Sunday June 19, 2022
https://www.facebook.com/Encountertexoma/videos/399495742124151
Today we start a series on the Book of Acts. Acts was written about A.D. 62.
TWO MAJOR THMES: The Birth of the early Church and The power of the Holy the Holy Spirit through the church.
THE PURPOSE: The continuation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
THE AUTHOR: Believed by most to be Dr. Luke. (Theophilus) “Loved by God.”
PERSONAL APPLICATION:
- Shows us how to live under the power of the Holy Spirit.
- It teaches us how to live together in meaningful Christian Fellowship.
- It shows us how to remove our conflicts and submit one to another.
- Acts encourages us that ordinary people can do extraordinary things when empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:4-5- “Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
This was the last time Jesus gave instructions to them in person!
The disciples were now about to go through a huge transition!
They were going from receiving instructions from Jesus, in person, someone they could see, to receiving instructions from someone they couldn’t see.
TODAY I’M TALKING ABOUT KNOWING GOD’S VOICE
HERE’S THE TRUTH- There are times I think I’m hearing the voice of God and I’m not! Sometimes I’m hearing the voice of the enemy and sometimes I’m hearing the voice of my own desires or thoughts!
EXAMPLE: Peter’s revelation of Jesus being the Son of God!
One minute Peter is hearing the revelation of God and the next minute he’s seeing things from a human perspective.
One minute Peter is hitting the nail on the head and the next minute he’s missing it, big time!
SO HOW CAN I KNOW GOD’S VOICE?
1. Does it line up with the Bible
Luke 21:33 – “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.”
The disciples recognized the voice of God because they heard the voice of the “Word made Flesh.”
HOW CAN I KNOW GOD’S VOICE?
2. Will It Make Me More Like Christ?
Philippians 2:5 -“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”
3. Does Godly Counsel Agree?
Proverbs 12:15 (NLT)- “Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.”
4. Do I have Peace?
1 Corinthians 14:33 – “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”
Romans 16:20 – “And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”
SO HOW CAN I POSITION MYSELF TO HEAR GOD’S VOICE?
1 Samuel 3:10- “Speak, your servant is listening.”
- Open My Bible (Speak)
We may not have Jesus in person to receive instruction from but we do have the Word of God.
As we consume this Bible we learn to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to us.
2 Timothy 3:16-17- “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Learn this Bible and you will learn to recognize God’s voice when He’s speaking to you.
HOW CAN I POSITION MYSELF TO HEAR GOD’S VOICE?
2. Surrender my life to God (Servant)
1 Corinthians 4:1- “This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.”
When you have a servants heart God speaks to you like a friend!
John 15:15 “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”
3. I spend time at the feet of Jesus (Listening)
Luke 10:39-“Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.”
CONCLUSION: Every Believer can hear the voice of God!
When you open your Bible you’re giving God the opportunity to speak to you through His Word.
Surrender my life to God. I become a servant of God in my heart!
I spend time listening at the feet of Jesus.
DO YOU WANT TO HERE GOD SPEAK TO YOU?
WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU THROUGH THIS MESSAGE?