“God Speaks Through Us!” (How To Hear The Voice Of God pt. 2)

Pastor Jim Lowe III

Sunday Morning, 9:30am Stream 06/11/23 (2nd Sunday Message)

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{All scriptures are NIV84 unless stated}

 

How many of you would like to hear God better?

 

Last week we started a discussion on how to hear God better.

 

“Is That You God?” (How To Hear God)

 

We talked about the foundation to hearing the voice of the Lord.

 

Hebrews 4:12

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.

 

It is living and active.

 

We talked about how the Bible isn’t just a book.

 

It’s God’s love letter to us. It tells us how God feels about us. It tells us how God will protect us. It tells us how God will fight for us. It tells us how God will redeem us.

YES it was written by men…but inspired by God.

 

2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV)

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…

Inspired by God.

 

2 Peter 1:20-21

20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

 

The book was written by men…but outlined and worded by God.

 

We Learn The Voice Of God Through Reading His Word!

 

This is a necessary step to learning the voice of God.

 

This week, let’s start with WHY it’s a good thing to know God’s voice.

 

You may be wondering why it’s even important to hear God’s voice better.

 

Why Should We Learn To Hear God’s Voice?

 

Exodus 15:26

26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.

 

Psalm 81:13-16

13 “If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, 14 how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes! 15 Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever. 16 But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

 

Isaiah 30:21 {used last week}

21 If you go the wrong way—to the right or to the left—you will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the right way. You should go this way.”

Hearing AND Listening To God Has It’s Benefits!

 

Let’s go back to the scripture that started last week:

 

Job 33:14

14 For God does speak—now one way, now another— though man may not perceive it.

 

God speaks.

 

But WE don’t always recognize it.

 

How Does God Speak?

 

When it comes to hearing God…you need to know some of the ways he communicates with you.

 

4 Ways God Can Speak:

• Through His Word (The Bible)

• Through Other People

• God Himself

• Through His Actions

 

Today we’ll work on this one.

 

2. Through Other People

 

God can speak to you through someone else.

 

“God CAN Speak To Me Through Someone Else.”

 

Some may agree…some may not.

Some of us think we can never be told anything. Back to the previous scripture.

Job 33:14

14 For God does speak—now one way, now another— though man may not perceive it.

 

This is a statement in the book of Job. Job is a book of pain.

but also a book of God’s faithfulness.

 

Job went through it!

 

The first 2 chapters described Job losing everything…almost his own life. The remaining FORTY chapters talk about Job trying to cope with it.

Job had friends who would talk to him to try and comfort him. Job 33:14 is spoken by Elihu {Eli-hew}

Although this is a conversation: Elihu is speaking for God.

Why?

 

Because Job prayed multiple times for God to answer him and explain why. example:

Job 7:20-21

20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of men? Why have you made me your target? Have I become a burden to you? 21Why do you not pardon my offenses and forgive my sins? For I will soon lie down in the dust; you will search for me, but I will be no more.”

Job is asking God “What did I do?”

 

and Job is convinced that God won’t answer him.

 

God won’t speak to him. Elihu says…God DOES speak.

but we don’t always see it.

 

For Anyone Currently Dealing With A Painful Experience: Read Job 33:14-33

 

Elihu is speaking now for God. God does speak.

different ways.

 

he allows different things. but not without a comforter. the reasons may vary

but ultimately to loose us from our pride. to bring us closer to him.

so we can trust HIS way…and not our own.

 

Job couldn’t see this on his own.

 

Have You Ever Been In Such Pain Or Sorrow That You Can’t Fully Hear God?

This is how Job was…so God used Elihu.

 

A direct voice to give the answer Job needed. and it came from someone else.

God Can Speak To You Through Other People!

 

The word gives us many examples of God speaking through people.

 

God Spoke Through Jethro To Moses (Exodus 18:13)

 

Moses was the only judge over the people.

 

Millions of people had to have their disputes and cases tried by one person. Day after day he would spend his time doing this.

Jethro -> Moses YOU don’t have to do it all. No one told you to do it yourself.

