The Daily Blade: Joby Martin & Kyle Thompson
Episode #57 - Joby Martin // Recognizing the Shepherd's Voice
Release Date: March 20, 2025
Introduction
In Episode #57 of The Daily Blade, hosts Pastor Joby Martin of the Church of Eleven22 and Kyle Thompson of Undaunted.Life delve into the profound theme of recognizing the voice of the Shepherd—Jesus Christ. Drawing from John chapter 10, they explore how believers can discern and respond to God's guidance amidst a cacophony of worldly influences.
Jesus as the Good Shepherd
Understanding the Shepherd’s Identity
Pastor Joby Martin begins by unpacking John 10:14-16, where Jesus identifies Himself as the "good shepherd." He emphasizes that Jesus's role extends beyond His immediate followers in Israel to encompass all believers worldwide.
“Jesus said this 2000 years ago to a group of his followers that were with him in Israel. And he is talking about you and me.” [00:20]
Inclusivity of the Flock
Martin highlights Jesus's prophetic vision of a unified global church, indicating that believers are part of a singular flock under one Shepherd, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries.
“There will be one flock and one shepherd.” [00:45]
The Voice of God vs. The Voice of the World
Contrasting Divine and Worldly Voices
A significant portion of the discussion contrasts the voice of Jesus—the Good Shepherd—with the pervasive "voice of the stranger" representing worldly distractions and false teachings.
“We live in a world that spends billions of dollars a day to try to amplify the voice of the thief who comes only to steal, kill and destroy.” [01:15]
Characteristics of the Stranger’s Voice
Martin outlines the deceptive nature of worldly voices, which promote self-centeredness, materialism, and subjective truth, leading believers away from God’s path.
“This is the voice of the stranger, and it leads only to death and destruction.” [02:00]
Hearing the Voice of God
1. Reading the Bible
Primary Source of Divine Communication
Martin underscores the Bible as the foundational medium through which God communicates His will, describing it as "the sword of the Spirit" that provides clarity and direction.
“The word of God is sharper than any double edged sword. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit.” [03:00]
2. Listening to Biblical Preaching
Importance of Expository Teaching
He advocates for engaging with quality Bible preaching that elucidates scriptures, enabling believers to understand God’s intentions and receive the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
“Jesus promised that he would give you the Holy Spirit to help interpret and understand what he would want you to know at a certain time.” [03:45]
3. Prayer
Deepening Divine Connection
Prayer is presented as a vital practice for communicating with God, seeking His direction, and reinforcing one’s relationship with the Shepherd.
“God wants to bring a good word to you. He wants to give you direction.” [04:15]
4. Community
Accountability and Mutual Encouragement
Martin emphasizes the role of a faith-based community in discerning God's voice, encouraging believers to discuss their spiritual insights with fellow Christians who are grounded in scripture.
“Do you have a group of men in your life that are rooted in the scriptures?” [04:45]
Overcoming the Noise of the World
Minimizing Distractions
To effectively hear God’s voice, Martin advises believers to reduce worldly "noise" by limiting exposure to secular influences and creating quiet time for spiritual reflection.
“Make it a regular practice of you to get away from the noise of this world. Turn down all the noise.” [05:10]
Focus on Divine Over Earthly Influences
He encourages prioritizing biblical teachings and spiritual disciplines over the constant barrage of societal messages that can obscure God’s guidance.
“Turn off your phone after this podcast... just get you and the word and say Father speak to me through this word.” [05:25]
Conclusion
Pastor Joby Martin concludes by reaffirming the necessity of recognizing and heeding the voice of the Good Shepherd amidst a distracting world. By immersing oneself in scripture, engaging with faithful preaching, maintaining a robust prayer life, and fostering a supportive community, believers can distinctly hear and follow Jesus’s guidance.
“The question is are you listening for the voice of the good Shepherd? Amen.” [05:30]
Key Takeaways
- Identify Jesus as the Good Shepherd: Understanding Jesus’s role provides a foundation for recognizing His guidance.
- Discern Between Voices: Distinguish between the divine voice of Jesus and the deceptive voices of the world.
- Engage with God’s Word: Regular Bible reading and quality preaching are essential for hearing God’s voice.
- Cultivate Spiritual Disciplines: Prayer and community support strengthen the ability to discern and follow divine direction.
- Minimize Worldly Distractions: Reducing exposure to secular noise enhances clarity in hearing God’s guidance.
By following these principles, listeners are equipped to navigate their spiritual journeys with a clear understanding of how to recognize and respond to the Shepherd’s voice in their daily lives.