At That Time Jesus Answered
Jesus' constant fellowship with the Father teaches us the importance of listening to God's voice and being prepared to answer Him.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the profound relationship Jesus had with His Father, illustrating that Jesus often responded to God's voice even when no one else was aware of it. This constant fellowship serves as a model for believers, encouraging them to cultivate their own silent communion with God. Spurgeon urges the congregation to recognize the privilege of intimate communication with the Father, which is often overlooked by the world. He calls for hearts to be prepared to respond to God's whispers, highlighting the joy and assurance found in such a relationship. Ultimately, the sermon invites believers to engage in a deeper spiritual dialogue with God, acknowledging His presence and guidance in their lives.
Text
This is a singular way in which to commence a verse--"At that time Jesus answered." If you will look at the context you will not perceive that any person had asked Him a question, or that He was in conversation with any human being. Yet it is written, "Jesus answered and said, I thank Thee, O Father." When a man answers, he answers a person who has been speaking to him. Who, then, had spoken to Christ? His Father. Yet there is no record of it; and this should teach us that Jesus had constant fellowship with His Father, and that God spake into His heart so often, so continually, that it was not a circumstance singular enough to be recorded.
It was the habit and life of Jesus to talk with God. Even as Jesus was, is this world, so are we; let us therefore learn the lesson which this simple statement concerning Him teaches us. May we likewise have silent fellowship with the Father, so that often we may answer Him, and though the world wotteth not to whom we speak, may we be responding to that secret voice unheard of any other ear, which our own ear, opened by the Spirit of God, recognizes with joy. God has spoken to us, let us speak to God--either to set our seal that God is true and faithful to His promise, or to confess the sin of which the Spirit of God has convinced us, or to acknowledge the mercy which God's providence has given, or to express assent to the great truths which God the Holy Ghost has opened to our understanding.
What a privilege is intimate communion with the Father of our spirits! It is a secret hidden from the world, a joy with which even the nearest friend intermeddleth not. If we would hear the whispers of God's love, our ear must be purged and fitted to listen to His voice. This very evening may our hearts be in such a state, that when God speaks to us, we, like Jesus, may be prepared at once to answer Him.
Sermon Outline
- Jesus' Constant Fellowship with the Father
- The Importance of Listening to God's Voice
- The Privilege of Answering God
- Responding to God's promise
- Confessing sin to God
- Expressing gratitude for God's mercy
Key Quotes
“It was the habit and life of Jesus to talk with God.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“May we likewise have silent fellowship with the Father, so that often we may answer Him, and though the world wotteth not to whom we speak, may we be responding to that secret voice unheard of any other ear, which our own ear, opened by the Spirit of God, recognizes with joy.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“What a privilege is intimate communion with the Father of our spirits!” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Let us strive to have silent fellowship with the Father, so that we may answer Him and respond to His secret voice.
- We must purge our ears to listen to God's voice and be prepared to answer Him.
- Let us express gratitude to God by acknowledging the mercy which His providence has given us.