Sunday, May 22, 2016

GROW UP Session 6 Hearing God Part 2

GROW UP Session 6
HEARING GOD - Part 2
God, Talk to me!

INTRO: Last week we began to talk about the one essential in the Christian life: hearing God.

1.     The question remains today, “How do I hear God?”

a.     God talks to me through His Word.
                                               i.     Reading the Word
                                             ii.     Listening to the Word
                                            iii.     Sharing the Word
b.    God talks to me through my spirit, my inner man.
                                               i.     Romans 8:16 “His Spirit bears witness with our spirit…”
                                             ii.     God moves the message to our mind by our thoughts.
1.     “Where did that come from?”
2.     “Still, small, voice…”; Elijah in the cave
a.      1 Kings 19:11–13 (NKJV) Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. 13So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  
                                            iii.     Sometimes we just know
1.     Naba, prophet, "bubble up", a spontaneous flow
a.     John 7:37–39 (NKJV) On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
c.     God talks to me through a sense of peace.
                                               i.     Colossians 3:15 (NKJV) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts…
1.     Rule here means to umpire; blow the whistle… 
2.     We act and the peace either stays or goes.
3.     Oftentimes we don’t know until we make the decision.
d.    God talks to me through visions and dreams.
                                               i.     Acts 2:17 (NKJV) And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams.
                                             ii.     Visions and dreams are the language of the Holy Spirit (Cho)
e.     God talks to me through people.
                                               i.     A prophetic word
1.     Emotional idol in our heart
a.     Too involved in situation to hear clearly
2.     Pride of hearing
3.     Sin
                                             ii.     A conversation among friends
1.     Sometimes we don't like the messenger
                                            iii.     Agreement in prayer with spouse
1.     Danger of becoming dependent on partner

2.     Questions to ask yourself...
a.     Am I willing to obey what I hear?
                                               i.     Isaiah 66:4 (NKJV) So will I choose their delusions, and bring their fears on them; because, when I called, no one answered, when I spoke they did not hear; but they did evil before My eyes, and chose that in which I do not delight.”
b.    Is there any unconfessed sin or current rebellion in my life?
                                               i.     Isaiah 59:1–2 (NKJV) Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. 2But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.

3.     Let’s apply this practically…

The best way to learn is to practice!  You have a decision to make.  You need a word from the Lord.  You and your spouse begin to pray and ask the Lord for direction.

1.     You confirm that you are willing to obey.
2.     You confess any known sin or rebellion in your life.
3.     You read the Word for a verse to stand on.
4.     You ask God to speak to your mind through your spirit.
5.     You look for a sense of peace in the decision you have made.
6.     You can ask God for a vision or a dream.
7.     You can seek confirmation through people.


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