SESSION 4 THE LANGUAGE OF GOD

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1 SESSION 4 THE LANGUAGE OF GOD I. The Voice of God Psalm 40:5 Many oh Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which you have done; and Your thoughts towards us cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak them, They are more than can be numbered. Psalm 139:17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; Psalm 107:20 He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Why does God want to communicate with us? II. The Language of God 1. God s Written Word The primary way in which God speaks to us is through Scripture. God will often highlight a verse, passage, or story to speak directly to where we are. All throughout Church history men have primarily relied upon Scripture to hear the word and will of God. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, 17 that then man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. a. Any voice or prophetic experience is to be filtered thru the Word of God. IF it contradicts the voice of God in Scripture, it is to be thrown out and rejected. b. Anyone who ignores the Bible is inviting deception and disaster to be his intimate companions in the journey of life. c. Example 1 Dealing with Jealousy I heard in my Spirit, Galatians 6:3 4. So I opened up my Bible and it read, 1

2 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 2. Creation Creation constantly speaks to us about the Godhead. At all times and in all places creation is constantly speaking to us about the glory of God so that all of mankind is without excuse to His existence. Psalm 19:1 4 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. 2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. 3. Dreams God often speaks in dreams or night visions while we are sleeping. Dreams from God are usually very clear, yet may be symbolic in nature. Dreams usually come from three realms: Heavenly realm, demonic realm, pizza realm. Genesis 37:5 Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. 6 So he said to them, Please hear this dream which I have dreamed I Kings 3:5 At Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night Daniel 7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions in his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts. Acts 2:17 In the last days, says God, That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophecy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 2

3 4. Visions or Mental Pictures Simple Visions are mental pictures or images that God places in our mind. They may be still or movie like that reveal to us the will and purpose of God. Prophets in the Old Testament were called seers b/c they could see supernaturally into the Spirit realm. Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward. 1 Samuel 9:9 (Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he spoke thus: Come, let us go to the seer ; for he who is now called a prophet was formerly called a seer. Acts 9:10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the LORD said in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Here I am, Lord Example 1: Someone saw me roller skating in a vision Example 2: Minister saw the Holy Spirit pouring hot oil on the feet of those who were on the left side of the room. 5. Trances or Open Visions Trances are open visions where someone is caught up into the spiritual realm and see a vivid movie like projection usually while they are still awake. Third heaven experiences often fall into this category of vision (2Corn. 12:1 4). These are rare and often are more accurate in their revelation. *The Book of Revelation was received by John through an Open Vision. Revelation 4:1,2 I looked, and behold, a door standing open n heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this. 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne, set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. Acts 11:5 I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision Acts 22:17 18 When I was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance 18 and saw Him saying to me, Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly 3

4 6. Angels Angelic Visitations were a common experience of the saints all throughout Scripture. Angels regularly speak to us in order to give us warning, direction, revelation, insight, or impart supernatural strength. Genesis 19:15 When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to Hurry, saying, Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city. 2 Kings 6:14 17 Therefore he [the evil king] sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, Alas, my master! What shall we do? 16 So he answered, Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see. Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. Luke 1:26 28 The angel Gabriel was sent by God...27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, he angel said to her, Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women! Example 1: Angel touched my hands, Alex s throat and my friend Steph s lips. Example 1: Vision of hundreds of angels filling the room during worship. The angels circled like a tornado and they were throwing balls of fire onto the worshippers. 7. Tongues The first manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the early Church was the ability to hear and speak in other tongues. God will often speak to us today through a supernatural human message in tongues, or a heavenly tongue spoken with an interpretation. [Acts 2:4 8] Isaiah 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people 4

5 8. Mind Reading Mind reading in the Bible is a supernatural gift of the Holy Spirit that enables a person to know what others may be thinking. All throughout the Gospels Jesus read or perceived the thoughts of men. Matthew 9:4 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, Why do you think evil in your hearts? Matthew 12:25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: Every Kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. Luke 5:22 but when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Luke 6:8 But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, Arise and stand here. And he arose and stood. 9. The Audible Voice of God The Audible Voice of God is when God speaks to us so loud that w can hear it with our physical ears. As with Samuel, God s audible voice often sounds like someone we know, such as a parent or leader who may be over us in the Lord. Genesis 12:1,2 Now the Lord had said to Abram: Get out of your country, From your family And from your fathers house, To a land that I will show you. John 12:28, 29 Father, glorify your name. Then a voice came from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it and will glorify it again. 29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, An angel has spoken to Him. Acts 9:4 Then he [Paul] fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? 5 And he said, Who are You, Lord? Then the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting Matthew 3:17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 5

