Experiencing God Sermon 4

Next Week:

Last week- 7 Realities of Experiencing God

This Week: How God Speaks

And closing with - How is God Speaking to You!?

Discussion.

John 8:47 “Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.””

What are some of the ways people hear from God?

How have those who have God before heard and experienced God?

From the Beginning…

God speaks to you and me...

Adam and Even in the garden

Abraham and patriarchs

the Judges, Kings, and Prophets

Through God in Flesh - Jesus!

to John on the Isle of Patmos

throughout history…

And to you and me… he speaks!

Story of Failure of Communication and Direction! - Tsunami

In September 2018, an earthquake beneath an island caused a tsunami (giant wave) to move toward the city of Palu, Indonesia. A man on top of a high building saw the wave coming. He shouted warnings to the people on the streets below, but most of them ignored him. More than 4,000 people died, and 10,000 were injured. Ten years before (2008), the government had placed 22 floating buoys in the ocean with electronic sensors designed to send a warning if a tsunami came. However, during the next few years, the buoys were not maintained, and all of them stopped working. None of them sent a warning about the tsunami in 2018

Ever wonder if God is speaking today and if maybe… the signal isn’t getting through?

Is God speaking through “yell ing down below, a big wave, or sonar beacons?”

Desires in all of us:

Deep within the heart of humans is a desire to know, and be know...

At the core… We all have a god shaped void that only God can fill.

Some try and fill it in various ways.

But only a direct relationship, experienced daily in real and personal ways can fill that void.

As we wrap-up this series: We’ve been talking about “experiencing God”… and looking at examples in scripture we can hopefully learn from!

How have others experienced God as he spoke to them?

TODAY #1 - We are going to go systematically through the bible and to today to look broadly at how God speaks.

TODAY #2 - At the end: I’d love to hear how God is spoken to you lately and what God is doing in your life.

1-God Speaks: The Old Testament

Angels - Gen. 16

visions - Gen 15

Dreams - Gen 28

Urim an Thummim - Exod 28

Symbolic Actions - Jeremiah 18

A gentle whisper - 1 Kings 19

Miraculous Signs Exodus 8

Prophets Deut 18

Burning Bush Exod 3

Symbolic Actions Isaiah 20

“The fact that God spoke is more important than how he spoke”

If you like me your like well… look god spoke through a whisper, so maybe I should be listening for a whisper… so kids...

Kids — when your mom and dad ask you to do something is it a whisper. Or they say pass the salt and pepper is it a burning bush.

No - they may gesture, they may use there eyes, they may whisper or yell. but regardless… you’ll get the message.

IN THE OT - WHEN GOD SPOKE, THE WAY HE COMMUNICATED WAS OFTEN UNIQUE TO THE INDIVIDUAL.

When God speaks - He will do it to get your attention.

for some of us we need hard knocks, others soft pats.

For instance what we see in scripture exactly shows this… we rarely see the same thing twice… we see so many different ways (certainly some common themes) but always the circumstances, the people, and the ways and means were often different!

For instance: Moses when he encountered the burning bush… did he say “At last!” “This is my burning bush experience. My fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had their encounters with burning bushes, and I guess this is mine!”

It was a singular event. What wasn’t singular… was God speaking.

God wants to speak to us directly and personally...

Tomorrow when your cracking open your front door, and the wind blows softly in while you realize God is there with you, or at home when your in a conversation with a friend and God gives you love and encouragement for the person on the other line, or kids when your at school frustrated by a homework problem and you bow your head and pray and God helps you on that problem… God is speaking he is there.

God can speak in many different ways to get our attention but know - God is speaking!

2. IN THE OT - WHEN GOD SPOKE, THE PERSON WAS SURE IT WAS GOD.

Moses didn’t know it was God. Elijah didn’t get a news flash in the middle of the earthquake, or the whisper, and Baalam didn’t initially get the memo with the talking donkey… but they all knew at some point along the way. THIS IS GOD.

It’s time to listen.

Today God isn’t typically speaking through donkeys, hurricanes, and burning bushes… but he is speaking. And when he speaks you can know it’s God.

Question: could Moses logically prove to someone else “that he had heard from God through a burning bush”?

Moses did not have any prior experience of hearing God speak like this. But when the I AM spoke in Exodus 3:14 - He was listening!

Sometimes in scripture we see some hesitation - like Gideon - He wanted additional assurance! So the angel burned up the meat and bread… and what was Gideon's response.

