¹⁸Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. ²⁰But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” ²²All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ²³“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). ²⁴When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, ²⁵but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-25, ESV)

The LORD said to Abram… (Genesis 12:1)

God said to Moses… (Exodus 3:14)

…the LORD said to Joshua… (Joshua 1:1)

Then the LORD said to me… (Isaiah 8:1)

The Spirit told me… (Acts 11:12)

1. God speaks to

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)

2. God speaks to

Dearly loved friends, don’t always believe everything you hear just because someone says it is a message from God: test it first to see if it really is. For there are many false teachers around. (1 John 4:1, LB)

3. God speaks to

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. (Hebrews 3:15)

And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name. (Acts 22:16)

Main point: Hearing and following God’s voice will lead you to a full and