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DOES GOD STILL SPEAK?
1 Samuel 3:1-10
(see also Job
33:13-18...)
I. "God told me."
A. Popularity of visions, channeling,
spiritual experiences.
1) Human desire has always been
to contact the divine.
2) Strength for evangelicals,
especially charismatics.
a) Faith is something
REAL. God is really there.
B. What would God tell you to do?
Several years ago the "Los
Angeles Times" told the story of
Bob Haifley.
Spending 2,500 work hours over five
years, Bob glued
65,000 toothpicks to build a
life-sized Jesus.
It hangs from a wire in his
garage against a black
backdrop,
illuminated by a spotlight.
What made Haifley,
a humble water-department supervisor
and nonartist,
star collecting toothpicks and inviting
the ridicule of his
neighbors by building California's
answer
to Noah's Ark?
"God told me to do
it," he says.
According to Haifley, God not only commissioned the work
one day while he was driving
his pickup, but showed
him
how to do the spiky hair after years of indecision.
Did God REALLY tell him all
this?
C. What does it mean to say,
"God told me"?
1) What people say:
a) I saw a heavenly messenger
and heard his words.
b) I heard clear words that
seemed to come from God.
c) God spoke to me in a
dream.
d) I felt a strange pressure
from somewhere outside me.
e) I think I knew what God
wanted me to do.
2) Room for everyone from Jonah
to Jim Jones.
a) God speaks to some through
burned tortillas.
b) He apparently tells others
to kill their mothers.
II. Biblical ways God speaks.
A. Theophany - direct encounter.
1) The God of the Bible is a God
who reveals himself.
a) If he doesn't, we cannot know him.
2) Moses and burning bush. Exod 3:4f
a) Moses hidden in cleft of
rock. Exod 33:22
3) "Face to face" is
ultimate experience. Num 12:8
a) This side of heaven, it is
normally impossible. 1Jn 4:12
b) Any direct encounter is
also rare in Bible.
B. Direct vision/voice/dreams.
1) Young Samuel in tabernacle and
God's voice. 1 Sam 3:1f
a) Audible voice.
b) Obedient response.
2) Paul on road to Damascus.
a) Others heard sound, saw light, but no more.
b) Given messages on several
different occasions.
C. Through religious feelings.
1) "Still, small
voice."
1 Kings 19:12
a) Most revelation is subtle,
not dramatic.
b) Old Testament uses
"hear" and "listen" metaphorically.
1> Pay attention to
Bible.
2> "Listen"
when you come to church.
Eccl 5:1
2) Reading Bible.
a) Jesus speaks of
"hearing" God's Word.
b) To hear it, is to do it.
3) Our conscience.
a) What "seems
right," as long as it is biblical. Acts 15:28
b) Baptist ministers and
"call" to ministry.
III. Does God
speak today?
A. Cessationist
approach.
1) Jesus and his words are God's
ultimate revelation. Heb 1:2
2) Once the NT was completed,
special revelation stopped.
a) Nothing can be added or
taken away from it. Rev 22:18
3) Prophecies, special revelation
will cease. 1 Cor 13:8
B. Continuationist
approach.
1) Joel's Pentecost prophecy only
partially fulfilled. Acts 2:17
a) Church age is period of
universal Spirit.
b) "Two Witnesses"
of Tribulation. Rev
11:3
2) Visions were common in typical
NT churches. 1 Cor 14
a) Apostles and others
received visions often.
b) Spirit-tradition continued
after NT finished.
3) No hint in NT of cessation of
Spirit.
a) 1 Cor
13:8 speaks of glorification, not canon.
b) Removal of Spirit at Rapture? People still saved.
C. WORD vs. word.
1) Inspired messages for all time
(Bible).
a) Conclusion of Church is
that this is completed.
b) No need for more
revelation: Mormons, Muslims...
2) Daily guidance.
a) Paul and Agabus. Acts 21:10
1> (Paul goes against
prophecy for a higher goal.)
b) God can guide us in every
detail of our lives. Ps 32:8
IV. The need for discernment.
A. Not all messages are from
God. Jer 23:21-31
1) Satanic messages.
B. Cultural dimension.
1) New Age emphasis on
channeling, etc.
2) Catholics and visions of Mary,
Pentecostals and 800 ft.
Jesus.
V. Signs of God's true word.
A. Can only be heard by those who are
receptive.
1) Spiritual insight
required. 1 Cor 2:14
2) Is person a genuine Christian?
3) Do other spiritual Christians
give agreement?
B. Consistent with past revelation.
1) God does not contradict
himself or his Bible.
a) In NT, all visions of
Jesus have him in heaven.
2) Voices and visions should be
rare. Skepticism called for.
C. Calls us back to God and morality.
1) God is not telling you to
cheat on taxes.
2) God is not telling you to
cheat on spouse.
VI. Clearest way God speaks.
A. Better than prophets - Jesus
himself. Heb 1:2
1) His words should cut us to the
heart.
B. Study the Bible...
C. Listen to God when you come into
his house. Eccl 5:1
D. When you hear, obey.
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