Recognizing God's Voice
July 17, 2011
John 10:4-5
July 17, 2011
John 10:4-5
Introduction
- During the last two sermons we have looked at Bible teachings and we have seen that God is a God who speaks
- Last week we also looked at ways in which God speaks to us
- Through the Word, in our thoughts, through other people, through circumstances
- TESTIMONIES
- Today we will examine how we can know when it is God speaking, or alternatively it could be our own thoughts, or the enemy
1. Be obedient to what God says
- James 1:22
- God tells us that along with hearing God's voice, there is accountability - we have to be obedient and do what he says
- God will not speak to us unless we are obedient to what he tells us
- When we are disobedient, we grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30)
2. Ways to test what we hear
- 1 John 4:1 - test what you hear - you don't want to believe lies
- a) It must be according to God's word
- Isa 8:20 - the word is the test
- b) It should draw us closer to Christ
- Phil 2:5 - Let this mind be in you which was in Jesus
- What Would Jesus Do? - Charles Sheldon
- c) It will fit our mix of spiritual gifts, personal talents and personality
- Eph 2:10 - God has a plan and purpose for us
- Num 23:19 - God does not lie
- d) Is the word convicting or condemning?
- God may chastise us verbally
- Hebrews 12:10-11
- Romans 8:1 - God does not condemn
- But he may convict us of some area of life in which we need to change
- e) Do other believers confirm it?
- Proverbs 19:20, 24:6 - get advice
- We need help when we are in new territory
- Ask for directions!
- f) We will have a sense of peace
- 1 Cor 14:33
- Confusion is not of God
- If the word is confusing to us, God did not give it to us
- John 14:27 - my peace I give to you
3. Listen for what God will speak to you
- Rev 2:29, 3:6, 13, 22
- "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches"
- We are going to spend some time listening to God
- Free to come forward to altar rail, or stay in seat
- Prayer for forgiveness, and open ears
- Lord speak to your people
Conclusion
- We can listen to God's voice
- He speaks to the global church
- He speaks to Grace Fellowship
- And he speaks to us personally
- Practice this, make it part of the way you live each day
- During the last two sermons we have looked at Bible teachings and we have seen that God is a God who speaks
- Last week we also looked at ways in which God speaks to us
- Through the Word, in our thoughts, through other people, through circumstances
- TESTIMONIES
- Today we will examine how we can know when it is God speaking, or alternatively it could be our own thoughts, or the enemy
1. Be obedient to what God says
- James 1:22
- God tells us that along with hearing God's voice, there is accountability - we have to be obedient and do what he says
- God will not speak to us unless we are obedient to what he tells us
- When we are disobedient, we grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30)
2. Ways to test what we hear
- 1 John 4:1 - test what you hear - you don't want to believe lies
- a) It must be according to God's word
- Isa 8:20 - the word is the test
- b) It should draw us closer to Christ
- Phil 2:5 - Let this mind be in you which was in Jesus
- What Would Jesus Do? - Charles Sheldon
- c) It will fit our mix of spiritual gifts, personal talents and personality
- Eph 2:10 - God has a plan and purpose for us
- Num 23:19 - God does not lie
- d) Is the word convicting or condemning?
- God may chastise us verbally
- Hebrews 12:10-11
- Romans 8:1 - God does not condemn
- But he may convict us of some area of life in which we need to change
- e) Do other believers confirm it?
- Proverbs 19:20, 24:6 - get advice
- We need help when we are in new territory
- Ask for directions!
- f) We will have a sense of peace
- 1 Cor 14:33
- Confusion is not of God
- If the word is confusing to us, God did not give it to us
- John 14:27 - my peace I give to you
3. Listen for what God will speak to you
- Rev 2:29, 3:6, 13, 22
- "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches"
- We are going to spend some time listening to God
- Free to come forward to altar rail, or stay in seat
- Prayer for forgiveness, and open ears
- Lord speak to your people
Conclusion
- We can listen to God's voice
- He speaks to the global church
- He speaks to Grace Fellowship
- And he speaks to us personally
- Practice this, make it part of the way you live each day
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