FOLLOW THE VOICE
(A student ministry message)
John 10:27; Acts 9:10–17
Introduction
Have any of you been watching the World Cup? I’ve really enjoyed watching some of the matches. The speed, the skill, the pressure — it’s intense. But one of the things I’ve noticed is how loud those stadiums get. If you haven’t watched a match, this may not be as obvious to you…but I want you to picture this: the stadium is packed with 80,000 fans. And they’re on their feet shouting, and supporting their team. And on their field, the players are all calling for the ball and the referee is blowing his whistle.
It’s loud. It’s fast. It’s chaotic.
And yet, somehow, in the middle of all that noise, a player can still hear the voice of the coach. Not because the coach has the loudest voice in the stadium, but because the player has learned to recognize that voice.
And I think that’s a really good picture of life for us, as Christ-followers.
Because like those players, every one of us is surrounded by voices…competing for our attention.
- Our family has a voice.
- Friends have a voice.
- Pastors have a voice.
- Teachers have a voice.
- Culture has a voice.
- Social media has a voice.
- Fear, anxiety, insecurity, pride, and on and on it goes. There are just so many voices!
But…The voice you listen to most will eventually shape the future you step into!
So this morning, I want to talk with you about learning to hear the voice of Jesus above the noise — and then, having the courage to follow Him when He speaks.
Transition
If you have your Bible, or the Bible app, turn with me to Acts 9. There’s a great story here that I want to show you. Before we get to Acts 9, I want to give you one verse from John 10. Jesus said:
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” — John 10:27
Notice the order.
Jesus says, “My sheep.” That means this starts with relationship. We belong to Him. He knows us. He loves us. He calls us His own. Then He says, “They listen to my voice.” And then He says, “They follow me.”
That’s the life of a disciple! We belong to Jesus. We learn to recognize His voice. And we follow where He leads. That’s exactly what we see in Acts 9 through a man named Ananias.
Acts 9:10 says:
“In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias.”
That’s all we’re told at first. He was a disciple. He was a follower of Jesus. And that matters, because this story reminds us that God doesn’t only speak to famous people, gifted people, or impressive people. God speaks to people who are willing to listen.
So if we want to follow the voice of Jesus, we have to begin here:
1. Get to Know God’s Voice
Acts 9:10 says:
“The Lord called to him in a vision, ‘Ananias!’” — Acts 9:10
And listen to Ananias’ response:
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.”
And I know, that’s simple, but it says a lot.
Because, Ananias was listening for God’s direction in His life. He wasn’t so distracted that he missed God’s voice. He was living with an awareness that God speaks — so he was listening.
The greatest challenge here isn’t trying to get God to speak — it’s trying to tune our ears to His voice. Let’s face it — our lives can get so crowded, distracted, and loud that we’re not really listening.
We hear notifications all day. We hear opinions all day. We hear music, and videos, and the alerts to our group chats…all day. But are we learning to eliminate the distractions — and give time to hearing the voice of Jesus?
I want you to see (in verse 10), Luke tells us — Ananias was a disciple. That simply means he was already walking with Jesus before this moment happened. He had arranged his life to follow Jesus. He had made space in his life to know the Lord. He was alert and listening.
Listen, if you want to recognize the voice of Jesus, then you need spend time where He has promised to speak.
And the first place He speaks — is through His WRITTEN WORD.
The Bible isn’t just a book of facts or history to study. It the divine revelation of who God is to us. It His Word, and it tells us what He values. And He’s promised to lead us according to His Word. So, He’ll never lead you to do something that goes against what He has already spoken in the Bible. God speaks through the Bible!
Secondly, God speaks to us through PRAYER.
Prayer isn’t just us taking to God. It’s the way we engage Him in conversation. So as we pray, He speaks. Prayer is part of our relationship with Jesus. And the more we pray — the more we’ll begin to recognize His voice in our lives.
And along with that, the Bible tells us that God also speaks through HOLY SPIRIT.
When you were saved — the Spirit of God came to live and dwell in you. And He’s always there — with you. He’s promised to lead and guide us…to direct our steps and teach us all things. Sometimes He nudges us to encourage someone, or to apologize to someone, or to pray for someone, or take a step of obedience.
It’s not always big and dramatic, sometimes its simple and small. But it will always line up with His Word and His character. Always! (So, God speaks through His written Word, through prayer, through His Spirit…)
And, He speaks through the GODLY PEOPLE in your life.
He uses others to speak to us, and guide us in life. It might be a parent, or youth pastor, or Christian leader in your life. But He uses Godly people to help us recognize His direction more clearly.
I guess I want to say: God isn’t giving you the silent treatment. He’s not holding out on you. And He’s not playing hide-and-seek with His plans for your life either. He actually wants to guide you. To lead you. And help you through life. And He wants you to know Him. And love Him. And serve Him with your whole heart!
So the question isn’t whether God wants to speak. The question is whether are you listening for His voice. So I challenge you — Get to Know God’s Voice!
