Illumination: Hearing From God Series

The SPIRIT-led Lifestyle (Part 6)

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God.

Romans 8:14

Illumination: Hearing From God

1 Corinthians 2:9-16

Illumination: direct communication from God to you. Can God really speak to me? Can I really hear Him?

The Possibility of Illumination: 1 Corinthians 2:9-16

V. 9 nobody knows–see there, Nobody can know what God wants! But wait, ....

V.16 “but we have the mind of Christ”–we CAN KNOW!

Illumination means you can

☞ know God’s will

☞ understand what He’s doing

☞ make the right choices

1. The Holy Spirit Illumines Us Through The Word

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:17

In Personal Bible Study:

1) The Spirit confronts me.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

2) The Spirit perfects me

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

3)The Spirit indulges me

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness... Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature

2 Peter 1:3-4

As you read your Bible, ask yourself, “Is there...*

i)a sin to avoid iv)a blessing to enjoy

ii)a victory to win v)a command to obey

iii)a promise to call my own vi)a failure to learn from

{this set of questions comes from the wonderful freeware known as “The Online Bible”}

2. The Holy Spirit Illumines Us Through Prayer

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. John 16:13

5 Questions To Distinguish Answers To Prayer

Is the guidance I’m perceiving....

.... harmonizing with the Scriptures?

.... molding me to be like Christ?

(Does it leave me: Separated from the world,

submissive to those who rule me, steadfast in my convictions OR condemning

compromised,

comfortable)

.... tuned into the teachings of my church?

.... highlighting my obligation?

(To authority, etc)

.... bringing peace & dependance?

3. The Holy Spirit Illumines Us Through Other Believers

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but prodding one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25

Teaching

Testimony (Shared experience of another believer–they’ve gone through what I’ve gone through, God is trying to tell me...)

Encouragement (Outside opinion–God has led them to share the right words at the right time)