The Holy Spirit Promise (Part 14)

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The Holy Spirit Promise

(Part 14)

Good morning and Welcome to Jesus Church – Here and Online

We are coming to the end… might have one more to tie it all together

• We’ve dedicated the last 4 months to learning about the Holy Spirit
  • We’ve learned about who the Holy Spirit is
  • We’ve learned about how the Holy Spirit works in our lives
  • We’ve learned about the necessity of relationship with the Spirit
• We covered the gifts of the Spirit…
  • Which is less like a super power bestowed upon you
  • More like the attributes of the Spirit working through your life
  • Because its not people seeing you… but people seeing the Spirit
    • If the focus becomes all about you
    • The Spirit working through you isn’t holy
• We talked about the Fruit of the Spirit
  • And how if all the fruit comes from the Spirit – facets of the Spirit
  • Then we can’t just have 1 or 2 pet fruit
  • But LOVE & JOY & PEACE & PATIENCE need to grow in your life

TAG: Last week we looked at being Born Again – Holy Spirits role in that

This week I want to talk about hearing the Holy Spirit

How do we hear the voice of God… why does it seem difficult sometimes

• I don’t think I’m the only one who has thought
  • God can you just write something on the wall for me
  • Or can’t you just talk audibly through my airpods
  • Or can’t you just tell me what to do… just this once
• And if those options are off the table (why) but then what
  • How can I hear from God
  • And how can I be confident that it IS God
  • Anyone ever wrestled through this stuff before?

A couple years back… just moved into a new house

• Our daughter was 6 and much like now… very adventurous
  • We had a super long day of moving everything in… exhausted
  • Put the kids to bed and went to sleep
• Middle of the night – Michelle darts out of bed from dead sleep
  • Runs outside to find Lyla standing at the edge of our pool
  • The next day we had someone coming to install the pool gate
  • Even had the safety handle installed… she went out the dog door
• That was the Holy Spirit speaking to my wife

Another time I was on a missions trip to Guadalajara, Mexico

• At a church there and pastor asked us to pray over whoever came up
  • Started praying… but didn’t expect the whole church to come up
  • Only had 1 interpreter so we just started praying in English
• I had a young man come up to me (I was probably 18) for prayer
  • God gave me verse: Create in me a clean heart… renew Spirit
  • So I started praying in the Spirit for this guy
  • Immediately he looks up with eyes the size of saucers
• Runs to get interpreter – Recites the verse back God put on my heart
  • Says that’s what I was praying over him
  • Doctors had found a heart condition… so he was so mad at God
  • First time he’d been at church in years
    • Said he could feel God changing his heart – healing his Spirit
    • But what was that…

That was voice of God speaking right to my inner being

And God does this for many followers of Jesus throughout history

• In fact what is the Bible
  • Collection of stories of men/women who would hear God’s voice
  • And decided to either obey or disobey
• And so much of life is: You hear and obey God’s voice
  • Which is why we have spent 4 months learning about…
  • Holy Spirit… God’s Voice… Prophecy… Prayer… Following Spirit
  • Because this is central
• If we want to have confidence as disciples on mission for Jesus
  • Then we have to learn how to hear God’s voice and obey

To recap – God speak to everyone… specifically to us who have the Spirit

• Question is HOW does God speak
  • And we all know God speaks through the scriptures
  • But scriptures are generic… not specific
    • Can tell you what kind of man/woman to marry – not who
    • Or how to live in community – not what city
    • Or what it means to be a good steward – not what to buy
• So for that we need the spirit and wisdom on Holy Spirit to speak
  • And there are all types of way that God speaks
  • But I would say a very common way God speaks
    • Is directly into our heart and mind
    • Because the Spirit of God has direct access to your being
    • (Thinking and Feeling)
• But for us who like things black & white… all sorts of questions
  • Isn’t that subjective…. Open to interpretation… unclear
  • But to be honest – Bible is all of those things as well
  • But what if it isn’t Gods voice at all
    • What if its wishful thinking… voice of dad from childhood
    • Or guilt… or shame… or demonic

And those are legitimate questions

• Most of us honestly would just rather God speak audibly
  • If I had to pick between Spirit speaking into my mind
  • Or the voice of God coming from the sky… voice of God
  • In fact I WISH IT WAS THAT WAY
• I know there have been times for me…
  • And I’ve got all the tips and techniques down
  • Phone in the other room, door closed, Bible open
  • Well rested, hands out in front of me…
• And I need God to speak to me about a decision… and its crickets
  • Maybe a thought here or there – But I don’t know if that’s it
  • And at points you can almost get angry at God
  • And you argue: I wanna hear your voice so I can do the right thing
    • Why don’t you just SPEAK!!!!

