Sermon Central
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Hearing God's Voice (Part 2)his Word Series
Contributed by David Roch on Oct 22, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: Hearing God’s Voice through the Bible, God can speak to you through the Bible
Hearing God’s Voice through The Bible
God’s Word is:
1. Forever
Ps 119:89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. NIV
2. Our guide in every day things. and our measuring stick
Ps 119: 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet...
3. Light in the darkness
Psalm 119: 105 b...and a light for my path. (NIV)
4. With God
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
5. God
John 1:1...and the Word was God. (AV)
6. Useful
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is God?breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, (NIV)
7. Power
Ro 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. (NIV)
8. A discerner of truth
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double?edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (NIV)
9. Hope
Ro 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (NIV)
10. Confirmation of eternal life
1Jo 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (NIV)
11. Food for the soul
1Pe 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, (NIV)
Mt 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: `Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’" (NIV)
12. Loved by the saints
Psalm 119:82 ---- all of Psalm 119 has to do with the Word of God
13. A devouring flame
14. A life-giving force
Ezekial 37:7 Ezekial & the bones
15. A defensive weapon
Ephesians 6:17 Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God
How can and does God speak through His Word?
As you go through your life, God wants to speak to you through His Word, whether when you’re reading the Scripture or in everyday situations:
A. A passage may jump out at you.
B. A passage you have read before now seems to have a different or deeper meaning. It draws you back to read it again.
C. A Scripture and/or a Scripture reference comes to your mind (like a still small voice)
D. The part you are reading or meditating on becomes a revelation to you. It’s like a lightbulb going on. The truth of the passage impacts your life. It becomes real to you in your situation.
What do I do with these Scriptures now?
Pray and:
1. Ask God what He is wanting to say. Just speak as you would to a friend, and ask God, “ What does this mean to me today?”
2. Wait and listen. Waiting is one of the hardest things to do. It’s just being still, with no agenda, shutting off our thoughts and being still, expecting to hear from God.
3. Write down things as they come to your mind and heart.
4. Read the scripture again and then pray, wait and write. Again write down the things you hear, the impression you sense.
5. Look for other scriptures and confirmations that will help you understand what God is trying to tell you.
6. When you believe you understand, then be obedient to what God is telling you. (Note: If you loose His peace, go back to where you last had it and see if you are doing what God had told you to do)
Examples
1. 2 Kings 22: 1 - 14, King Josiah and the rebuilding of the temple: An example of the Word as revelation and what to do with it.
Eg. 2 Kings 22: 1 - 14
King Josiah began ruling when he was 8 years old. He did what was right in God’s Eyes.
When he was 26 years old, he started rebuilding the Temple. In process of cleaning out and refurbishing the temple, Hilkiah (the High Priest) found the Book of the Law.
He gave it to Shaphan, the King’s secretary. Shaphan read it to himself and then to the king.
When King Josiah realized that the Book of the law showed that the nation of Judah was doing wrong, he was so upset in learning that his people were not following God’s way, that he tore his robes.
Then, he gave orders for the priests, secretary, and other trusted people of his court to go to God to find what to do about this situation. When they heard from God, they reported to him.