Hearing the Voice of God - November 5, 2009

Today, you are able to enjoy another passage from Pastor Dan's new Study Guide "A Revelation Generation"

Does God speak today?

The answer to this question is a resounding yes! The ability to hear God’s voice rests clearly upon the foundational issue of personal relationship with God through a saving experience with Jesus Christ, by faith in His work on the cross.

John 3:5-6 “Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” NIV

We must believe that He is, and that He rewards those who diligently seek him.

Heb 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” NIV

Our primary source of the voice of God is the Word of God. We must believe that the bible is the authoritative, inerrant word of God because this is the starting place for discerning the voice and thoughts of God. The scriptures are the measuring rod of every revelation, every spiritual experience and every word and deed of the believer.

· The Word is alive,

John 6:63 “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” NIV

· The Word is active & powerful

Heb 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active . Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” NIV

· It bears witness to itself

2 Tim 3:16-17 “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.” NIV

· History bears witness to it.

· The spirit within us bears witness to it as we come to know Christ. Our minds must be renewed by the word of God.

Rom 8:16 “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.” NIV

Rom 12:1-2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.” NIV

There are some statements of scripture that are written in the context of the culture of the day but the spirit or principle of the passage is authoritative. (Example: The commentary throughout portions of the Bible that speak about slavery are not God endorsing slavery but rather the teaching of spiritual principles but conveyed within the context of the world’s culture at that period in human history.)

Once the authority of the written word is established in our hearts understanding of the way God uses the word to us is the essential necessity for hearing the voice of God with clarity and life changing impact.

In the scriptures there are two key Greek words used to establish the understanding of the distinctly different facets of the Word of God. These two words are “Logos” and “Rhema”.

In simplest terms the Logos of God is the written word of God and the Rhema of God is the revealed word of God that comes by God’s Spirit illuminating something to you personally.

This is that word of God that God causes to come alive to our hearts. This is that word that reaches beyond our intellectual ascent and inspires faith. Ro.10:17