Hearing the Voice of the Spirit - Pastor Stan Harvey

Introduction to the Theme: Know Jesus and Make Him Known

Opening Remarks

• The speaker introduces the theme for the year, emphasizing a deeper relationship with God through knowing Jesus.

• A call to honor God's word is made as the congregation stands for scripture reading from John 10:27 and Amos 8:11.

Key Scripture Readings

• John 10:27 highlights that true knowledge of God involves a personal relationship, not just intellectual understanding. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them.”

• Amos 8:11 warns of a spiritual famine—not of food or water but of hearing God's words, setting the stage for discussing how God communicates today.

Understanding God's Communication

Different Perspectives on God

• Many view God merely as a historical figure or an aloof creator who does not intervene in human affairs. This perspective is often held by cessationists who believe supernatural acts have ceased.

• Contrarily, the speaker asserts that God actively speaks and intervenes in people's lives today through various means.

Ways God Speaks

• Special Revelation: Through scripture, which has transformative power when read and understood correctly. The Bible remains relevant and impactful across generations.

• General Revelation: Through creation itself; Romans 1 states that nature reveals God's eternal power, leaving humanity without excuse regarding belief in Him.

The Role of the Church

Community as a Medium for Divine Communication

• The church serves as a vital channel through which God speaks; it is described as the body of believers rather than just a physical building. This emphasizes community over location in worship practices.

• The gifts of the Spirit are also highlighted as tools through which God communicates with His people today—these include healing, miracles, wisdom, and discernment among others.

Dreams and Visions

Modern-Day Revelations

• The speaker shares accounts of individuals receiving divine messages through dreams and visions, particularly in regions where traditional missionary work faces challenges (e.g., Muslim-majority countries). These experiences affirm that God continues to reach out to people directly even when conventional methods fail.

Hearing God's Voice Today

Importance of Relationship with God

• Emphasizing that knowing Jesus leads to recognizing His voice; this relationship is foundational for understanding divine guidance in life decisions. “His sheep hear His voice.”

Barriers to Hearing God's Voice

• There exists a "famine" not due to lack of access to scripture but due to failure in truly hearing it—often because other voices drown out God's message (e.g., personal desires or societal pressures).

Overcoming Distractions

Silence Other Voices

• To hear from God effectively, one must silence competing voices—whether they be internal doubts or external influences—that can cloud judgment about what constitutes divine direction for one's life.(1023)[(1023)].

Practical Steps

• Encouragement is given to prioritize reading scripture daily as it allows individuals to attune their ears more closely to God's voice amidst life's distractions.(882)[(882)].

Conclusion on Listening

Active Listening Required

• Just like identifying familiar sounds amid noise requires focus (e.g., recognizing one's name), so too does discerning God's voice require intentional listening efforts amidst life's chaos.(1438)[(1438)].

Final Thoughts

• The Holy Spirit's role is emphasized again; He teaches us what we ought to say at critical moments (Luke 12:12), reinforcing that divine communication remains active today.(1585)[(1585)].

Hearing the Voice of God

The Nature of God's Communication

• The spirit of God often guides us towards His will, even in ways we may not prefer. This guidance frequently involves serving others and sharing Jesus with the world.

• Engaging with people outside one's usual social circle can create opportunities for spiritual conversations. The speaker emphasizes praying for guidance on how to connect with others during everyday activities.

Personal Testimony and Outreach

• The speaker shares experiences from playing tennis, where he actively seeks opportunities to discuss faith with those who are exploring Christianity.

• A reference is made to Elijah's story, highlighting the contrast between his past victories and his current fear, illustrating that even strong believers can experience doubt.

Understanding God's Voice

• In 1 Kings, God speaks to Elijah not through dramatic events like earthquakes or fires but in a still small voice, emphasizing the importance of quietness in hearing Him.

• The concept of leaning into God's whisper suggests that intimacy with Him requires closeness and attentiveness.

Developing Spiritual Habits

• To hear God's voice more clearly, one must cultivate habits such as quiet prayer time focused on listening rather than just presenting requests.

• The speaker describes practical exercises for tuning into God's voice by eliminating distractions and focusing on what remains after external noises fade away.

Spirit-Soul Connection

• Watchman Nee's teachings differentiate between spirit (the part that communes with God), soul (mind, will, emotions), and body (physical connection).

• True worship comes from our spirit; it’s an internal communion rather than merely physical expressions.

Conscience and Intuition

• Our conscience serves as a moral compass influenced by our spirit. It alerts us when we stray from righteousness.

• Intuition is described as a spiritual sense that helps us perceive unseen dangers or truths about our surroundings.

Receiving the Holy Spirit

• Emphasizing the necessity of receiving the Holy Ghost for spiritual fulfillment and connection to God’s purpose in life.

• Speaking in tongues is presented as a sign of receiving the Holy Spirit—an act of communication directly between oneself and God.

Misconceptions About Tongues

• Clarification that speaking in tongues does not equate to being possessed but rather signifies filling one's spirit with God's presence.

Importance of Seeking God’s Guidance

• Encouragement for individuals seeking fulfillment not through material means but through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Responding to God's Call

Samuel's Experience

• Samuel hears God's call while serving at Eli's temple but initially mistakes it for Eli's voice. This illustrates how familiarity with divine communication develops over time.

Learning to Discern Divine Promptings

• It's possible to be involved in church without recognizing or familiarizing oneself with God's voice; learning occurs through obedience to His prompts over time.

Final Encouragement

• An invitation is extended for individuals seeking deeper connections with God or desiring the Holy Spirit to respond actively during altar calls.

This structured summary captures key insights from the transcript while providing timestamps for easy navigation back to specific points within the discussion.