Why Has God Been So Silent When I’ve Reached Out To Him? | Dr. Jo Vitale

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message reminds us that God's silence is not necessarily a sign of His absence, but rather an opportunity for us to deepen our relationship with Him. We are encouraged to look at Jesus as the embodiment of God's spoken word, and to trust in His promise to communicate with us through the Holy Spirit.

Key Scripture References

• John 1:14 - This passage highlights the significance of Jesus being the "Word made flesh," emphasizing that God has indeed spoken to us through Him. The idea is that Jesus' life, death, and resurrection demonstrate God's willingness to communicate with humanity in a tangible way.
• John 10:27 - This verse reassures us that Jesus will always be present with those who follow Him, promising that His sheep will "know" His voice. This implies a personal relationship between the believer and Christ, where God's communication is not just intellectual but also experiential.
• Psalm 19:1-6 - This passage showcases the beauty of creation as a declaration of God's glory. It underscores that even in the midst of uncertainty or perceived silence, God is still speaking to us through His creation and His Word.
• Romans 8:26-27 - These verses remind us that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we don't know how to pray. This highlights the importance of trusting in God's communication with us, even when our emotions or circumstances make it difficult to sense His presence.
• Matthew 11:25-30 - Jesus' words in this passage emphasize that He is gentle and humble, inviting those who are weary and burdened to come to Him. This underscores the idea that God's silence can be an opportunity for us to learn to depend on Him and trust in His goodness.
• Hebrews 4:14-16 - These verses remind us of Jesus' role as our High Priest, who intercedes for us in times of need. This emphasizes that God's silence is not a rejection but rather an invitation to deepen our relationship with Him through prayer and faith.
• 1 Corinthians 2:10-14 - Paul's words in this passage highlight the mystery of God's ways, which are often beyond human understanding. However, he assures us that the Holy Spirit reveals these mysteries to those who belong to Christ, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's communication with us.

Key Takeaways

• We must understand that God's silence is not a sign of His absence but rather an opportunity for us to deepen our relationship with Him. By looking at Jesus as the embodiment of God's spoken word, we can trust in His promise to communicate with us through the Holy Spirit.
• God communicates with us through various means, including creation, His Word, and the Holy Spirit within us. We must learn to listen for and recognize these forms of communication.
• The Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we don't know how to pray, highlighting the importance of trusting in God's communication with us even when our emotions or circumstances make it difficult to sense His presence.
• We should not confuse God's silence with rejection. Rather, we should see it as an invitation to deepen our relationship with Him through prayer and faith.

This Week's Challenge

Take time this week to reflect on your relationship with God. Ask yourself: "Have I been trying to communicate with God solely based on my emotions or circumstances?" "Am I trusting in His promise to communicate with me through the Holy Spirit?" Make a conscious effort to deepen your relationship with Him by reading Scripture, praying, and seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit.

Reflection Questions

• How have you been trying to communicate with God? Have you been relying on your emotions or circumstances to guide you?
• What are some ways in which you can deepen your relationship with God this week? How can you trust more in His promise to communicate with you through the Holy Spirit?
• Have you ever felt like God was silent, and if so, how did you respond? What did you learn from that experience?