Hearing From God Four Ways to Know His Will Part Four The Voice of God – Inward Impressions of the Holy Spirit

Four Ways to Know the Will of God 1. The Word of God: The Holy Scriptures 2. The Providence of God: Providential Circumstances 3. The Conviction of God: Convictions of our own higher judgment 4. The Voice of God: Inward impressions of the Holy Spirit

Four Ways in Harmony 1.His voice will always be in agreement with itself. 2.If there is a contradiction then one of the voices is not God. 3.Agreement is the litmus test to distinguish the voice and will of God

I. The Word of God: The Holy Scriptures A.Consult the Bible B.No special revelation C.Reasoning will mislead D.What is already spoken we must accept and do.

II. The Providence of God: Providential Circumstances A.He is working for our good. B.Circumstances C.Acquaintances D.Trials and tribulations

III. The Conviction of God: Convictions of our own higher nature A. Convictions: A. Convictions: The set of moral values to know, in a godly sense, what is right or wrong, and determine right from wrong / good from evil. Convictionsagreement submission B. Convictions must be in agreement with, and in submission to the Word of God.

A. Foundation – Formed Essential Humanity vs. Existential Humanity III. The Conviction of God (Cont.)

Essential Humanity RIGHT OFF THE SHOWROOM FLOOR

Existential Humanity

A. Foundation – Formed Essential Humanity vs. Existential Humanity B. Redemption – Reformed New creation with the restored image of God. (attributes of God: Intellect, Morality, Volition) (attributes of God: Intellect, Morality, Volition) III. The Conviction of God (Cont.)

Redemption – Reformed Chevrolet buying back the old rusted out 1957 and restoring it to its original condition.

A. Foundation – Formed Essential Humanity vs. Existential Humanity B. Redemption – Reformed New creation with the restored image of God. (attributes of God: Intellect, Morality, Volition) C. Sanctification - Transformed 1.Setting apart 2.Willing living sacrifice 3.Knowing inner convictions III. The Conviction of God (Cont.)

4.Higher Nature a. Knowledge and understanding is based on the foundational truths of the scriptures. b.The redemptive work of Jesus Christ changes the way we exist (existential to essential) c.Awareness of a renewed morality d.Convictions (inherent and developed) C. Sanctification – Transformed (Cont.)

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27) IV. The Voice of God – Inward Impressions of the Holy Spirit

A. His Sheep Hear His Voice 1. God spoke in the past. Adam and Eve communed with God before the fall (essential man)

A. His Sheep Hear His Voice 1. God spoke in the past. Adam and Eve communed with God before the fall (essential man) 2. God spoke throughout the Old Testament.

A. His Sheep Hear His Voice 1. God spoke in the past. Adam and Eve communed with God before the fall (essential man) 2. God spoke throughout the Old Testament. 3.God came to this world and we heard His audible voice.

A. His Sheep Hear His Voice 1. God spoke in the past. Adam and Eve communed with God before the fall (essential man) 2. God spoke throughout the Old Testament. 3.God came to this world and we heard His audible voice. 4.The Holy Spirit Speaks to us today.

B. Inward Impressions 1. Still small voice 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. 1Kings 19:11-12

B. Inward Impressions 1.Still small voice 2.Speaks to our heart 3.Moves upon our spirit

C. Voices of Strangers “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. John 10:1-6

C. Voices of Strangers 1. Many voices are vying for your attention. 2.Three primary voices: a.The devil b.The world c.The old nature (flesh) 3. They Speak in three primary ways: a. Lust of the flesh b. Lust of the eye c. The pride of life

Conclusion 1.My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27 a. They follow the will of the Shepherd. b. They hear and know His voice. c.They trust Him in where He leads. d.He is Jehova-Ra’ah

Conclusion 1.My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27 2.Jesus said, “Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.” (John 18:37) 3.God still speaks to us today. 1 Timothy 4:1 The Spirit speaketh expressly 4. He speaks so that we may know His will

Four Ways to Know the Will of God 1. The Word of God: The Holy Scriptures 2. The Providence of God: Providential Circumstances 3. The Conviction of God: Convictions of our own higher judgment 4. The Voice of God: Inward impressions of the Holy Spirit