6 10. The Inner Audible Voice of God There are many times when God will speak very loudly in your spirit, however, it cannot be heard with the ear. If Gods voice became any louder (even by 1%) it would be audible. The inner audible voice of God is usually distinct, forceful and authoritative. Example 1: Living in Tucson, Arizona This relationship will rob from you. Example 2: In Santa Rosa Beach, Fl. Driving my friend home from class Turn Around and Go Home Immediately! 11. Simple Impressions The Lord will often give simple impressions to communicate hidden things to us. It may be a still small voice, a physical pain sensed for some ones healing, a simple vision or picture, or a knowing also known as a Word of Knowledge. Impressions are not connected with our personal observations or logical reasoning. I Kings 19:11 12 Then He said, Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord. And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. Jeremiah 6:11 Jeremiah was full of the fury of the Lord, and so much so that he said He was weary of holding he Word of the Lord in. Example 1: hot oil was filling up on the left side of the room healing peoples joints, feet, ankles and up to the knees. Example 2: For me personally, I know the Lord wants me to share/speak b/c my heart races and belly catches fire. 12. Prophetic Words The Holy Spirit often communicates to us through Prophetic Words, or words that are spoken supernaturally through the means of another person. This operation of the Spirit is called The Gift of Prophecy. [1 Cor. 12:7 10; 14:3,4] 6

7 Acts 21:10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11When he had come to us, he took Paul s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus says the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles 1 Corinthians 14:1 5 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. Example 1: Lady in the blue dress, The Lord has a word for you. You will have a year of fruitfulness and everything that you are asking me for is going to come walking in your door 13. Prophetic Prayer/Teaching/Preaching/Song of the Lord When ministering, ask the Lord, what does he or she need to hear at this moment? What is going to minister to these people at this time? On This Sunday, etc. During a Service, if you receive a prophetic word ask yourself 1. Who is this Word for? Is it for me? Or for the congregation? 2. What should I do with the Word? Do I share it or is it for prayer? 3. When is it to be given? Now, after worship, before worship? 4. Try to discern these things THEN, if you feel it is for the congregation, submit it to leadership to decide who will say it and if it will be spoken now. 5. Don t get offended if they decide to hold it or repeat it themselves. 7

8 III. Conclusion of the Matter The Lord loves to Communicate!!! If the testimonies in the BIBLE are our examples then we should expect God to speak to us and move through us on our behalf and on the behalf of His Kingdom as well!!! Experience has shown me that the very nature of the prophetic ministry is to alert the Church to the now ness of the Holy Spirit. It awakens us to the will and purpose of God for us in the Present What He specifically wants to do in us and through us. This aspect of now ness is a compliment to the other dimension of our faith and relationship with God, which is forever established Jesus work on the cross and the Scriptures. While the prophetic people enlighten us to the now word, the pastor/teachers should ground us in the Word of God, which is forever settled in Heaven. We love doctrine and theology but we must also long for the manifest presence and purpose of God displayed in our midst by those prophetically gifted. Christianity is both doctrinally sound and vibrantly experiential. Our desire is for God! Not just knowledge about Him. We want to be hungry for the fresh wind of God s Spirit moving on our hearts and in our minds. IV. Examine yourselves today Acts 17:25 28 He gives to all life, breath, and all things. 26 and has determined their pre appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for, in Him we live and move and have our being. 1. What is He saying to you or what has He said to you? 2. Habakkuk 2:2 Write out the vision and make it plain on tablets that those who read it may run with it. 8

9 3. I Timothy 1:17 20 Now unto the Lord eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 18This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou mightiest wage a good warfare; 19 Holding faith and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck; of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan; that they may learn not to blaspheme. V. How do we discern the Voice of God? As a counterfeit to God s voice, Satan has been speaking to creation. Satan and his demons however try to hinder God s voice from being heard through lies and deceit. Satan s primary occupation is to speak forth lies about God and what He has said. John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, b/c there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. Revelation 12:9 The great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth Satan can always be found when the voice of God is questioned and twisted. Genesis 3:1 4 Has God indeed said? NKJV Genesis 3:1 4 Hath God said? KJV Genesis 3:1 4 Did God say? RSV Genesis 3:1 4 Indeed, has God said? NASB Genesis 3:1 4 Did God actually say? ESV Satan hates the voice of God because it is powerful and creative. The voice of God always brings with it God s authority, power, healing, majesty, deliverance, redemption, cleansing, and freedom. Psalm 29:4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. 9