This Week’s Experience – 2/25/2024

Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son.

-Hebrews 1:1-2

God spoke to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. “Do not come any closer,” the LORD warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.  I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.

-Exodus 3:4-6

“If you have trouble hearing God speak, you are in trouble at the very heart of your Christian experience.”

-Henry Blackaby

My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.

-John 10:27

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.

-Psalm 19:1-2

From heaven God shows how angry he is with all the wicked and evil things that sinful people do to crush the truth. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

-Romans 1:18-20

Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it.  They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.

-Romans 2:14-15

Now God's way of putting people right with himself has been revealed. It has nothing to do with the law, even though the Law of Moses and the prophets gave their witness to it. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.

-Romans 3:21-24

Jesus replied: If anyone loves me, they will obey me. Then my Father will love them, and we will come to them and live in them. But anyone who doesn't love me, won't obey me. What they have heard me say doesn't really come from me, but from the Father who sent me.

-John 14:23-24

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

-2 Timothy 3:16-17

God's word is alive and powerful! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts.

-Hebrews 4:12

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news…So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

-Romans 10:14-15, 17

People who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.

-1 Corinthians 2:14

As the Holy Spirit says, "If you hear God speak today, don't be stubborn. Don’t harden your heart like the people of Israel did, during the time of Moses, as they were tested in the desert. “... You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called "today." If you don't, then sin will harden your heart and make you stubborn.

-Hebrews 3:7-8, 13

LIFE APPLICATION
To discuss during the week with your family, Life Group, or Campus.

1. Have you ever heard from God? In what way(s) did He speak?

2. Which of the ways Gilbert shared today had you never thought of before in God speaking to you? What can you do to put yourself in a better position to hear Him in this way?

3. Of the ways you may not be hearing from God, what do you need to do to improve that?

4. What else stood out to you in this message?

5. What next step is Jesus asking you to take as a result of this message?