 

You are underachieving because this type of job isn’t meant for one person. USE THE HELP GOD GAVE YOU!

Select good people and watch your efficiency go up!

 

God Spoke Through Prophets To His People (Judges 6:7; 2 Samuel 12:1)

 

Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

He would hand them over as a result to other nations. As soon as they would cry out to God…

God would save them.

 

This prophet spoke to Israel during Gideon’s story.

 

God says, every time he saves you…you keep doing stupid stuff! Stop doing stupid stuff!

And if you’re gonna do stupid stuff…Stop doing the SAME stupid stuff!

 

Nathan to David.

 

David you killed a faithful man to you. because you had a baby with his wife.

and tried to cover it up.

 

Who else was David gonna hear this from?

 

God Can Speak Through Whatever He Wants! (Numbers 22:21)

 

Numbers 22:21

21 Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. 22 But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the Lord stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat her to get her back on the road.

 

Balaam is about to bump right into the Angel of the Lord…who is going to kill him.

The donkey sees the Angel…and turns away.

 

Balaam can NOT see the angel…so instead beats the donkey.

 

Numbers 22:24

24 Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between two vineyards, with walls on both sides. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat her again.

 

Balaam is wanting the Donkey to go forward but she keeps trying to avoid the angel.

 

Balaam, his 2 servents, the two princes of Moab…CAN’T see the Angel…so Balaam beats the donkey.

 

Numbers 22:26-28

26 Then the angel of the Lord moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat her with his staff. 28 Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?”

 

There is no place left to go. The donkey lays down.

Balaam beats the donkey again.

 

And the Lord opens the donkey’s mouth.

 

“What am I doing to make you beat me these 3 times?” Balaam answers:

Numbers 22:29-31

29 Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.” 30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?” “No,” he said. 31 Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.

He and his donkey are having a conversation.

 

But it stops him long enough for the Lord to show him what the Donkey had seen all along.

 

Numbers 22:32-34

32 The angel of the Lord asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. 33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared her.” 34 Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back.”

 

God spoke through the donkey to stop Balaam just long enough for God to show what he was doing.

 

God speaks through whoever he wants. Back to Job and his friends…God speaks.

If The Lord Can Speak Through A Donkey, He Can Also Speak Through People Around You!

 

If God can use others to speak to us… He can also use YOU to speak to others!

This is why we have to be sensitive to KNOW the voice of God. Why?

God Can Speak Through Us To Encourage One Another:

 

Hebrews 3:13

13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

Job’s friends…

 

The encouragement you bring is sometimes how God can speak to someone else. ESPECIALLY if you hear God telling you to encourage someone.

Do People Sometimes Come Up On Your Heart? Do You Feel A Need To Call And Check On Someone?

That Could Be God Speaking To You For Them!

 

Hebrews 10:25

25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let

us one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

 

This is how God can use us.

 

God Can Speak Through Us To Restore One Another:

 

Galatians 6:1

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

 

Job 4:4

4 Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened

faltering knees.

 

It’s not OUR words…it’s GOD’s words working through us.

 

God Can Speak Through Us To Teach:

 

2 Timothy 4:2

2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and  encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

 

Those who speak on Sunday mornings…

should always pray it’s God’s words. not their own.

This is why it’s important to walk in your gifts.

 

Especially if they are to encourage others. (Ministers, teachers…)

 

Finally,

 

With EVERYTHING You Hear…Make Sure It Lines Up With Scripture!

 

Someone bringing you a “word from the Lord” isn’t always a WORD from the Lord.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:19-21

19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21

Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.

 

Don’t just run with something someone tells you.

 

Even Those Who Talk To God Consistently Can Still Miss It - Test Everything You Hear!

 

If you are looking to hear God better…make sure you ask.

 

Matthew 7:7-8

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

 

This Week:

• Review This Message

• Find Ways To Get Into The Word This Week!

• Pray That God Shows Us How To Learn To Test Things Against His Word

 

If we’re seeking God’s word on things… Remember he DOES speak…

But we gotta find ways to hear him better.