Premise You can discern divine direction by learning to test each whisper you receive.

Transcription

1 session one» the whisper-led life Feature Text Acts 9:1 19 The Power of a Whisper Hearing God. Having the Guts to Respond. The Four-Week Church-wide Journey Sermon Outlines You can discern divine direction by learning to test each whisper you receive. What if you really could hear from heaven as you navigate life on earth? You discern divine direction by learning to 1. Ask God if the prompting you received truly is from him. 2. Ask if it aligns with Scripture. 3. Ask if it is wise. 4. Ask if it is in tune with your character or wiring. 5. Ask what those you most trust think of the whisper you have received. a. What leads your life? congregational exercise b. Church-wide campaign overview c. Session 1 premise: The Whisper-Led Life d. Case in point of someone who let whispers lead his life: the apostle Paul [reference: Acts 9:1 19] i. Key #1: Sometimes our ears get opened in the most dramatic ways ii. Key #2: When we obey a prompting from God, we often open the door for others to obey divine direction they receive iii. Key #3: We never know what kingdom good can come from obeying God e. Video excerpt: Bill Hybels s Miss Van Soelen moment f. The promise of this four-week journey II. Supporting Point 1 a. Christ-followers who want to discern divine direction ask, God, is this whisper really from you? b. Then, they wait to hear what he says III. Supporting Point 2 a. Christ-followers who want to discern divine direction ask, Does this whisper align with Scripture? b. Jesus Christ as the ultimate Example of how God would behave in any given situation IV. Supporting Point 3 Page 1 of 7

2 a. Christ-followers who want to discern divine direction ask, Is this whisper wise? b. Reference: Proverbs, and what it means to be wise V. Supporting Point 4 a. Christ-followers who want to discern divine direction ask, Is this whisper in line with my character or wiring patterns? b. Illustration from The Power of a Whisper, man who was prepared to leave stockbroker industry to pursue Christian-music career VI. Supporting Point 5 a. Christ-followers who want to discern divine direction ask, What do those I most trust think of the whisper I have received? b. Teacher s personal illustration regarding asking for counsel at some point along the way c. Reference: Proverbs 11:14 d. Three filters for choosing wise counselors e. Reference: 1 John 4:1 6 VII. Closing a. Live with a higher goal activity explanation b. Teacher s personal illustration regarding how he or she will engage in the activity c. Reference: Matthew 8 story of Jesus healing the centurion s servant d. Benefits of The Power of a Whisper four-week journey e. Reminder regarding how to get involved in a The Power of a Whisper small group f. Closing prayer Page 2 of 7

3 session two» divine input for the day-to-day Feature Text Genesis 6:1 22; Matthew 16:21 28; 2 Kings 4:8 37 God speaks to his followers not just at life s major crossroads, but also during daily routines. What would your daily life look like if each step was directed by God? 1. God speaks through whispers of action. 2. God speaks through whispers of admonition. 3. God speaks through whispers of assurance. a. Pastor s illustration regarding experience with living with a higher goal the previous week b. Recap campaign goal c. Recap week-one five-part filter points d. Positioning for week-two talk: three stories, three question, three truths II. Supporting Point 1: God speaks through whispers of action a. Story #1: Noah, Genesis 6:1 22 b. Question #1: Is God calling you to build something today? i. Illustration from The Power of a Whisper, involving Bill Hybels being told to stop as he backed down the driveway ii. What might God be asking you to stop or start doing today? c. Truth #1: We were created to do good works, and one of the primary ways God helps us accomplish them is by imparting whispers of action [Reference: Ephesians 2:10] III. Supporting Point 2: God speaks through whispers of admonition a. Story #2: Peter, Matthew 16:21 23 i. Like Peter, we get rebuked by God when we don t have in mind the things of God, but the things of men ii. Teacher s personal illustration of time he/she was rebuked by God b. Question #2: What words of admonition might God be trying to whisper to you now? c. Truth #2: God will not stop refining us until transformation s work is complete IV. Supporting Point 3: God speaks through whispers of assurance a. Story #3: the Shunammite woman, 2 Kings 4:8 37 b. Question #3: What whispers of assurance do you most need to hear today? i. Video excerpt: September s story c. Truth #3: The losses we face in this life do not change who God is V. Closing a. Reminder of how to join The Power of a Whisper small group b. Quote, Thomas à Kempis Page 3 of 7

