Hearing GodLearning to Listen

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What brought you here today?

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“Why is it that when we speak to God we

are said to be praying but when God speaks to us we are said to be

schizophrenic?”Lily Tomlin

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“God . . . say sumpin’!”

Gabe

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How do we know God can speak to us personally?

How do we know He wants to?

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God Created Us for Personal Relationship with Himself

Exodus 33:11a

I Samuel 3:1-10

Psalm 143:8

Jeremiah 33:3

John 10:3-4, 14-15, 27

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“You are an unceasing spiritual being, created for an

intimate and transforming friendship with the creative

Community that is the Trinity.”

Dallas Willard

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What methods did God use to speak to people in the Bible?

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A Phenomenon plus a Voice

Moses

Jesus

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A Supernatural Messenger

Mary

Women at the Tomb

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A Dream or Vision

Joseph’s Dream

Peter’s Vision

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An Audible Voice

Elijah in a Cave

Paul on the Road

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Still Small Voice in the Human Spirit 13

What are some obstacles to hearing God?

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We may have the wrong motives for seeking to hear from God.

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We may misconceive the very nature of God and his intent for us.

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. . . NO MARGIN

TOO BUSY . . .

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We may not really want to hear Him except when it suits our agenda. Then we wonder why he doesn’t speak up!

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Hearing God’s voice is just one dimension

of a certain kind of life . . . a lived

in conversational relationship.

with God.

LIFE

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What kind of hears God?LIFE

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“We have entered into the additional life

by an additional

birth.”

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“We seek to live at the impulse of the Spirit of God in the service of

the good, wherever it may

appear.”

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“We meditate constantly on God’s

principles for life as set forth in the Scriptures,

always striving to penetrate more deeply into their meaning and

application.”

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“We are alert to what happens

in our life — in our minds and in our heart.”

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“We speak to God constantly

about the matters that concern us.”

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“We listen carefully and deliberately

for God.”

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WARNING:When God speaks to us, it does not prove that we are righteous or even right. Humility is always in order.

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What do I do when God seems to be

SILENT?

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“We must ultimately move beyond the question of

hearing God and into a life greater than our own -- that

of the Kingdom of God. Our concern for hearing

God’s voice must be overwhelmed by and lost

in our worship and adoration of Him and in

our delight with his creation and his provision

for our whole life.”

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Some Points for Reflection:

What do you desire in regard to your conversational relationship with God?

What is one practical step you can take this week?

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“Zip it and listen for Jesus!”

Gabe

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Q & A

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Hearing GodLearning to Listen

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