Privileged Promptings: Hearing and Heeding God’s Voice
Discerning the Voice of God
Memory Verse: (1 John 4:1 NIV) Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Scripture: Acts 13:1-4
(Acts 13:1-4 NIV) In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger , Lucius of Cyrene
Introduction:
God is still speaking to us today.
(Heb 1:1-2 NIV) In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, {2} but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
Is it possible for human beings to distort the message of the Lord and interpret it to fit their whims and caprices? Yes.
“Hearing from God is not like receiving a text message or reading an email. We humans can get in the way.”--Bill Hybels
God can speak to us through our dreams. But it is a medium of communication that we have to use cautiously.
ESV: For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words.
NLT: Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool.
The Bible contains several references to revelations of God being received by people through dreams. See the scriptures below:
(Psa 16:7 NIV) I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.
(Acts 2:17 NIV) "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
(Acts 10:3 NIV) One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!"
(Acts 10:17 NIV) While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate.
(Acts 16:6-10 NIV) Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia . {7} When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia Troas . {9} During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia Macedonia
(Acts 18:9 NIV) One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.
The church at Antioch Antioch
(Acts 13:1-4 NIV) In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger , Lucius of Cyrene
(Acts 11:26). (Acts 11:26 NIV) and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch Antioch
The word translated “worshipped” or “ministered” in this passage is the Greek word leitourgeō from which we get the word liturgy. The word means:
a) Of priests and Levites who were busied with the sacred rites in the tabernacle or the temple
b) Of Christians serving Christ, whether by prayer, or by instructing others concerning the way of salvation, or in some other way
c) Of those who aid others with their resources, and relieve their poverty
The word translated fasted is the Greek word nēsteuō which means: to abstain as a religious exercise from food and drink: either entirely, if the fast lasted but a single day, or from customary and choice nourishment, if it continued several days
Our Lord Jesus Christ practiced and taught about fasting and prayer.
(Mat 9:15 NIV) Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
(Luke 5:35 NIV) But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast."
The word translated “set apart” is the Greek word aphorizō which means
1) to mark off from others by boundaries, to limit, to separate
1) to mark off from others by boundaries, to limit, to separate
a) In a bad sense: to exclude as disreputable
b) In a good sense: to appoint, set apart for some purpose
(1 Pet 2:9 NIV) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
(Acts 13:3 NIV) So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
(Psa 37:7 NIV) Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
(Psa 37:23 NIV) If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm;
(Prov 16:9 NIV) In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
(Prov 16:33 NIV) The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
HOW TO DISCERN THE VOICE OF GOD
1. The Principle of Alignment.
(1 John 4:1-3 NIV) Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. {2} This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, {3} but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
The word translated “tested” is the Greek word dokimazo which means:
1) To test, examine, prove, scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals
2) To recognize as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy
Before you can believe any spirits, it must be scrutinized to ascertain that they are from the Lord.
2. The Principle of Affirmation.
Ask yourself the question if the prompting that you just received is affirmed by the scriptures. If not, stay way from it.
(Gal 1:6-9 NIV) I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- {7} which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. {8} But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! {9} As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
(2 Pet 3:9 NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
“The Voice of God will never include any data that violates the principles of scripture.”-- Dr. Charles Stanley
3. Principle of Godly Advice
Seek the counsel of mature Christians who could provide you with a candid and honest advice.
(Prov 11:14 NIV) For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.
(Prov 13:10 NIV) Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
(Prov 20:5 NIV) The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
4. Principle of Amazement.
The working of God is illogical and incongruent sometimes. If you receive a prompting that amazes you, it might be from the Lord.
William Cowper wrote this inspiring hymn:
© William Cowper
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
(Isa 55:8 NIV) "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
Illustration about General Sanni Abacha of Nigeria
5. Principle of Affiliation.
The question that you should ask yourself is two-fold here. First, are you in relationship with Jesus? Second, is the person sharing the prompting with you a child of God? Cf. 1John 2:19; 4:6.
Jesus says:
(John 10:27 NIV) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
(John 1:12-13 NIV) Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- {13} children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
Impatience is a killer of divine insight. Learn to have some time of stillness when you wait on the Lord:
(Psa 27:14 NIV) Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
(Psa 46:10 NIV) "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
(Psa 62:5 NIV) Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
“Getting ahead of God is a terrible mistake, and the consequences are always distasteful.”--Dr. Charles Stanley
You could obtain the CD of any of these messages by sending an email to: info@agapebfm.org or writing to Pastor John Ojewole, Agape Bible Fellowship, P.O. Box 1739 , El Cerrito , CA 94530
