Discerning when the Lord is communicating? This is not intended to be comprehensive study of the subject matter

Transcription

1 Discerning when the Lord is communicating? This is not intended to be comprehensive study of the subject matter

2 For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. Hebrews 4.12

3 Hearing the Lord is a spiritual matter His word comes as spiritual illumination so its different than mans/spirit/thoughts/emotions

4 God s words are dividing between the thoughts of the soul and the spirit. It separates the thoughts and intents of the heart. That s how you distinguish your thoughts from God s thoughts

5 God s Word is Life and it ENERGIZES it judges thoughts/intents of the heart, piercing/penetrating the soul/spirit Your soul must be separated out Emotions/intellect/your will

6 the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power

7 So how does God speak? " Indeed God speaks once, Or twice, yet no one notices it. Job 33:14-18, NASB95

8 In a dream, a vision of the night, When sound sleep falls on men, While they slumber in their beds, Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction, Job 33:14-18, NASB95

9 That He may turn man aside from his conduct, And keep man from pride; He keeps back his soul from the pit, And his life from passing over into Sheol." Job 33:14-18, NASB95

10 Looking at God s Communication through Dreams and Visions

11 "Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him. God said to Abram, Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years. Genesis 15:12-18

12 But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve, and afterward they will come out with many possessions. As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you will be buried at a good old age. Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete. Genesis 15:12-18

13 So God is speaking all of this while Abram is asleep There s more. Genesis 15:12-18

14 It came about when the sun had set, that it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates:" Genesis 15:12-18

15 God also appeared to Abram, appeared and ratified a Covenant all the while he is asleep.

16 Paying attention to your dreams "Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Here I am, Lord. And the Lord said to him, Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, Acts 9:10-12, NASB95

17 Paying attention to your dreams and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight. " Acts 9:10-12, NASB95

18 Later Paul has a vision

19 Paying attention to your dreams "A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us. When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them." Acts 16:9-10, NASB95

20 Paying attention to your dreams " Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually. Acts 10:1-4, NASB95

21 Paying attention to your dreams About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, Cornelius! And fixing his gaze on him and being much alarmed, he said, What is it, Lord? And he said to him, Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God." Acts 10:1-4, NASB95

22 An interesting passage " After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in the flame of a burning thorn bush. When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he approached to look more closely, there came the voice of the Lord:" ὅραμα (horama) occurs 12 times and 11 times its translated as vision Acts 7:30-31, NASB95

23 Genesis Chapter 40 speaks of the Cupbearer and the Baker and their dreams

24 Joseph interprets the dreams "Then the cupbearer and the baker for the king of Egypt, who were confined in jail, both had a dream the same night, each man with his own dream and each dream with its own interpretation." Genesis 40:5, NASB95

25 Joseph s interpretation eventually catapults him before Pharaoh according to the dream he dreamed Genesis Chapter 37

26 Other Significant Dreams Recorded in Scripture God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night (Genesis 20) Jacob had a dream, and a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven (Genesis 28) God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream of the night (Genesis 31)

27 Other Significant Dreams Recorded in Scripture Pharaoh had a dream, but no one can interpret it except Joseph (Genesis 41.15) Gideon heard man related a dream to his friend (Judges 7) The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream (1 Kings 3.5)

28 Other Significant Dreams Recorded in Scripture Daniel not only interprets but tells King Nebuchadnezzar what his dream was because Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams (Daniel 1.17 and 2.1)

29 Other Significant Dreams Recorded in Scripture An angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph (Matthew 1.20). Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee (Matt 2.22)

30 Pilates Wife also --- While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.

31 God says that in these last days that He will pour out his spirit and we will pour out His Spirit and we will see through visions and dreams Joel 2.28

32 Interpreting Your Dreams Each dreamed according to their own interpretation (Gen 40.5) all interpretations belong to God (Gen. 40.8)

33 Other ways God Speaks God speaks through the New Testament Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers (Ephesians 4.11)

34 God speaks to the assembly through the gifts of the Spirit word of wisdom word of knowledge prophecy interpretation of tongues 1 Corinthians 12.11

35 We can Speak under the Power and Influence of the Holy Spirit - (unction) Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking under the power and influence of the [Holy] Spirit of God can [ever] say, Jesus be cursed! And no one can [really] say, Jesus is [my] Lord, except by and under the power and influence of the Holy Spirit. 1Co 12:3

36 God Spoke through the mouth of David who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant Acts 4.25

37 A Closer Look at these Gifts Referred to as the manifestation of the Spirit

38 to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good φανερόω -to be plainly recognized, thoroughly understood 1 Co 12:7 The manifestation is NOT theoretical instruction; it entails acts in which the Spirit manifests openly

39 Speaking by the Spirit "For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries." 1 Corinthians 14:2, NASB95

40 μυστήριον -mystery counsels of God which are hidden from ungodly but plain to the godly.

41 Speaking by the Spirit which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, [comparing] spiritual thoughts with spiritual words 1 Corinthians 2.13 πνευματικός - So they are not natural words but spiritual words

42 The word πνευματικός further defined "and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food 1 Corinthians 10.3

43 Speaking by the Spirit "and he who is prophesying to men doth speak edification, and exhortation, and comfort" 1 Corinthians 14:3

44 "Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying." 1 Corinthians 14:5, NASB95

45 "So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church. Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret." 1 Corinthians 14:12-13, NASB95

46 " Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature." 1 Corinthians 14:20

47 you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be encouraged 1 Co 14:31

48 let two or three speak, and let the others discern 1 Corinthians Why? the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets 1 Corinthians 14.32

49 Why should others discern/judge and who are these that judge?

50 The Bible instructs us NOT to believe every Spirit " Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1

51 test the spirits δοκιμάζω To examine, scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), and then to recognize as genuine only after examination; then you deem it worthy.