4 c. Closing prayer Page 4 of 7

5 session three» practice, practice, practice Feature Text John 15:1 17; Philippians 4:8; Titus 3:5; Isaiah 41:10; James 4:7; Proverbs 19:17; Hebrews 13:5; Isaiah 26:3 We become what we practice; to become effective followers of Christ, we must practice the presence of God. What if you practiced God s presence with the discipline and passion that you practice other pursuits in life? 1. We practice God s presence when we learn to corral our thoughts. 2. We practice God s presence when we learn to communicate with him. 3. We practice God s presence when we learn to conform our lives to his Word. a. Congregational word-association activity b. Overview of session 3 c. Reference: John 15:1 17 [the importance of remaining in Christ] II. Supporting Point 1 a. We practice God s presence when we learn to corral our thoughts b. Reference Psalm 19:14, Psalm 104:34, Philippians 4:8 i. We are to think on that which is true ii. We are to think on that which is noble iii. We are to think on that which is right [Reference: 1 Kings 3, James 1:5] iv. We are to think on that which is pure v. We are to think on that which is lovely vi. We are to think on that which is admirable III. Supporting Point 2 a. We practice God s presence when we learn to communicate with him b. Quote, Rosalind Rinker c. Illustration, Brother Lawrence d. Reference: Ephesians 6:18 IV. Supporting Point 3 a. We practice God s presence when we learn to conform our lives to his Word b. Quote, Bill Hybels c. Categories of Scripture to write on our hearts: i. Salvation [Titus 3:5] ii. Overcoming fear [Isaiah 41:10] iii. Overcoming temptation [James 4:7] iv. Justice [Proverbs 19:17] v. Contentment [Hebrews 13:5] vi. Peace [Isaiah 26:3] Page 5 of 7

6 vii. Teacher s personal illustration regarding a time when he/she needed God s peace V. Closing a. Video excerpt: How Bill Hybels first began to practice God s presence b. Closing prayer Page 6 of 7

7 session four» wide open for good Feature Text Isaiah 58:6 11 When we learn to hear God s voice and obey his whispers, we impact not just our lives, but the world at large. What world-rocking whisper is God ready to place in your ears? 1. When we spend ourselves on behalf of others, we listen with wide-open ears. 2. When we spend ourselves on behalf of others, we give with wide-open hands. 3. When we spend ourselves on behalf of others, we live with wide-open hearts. a. Teacher s personal illustration of how daily times with God have been impacted by session 3 learnings b. Brief recap of session 1, The Whisper-Led Life c. Brief recap of session 2, Divine Input for the Day-to-Day d. Brief recap of session 3, Practice, Practice, Practice e. Two levels of listening to God: one which reflects the desires of our hearts, the other which reflects what is on his heart f. Illustration, The Power of a Whisper, regarding early, financially-challenging days of Willow Creek Community Church [key point: nobody reaches wellresourced status alone] g. Teacher s personal illustration of time(s) he/she needed a hand up in life h. Reference: Isaiah 58:10 11; we are to spend ourselves on behalf of those in need II. Supporting Point 1 a. When we spend ourselves on behalf of others, we listen with wide-open ears b. Reference: Zechariah 7:11 12 c. Illustration: Austin Gutwein s Hoops of Hope III. Supporting Point 2 a. When we spend ourselves on behalf of others, we give with wide-open hands b. Reference: Isaiah 58:6 7 IV. Supporting Point 3 a. When we spend ourselves on behalf of others, we live with wide-open hearts b. Video excerpt: Jesus example of following a high-stakes, high-risk whisper V. Closing a. Challenge to consider where God would have us invest our lives b. Closing prayer Page 7 of 7