Discerning God's Voice Part 1

Isaiah 30:21 LEB

21 And your ears shall hear a word from behind you, saying, “this is the way; walk in it,” when you go to your right and when you go to your left.

As believer’s God wants to talk to us and is talking to us. While He gives us many very straightforward commands that make certain things clear. Many times in life we come across specific situations where He will speak to us in what might be impressions. You have a sense that He wants you to do or say something. You might even be in the midst of a powerful ministry setting. But how can you be sure? Let’s look Peter.

Matthew 16:15–17 LEB

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” 17 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

He got this so Right! It seems no one else could get this. It couldn’t be deduced. It had to be revealed by God Himself. And out of all the people who had answers and were close, only Peter truly heard from the Father.

But how did Peter go from that mountain top accolade, I heard and listened to the Father and made the right declaration to just a few verses?

Jesus tells them of the impending suffering and Peter says, NO! and Jesus says, “Get BEHIND ME SATAN, you speak of the things of men and not of God.”

If that can happen to Peter while he talked directly to Jesus, going from one impression, insight, revelation of God and then stepping into the camp of Satan, how much more do you need to examine and test things that we don’t have a clear Bible verse about.

I’m going to go through 7 tests over the next few weeks that you can use to determine God’s will in a situation. You will need to utilize all 7, it’s not a buffet where you choose your favorite and then go. You look at all these principles and if they line up, you can have confidence God is speaking.

Now, you can look up and read about these in books, seminars, and studies by

Dallas Willard, Priscilla Schrier, Rick Warren, JP Mooreland, Tom Holladay, Ken Willard, Don Whitney, Chuck Lawless, Henry Blackaby, Claude Townsend.

I’ve read a number of books, been to seminars, and heard sermons from more than these. There’s nothing particularly original to Jim in this message. And, I can say a number these people share a lot of similar points with each other.

But, that is a Biblical reality, concerning discipleship and core doctrines: when it comes to Spiritual reality and how to know God, “If it’s new, it’s not true.”

Hebrews 1:1–2 LEB

1 Although God spoke long ago in many parts and in many ways to the fathers by the prophets, 2 in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the world,

SO

How do you recognize God’s Voice?

One way God communicates comes through IMPRESSIONS. But how do we know when it’s God and when it’s from us or the Devil? If it could happen in a short time for the Apostle Peter, how do we figure it out?

There’s not a verse for every decision you have to make. In fact the Bible gives us guard rails that put us on the path but, there are detours and opportunities that we need to walk in

Rick Warren, Dallas Willard, Ken Whitley, Priscillia Schier, along with others offer a battery of tests to make sure that it’s not the salad dressing from last night or the Night Quill. Today we will cover 3 of the tests. So let’s see where the Bible offers us direction here.

Romans 12:1–2 (HCSB)

1 Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Over the next few weeks we will be looking at 7 tests that when you follow them, you can know God is speaking to you.

Does it AGREE with the Bible?

We will cover this one quickly. Since we covered it last time, but we need to remember this is the FUNDAMENTAL ONE. It’s likely the most objective. So this is like the Monopoly game. If it doesn’t line up, you do not PASS GO. Don’t roll the dice any more. No need to give any more thought to it. It’s game over.

1 Corinthians 14:33 NASB95

33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

God is not the author of CONFUSION.

He will not contradict what He says.

He will be consistent.

Be careful of thinking you can negotiate with God about His commands and nature. You can have it His way and have His presence with you or you can go your way.

I remember Brian, one of Recreational Alpine Adventure Tour leaders talking with a teen in pre-trial intervention. They had been in the backcountry miles away from any town or city. The kid told Brian he didn’t care for this trail. He didn’t need other people so he would take off that night. Well as night came and he got his dander up, he asked Brian what’s all that howling? Brian said it’s the wolves. Kid said what do they want? Brian said, “You.” Now, it was nice knowing you, I don’t expect I’ll be seeing you again. In fact based on how close the wolves are, I don’t expect anyone will be seeing you again. The kid decided to say with the group and finish the trek.

2. Does it make me more like Christ?

I can’t go out and by a pair of air Jordan’s and expect to jump like Michael. No matter how hard I try or work out. It’s just not in my DNA. I’ve got Holy Spirit in my now. God wants to prepare me and perfect me for heaven. In fact, His main purpose for me is not my happiness, not to increase my intelligence, not to grow my portfolio, but to grow my stature into being like His Son.

So the next test I must make concerns Christ. Will this path lead me to Christlikeness or not? If I can’t see Jesus at the end of this trail, I’m going the wrong direction. If I can see Jesus working on and through me, then I am on the right track. I’ll stick with Him.

1 Corinthians 11:1 NASB95

1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

So what does that look like?

a. God wants to develop your Character. He wants you to resemble His family.