52 Pass Judgment διακρίνω - a compound word διά and κρίνω (dia krinow) Which means: pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong with the power of giving judicial decisions

53 Paul instructed the institution of governance of the assembly as safeguards against false doctrines, false shepherds, and false prophets. Very easy to acquire a word from a prophet However, examine first then, pronounce an opinion

54 For this reason I left you [behind] in Crete, that you might set right what was defective and finish what was left undone, and that you might appoint elders and set them over the churches (assemblies) in every city as I directed you. πρεσβύτερος Titus 1.5

55 Oversight was put in place at Paul s request Paul specifically instructed Titus for instance to go through-out the cities and set things in order.something lacking required further attention.

56 πρεσβύτερος (Presbyter) and ἐπίσκοποι (Bishops) were lacking. Presbyters (elders) are identical to overseers or bishops (ἐπίσκοποι) in responsibilty Acts 20:17 Titus 1:5-7 and 1 Peter 5:1

57 πρεσβύτερος - (Presbyter) πρεσβύτερος derived from πρέσβυς means used to denote greater age for instance, an old man or an old woman. They are representatives of the older generation as opposed to the younger. The term is used interchangeably in the New Testament with ἐπίσκοπος (Bishop) and διάκονος (deacon) : one entrusted to serve the needs of believers

58 ἐπίσκοπος - a word in which we derive the English Word Bishop The word ἐπίσκοπος is actually any curator, guardian or superintendent it incudes πρεσβύτερος. The word is actually derives from two words ἐπί and σκοπέω meaning from a position of an observer, (i.e. a watchman )

59 Presbyter and Bishop serve the needs of the believer by. exercising oversight meaning from a position of an observer, (i.e. a watchman )

60 The Word of God comes to you and it is tested "Every saying of God is tried, A shield He is to those trusting in Him. Add not to His words, lest He reason with thee, And thou hast been found false." Proverbs 30:5-6, YLT

61 "Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar." (Proverbs 30:5-6, NASB95)

62 Other Ways in Which God Speaks

63 Your ears will hear a word behind you, This is the way, walk in it, whenever you turn to the right or to the left." Isaiah 30:20-21

64 John records how he heard the Lord I was in the Spirit on the Lord s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice The phrase in the Spirit what does that mean? Revelations 1.10 Where did John here the word behind him

65 The phrase in the Spirit not understood by those who are not baptized in the spirit you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you Romans 8.9

66 Example The phrase in the Spirit is used 146 times in the new testament so it is well defined Then how does David in the Spirit David is speaking in the Spirit call Him Lord, (Matt 22.43)

67 Another way God speaks

68 A still small voice "So He said, Go forth and stand on the mountain before the Lord. And behold, the Lord was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind. 1 Kings 19:11-13, NASB95

69 And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, What are you doing here, Elijah? " 1 Kings 19:11-13, NASB95

70 An audible voice or simply a discernable voice. Which? " Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

71 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? Acts 9:1-7, NASB95

72 And he said, Who are You, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do. The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one." Acts 9:1-7, NASB95

73 " And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me." Acts 22:9, NKJV

74 " And those who were with me saw the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me." Acts 22:9, NASB95

75 So what really happened here? Did they HEAR the voice? Did they NOT hear the voice or Did they HEAR and NOT understand it?

76 ἀκουστός to hear with comprehension and understanding

77 Closing Comments

78 A Scripture on the Lord getting a message to You The prophets, who prophesied of the grace (divine blessing) which was intended for you, searched and inquired earnestly about this salvation. So how do you search out and inquire? 1 Peter 1:10-12

79 A Scripture on the Lord getting a message to You They sought [to find out] [searching][ to whom or when this was to come which the Spirit of Christ working within them was indicating when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that should follow [them]. 1 Peter 1:10-12

80 A Scripture on the Lord getting a message to You They were shown It was disclosed to them that the services they were rendering were not meant for themselves and their period of time, but for you ἀποκαλύπτω - to open up what has been veiled or covered up disclose or reveal to to make known 1 Peter 1:10-12

81 God is able to get a message to you. He got a message to Balaam through his own donkey Numbers 22.28

82 Posture for hearing the Lord

83 We can control our thoughts whatsoever thing are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure Philipians4:8

84 whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things Philipians4:8

85 We need to replace thoughts that we think with GODS word for his word is truth and every word of God is pure

86 Walking daily in prayer, the (LORD) will initiate a heart to heart telling of things that he wants us to know

87 There will be times that we will not hear a voice, but we clearly know that he shall get his message to us

88 Rest in the knowledge that the Lord is the one and only one that makes a way for you by having patience and trusting in the LORD and leaning not on our own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

89 Remember, God s thoughts are not your thoughts nor are your ways His ways, as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are his ways higher than your ways and his thoughts than your thoughts Isa

90 Listen carefully and incline your hear to Him Isa

91 Closing comments