Judges 6:21–22 “Then the angel of the Lord reached out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened cakes. And fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened cakes. And the angel of the Lord vanished from his sight. Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the Lord. And Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.””

Oh Lord! IT WAS YOu.

In the end - It was clear God was speaking!

3. IN THE OT - WHEN GOD SPOKE, THE PERSON KNEW WHAT GOD SAID!

Moses knew.

He knew God clearly wanted to work through him.

Noah knew - he was to build a boat.

Nehemiah - God put it in my heart” - how’d he know? He just did!

Esther and Mordecai - Interestingly enough God isn’t mentioned in the book of Ether - but God and his providence is all through it! On every page! Guiding and directing!

God is speaking, for these OT Characters when God spoke then knew who was speaking.

The next time you hear someone say “well God didn’t speak in the Old Testament”… use some of this to utterly disprove that! Or the Holy Spirit wasn’t at work in the Old Testament. I disagree.

2. God Speaks in the New Testament

TODAY God Speaks: The Gospels

How does God speak to us through the gospels? anyone?

The Gospels are the first four books of the New Testament — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John — that record the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The word “Gospel” means “good news.” They proclaim the good news that God has provided salvation through His Son, Jesus.

The Gospels reveal who Jesus is, what He taught, and why He came — to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), to fulfill God’s promises, and to bring eternal life through His death and resurrection.

Matthew Henry writes that the four Gospels together form “a complete portrait of our Lord — His kingship, servanthood, humanity, and divinity.”

Beacon Bible Commentary: “The Gospels stand as the covenant bridge — where the promises of Israel meet the fulfillment in Christ.”

The Gospels testify or shout aloud to us - God is speaking through the person of Jesus Christ!

Listen up! You ever have to do that?

Sometimes I say eyes?… and they say… click!

Why? I want their attention.

Listen up… the gospels all blend together to show us the various aspects of the God man Jesus Christ.

Did you know?

Matthew -

shows the messiah has come! Begins with lengthy genealogies!

Written for a Jewish audience. Emphasizes Jesus as King and Teacher, the New Moses, and the Messiah who brings God’s Kingdom. Contains five major teaching sections (Sermon on the Mount, parables, etc.) that parallel the five books of Moses.

Matthew shows Jesus as the fulfillment of O.T. Prophecy and rightful king of the Jews!

Mark written -

Written to a Roman audience that valued action. Uses words like immediately (Greek euthys) 40+ times. Shows Jesus’ power over demons, disease, and death. Emphasizes the cross as the climax of service.

Mark shows Jesus as the obedient, powerful Servant

Luke written -

“Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us... it seemed good to me also... to write to you an orderly account... that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.” — Luke 1:1–4

So, in Luke’s own words, the Gospel was written:

To provide an orderly, accurate account of Jesus’ life and ministry.

To give believers certainty about the truth of the Gospel message.

To show the fulfillment of God’s plan in Christ.

As Adam Clark said:

“Luke, under the direction of the Spirit of God, wrote to give the world the most orderly and detailed account of our Lord’s life, doctrine, miracles, death, resurrection, and ascension.”

He sought to persuade reason as well as faith, writing to a Gentile audience.

The purpose is evangelistic and apologetic — convincing the world of Christ’s truth.

John written -

John’s focus is Christ’s divine nature and personal relationship with believers.

He showed various signs to reveal his glory and divine power and that he wanted aus to “believe” in Jesus. Appears over 100 times in the book!

He presents Jesus as the eternal Word, true Light, and only way to life

John 20:31 – “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”

Expositors Bible Commentor says: “John’s narrative is a series of carefully chosen signs, each revealing a dimension of Jesus’ glory, leading to the climactic confession of Thomas, ‘My Lord and my God!’ (20:28).”

It continues...

“The Gospel is not arranged chronologically but theologically — to bring readers to the point of faith in Christ’s person and mission.”

In short:

Key Texts!...

Matthew 5:17 — fulfillment of prophecy.

Mark 10:45 — the Servant who gives His life.

Luke 1:4 — that you may know the certainty.

John 20:31 — written that you may believe.

What’s the purpose of the glorious gospels?

To record Christ’s work and to bring you and me and the ends of the earth to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ!

READ:

The gospels shout loudly that God spoke and indeed is most fully revealed through the person of JEsus Christ!

