How God Speaks To Man Series

HOW GOD SPEAKS TO MAN

KEY VERSES: Be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:17)

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

A. INTRODUCTION

As we mentioned in the introduction of this series (knowing the voice of God), we learnt that the Bible is a history of methods by which God communicated to man and the response of mankind to the voice of God.

This teaching examines the Biblical record to discover the methods by which God communicates to man and how we can hear Gods voice.

1. how does god speak?

People everywhere yearn to hear God’s voice.

• Is God speaking to us?

• Is it possible to hear His voice?

• Does God want us to hear His voice?

• How does God speak?

• How are we to listen?

2. God is speaking, and we can hear His voice.

Christianity is a relationship; every relationship is established and maintained through communication. It is vital that we learn to hear God’s voice, so that we may deepen our relationship with our heavenly Father.

Jesus said to His Father, “This is life eternal, that they [believers] might know thee [God] the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). It is God’s plan for us to know Him intimately; therefore, we must learn to hear His voice.

3. God Speaks to Us in Many Ways

Our creative God is not limited to one form of communication. He is all-powerful; He is omnipresent; He is sovereign. The Bible is filled with accounts of God speaking to individuals, to families, and to nations. In the past He spoke in many different ways, and that is true today as well.

On numerous occasions, the Bible records that God’s voice was heard, Following are a few examples of such descriptions:

• “God spake unto Noah, saying” (Genesis 8:15).

• “The Lord had said unto Abram …” (Genesis 12:1).

• “The Lord said unto Moses …” (Exodus 24:12).

• “Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah …” (Isaiah 38:4).

B. BUT HOW DOES GOD SPEAK?

1. GOD SPOKE TO US THROUGH HIS SON

When Jesus was on the earth, God spoke to us through Him, and when Jesus returned to the Father, the Holy Spirit was sent to lead us into all truth—to be our “communicator” from God. (See Matthew 10:18–20; John 14:26, 16:7–8, 13; Romans 8:26; I Corinthians 2:9–16; and Acts 8:29, 13:2.)

If you are a believer, the Holy Spirit dwells within you, but it is still necessary to nurture your relationship with your heavenly Father in order to learn how to be attentive to His voice. As you grow in faith and mature as a believer, you will learn to hear God speak. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

2. GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS WORD

The Bible is our blueprint. It is the primary way that God speaks to us. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

The Bible is one of God’s provisions to equip us to do His will. God’s Word is alive; it is active in our lives. The Bible is an absolutely essential part of your walk with God. You must not neglect His Word. It is one way that He speaks to you personally, powerfully—today.

Read the Word, memorize the Word, and meditate on the Word of God. By His Holy Spirit, Who dwells in each believer, God will focus your attention on particular verses or passages. (See John 14:26.) They will have special application to your life because of decisions you are facing, character goals you are working on, questions you have, or pressures you are experiencing.

As you meditate on those verses to which the Spirit of God leads you, and obey them, God will guide you in “paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3).

Not only are we to have a growing relationship with the Lord through His Word, but we also should be ready to give an answer to others whenever necessary. (See I Peter 3:15–16.)

When the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus responded to the devil’s temptations by quoting truth from God’s Word. (See Matthew 4:1–11.)We must learn the truth, which is found in the Word of God and also is identified as the “sword of the Spirit.” With the sword of the Spirit, we can defeat the enemy of our souls, and as we “put on the whole armor of God,” we can “stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).