The second challenge I want to give you today is to:
2. Learn to Trust His Lead
When He speaks — and you hear His guidance…learn to TRUST HIM. And obey. Because God can be trusted.
After Ananias says, “Yes, Lord,” the Lord told him what to do (in verse 11, Jesus said):
“Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul…” — Acts 9:11
Now, that may not sound like a big deal at first. But to Ananias, Saul wasn’t just some random man from Tarsus. Saul was dangerous. Saul was known for hurting followers of Jesus. He had approved the death of Stephen. He had arrested believers. And now he had come to Damascus with authority to do it again.
So when God told Ananias to go to Saul, this wasn’t easy. This wasn’t comfortable. This wasn’t convenient. This required trust.
And, Ananias responds the way many of us would.
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” — Acts 9:13-14
I appreciate his honesty. He doesn’t pretend to be fearless. He doesn’t act more spiritual than he feels. He simply tells God what’s on his mind.
But, notice what God does. He doesn’t rebuke Ananias. He simply says,
15 …“Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name …” — Acts 9:15
God didn’t explain everything. He didn’t show Ananias the whole future. He just gave him the next step. And that’s often how God leads.
I’ve found that’s often how God leads us.
— We want the whole picture.
— But, God usually just gives us the NEXT STEP.
Maybe that’s where some of you are today.
God’s spoken to you…and you just need to obey him with the NEXT STEP.
- Maybe it’s forgiving someone.
- Maybe it’s apologizing to someone.
- Maybe it’s ending a relationship that’s pulling you away from Jesus.
Whatever it is…just do it.
That’s what Ananias did. He had questions — but he didn’t let them stop him from trusting Jesus.
And that’s important for us to remember. You don’t have to wait until all your questions are answered or all your fears disappears. Just trust Jesus enough to take the next step.
Acts 9:17 says:
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it…” — Acts 9:17
God said, “Go.” And Ananias went!
That’s courage. Courage isn’t pretending you’re not afraid. Courage is choosing obedience while fear is still present. And most of the time, God isn’t asking you to figure out the whole journey. He’s simply asking you to take the next faithful step.
MY STORY
When I was 16 years old, I attended youth camp in Florida. That’s where I grew up. And I can honestly say that week became one of the most important weeks of my life.
On Thursday night, after the speaker finished his message, he gave an altar call. I went forward, knelt at the front, and began to pray. And while I was there, I sensed Jesus speaking to me.
It wasn’t a big, audible voice. It wasn’t really very dramatic. But in my heart (and mind), it was clear. I sensed the Holy Spirit asking me, “Will you give your life to telling My story?”
And that night, I said “YES!”
I didn’t understand everything that yes would mean. I didn’t know all the places God would lead me. But I knew the next step was to surrender!
Later, I came to understand that God had called me to preach!
And maybe some of you have sensed Jesus calling you! Maybe some of you will sense that this week. It may not be loud. It may not be dramatic. But if Jesus speaks to you — don’t ignore Him. Respond. Say yes!
And then tell someone. Tell your youth pastor. You don’t have to figure it all out today — just be brave, and take the first step. Respond to the voice of Jesus.
Conclusion
Well, let’s wrap up where we began.
In soccer — when the stadium is loud and thousands of fans are shouting, the player knows which voice to follow. Not because it’s the loudest voice. But because it’s a voice he’s learned to trust! His coach.
And for you, when you leave camp this week — I guarantee you, the noise will still be there!
- Your phone will still buzz.
- Social media will still have something to say.
- Friends will still have opinions.
- Fear will still try to dominate you.
So, the question’s not whether there will be loud voices in your life. But rather:
— Which voice are you going to listen to
Closing
Before we wrap up, let me ask you two questions.
First, are you becoming the kind of disciple (Christ-follower), who’s learning to know God’s voice? Not because you’re looking for quick answers, but because you genuinely want to know Jesus more deeply.
Second, is there something God has already been saying to you that you’ve been reluctant to obey?
- Maybe He’s asking you to forgive.
- Maybe He’s asking you to let go of a habit that’s pulling you away from Him.
- Maybe He’s asking you to surrender your future to Him and His plans for you.
Whatever it is, don’t leave this place taking a step in obedience to Him.
Let’s pray…
Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank You for being the Good Shepherd who still leads Your people. Thank You that You know us, love us, and call us to follow You. I pray for every student in this room. Help them recognize Your voice in the middle of all the noise around them. Give them a hunger for Your Word, a desire to spend time with You in prayer, and hearts that are sensitive to Your Spirit.
And when You speak, may they recognize Your voice — and have the courage to trust You enough to obey. May they leave this camp with more than good memories. May they leave knowing You more deeply — and determined to follow You more faithfully. We pray this in Jesus’ name, amen!
REFLECTION & JOURNALING QUESIONS:
1. What voices have been shaping me the most lately (and are they leading me closer to Jesus or farther from Him)?
2. What is one next step Jesus may be asking me to take (and what would it look like for me to say, “Yes, Lord”)? It may be forgiveness, honesty, surrender, ending something unhealthy, inviting someone, asking for prayer, or telling a leader what God is doing in your heart.