Have you ever wondered why God leaves us here on earth? Why didn’t He take us right away? Well, He wants us to grow and long for an existence with Him. He wants other people to see His family so more will join Him and us. So He wants us to reflect His Son. What does that look like?

b. Ask if it will make you reflect the Fruit of His Spirit.

There’s a song the kids sing Oh the fruit of the spirit is not a watermelon. If you want to be a watermelon, you might as well admit it, you can’t be the Fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22–23 LEB

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self control. Against such things there is no law.

Is what I am about to do Loving others? It might be good for me, but hurt my family. Big job opportunity. You might get paid more, but the move would separate.

Will it bring joy? Will Jesus be central going forward. Is He first? Jesus others self, or is this all about me and my wants regardless of the impact?

See will this bring peace or division? Gossip, manipulating others, creating conflict in your family or the family of God would never be from God. If you are committed to the Great Commandment and Commission, and you have people in your church with the same mindset, you have a blessing. You can look at the plan and the people and say, this will bring greater ministry, greater unity, great peace when we do it.

Is it based in Kindness?

Many people feel stress today. They have strain. You know one of the best ways to relieve that? Acts of Kindness. Are you doing this to make the world, your church, your neighborhood, work, school as less stressed and kinder place?

Will you be Faithful?

Nelson Searcy says in pastor’s training, I’m not impressed when someone says, “I’ve got a great idea for this ministry.” I’m impressed when they have a plan and will follow through with it.

Is it just a flash in the pan idea or is it something you can commit to?

I’ve come across dozens of people who want to do something big for God. Problem is they don’t stay still long enough to hear God and be entrusted by Him. He who is faithful in little things will be given much.

I’ve had people who sign up to serve in a ministry like ushering, youth, children’s teaching, greeting. But they will be hit or miss in their obligation. They’ll cancel every other time. But, they think they’ve heard from God. And maybe they did, but they aren’t living for God.

I’ve had people ghost ministry spots. You won’t see them for weeks or months. Listen, don’t drop out of sight and then call your friends, church or pastor and say, “I’ve been called to be a missionary.” Oh you’ve been a MISSINGNARY. But if you can’t be faithful to small commitments, He’s not assigning you to bigger things.

May God shake them and wake them.

If it’s not increasing your faithfulness, it’s not from God.

Is it moving you towards gentleness?

And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6, NLT)

what does that look like? Humility. You may have a great idea, but you’re not a detail person. Will you take feedback? Do you work with others, even if it takes more time? Or are you driving over others to accomplish God’s will? Are you demanding everyone just do it your way without listening? Pride will never be blessed by God and will never be something God leads you to do.

Will you be disciplined? Self-Control?

Let me tell you something, you want to serve God? You want to hear from God? There will be work involved. There will be stress. You will be fighting the Devil. You will feel discouragement. You will need to hear and sense a conviction to be disciplined.

Jesus faced that question when He went to the Garden.

His feelings were all over the place. The Devil kicked Him. Gibson’s movie gave one of the best renditions of the garden prayer I can remember. Thinking of it gives me the chills.

Those are the character questions to look at. The impression may not be applicable to each part of the fruit, but where it is, examine it.

We will stop with this one today

3. Does my church family confirm it.

a. Do you seek advice from people who know you and want the best for you?

Listen if you go to a car lot and you don’t want to call your wife before you sign the papers, you know that’s a sign that this is not a good idea.

I remember how I sensed a call from God. But, I’ll admit, I really didn’t “want” to go all in. I wanted to be trained a bit, but I wanted to be a really good lay person. Teach a class or Bible study. I sensed that God called me. It was when other people in my Bible studies and church kept saying, “Jim, the Lord is calling you to full time ministry.” It wasn’t just one person here or there. I had leaders take me out to lunch. I had members ask me about it. I believed.

Proverbs 15:22 LEB

22 Plans go wrong when there is no counsel, but with many advisors it will succeed.

Proverbs 19:20 LEB

20 Listen to advice and accept instruction so that you will gain wisdom for your future.

b. Two reasons Christians go astray:

You have no close godly friends.

You won’t listen to others.

36. “Stubbornness is the bearer of disaster…”

- Janvier Chouteau-Chando.

c. Two great ways to develop godly friendships:

Join and participate in a Life Group.

Join a ministry team.

Don’t worry about what to say.

Martin you should have prepared

Reflection where God may be speaking to you:

How faithful have I been in the areas I KNOW to obey? 1-10

What am I doing to improve an area of the Fruit of the Spirit that I KNOW God wants to develop?

There’s a saying, you’ve got to be a friend to have friends. Are there relationships you need to avoid? Are there relationships you need to cultivate?

Join us next week for How God Guides you through your S.H.A.P.E.

Child lost in Vail ski country. Storm setting in. No one could find him. The teams skied in formation.

One rescue worker of American Indian heritage, knew the desperate situation. Rather than doing it by the “book” he knew the Lord and said, we’ve done all we can. Lord