Sermon Central
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Two Way Communication
Contributed by Andy Almendarez on Mar 22, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: One of the greatest tragedies of the Christian life is that we fail to ever enter into a relationship with God that is born of the Holy Spirit. We are left with a religion, not a relationship.
Two Way Communications
Recently I have been over hearing in certain classes on whether or not we can influence God? I think that if that question is asked or thought of here maybe our people feel that way as well. If we as future shepherds, feel that way how can we effectively communicate that prayer is a viable tool in our relationship with God.
One of the greatest tragedies of the Christian life is that we fail to ever enter into a relationship with God that is born of the Holy Spirit. We are left with a religion, not a relationship.
How can I dare to say that, here on a campus full of officers and those training to become officers, many of us here today live with an intellectual belief in God, however, we live without a relationship that runs to two-way communication?
Many of us have owned cars. We know that it takes gas to run these automobiles. If there is no gas the car does not run. It looks pretty there in the drive way but we can’t enjoy the new car smell or the new car ride.
Isaiah describes his relationship to God as a relationship that has two-way communication. I know many of us have felt like our communication is one way. Isaiah tells us that God gave him “a well-taught tongue, so I know how to encourage tired people. He wakes me up in the morning, wakes me up, opens my ears to listen as one ready to take orders. The Master God, opened my ears, and I didn’t go back to sleep, didn’t pull the covers over my head. I followed orders” (Message Isaiah 50:4-5).
An Englishman relates an encounter with a Muslim while on a walk in the country. The Englishman wanted to share Christ with the Muslim but knew little of the man’s faith. The two agreed that each would share their faith as they walked.
The Muslim shared first and dominated the conversation. The Englishman asked the Holy Spirit in which way he should respond. The man asked the Muslim if he saw his god as his father who speaks? The Muslim answered with an emphatic no.
The Englishman told the Muslim that is how he considered God, as the father who speaks to him personally. The Muslim told the Englishman to prove it. The Englishman once again called upon the Spirit for help. A few minutes later two young women came down the road. The Englishman engaged them in conversation.
He then told one of the women that she was a nurse. He asked for her confirmation. She wanted to know how he could know such a thing because they had never met. He replied “I asked my Father and he told me.” There was the proof for the Muslim.
Once again let us turn our attention to Isaiah. The key to this great man of God’s relationship lies in three important principles;
1. He had a well-taught tongue. Isaiah had given rule of his life completely over to the purposes of God.
2. He knew the Word of the Lord so that he was able to encourage tired people.
3. He took time to listen.
4. He didn’t go back to sleep or pull the covers back over his head.
If there is to be two way communication and influence on God from us, we must learn these principles. Some may say but I know these principles. That may be so, yet why is there still the doubt as to whether or not we influence God.
Knowing and spending time studying the Word of God allows the Holy Spirit to bring to mind His instructions for what He wants for us. We all hear about what lies in stores for us when we leave and that the first thing to go is our two-way communication with God.
I must confess that I will not miss this place in a little more than one hundred days. What I will miss is the opportunity to truly have the opportunity for learning about my Jesus in an academic setting for my growth and my relationship with him. I can’t believe I’m saying I would miss even one thing about this place of squeezing.
It is here that I have been able to hone my relationship and renew my lifeline with Jesus. When we begin to lose that lifeline with Jesus, we are susceptible to becoming rebellious, going our own way. Take time to invest in this relationship so that you may continue to hear His voice and sustain the tired around you.
