SF342 - GOD IS STILL SPEAKING (Psalm 81 8-14

SF342
WHBC 8/31/97
1 letter

GOD IS STILL SPEAKING

Psalm 81:8-14

INTRODUCTION

Series Background

Series on "Hearing God When He Speaks"

Looked at Nine basic principles

1.         God speaks to His people

2.         The fact that God speaks is more important than how He speaks.

3.         When God speaks it is usually unique to the individual.

4.         When God speaks you will know for sure it is Him.

5.         When God speaks, you will know what He said.

6.         When God speaks that is an encounter with God.

7.         We must base our understanding of God on scripture not experience.

8.         We must focus on our relationship with God not just on knowing God's will.

9.         God will give specific directions about what we are to do.

Scripture Psalms 81:8-14

The problem is not with God speaking

The problem is with God's people not hearing

1A.      WHY DOES GOD SPEAK TODAY?

1B.       He loves us just as much as He loved the people of the Old and New Testament days.

Ø                  He wants to develop a love relationship with us.

2B.       We need His direction for our lives.

3B.       We need comfort and assurance as much as did the believers of old.

4B        He wants us to know Him.

2A       HOW DID GOD SPEAK TO THE SAINTS IN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS

1B.       By Direct Revelation

Abraham

(Genesis 12:1-2)  "The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. {2} "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing."

2B.       By Dreams and Visions

Daniel

Ø                  The Bible never encourages us to seek dreams or visions.

Ø                  We are told to seek God.

3B.       Through His Word

Written

Ø                  Ten Commandments

Spoken

Ø                  Paul

4B.       Through His Prophets

5B.       Through Circumstances

Gideon

6B.       Through Angels

Mary and Joseph

7B.       Through The Holy Spirit

Paul ‑ Macedonian call (Acts 16:6‑ff)

3A.      HOW DOES GOD SPEAK TODAY?

God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes and His ways. Henry Blackaby

1B.       God Speaks Through the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV) Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?

John 16:13‑14 (NIV) But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.

An encounter with the Holy Spirit is an encounter with God.

Ø                  I understand spiritual truth because the Holy Spirit is at work in my life.

Ø                  I never discover truth, truth is revealed.

2B.       God Speaks Through the Bible

This is God's primary way of speaking to us today.

We should...

Ø                  Ask God to speak to us through His Word.

Ø                  Allow God to direct us as we read His Word.

Ø                  Adjust our lives to the truth of God.

Ø                  Obey Him.

Ø                  Experience God as He works in and through us to accomplish His purposes.

3B.       God Speaks Through Prayer

Prayer is a relationship, not just a religious activity

Ø                  It is a two way fellowship and communication with God

Ø                  It is designed more to adjust you to God than to adjust God to you.

Truth is not just a concept to be studied; Truth is a Person.

John 14:6 (NIV) Jesus answered, "I am ... the truth...

We need to write down what God is saying.

Ø                  When you sense God speaking write it down.

Ø                  Watch for God to confirm what He has said.

4B.       God Speaks Through Our Circumstances

How to understand what God is saying through your circumstances...

Ø                  Settle in your mind that God loves you and that His love will not change.

Ø                  Do not try to understand what God is like from the middle of you circumstances.

Ø                  Ask God to help you see His perspective on your circumstances.

Ø                  Wait on the Holy Spirit to reveal God's perspective.

Ø                  Adjust your life to what you see God doing in your circumstances.

Ø                  Do everything He tells you to do.

Ø                  Experience God's working in and through you.

5B.       God Speaks Through His Church

Realize that you are part of the Body of Christ ‑ the local church.

Ø                  Apart from the body, you cannot fully know God's will for your relationship to the body.

Ø                  Listen to those who are closest to you.

Be careful what you say

Ø                  Remember you may be God's spokesperson

Seek to be alert, sensitive, and available to God's Voice.

APPLICATION

God is speaking

We must listen if we are to hear him!

He speaks by the Holy Spirit through...

The Bible

Prayer

Circumstances

The Church

God uses the Bible and prayer most often to give direction and instruction. He uses circumstances and the church to give affirmation and timing.