Factors That Determine How God Communicates

Text: Psalm 85:8-13 (Focus : vs 8)

Psalm 85:8–13 (NLT)

8 I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways.

9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, so our land will be filled with his glory.

10 Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed!

11 Truth springs up from the earth, and righteousness smiles down from heaven.

12 Yes, the Lord pours down his blessings. Our land will yield its bountiful harvest.

13 Righteousness goes as a herald before him, preparing the way for his steps.

INTRODUCTION

A- As we have seen previously, God does still speak to us. In fact, he created us to have communion with Him.

B- If this is true, why is it that two groups of people, praying about the same thing do not have equal ability to hear God’s voice?

TS: There are some factors that affect our ability to hear God’s voice. What are they?

I- OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM (Psalm 85:8)

Psalm 85:8 (NLT)

8 I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways.

A- Our initial relationship with Him.

1. Must be saved or no Communication is possible .

(John 14:6 )

John 14:6 (NLT)

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

a. The Lord hears no prayer from a lost man, but the prayer of repentance.

b. The Lord communicates to the lost person only conviction of sin and need of Christ.

B- Our identification with him

1. Once we are saved, our life is his, not ours.

(Galatians 2:20)

Galatians 2:20 (NLT)

20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

C - Our intimacy with Him.

1. we cannot maintain our distance in commitment and expect to hear him properly.

(Galatians 4:6)

Galatians 4:6 (NLT)

6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”

a. It would be like trying to understand someone far away across a crowded, noisy room.

II- OUR UNDERSTANDING OF HIM (HIS NATURE). (Psalm 85:9-12)

Psalm 85:9–12 (NLT)

9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, so our land will be filled with his glory.

10 Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed!

11 Truth springs up from the earth, and righteousness smiles down from heaven.

12 Yes, the Lord pours down his blessings. Our land will yield its bountiful harvest.

A- A loving vs. demanding father.

1. The story of the prodigal son illustrates that God is a Loving father. (Luke 15:11-32) .

* Young man's image of God (HTLTG page 68) by Charles Stanley

One morning after a speaking engagement, two young men were taking me to the airport. The driver began talking to me. He told me he had received a tape of a sermon that I had preached on putting away childish things. He informed me that he had driven for over sixteen hours, and throughout the difference that had come over his life after hearing it and bow his relationship with his parents and with the Lord had been strengthened through the message.

The other Young man was quiet for most of the trip, but as we neared the airport, he opened up. He indicated that he wasn't sure what God was doing in his life, and some of the confusion he had concerned his call to the ministry* When he finished speaking, I asked him about his relationship with his parents. He responded that his father was a very domineering man. Then, without any provocation, he burst out, "You know, when 1 come before God to pray? I get the same withering feeling as when I talk to my father. It's as-if I see my father when I talk to God. I have the same image of a dominant God who has not accepted me, and before Him I feel I can never measure up,

Multitudes of people approach God in the same fearful way because their notion of God has been distorted the attitude, behavior, or instruction of others..

B- An intimate vs. distant friend.

1. The nature of a true friend is to care at all times.

(Proverbs 17:17)

Proverbs 17:17 (NLT)

17 A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

(Proverbs 18:24)

Proverbs 18:24 (NLT)

24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

2. The Lord is the dearest type of friend.

C- A patient vs. intolerant teacher.

1. He is not merely one who points out our faults, but patiently tries to teach us the right way. (Psalm 25: 4-5).

Psalm 25:4–5 (NLT)

4 Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.

5 Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.

D- A Gentle vs. angry guide.

1. He gently Counsels us to do what is right.

(Psalm 73:24)

Psalm 73:24 (NLT)

24 You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.

E- An understanding vs. insensitive counselor.

1. He is compassionate and sensitive counselor.

(Matthew 9:36)

Matthew 9:36 (NLT)

36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

(Luke 19:41)

Luke 19:41 (NLT)

41 But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep.

(Hebrews 4:15)

Hebrews 4:15 (NLT)

15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

F- A generous vs. reluctant provider.

1. He generously provides our needs.

(Philippians 4:19).

Philippians 4:19 (NLT)

19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

G- A faithful vs. inconsistent sustainer.

1. His mercies begin anew each morning.

(Lamentations 3:22-23)

Lamentations 3:22–23 (NLT)

22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.

23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

III- OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD HIM. (Psalm 85:8)

Psalm 85:8 (NLT)

8 I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways.

A- Must be submissive.

“I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying”

1- Listening carefully to what God is saying means to listen with the purpose of obeying.

(James 4: 7)

James 4:7 (NLT)

7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

(ὑποτάγητε οὖν τῷ θεῷ· ἀντίστητε δὲ τῷ διαβόλῳ, καὶ φεύξεται ἀφʼ ὑμῶν·)

* ὑποτάγητε = to humbly submit in obedience to another.

* ὑποτάγητε οὖν τῷ θεῷ = We are to humbly submit our selves to God.

B- Must be trusting.

“I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways.”

1- When we listen carefully, we know we can trust him because of who He is.

a- He is God the Lord

2- When we listen carefully, we know we can trust Him because of His intent toward us.

a- He speaks peace to his faithful people.

(Proverbs 3: 5)

Proverbs 3:5 (NLT)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

C- Must be thankful.

12 Yes, the Lord pours down his blessings. Our land will yield its bountiful harvest.

1- We must be thankful for His blessings.

2- We must be thankful for his provision.

(Psalm 100: 4)

Psalm 100:4 (NLT)

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.

D- Must be repentant.

“let them not return to their foolish ways.”

1- We must make the choice to turn away from our errors and sins and follow the Lord.

2- We must reject our false notions about God and bring our ideas and misconceptions into alignment with the Word of God.

(Revelation 2:5)

Revelation 2:5 (NLT)

5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.

CONCLUSION:

What factors affect God's communication with us?

I- OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM

A- Our initial relationship with Him.

B- Our identification with him

C - Our intimacy with Him.

II- OUR UNDERSTANDING OF HIM (HIS NATURE).

A- A loving vs. demanding father.

B- An intimate vs. distant friend.

C- A patient vs. intolerant teacher.

D- A Gentle vs. angry guide.

E- An understanding vs. insensitive counselor.

F- A generous vs. reluctant provider.

G- A faithful vs. inconsistent sustainer.

III- OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD HIM.

A- Must be submissive.

B- Must be trusting.

C- Must be thankful.

D- Must be repentant.

Where are you in regard to these issues?