Just as surely as Moses was face to face with God at the burning bush, the disciples were face-to-face with God through Jesus.

When Mary Magdalene or the rich young ruler or Zacceaus spoke with Jesus they encountered God.

Anytime you and I peruse, read and study these pages, we are encounteirng God , and encountering his voice Him speaking to US!

TODAY GOD SPEAKS: Acts to Present

As we move from the gospels to the book of Acts.

We see:Luke wrote it and says clearly...

Luke’s Own Explanation

Luke introduces Acts by connecting it directly to his Gospel:

“The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, until the day in which He was taken up…” — Acts 1:1–2

That phrase — “all that Jesus began to do and teach” — implies Acts is the continuation of what Jesus is still doing and teaching, now through the Holy Spirit and the Church.

So, the point of Acts is to show that:

The risen Christ continues His work through the power of the Holy Spirit, building His Church and spreading the Gospel to the nations.

PAUL CONTINUES THESE THOUGHTS, as to other writers!

1 Corinthians 3:16 “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” God through CHrist and through us through the Holy Spirit - this week wants to continue spreading the gospel to the nations through YOU AND ME!

What’s God’s will - to go and make disciples.

Jesus told them a “HELPER” would come!

John 16:13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”

John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

As we peruse through the rest of the Old Testament - we see God continues to speak in the rest of the New Testament!

Rest of the New Testament:

Acts began with what Jesus continued to do; the Epistles and Revelation show He still leads and speaks to His Church.

Not only do we get the various portions of scripture, but we also get to see what God wanted to say to the early churches…

“Corinthians” to the churches in corinth.

“Galatians” to the churches in galatia

“Philippians” to the churches in philippi

Revelation… etc

The Epistles interpret the meaning of Christ’s work.

They form the foundation of Christian doctrine and conduct.

God still speaks through them to instruct, rebuke, correct, and train in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16).

That’s how we get private and public church discipline, membership, requirements for elders, deacons, and leaders in the church! Its essential!

How do I know when God speaks?

3. TODAY God Speaks: Through Prayer!

Communication with Our Commander ► What is something that is installed in every military vehicle? Every tank, jeep, and plane has a radio. It is not a radio for soldiers to listen to their favorite music station, but a radio for communication.

Communication is essential to winning a battle. Soldiers in the battle cannot see the whole field of action. They may not know where their friends are and where their enemies are. They don’t know which direction they should be shooting, and which direction they should be moving, except by communication from the commander.

There have been many cases where soldiers have been killed by “friendly fire,” misdirected bullets from their fellow soldiers. There have been times when missiles and bombs have struck friends instead of enemies because of bad communication. In modern warfare, it’s a common strategy to try to knock out the enemy’s communication center. The side that succeeds at that will probably win the battle.

We are in a spiritual war. The devil tempts and tries to deceive us. The world tries to pull us into its lifestyle and values. People around us sometimes hinder and discourage us from living for God. We are like soldiers in a hostile country, with only a few friends and many enemies.

God wants us to win the spiritual war. Prayer is our means of communicating with our commander.

Imagine a soldier in a battle who decided to ignore his orders and go on his own. He might do harm instead of good; he might fail to help people who are depending on him; and he would probably be killed or captured.

Ephesians 6:18 “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,” .

This verse comes at the end of a passage where Paul illustrated a believer’s spiritual armor with the military armor of his era. He said that our enemies are not physical, but spiritual. Maybe if radios had been available for soldiers at that time, Paul would have used them to illustrate another part of the equipment of the spiritual soldier—prayer.

After describing armor, Paul said that prayer is to be used along with the spiritual armor. While we are standing in battle against spiritual evil, we are to be praying, staying in communication with our commander. We are called to be vigilant in prayer, being watchful and perseverant.

God has promised guidance for those who will listen.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6)

4. God speaks through circumstances

What it looks like:

Doors that once were open suddenly close.

Or new, unexpected opportunities open up that align with God’s purposes.

Bible Examples:

Paul & Silas — “The Spirit of Jesus would not allow them” to enter Bithynia (Acts 16:6–10). That “closed door” led them to Macedonia — God’s open door instead.

Joseph — Sold into slavery, imprisoned unjustly — yet each closed door positioned him for Egypt’s throne (Genesis 37–41).

Ways we can look through circumstances and situations to hear God speak to us!

Some look for a sign.

