God promises to give wisdom generously and without fault-finding to anyone who asks Him, eliminating reliance on human intellect alone.
6.
Jesus sent the Holy Spirit as our Advocate and Counselor to walk alongside us, guiding us through pain and decisions instead of turning to worldly channels.
7.
Jesus transforms our relationship with God from formal servanthood into warm friendship, revealing the Father's heart and future plans to us.

Sermon Moments

“Brother Suli's reverent, silent meal blessing in Fiji that transformed Pastor Jason's understanding of prayer from a quick ritual into an actual meeting with God.”

“The illustration of a young daughter coming to her father for a snack, approaching with total confidence because she knows her father's loving heart.”

“Opening a can of Dr. Pepper as a picture of pressing into God—what flows out when pressed is simply what is inside: love, joy, grace, peace, and mercy.”

“The childhood game of Telephone demonstrating how a message becomes distorted the more people and generations it passes through before reaching the end.”

“Peter stepping out onto the water after hearing Jesus say 'Come,' showing that water-walking faith requires hearing Jesus directly rather than relying on a friend's encouragement.”

“Tuning an old analog radio dial through static until hitting clear reception, illustrating how young Samuel learned to tune into God's voice amid a noisy culture.”

This Week

Set a daily recurring calendar event to intentionally 'Prioritize His Presence' before starting your morning routine.

Practice slowing down during everyday moments instead of immediately filling quiet time with phone distractions.

Test all personal impressions, ideas, and advice against the Bible, knowing God's voice will never contradict His written Word.

Ask God specifically for His generous wisdom whenever facing difficult business, family, or personal decisions.

Bring personal heartache, questions, and loneliness directly to the Holy Spirit as your divine Advocate and Counselor.

Evaluate your closest friendships to ensure the primary influences in your life are people who seek and listen to God's voice.

Get connected into a church small group to build authentic relationships where you can discern God's direction together.

Remember This

Secondhand hearing will never give you firsthand faith, so we must prioritize God's presence and learn to hear His voice for ourselves.

A Challenge for You

Set an appointment in your calendar right now starting today for one year titled 'Prioritize His Presence,' and every single day create space before your busy routine begins to listen to the voice of the living God.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.