Getting to Know God (5)

When God Speaks to You

 

FILING INFORMATION:

2000057

Subject:  attitude/Christian growth.

Preached Originally: 10/1/00 – Rapid City, SD

 

Introduction:

A.      Heb. 1:1-2 – statement of fact concerning the way that God speaks to Christians today.

1.     past:  God spoke in many ways.  God speaking to men is one of the most controversial things in religion today.

2.     many claim to have God speak to them.  Actually believe that He speaks to them – personally.

3.     preachers/neighbor, etc.

B.      God has spoken to men in the past!

1.     Signs, visions, dreams, miracles, figurative actions, prophets.

2.     done to communicate His will to mankind.

C.     2 things we can understand from Heb. 1:1-2

1.     bible says God speaks to us IN His Son.  This passage presents things as they used to be and how they are now.  God now speaks to us through His Son.

a)        NOW, Mt. 28;18-20 – through the teaching of the apostles.  They revealed to us – the doctrine of Christ.

b)        NOW we are to remain in the doctrine of Christ – found w/in the word of God.  (2 Jhn. 9)

c)        God says – don’t look for a sign; pray for a dream/vision.

2.     this passage also teaches us that God speaks to us.

D.     He does speak to us!  Need to know why/how & be listening.

 

I.  4 Facts Concerning God’s speaking to man.

A.    Whenever God speaks – it is unique to the individual.

1.     Abraham – travelers came by.

2.     Jacob – God sent him a wrestler – when God wished to change his name.

3.     Moses – burning bush – didn’t burn up.

a)        Moses could not draw on experience on forefathers – a unique experience for Moses.

B.    When God speaks to man – they knew for sure it was God!

1.    God/Noah.  Noah KNEW God commanded him to build ark.

2.    God/Samuel.  Samuel knew/understood that God communicated w/him.  No doubting it.

3.    Some today:  I had feeling that he spoke to me (I just felt it in my heart.

4.    Some:  spoken voice, others just a feeling in heart.

C.   When God speaks to man – they understood what He was saying.

1.    they understood what He wanted.

a)    clearly, w/o a doubt!

b)    Evidence – why did Moses argue?  He understood the responsibility it would entail.

2.    Some claim God speaks to them today – but don’t understand what He wants them to do .  Not clear.  Not complete picture.  Often based on feeling/emotion.

D.   When God spoke to men – there was an encounter with God.

1.    Moses did not go away thinking – “this is going to lead/bring me close to God.”

2.    He had been with God!  He was in his presence.  It WAS an encounter.

 

II.  If God is Speaking to Christians Today – How is He?

A.    Not by Miraculous Signs.

1.    Some:  just give me a sign.  God – show me the way NOT to go.  Looking for a sign.

2.    Jesus:  evil generation looks for a sign.  (Mt. 12:39)

3.    Rom. 1:4 – Christ’s resurrection is our sign!

4.    no more signs, miracles – God speaks to men today in different way!

B.    Not by Inspired Men.

1.    Paul said that tongues, prophecy, knowledge would cease.

a)    1 Cor. 13:8 – Gk. Terminology – God would stop these things.  God would restrain these.

b)    Paints a picture here of the knowledge they had when he wrote this letter – and the knowledge Christians would have after NT completed.

c)    Js. 1:22-25 – that which is perfect has come! 

d)    Gifts done away w/when the NT completed.

2.    God is not going to speak via prophets/inspired men.  Won’t happen!  Has been done away with. 

C.   Not by circumstances.

1.    Pray: God, bless me if I’m doing what’s right.  OR Stop me if I do wrong.  (Run into God’s hand?)

2.    Need to rethink this kind of prayer.  Our choices play a role in our life.  Our choice.

3.    Some:  I know this is right – b/c this is what the Lord let me do.  No.  Ecc. 9:11 says we all a victim of time/chance. 

D.   Not By Tradition.

1.    tradition nothing more than manmade religion.

a)     by doing what I have always done – or that which the church has always done.

2.    set up by men who make mistakes

3.    Have to keep studying truth – not tradition.

E.    God speaks to us through the Scriptures.  Gives them to us By His Son.

1.    2 Tim. 3:16-17 – all scripture given by God!

2.    1 Cor. 14:37 – what Paul wrote from the Lord.

3.    Conclusion:  The NT is the word of the Lord – Jesus Christ.

a)     God speaks to us through his teachings!

b)     2 Jhn. 9 – this why we to abide in doctrine of Christ.  Doctrine found w/in the NT.

c)     2 Pet. 1:3 – God speaks to us through the teaching of the gospel.  See also 20-21.  From God.

 

III.  Characteristics of God’s speaking to me today.

A.    His speaking to us is unique in nature.

1.    Mt. 11:28.  Some bearing burden.  Depression/anger/problems.

a)    Jesus speaks to them – says He will provide rest.

1)      doesn’t mean total relief – but that He will share the load.  You won’t be alone.

2)      Not everyone carries a burden.  (hurting, depressed, heavy-hearted) This would then be unique to certain people.

b)    11:30 – yoke easy – burden light.

1)      life out of balance? Wd. Light here literally means that Jesus will add BALANCE to your life.  He’ll share the load.

2)      Unique in this interest.

2.    1 Cor. 8:2 – written to those who arrogant.  Told to be careful against this.

a)    some battle pride/arrogance.  This unique please for them to get away from sin.

3.    Eph. 2:8-10 – speaks uniquely to ones who thought they could earn salvation.

4.    js. 2:20-26 – speaks uniquely to ones who though faith the only thing necessary.

B.    We can be sure that this is from God!

1.    No reason to wonder!

a)    Jhn. 17:7-8 – God has provided every evidence possible to let us know He is true.

1)      if you want to know truth – you can know the truth!

b)    some sit on sidelines – not ready to commit to truth – 2 Tim. 3:7

2.    Rom. 1:19-20 – God has made Himself evident to EACH of us.

a)    Evidence in creation.

b)    Eye-witness accounts.

c)    Nothing more that what we want to believe.

C.   God has spoken in a way we can understand.

1.    Eph. 3:4; 5:17 – God wouldn’t have us to know something we can’t understand.

2.    bible understandable.

D.   When you know it, You can understand that god is speaking to you!  That you have an encounter with God.

1.    We don’t study the Scriptures to have encounter w/God…

2.    The bible is our encounter with God.

3.    When God speaks to you via scriptures – OBEY IT! 

a)    Isa. 55:11

b)    Must remember God has a reason/purpose/timing.

c)    A job/plan/something working in His plan/scheme of things.

E.    Lk. 16 – story of Lazarus/rich man.

1.    Rich man thought of kinfolks.  Send sign.

2.    Abraham response:  they have written wd of God to guide them!

a)    getting them a sign won’t work.

3.    Those who wouldn’t  listen to Jesus – when He preached; wouldn’t listen when He resurrected from the dead.

 

Conclusion:

A.    Heb. 1:1-2 – God speaks to men today IN His Son!

1.      If you not Christian – He speaking to you through His word to respond to the gospel!

2.      listen to His plan of salvation & obey it!

B.    If already Christian – God speaking to you through His word to better/increased/more meaningful service.

1.      He is calling you to be humble/obedient to His word.

2.      Are you willing to respond?

C.  I N V I T A T I O N