Matthew 12:38–39 “Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.”

They were so self cenetered that they asked God “show me a sign lord” and I’ll do it! Don’t be like them.

2. Some seek a method.

Lets see if I do this, then do that, and walk down this path then it’ll happen and I’ll get that dream job, I’ll ...

We live in a day when we have formulas, and programs…

maybe if Baalam read the book donkeys for dummies he would’ve heard God better.

When I moved to NC - I laid out a 5 point plan, it was a method I had… but I also added in God’s word, good counsil, good signs, etc. Not JUST one thing.

3. Name it and Claim it!

Open your bible and pick a verse! Deuteronomy 18:21–22 “And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken?’— when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.”

It’s clear - If God spoke it - It’ll happen… if you say it’ll happen… and it don’t you’ll look like a fool!

Do you know how many good meaning pastor friends look like fools because they named healing over something and claimed it… and it never happened.

They presumed upon God’s goodness, and God said - nope for whatever reason that’s not my will. No.

Name it and claim it is dangerous.

4. Open and closed doors!

Some love an open door. But Paul didn’t soley rely upon it.

“If a door is open”… 1 Corinthians 16:9...

But it’s not ALL he used!

If we look at other experiences in scripture we see someone who mistook an open door!

Jonah escaping to Tarshish – his path was open but it wasn’t God’s will.

Many caution: open/closed door language can become cliché and substitute for deeper discernment via Scripture, prayer, counsel. For instance, just because a door seems closed doesn’t necessarily mean God is saying “no” irrevocably; sometimes it means “not yet.”

God can also use delay

God can use hardship or success to speak...

But remember as we look through the pages of scripture to see how others “experienced God”… God rarely speaks the same way twice… so the way he gets your attention may not be the way God gets my attention,etc.!

God can use circumstances to get our attention… not just but also...

5. Today God Speaks: Through Others!

Others should never become a replacement for Prayer, the Holy Spirit, or the word.

but… God certainly speaks through other people!

“One of the ways we hear God most clearly is through the church… God uses other people to speak into our lives, in the way of encouragement, teaching or Biblical correction.”

We should always test and approve. Antime someone says something that is contrary to scripture we should test it.

We live in a culture where right and wrong are constantly being redefined — where people “test” what should never be questioned, and ignore what truly should be examined. As Isaiah warned, many today “call evil good and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20).

In this kind of moral fog, we desperately need anchors — God’s Word, and godly people around us who help us stay grounded in truth. Scripture reminds us:

“In the multitude of counselors there is safety.” — Proverbs 11:14 “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls.” — Hebrews 13:17

That’s why we need elders, deacons, and spiritually mature mentors who walk closely with God — men and women who will tell us the truth, not just what we want to hear.

But we also need good friends — not just companions, but truth-tellers who love us enough to pull us back when we drift.

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” — Proverbs 27:6

The most compelling reason we need godly friends is this:

Because blind spots are called “blind” for a reason — we can’t see them ourselves.

Good friends see what we miss, pray when we can’t find words, and remind us who we are when the world tries to reshape us. In a culture that celebrates isolation and self-direction, God designed us for community — where wise voices keep us steady, humble, and faithful to Christ.

True discernment doesn’t happen alone. It happens when Scripture, the Spirit, and godly relationships all speak in harmony — keeping our hearts anchored to the truth in a world that’s forgotten how to find it.

Today God is speaking. He has spoken clearly and authoritatively!

Today we live in a fast paced world.

The alarm goes off too early, and the day starts before I’m ready. My mind is already racing — things to do, messages to answer, deadlines to meet. I grab my phone before I even thank God for waking up.

Traffic feels like a blur, the inbox fills faster than I can clear it, and the coffee gets cold before I finish half of it. I try to keep up, but the world doesn’t seem to slow down for anyone.

By evening, I’m tired — not just physically, but soul tired. I sit in the car for a moment before going inside, staring at the dashboard lights, realizing I’ve gone the whole day without truly being still.

In that quiet pause, I sense it — that small reminder that God hasn’t moved. He’s been there the whole time, waiting for me to notice.

And in the middle of my noisy, nonstop world,

Today - God speaks - He speaks by the Holy Spirit, through the bible, prayer, circumstances and his word… to reveal himself, his purposes, and his ways.

How can we know in our day to day life - when God is speaking?

John 10:2–4 “But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.”

You’ll know.

