Hearing God’s Voice

through His Holy Spirit (Part 1)

Text: Romans 8:5-16

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (01/20/02)

Introduction:   

How do I know when the Holy Spirit is speaking to me?

The practical questions are… How do I know what God wants for my life?  The Big Decisions – Marriage / Job / Place to Live etc.

How about finely tuned listening?  God is interested in the daily decisions.  How will I spend my Time / Money?  What is good, what is better, what is best?

Is God predictable, or does He want to do the unpredictable in my life?

People are consulting their horoscopes, calling the psychic hotlines.  Dial-A-Prayer for Atheists.  You dial the number and no one answers.

There are competing voices.  Satan/This World/The Flesh

God desires to guide you and communicate His will to you and direct the present and future of your life.

Psalms 37:23  The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Jeremiah 29:12-13  Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

13  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Ways that God has Spoken to Man Through the Ages.

A. Face To Face Gen. 1-3

Genesis 3:8  And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day:

B. Moses - Audible Voice With His Glory Veiled. Ex. 33:18-23

C. Through His Prophets and Priests. II Kings 17:13

D. He became flesh & dwelt among us. Jn. 1:14

E. In the Early Church - Through outward manifestations of His Holy Spirit. Acts 10:44

F. In the Church Age - Through His completed Revelation,the written Word of God. II Tim. 3:15-17

1. The written manifestation of the Living Word, Jesus Christ.
2. Revealing the will of God the Father to man.
3. Illuminated by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

This morning I want to deal with some basics on the Holy Spirit.  Foundational truths – Not taking for granted that we understand the foundational truths.

I. Who is the Holy Spirit?

There is a Holy Spirit!!!   He comforts, convicts and counsels us.  He illuminates the Word of God to the believer.

A. He is a person

John 16:7-15 – In this passage personal pronouns are used 12 X in reference to the Holy Spirit.

He has the attributes of personality.  He can be grieved, lied to and sinned against.

He is not an Impersonal Active Force of God.

B. He is God

LOOK UP & READ Acts 5:3-4 - Explain

C. He is Holy

1 Timothy 6:16  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Hebrews 12:29  For our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 10:31  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

II. Foundational Truths in Understanding the Holy Spirit’s Ministry

A. Every Believer has received the Holy Spirit vs.9

We are talking about a one-time permanent indwelling that takes place at the very instant of salvation.

He is the Inner Witness giving us assurance of our salvation vs.16

He does lead (speak to) the believer vs.14

B. We may be indwelt, but not infilled. – Rom 6:16

C. The filling is for every believer – Eph. 5:18

III. What is the Holy Spirit Saying?

A. Call To Salvation – John 16:8-11

1. Conviction (of Sin/Righteousness/Judgment)

2. Repentance

3. Faith

B. Call To Sanctification - Rom 8:29

SEE vs. 12-13

C. Call To Service – I Cor. 12:4 & 11

1. He has equipped you and called you to serve others in His name.

2. There is no Christian that God has not called to serve.

3. There is no Christian to whom God has not given the spiritual gifts and abilities needed to accomplish God’s will for their lives.

4. His call can be general or specific.

5. The key is surrender of our will to His will.

6. The question is, Who is Lord of your life?

What is included in our service?

Sacrifice/Surrender - Rom 12:1-2

Soulwinning - Acts 1:8

Spiritual Strengthening of others – Gal 6:1

Conclusion:     (Review)

ILLUS: Samuel (I Samuel 3:3-10)