03.02.2022 | GOD IS SPEAKING – ARE WE LISTENING?
GOD IS SPEAKING – ARE WE LISTENING?
1. Does God speak personally to His people today?
John 10:27 – “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
2. What are some of the ways God speaks today?
A. Through His Written Word
Matthew 4:4 – “But He answered and said, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”’”
B. Through Dreams and Visions
Acts 16:9 – “And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’”
C. Through the Gifts of the Spirit
1 Corinthians 12:8 – “For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit.”
1 Corinthians 12:10 – “To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.”
D. Through the Holy Spirit
Acts 8:29 – “Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go near and overtake this chariot.’”
E. Through the Created World
Psalm 19:1 – “The heavens declare the Glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.”
3. What are some of His conditions for hearing His voice?
A. Humility
Psalm 25:9 (NIV) – “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.”
John 5:19 – “Then Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.’”
James 4:6b – “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
B. Faith
We must believe that God wants to speak with us.
Hebrews 11:6 – “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Isaiah 30:21 – “Your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, ‘This is the way walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand and whenever you turn to the left.”
C. A Clean Heart
Psalm 66:18 – “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.”
D. A Yielded Will
John 4:34 – “Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.’”
John 8:29 – “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”
“It is important to understand that guidance from God will be according to the extent of our commitment to do His will.” – Joy Dawson
E. Waiting Before the Lord
Psalm 27:14 – “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!”
F. Recognize the Source of the Voice
Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:6 – “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
James 4:7 – “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
3 Steps to Hearing God’s Voice:
a. Submit your flesh to God.
b. Muzzle every demonic voice in Jesus’ Name.
c. Ask to hear the voice of God and take the time to listen and obey.
4. How do we know it is the Voice of God?
A. God’s Voice will always align with God’s Written Word. (2 Timothy 3:16)
B. God’s Voice will bring God’s peace. (Colossians 3:15)
C. God’s Voice can be confirmed through His trusted people.
Proverbs 11:14 – “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”