Prayer

How To Hear From God

In last week’s teaching, we discussed how prayer is supposed to be a performance we put on for God, but a conversation we are beginning. But if prayer is a conversation, how are we supposed to hear from God? How are we to know when He answers, if He answers, or what is His answer to our prayers? Are we supposed to listen for an audible voice telling us what to do? Is it possible for us to mistake God’s answers to us? In this week’s message, Pastor Sean gives us three ways that God speaks to us, but before we can even go that far, we need to answer an important question. Do we REALLY want to hear what God has to say and will we obey what He is telling us?

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MESSAGE NOTES

I could hear my Dad’s whistle from blocks away when I was growing up. No matter what I was doing, when he whistled that it was time to come home, I could recognize and identify that whistle.

 

This weekend, we said we would talk about how to hear from God.

  • The more time I spend with God, the more I recognize His voice.

 

Honestly, do you REALLY want to hear what God wants to say?

  • What would you do with what He said?
  • If you are disregarding the things you ALREADY know He wants you to do, why do you think he would give you more to just disobey?
  • What if God only spoke to you on the condition that you’d listen?
  • How willing are you to give advise to someone else who won’t follow?

John 10:27

  • Is it possible that you don’t hear from God because you don’t know Him?
  • If you know Him, He speaks to you in one of three ways.

 

God speaks to us through His Word. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

  • It’s not just a book, it’s God inspired words! 2 Peter 1:20-21
  • Teaches right from wrong
  • Shows what we need to stop doing and start doing
  • Through it, God prepares/equips us to do everything he wants

Some of us say we are waiting to hear from God and look everywhere but His Word.

  • Once you open His Word and look, it is His Spirit that will point things out to you.

 

God speaks to us through His Spirit. – John 14:15-17

  • First thing – your love is measured by your obedience
  • If you’ll obey, His Spirit will guide you into all truth.
  • He helps us see thins that are specific to us in the Scriptures that are written to all people.
  • If you memorize Scripture, His Spirit brings it back when needed.
  • Truthfully, the Spirit will prompt people to share things.

 

God speaks to us through His family – 2 Timothy 4:2

  • Paul then says to use the Word to encourage, correct, guide other followers of Jesus
  • Ananias was directed by God’s Spirit to find Paul and point him.
  • Grow through counsel/wisdom of others Proverbs 27:17

Wisdom Table – there are people you invite to speak into your life.

 

Proverbs 13:20 Who is at your table?

When you’ve heard from God, it won’t contradict His Word (Psalms 27:17)

God’s Word is backed by His name.

 

Three Reasons You Won’t Hear From God

  1. You’re too busy (Psalm 46:10)
  2. You’re too distracted (1 Kings 19:11-13)
  3. You’re not His kid ( John 10:25-29)

 

APPLICATION:

One thing you hear from God if you’re not His kid (John 6:44-45)

  • Him calling you to Jesus

If you’re His kid already and you need to hear from God…

  • Slow down and create some space
  • Google Scripture that speaks to your concern
  • Journal what you read, write your prayers and go for a walk
  • Confirm it with a trusted Christian friend

In last week’s teaching, we discussed how prayer is supposed to be a performance we put on for God, but a conversation we are beginning. But if prayer is a conversation, how are we supposed to hear from God? How are we to know when He answers, if He answers, or what is His answer to our prayers? Are we supposed to listen for an audible voice telling us what to do? Is it possible for us to mistake God’s answers to us? In this week’s message, Pastor Sean gives us three ways that God speaks to us, but before we can even go that far, we need to answer an important question. Do we REALLY want to hear what God has to say and will we obey what He is telling us?

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