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Conversations with GOD: Hearing His Words

You never outgrow the need to have someone in your life who will love you and care about you.

In Revelation 3 the God of the universe makes an astonishing offer to a church no different than ours.

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” Revelation 3:20 NLT

All of us need someone to talk to that has walked the road before us. Some of the most incredible memories of life are often made around a table where life is shared at its deepest level. It is a need that is deep inside all of humanity. We all need to find someone that we can connect to who will understand and listen to our story. We all need someone who will not give up on us and who will make a way for us to believe that we can succeed and not fail in life.

Engage the metaphor: How does Jesus talk to ordinary people?

In John 16 Jesus said something very powerful on His last night alive. He said it would be better that He would go away because He would send His Spirit who would be with us always.  Does this really work? How does God speak to us today?

1. Just as Jesus spoke to the early disciples – so now the Spirit speaks to us through the Scriptures.

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 

 10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. 11 No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. 12 And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.
 13 When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. 14 But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. 15 Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. 16 For, “Who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:9-16 NLT

You and I can know the mind and heart of Christ. We can know Him better this way than if you could talk with Him at this café table today. 

Last week we learned that prayer is keeping company with God and we called it communion. This week we look at the ancient path of the Holy writings and we find that it is God’s way to speak to us today. With God - Part 2

2. God’s Word is Living and Reveals Jesus to Us

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”  Hebrews 4:12  NLT

Use story of the first time God’s work spoke to me.

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God.” John 1:1-2 NLT

“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” John 1:14 NLT

There is a condition to hearing God’s voice.

3. We Must Come in Earnest, if We are to Hear His Voice

“My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. 2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.  Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God.”
Proverbs 2:1-5 NLT

4. Three Ways to Come to God’s Word

• As a love letter – “To Cherish”

“When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies.”
Jeremiah 15:16 NLT

• As an instruction manual – “To Master”

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT

• As the wisdom of the ages – “To Ponder”

“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” Joshua 1:8 NLT

 



2009/05/17