You’ll better know God’s voice the more you experience, him encounter him, and walk with God. or you should!

John 8:47 “Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.””

We shouldn’t be afraid but just konw God is speaking - but know that recognizing God’s voice comes from an intimate love relationship with Him!

Intimate relationship with Jesus!

This is where it’s at. We know HIS VOICE.

STORY: Ever been in a store… and heard your child… how did you know it was your child?

The easy route

Does anyone besides me love the easy route.

If we are all honest today - we all would say, I like the easy route.

Human Nature.

Anyone ever had shoulder surgery or hip surgery.

And in recovery they say - well soon you’ll be in therapy, and workouts, and routines!

At any point did you say to them… nope! I’m taking the easy route - no workout for me!!

Kids - ever play the game CANDY LAND - OR CHUTES AND LADDERS!

I love getting the candy… you pass others on by!

The Truth:

What feels like the long way actually helps you build patience, and character. God cares more about who you become than how fast you get there.

Life’s Actual Route

Jesus this morning is our guide.

Not me, not some famous theologian…

Jesus.

He’s speaking this morning! Are you listening!?

This morning God may be speaking to you:

Did you know?

Did you know david was anointed king but it would be another 12 years before he was actually king?

Most scholars look at how old he was when he killed goliath and when he was anointed and then look at 2 samuel 5… how he was 30 when he began to reign.

So it wouldve been 13-15 years until king over judah… 20 years until king over all Israel!

God anointed David long before He appointed David. The delay was not denial — it was development.

During those years:

David learned humility under Saul’s hostility.

He was tested in caves, wildernesses, and battlefields.

God shaped him into the shepherd-king Israel needed.

For the Apostle Paul

Pauls Conversion / Calling Early 30s—Acts 9

It wasn’t until … 45–46 AD… 13–14 years later in Acts 13:1–3 he went on his first missionary journey.

I just added these thoughts this morning to remind us all.

God cares more about your character than any timeline you may have.

You may get impatient with yourself - and impatient with God… but the bottom line.

He wants you!

He desires to be in relationship with you.

It doesn’t matter if it’s through winds, hurricanes, dreams, visions, the bible, prayer, other people…

God is speaking!

Lifes Actual route is often much LONGER than we anticipate.

Today God Guides! There are many ways God speaks to you nad me… and many ways - If I could I’d speak more on prayer, how God can use circumstances...etc.

There are many ways we can hear from God.

Today he communicates by the Holy Spirit through the bible, prayer, circumstances, and other believers to speak to us!

The methods isn’t the key.

There’s no shortcuts to candy land!

Look to his word… he’s clear.

saturate your life in prayer

As we conclude… I want to ask a question:

God not only wants you to hear him - but Experience him personally!!

What has God been speaking to you - and how has he been challenging and growing you.

STEP OF PRAYER AND APPLICATION

This next step is a step of action. Pray for me that I _________________________.

No name. Just fill in the blank.

Then we will gather in a moment, and pray for one another.

SERMON SERIES WRAPUP: We are the body!

God longs to have an intimate personal relationship with Him!

God is working, and he longs to have us join him!

To do that will likely require faith and action on our part!

As God accomplishes his work through us we will continue to come to know God!

He speaks! -

Aren’t you glad for a God who longs to know us!

Do you this morning long to know Him!

He loves you.

Conclusion: Counterfeit Money

When the Royal Canadian Mounted Police train their people in anti-counterfeting work, the trainees don’t focus on counterfeit bills. It is impossible to know all the ways to make fake money. However only one genuine type of ten-dollar bill exists. So they thoroughly study the LEGIT bill.

That way, anything that doesn’t match identically they spot!

The more intimately aware you are of a genuine article, the easier it is to spot a fake.

Do you want to know God more?

Study JEsus, Study scripture, saturate yourself in Prayer!… and it’ll happen!

How do you know God’s will? Study the real one… and you’ll recongize the “fake” will.

Uncertain about what book, or curriculm, or basic life decision? Learn to walk with him...

He will guide you, lead you!

Good news:

Every day when you wake up this verse is true:

John 14:16 “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,” John 16:13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth...

God is with you.

He wants a to speak.

Stay close to him! He will guide.. in his time.

PRAYER As York looks for pastor and as we take our next steps. God will guide!

Lets dig into his word, talk to him in prayer, and walk obediently step by step. and day by day!