Hearing God: The Key to Living a transformed life and leaving behind conformity.

You Hear God More Than You Realize

I am convinced—deeply convinced—that you hear God far more than you realize.Most of us just don’t know that it’s Him.

I’ve talked to so many people who honestly believe they don’t hear God at all. But when we start digging into how God speaks, they almost always say the same thing:“I had no idea.”

I remember one conversation in particular. Someone said, “I just see things sometimes. Like visions. I have dreams.” And we were like, That’s the Lord. And they were shocked. Another person said, “I just walked into this place and felt this really strong emotion, like something heavy shifted.” And again—that’s the Lord.

Some of us feel atmospheres. Some of us feel people’s emotions really deeply. Some of us just know things. I don’t know if this has ever happened to you, but you’ll see someone walking toward you and you just know their name is Frank. You’ve never met them. You have no idea why you know. You just know.

That’s the Lord.

So if you’re one of those “weird” people—if you see in the spirit, if you have dreams or visions, if emotions drop into you out of nowhere, or if you just know things and then later they turn out to be true—this is for you.

And yes, we are all weird.

I say that because I don’t think the church is supposed to be an un-weird place. I actually think it’s supposed to be a weird place. But if we’re all weird together, then suddenly it’s not weird at all.

It’s just family.

Hearing God's Voice: The Key to Living A Transformed Life

We Gather Around Jesus

One of the reasons I love the way we gather is because everything is centered on Jesus. That’s why we gather aroundHim. That’s why the chairs are set up the way they are. We’re here for Him.

Scripture says He inhabits the praises of His people. It says that where two or three are gathered in His name, He is there in the midst of them. And honestly, I’ve always said this: if God ever stops showing up, we should stop showing up and go somewhere He is showing up.

Thankfully, for decades now, He has been faithful. He honors His Word.

Romans 8: The Backdrop of Everything

Before we talk about surrender, sacrifice, or transformation, we need to remember what God has already done.

Romans 8 is the backdrop.

It begins with this:“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

None.

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ has set us free. If you live according to the flesh, it leads toward death. If you’re led by the Spirit, it leads toward life and peace.

The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you—and He gives life to your mortal body.

All who are led by the Spirit are sons and daughters of God. You did not receive a spirit of fear leading back into slavery—you received the Spirit of adoption.

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. We are heirs—co-heirs with Christ.

Creation itself is groaning, waiting to be set free into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We have the firstfruits of the Spirit. We are saved into hope.

When we don’t know how to pray, the Spirit intercedes for us. God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.

He knew you.

He planned for you.

He justified you.

He glorified you.

If God is for us, who can stand against us?

No one can accuse us.

No one can condemn us.

Nothing can separate us from His love.

We are more than conquerors.

That’s the foundation.

Romans 12 is an invitation to choose a transformed life, not a demand

And because of all that, Paul writes in Romans 12:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice—holy and pleasing to God—which is your rational act of worship.”

Notice the language.

“I urge you.”

This is not coercion.

This is not control.

This is an invitation.

Christian obedience is never forced—it is earnestly invited. Paul isn’t saying, “You have to.”He’s saying, “In light of everything God has done for you… will you?”

Will you offer yourself?

God Always Invites, He Never Forces

If you’ve been in church for any length of time, someone has probably told you what you should be doing. Often with good intentions. Often because they care. They think they have found the key to living the transformed life.

But sometimes—without realizing it—we cross a line.

Scripture actually warns us about this.

In 1 Peter 4, there’s a passage that talks about suffering, and it lists people who meddle in others’ affairs alongside murderers and thieves. That shocked me. That felt extreme.

But when I looked deeper into the original meaning, it made sense. It refers to people with holy but intemperate zeal—people who try to force others to conform to Christian standards.

That hit me.

God does not coerce transformation.

He invites it.

And when we try to control people instead of inviting them, we rob them of the inner work that only the Holy Spirit can do. Each of us has to hear God for themselves. Community will help. Scripture will help. But we have to have that inner being connect to the Lord and receive it from His Spirit into ours.

Transformation is never about sin management. It is always about heart transformation.

Offering Yourself as a Living Sacrifice is a Choice

The word present in Romans 12 literally means to position yourself.

Jesus modeled this. Even though He was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world, His body still had to walk toward the cross. God didn’t force Him—He chose to position Himself.

And now Jesus invites us to do the same.

Not as dead sacrifices, but living ones.

That doesn’t mean suffering for suffering’s sake. It means choosing to orient your whole life toward God—your time, your resources, your generosity, your praise, your obedience, even your suffering.

Our lives become worship.

Transformation ALWAYS Happens From the Inside Out

Paul goes on to say:

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

To be conformed means to be shaped from the outside. Don’t be identified by culture, pressure, or outward appearance.

But transformed—that’s metamorphosis.That’s change that comes from within.

It’s the same word used when Jesus was transfigured on the mountain. What was already inside Him became visible on the outside.

That’s how real change happens.

Some people experience instant freedom when they come to Christ. Addictions disappear. Language changes overnight. Cravings vanish.

Other people walk a longer road. It’s up and down. It’s hard. And that doesn’t mean God loves them less. Sometimes God removes something instantly. Sometimes He strengthens you so that you overcome it.

Both are grace.

Discernment Comes Through Transformation

When we allow God to renew our minds, we gain discernment. We learn to test what is good, acceptable, and perfect. We learn to recognize God’s will—not just what we think, but what actually reflects His heart.

The church needs this.

We need people who can discern teaching, motives, fruit, and spirit. People who can see beneath the surface. People who have clearly been with Jesus.

A Community Built on Invitation

Romans 12 moves us into community. One body. Many parts. Different gifts. Mutual dependence.

We need one another.

Not to control one another—but to lovingly invite one another into deeper surrender.

So here it is, plain and simple:

Will you offer yourself as a living sacrifice?

Not because someone told you to.

Not because you feel pressured.

But because you’ve encountered the mercy, compassion, and kindness of God.

And as you do—watch what He transforms. Watch what He heals. Watch what He releases in your life, your family, and your city.

Jesus is worthy of His full reward.

Amen.

This is from my message at The Journey on Sunday, January 25th. Here's the link if you'd like to see the full message.

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