Hearing His Voice Above the Distractions
Hearing His Voice Above the Distractions
Main Text:
Revelation 3:20
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (NKJV)
Introduction
Many people today are searching for answers. They look to technology, entertainment, relationships, social media, education, wealth, and countless other sources. Yet God has already provided the answer for every person, every circumstance, every problem, and every situation in life: Jesus Christ.
The challenge is not that Jesus is unavailable. The challenge is that distractions often keep people from hearing His voice.
Just as Martha was distracted by many responsibilities, people today can become so occupied with the cares of life that they miss the very One who is knocking at the door of their heart.
Luke 10:41-42 "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion..."
Mary chose the one thing that mattered most—being with Jesus. Martha was busy, but Mary was attentive. Martha was distracted, but Mary was listening.
1. Behold — Look at the Right Thing
Revelation 3:20
"Behold..."
The word "behold" means to see, observe, or focus attention upon. Before Jesus speaks about knocking, He first tells us to look.
The question is:
What are we beholding?
Many people are beholding:
- World events
- Fearful headlines
- Artificial intelligence
- Financial uncertainty
- End-time speculation
- The opinions of others
But Jesus calls us to behold Him.
Exodus 3:14
"I AM WHO I AM."
Jesus is the Great I AM.
John 14:6
"I am the way, the truth, and the life."
When our eyes are fixed on Jesus, fear begins to lose its grip.
Isaiah 41:13
"Fear not, I will help you."
Application
Whatever you continually behold will influence your thoughts, emotions, and decisions.
If you behold the problems, fear grows.
If you behold Jesus, faith grows.
2. Jesus Is Standing at the Door
Revelation 3:20
"I stand at the door and knock..."
Notice that Jesus is standing.
He is not distant.
He is not unwilling.
He is not indifferent.
He is standing—ready, willing, and available.
Jesus does not force Himself into anyone's life.
He waits for an invitation.
This reveals:
- His love
- His patience
- His respect for our choice
- His desire for fellowship
He stands at the door of every heart regardless of the circumstance.
Whether a person is:
- Discouraged
- Bound by sin
- Afraid
- Confused
- Successful but empty
- Searching for answers
Jesus is standing and knocking.
3. Distractions Can Keep Us From Hearing
Revelation 3:20
"If anyone hears My voice..."
The problem is not that Jesus isn't speaking.
The problem is that many people are not listening.
The world is filled with noise:
- Busyness
- Entertainment
- Anxiety
- Worry
- Social media
- Endless responsibilities
Just as Martha was distracted, believers today can become distracted.
Distractions dull spiritual sensitivity.
The enemy does not always try to destroy people; sometimes he simply distracts them.
Principle
A distracted heart cannot easily hear the voice of God.
A focused heart can recognize His knock and respond.
4. Open the Door
Revelation 3:20
"If anyone hears My voice and opens the door..."
Jesus knocks.
We open.
Salvation and fellowship begin with a decision.
God has done His part through Christ.
We must respond by faith.
Joshua 24:15
"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve."
Every person eventually reaches a point of decision.
Will we serve:
- The world?
- Ourselves?
- Our fears?
- Or the Lord?
God honors our choice.
5. The Blessing of Receiving Jesus
Revelation 3:20
"I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."
This speaks of relationship, fellowship, and intimacy.
Jesus does not simply want to rescue us from judgment.
He desires communion with us.
When we receive Christ:
- We receive forgiveness.
- We receive a new life.
- We receive fellowship with God.
- We receive access to His wisdom and strength.
6. The Miracle of Forgiveness
When Jesus enters a life, everything changes.
Colossians 2:13-14
Our sins are forgiven and the record against us is nailed to the cross.
Micah 7:19
God casts our sins into the depths of the sea.
Acts 2:38
Repentance and baptism are connected with the forgiveness of sins.
The believer no longer lives under condemnation.
The old life is buried.
A new life begins.
Illustration
If your sins are:
- Nailed to the cross,
- Cast into the depths of the sea,
- Buried in baptism,
Then they are no longer on you.
Christ has carried them away.
7. Hear His Voice and Know His Will
The conversion of Saul demonstrates the power of hearing God's voice.
Acts 22:14
"The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth."
God's desire is not merely to save us but also to lead us.
As believers we are called to:
- Know His will
- See Jesus clearly
- Hear His voice
- Become His witnesses
The Christian life is a relationship of continual listening and obedience.
8. The Book of Life
One of the greatest blessings of salvation is having our name written in heaven.
Luke 10:20
"Rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
Revelation 3:5
"I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life."
Revelation 21:27
Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will enter God's eternal kingdom.
This is the greatest reason for rejoicing.
Not earthly success.
Not possessions.
Not achievements.
But knowing that we belong to Christ.
Conclusion: One Thing Is Needful
Martha was distracted.
Mary chose the good portion.
Jesus still stands at the door and knocks.
The question is not whether He is speaking.
The question is:
Are we listening?
Three Questions for Reflection
- What distractions are keeping me from hearing God's voice?
- Have I fully opened the door of my heart to Jesus?
- Am I choosing the good portion every day by spending time with Him?
Key Truth
The answer to every problem is found in a Person—Jesus Christ.
When we behold Him, hear His voice, open the door, and walk with Him, we discover forgiveness, purpose, fellowship, peace, and eternal life.
Memory Verse
Revelation 3:20
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."
Click here. The Key to Overcoming Lifes Challenges A Reflection on Revelation 3 20 (PDF)
Click here. Draw Near Overcome vs. Overtaken/Potential/Faith level (Dramatized Audio)