TAG: And if that happens… its ok because you’re in good company

Debunk myth if God spoke different: easy 2 understand

First – If I heard the audible voice of God… It would change everything

Jn 12:28-30, 34

Father, glorify your name! Then a voice came from heaven (so audible voice of God), “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine… The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?

• So here is the audible voice of God straight from heaven… but notice
  • Some people thinks its just a loud noise
  • Others people think its an angel
  • AND NOBODY GETS WHAT GOD IS SAYING
• People are still confused when God literally speaks out loud

Second – If God sent an angel to speak to me for God… change everything

• Luke 1 (God silent for 400 years)
  • Goes to this guy named Zachariah who’s a priest
  • And his wife is a descendent of the Priestly line of Aaron
  • They are in the temple in Jerusalem doing priestly things
• And an angel of the Lord comes and appears to him
  • Angel begins to speak about his future son (John the Baptist)
  • How many would say… yes if that could happen to me I’d be set
  • And gives a word from God to a HOLY MAN doing HOLY THINGS

Luke 1:18

Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

• So all he can see when God sends an angel to talk to him
  • Are the circumstances in his life
  • So even if an angel appears… still might not be enough for you

Third – What if God just gave me a vision… then I’d be able to do anything

Acts 10:9-17 (Vision is like a dream but you’re actually awake)

About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. (Ok this is Peter… THEE PETER) He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then the voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” (God finally giving us the ability to eat bacon) Surely not, Lord! Peter replied. I have never eaten anything impure or unclean. The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

• So Peter has a vision from God 3 times AND hears his voice
  • You would think this would be clear as day…
  • But look at the next line

While Peter was wondering (doubt) about the meaning of the vision…

Fourth – What if Jesus just showed up face to face with me… change it all

Matt 15:10-16

Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both fall into a pit.” Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.” “Are you still so dull? Jesus asked them.

• All throughout scripture you see the disciples face to face with Jesus
  • They are constantly missing the point… clueless… confused
  • So we see even when Jesus was speaking plainly to disciples
  • People didn’t understand a lot of the time

Fact is: God isn’t always easy to understand

Sometimes he is… know exactly what God is saying

• But a lot of the time its unclear… ambiguous… fuzzy…
  • And the thing is – God is God
  • Its not like he couldn’t make it easier to understand his voice
  • Could have set up a facetime with you every morning/night
    • Love you – Proud of you – Excited for your day
    • Do these 3 things and we will catch up tonight
• God could have set it up that way but didn’t… but WHY NOT?
  • And I don’t really know the answer
  • What I do know is what God wants isn’t a “Check list” relationship
  • Because he isn’t a boss… he’s a father
• He wants a deep relationship with you
  • And the heart of every good relationship is conversation
  • I know my closest times with my wife – 2 mile walk every night
  • And we just talk… just the 2 of us… no phone… no kids… no TV

Bring that to WHY… there is something about pursuit God finds valuable

• We all know when dating there is something special about pursuit
  • Almost electric when you are seeking after someone
  • Don’t know everything… what are they thinking
  • Imagine knowing everything right away – doesn’t work as well

Jer 29:13 (NASB)

And you will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.

• There is something about this… God wants you to seek/pursue/chase
  • As he does the same for you and me
  • Because God created us – We want to be interested & intrigued

But with that – God does speak (Quick list)

1: Through Jesus – Jesus is the Word of God

• • Jn 1 – In the beginning was the word and the word with God
  • Heb 1 – In these last days God has spoken to us by his son

2: Through Scripture – Also called word of God (less common)

• • Most of what we need from God is in the Bible
  • About who God is… who we are… story God is writing… future
  • So if you want to hear God voice – Open your Bible

3: Creation itself

• • Rom 1 – Since creation of world God invisible qualities are seen
  • Nature… stars… animals… ocean… all speak to us about God

4: Prophecy

• • Praying and person come to your mind – Word/Phrase/Verse
  • God speaks to others through each other
  • Pray it becomes common at church – life group – worship night

5: Dreams & Visions

• • God loves to speak through our dreams… our visions
  • And only way to understand is to ponder on the dream or vision
  • God will use both of these if that’s what works for you

6: Angels

• • Hebrews says many of us have entertained angels unaware of it
  • Pop culture – Angel is 6’2 blond surfer model with wings
  • In scriptures… angels show up like a common everyday person
    • People don’t even know its an angel (messenger)

