Ways God speaks to us - 1 Kings 19:12

Ways God Speaks to Us

July 10, 2011

1 Kings 19:12

Introduction

• Helen Keller - lived during early 1900's, died 1968 - deaf and blind - not able to communicate - isolated - Ann Sullivan broke through and allowed young Helen to blossom as she learned to communicate
• We grow and develop mentally and emotionally through communication
• In growing up spiritually we also need communication, with God
• God speaks to us in different ways
• These are as varied as He is great!
• Today we are going to look at some of the ways in which God speaks to us

The Bible

• John 17:17 - Thy Word is truth
• Rev 19:13 - His name - the Word of God - spokesman, communicator
• James 1:21 - Logos
• Matt 4:4 - Rhema
• What sometimes blocks our understanding of the Bible
• Need to confront issues, not ignore or run away from them

Still small voice

• 1 Kings 19:12 - still small voice
• Matt 10:20 - the Spirit of your Father speaks
• John 16:13 - the Spirit will guide

Many ways

• Prophetic word
  • 1 Cor 14:1-5 - gift of prophecy
  • Acts 13:2 - Holy Spirit spoke - prophetic word, accepted by the church?
• Circumstances
  • Acts 16:7 - Paul stopped by circumstances
  • Rev 3:8 - open door - an open door to walk into God's destiny - revealed by circumstances
• Dreams and visions
  • Acts 16:9-10 - Macedonian call - a night vision
  • Matt 1:20 - angel of the Lord speaks to Joseph in a dream
  • You know the dream is special, and usually you know the meaning
• Nature
  • Psalm 19:1The heavens declare the glory of God
  • God's answer to prayer re candidating

Conclusion

• We have looked at a few of the ways God speaks to us
• But God is so great, he is not limited by a few ways to speak to us
• It is one thing to be listening for God's voice
• But we also need to know when we hear a voice, is it from God, is it from ourselves, or is it from the enemy
• Come back next week, because that is what we will be talking about in the next sermon