Hear and Know My Voice

Introduction:

Some weeks ago I preached a series of messages on “Can you Hear Me Now”

Very few things are as important as hearing from God

How can you have a relationship with God if you don’t hear from God?

We just finished 40 days of prayer - If all we do is talk to God - That isn’t much of a relationship

Listen God what’s to speak to you

But how do you know it’s really God?

What if it’s the devil? — Think of David Karesh

It’s very easy to sometimes be confused on – is this God telling me to do this or is this just something I want to do?

1 John 4:1 NIV

1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1 The Message

1 My dear friends, don’t believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world.

Circle the word “test”

We are going to teach you 7 ways to know if a message is from God or something else

Does it agree with the bible

Does my Church family confirm this

Does it make me more like Christ

Is it consistent with how God S.H.A.P.E. Me

Is it consistent with how God S.H.A.P.E. Me

Does it concern my responsibility?

Is it convicting rather than condemning

Do I sense God’s peace about it

By the way you need to pass all seven

Does it agree with the bible

Does it agree with the bible?

“God’s will” - will never contradict God’s word

God is consistent

God does not say one thing then do another

He doesn’t change his mind

God will never tell you to violate a principle that he’s already given in his word

So question one - Does it line up with what God has already said.

James 1:17 CSB

17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

God’s word is eternal

Luke 21:33 NIV

33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

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Did you know this world will not last forever

This universe will not last forever

Imagine living 100 years ago

50 years ago - There was Saturday morning cartoons

God’s word?

Some of these truths where written 5000 years ago

God said it I believe that settles it? - Wrong

God said it that settles it whether I believe it or not

I lie you lie God cannot tell a lie

God’s word is the final authority

The bible is the standard of right and wrong

2 Timothy 3:16 NIV

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Let’s circle some things

The bible is the standard of

2 Timothy 2:17 NIV

17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

Here’s an example

What does the bible say about paying taxes?

Jesus said, “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s.”

What if God told you not to pay taxes anymore?

There is a list of things that our culture says is normal

What does the bible say?

Here is the ultimate question - Who is the authority in your life?

When you hear from God?

Does it line up with what God has already spoken?

God’s word is eternal

It’s the final authority

Here’s your goal

That’s the wrong kind of thinking

2 Timothy 3:17 NIV

17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Do these 6 things

1. Hear it

2. Read it

3. Study it

4. Memorize it

5. Meditate on it (Prayer)

6. Apply it

Begin with that Daily time with God and his word

As a matter of fact the number one way God speaks to us is through His word.

How has God spoken to you this morning through his word?