7: Audible voice

• • Moses actually hears the tangible voice of God in burning bush
  • Might be (rare) a way at times God speaks to you

8: Circumstances – super tricky on this one

• • Open or closed doors can be God speaking to you
    • But watch out… sometimes closed door is from God
    • Other times its resistance from the enemy
    • Other times its your pure laziness
  • So this takes prayer and discernment… never just cut & dry
    • And that’s an open door as well
    • It could very well be a door God is opening for your future
    • Or could be pure temptation (to run away or greed or easier)

9: Gut feeling or intuition

• • Walk into a room and you just feel peace OR you feel no peace
  • And you can’t put words to it… but it’s a feeling you know
  • And it guides you one way or another (again tricky)

10: listening & Prayer

• • God will speak direction into heart/mind/thoughts/emotions
  • And this is one of the primary ways that God speaks today

TAG: Point is… God speaks to you customized to you and no formula

So how do we know if God’s speaking

Thought comes to mind… is that God or last nights pizza

• John: Don’t believe every spirit but test to see if they’re from God
  • Story called under banner of Heaven (history of Mormonism)
  • Starts with woman & baby murdered in 80’s by 2 brother-in-laws
  • They believed God told them to do it and even specified how
• Sentenced to death because ruled they were not remotely insane
  • Fully aware with sound minds and convinced they heard God
  • And I don’t doubt they heard a voice saying to do that
  • But I know it wasn’t the voice of God (demonic spirit)
• So how do we test the spirits to know where they are from
  • 1 – Does it line up with scripture – God won’t contradict himself
    • Adultery will never be ok
    • Cheating on taxes will never be ok
    • Another reason we MUST know the scriptures
  • 2 – Does it sound like Jesus
    • “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me”
      • Close eyes… Who’s speaking right now (Aaron or Kyle)
      • How do you know that – You know my voice
    • You can pick up a familiar voice over 100 voices
      • Because you are in relationship with that person
      • Same with God… over time learn to knows Gods voice

Four reasons we don’t hear God’s voice

• Don’t hear him speak because we have a dysfunctional view of God
  • If you believe that God is disappointed in you
  • If you believe that God is disinterested in you
  • If you believe that God is indifferent towards you
    • You will listen for a voice that God will never use
    • And you will miss the voice God does use
• Don’t hear him speak because we’re too busy/distracted to hear him
  • Just look at your calendar and see how full it is
    • We fill our days & nights with so much
    • We leave no room to listen… I’m the worst
    • I can’t even brush my teeth without doing something else
• Don’t hear him speak because we don’t ask him to speak to us
  • So many people complain… don’t ever ask God to speak to them
  • Have you quieted yourself… positioned yourself and asked God
  • That is an amazing place to start!
• Don’t hear his voice because we don’t obey
  • If you don’t align yourself with God… hard to hear him
    • Maybe God already told you what to do – your ran from it
    • You are asking God… but he already told you what to do
  • Or because we sin… reject God – we distance ourselves
    • Bible says Holy Spirit comes to convict us of our sin
    • But that’s great… because its God speaking to us
    • Getting that out of the way so we can hear God clearly

Four ways to grow in hearing God’s voice

• Spend a lot of time in the scriptures and prayer
  • Try to be in meditation prayer and scripture every single day
  • Set aside time… (If your too busy – then you’re too busy)
  • And this isn’t a check list to finish… quality over quantity
    • And with prayer – Don’t be the person who only talks
• Pay attention… slow down and be alert
  • Its been said: 80% of prophecy is just noticing
  • Actually LOOK to see what God is trying to show you
  • Open your eyes… open your ears… God is moving – pay attention
• Just ask… take a moment and ask
  • God I’m present – Want to hear from you
  • Please speak to me now… in whatever way I can receive it
• Obey – Do what God is wanting you to do
  • Whatever it is… do it and don’t wait
  • So often we know what it is… but we wait and ask something else
  • And think… God isn’t speaking – No he did
    • And he’s waiting for you to respond… then he’ll address that
    • But USUALLY God will ask you to step out of comfort zone

So much power in learning how to hearing God’s voice

• It isn’t just for the gatherings… it’s the ministry of Jesus
  • It has the power to set people free
  • And we have to take it to the streets
• If you learn to listen to God’s voice… you’ll do what’s ordinary to God
  • But absolutely extraordinary to the world
  • And he will change the world through you
• And every one of use can learn to hear his voice
  • And everyone can hear more clearly, more quickly
  • And use that to act upon the mission and works of Jesus

This is who we want to become… we hear God’s voice and obey (all life)