Privileged Promptings: Hearing and Heeding the Voice of God
MEMORY Verse: Psalm 1:3 NIV He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
(Mat 7:21-27 NIV) "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. {22} Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' {23} Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' {24} "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. {25} The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. {26} But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. {27} The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
INTRODUCTION:
“appearance is everything.”
“first impression matters most.”
According to Wikipedia, “The term is used in computing to describe a system in which content displayed during editing appears very similar to the final output, which might be a printed document, web page, slide presentation, or even the lighting for a theatrical event.”
(1 Samuel 16:7 NIV) “But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."”
“perception is the reality.”
(John 8:44 NIV) You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
(2 Cor 11:14 NIV) And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
(2 Cor 11:13-15 NIV) For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. {14} And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. {15} It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
(Eccl 12:14 NIV) For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
(Rom 14:12 NIV) So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
(Mat 7:24 NIV) "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Amplified: So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them [obeying them] will be like a sensible (prudent, practical, wise) man who built his house upon the rock.(Amplified Bible - Lockman)
KJV: Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
NLT: Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. (NLT - Tyndale House)
Phillips: "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a sensible man who builds his house on the rock. (New Testament in Modern English)
(John 8:43 NIV) Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say.
(John 8:45 NIV) Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!
(Gal 6:7 NIV) Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
HOW TO LIVE A STABLE LIFE
(Psa 1:1-3 NIV) Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. {2} But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. {3} He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
1. Hear the Voice of God Matthew 7:24 a
(Mat 7:24 NIV) "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
(Mat 7:26 NIV) But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
(Psa 19:7-8 NIV) The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. {8} The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
(2 Tim 3:16-17 NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, {17} so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(Josh 1:7-8 NIV) Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. {8} Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
(Col
2. Heed the Voice of God. Matthew 7:24 b
(Mat 7:24 NIV) "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
(James 1:22-25 NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. {23} Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror {24} and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. {25} But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does.
(Psa 119:2 NIV) Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.
(Psa 119:33-34 NIV) Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. {34} Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
3. The Result. Matthew 7:25 , 27
(Mat 7:25 NIV) The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
(Mat 7:27 NIV) The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
“did not fall”
“fell with a great crash”
(1 Cor 3:10 NIV) By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.
The Christian life as “heading into a storm, being in a storm, or coming out of a storm.” Unknown author quoted by Dr. Charles Stanley
(Psa 34:19 NIV) A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;
(Isa 40:8 NIV) The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."
CONCLUSION:
(2 Cor 6:1-2 NIV) As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. {2} For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
The Solid Rock Edward Mote, (1834)
My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly leand on Jesus' name.
Refrain
On Christ the solid rock I stand;
all other ground is sinking sand,
all other ground is sinking sand.
2
When Darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace.
in every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil.
3
His oath, his covenant, his blood
supports me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
he then is all my hope and stay.
4
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in him be found!
Dressed in his righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne.
than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly leand on Jesus' name.
Refrain
On Christ the solid rock I stand;
all other ground is sinking sand,
all other ground is sinking sand.
2
When Darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace.
in every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil.
3
His oath, his covenant, his blood
supports me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
he then is all my hope and stay.
4
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in him be found!
Dressed in his righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne.
