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Can I Hear God? Can I Hear God? May 12, 2013 May 12, 2013

Can I Hear God? May 12, 2013. Can we really hear God, or is that just something crazy people say?

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Page 1: Can I Hear God? May 12, 2013. Can we really hear God, or is that just something crazy people say?

Can I Hear God?Can I Hear God?May 12, 2013May 12, 2013

Page 2: Can I Hear God? May 12, 2013. Can we really hear God, or is that just something crazy people say?

Can we really Can we really hear God, or hear God, or is that just is that just something something

crazy people crazy people say?say?

Page 3: Can I Hear God? May 12, 2013. Can we really hear God, or is that just something crazy people say?

Assumption #1: God is goodAssumption #1: God is good““Jesus' good news about the kingdom can be an effective Jesus' good news about the kingdom can be an effective guide for our lives guide for our lives only if we share his view of the world only if we share his view of the world in which we live.in which we live. To his eyes this is a God-bathed and To his eyes this is a God-bathed and God-permeated world. It is a world filled with a glorious God-permeated world. It is a world filled with a glorious reality, where every component is within the range of God's reality, where every component is within the range of God's direct knowledge and control—though he obviously permits direct knowledge and control—though he obviously permits some of it, for good reasons, to be for a while otherwise some of it, for good reasons, to be for a while otherwise than as he wishes. It is a world that is inconceivably than as he wishes. It is a world that is inconceivably beautiful and good because of God and because God is beautiful and good because of God and because God is always in it. It is a world in which God is continually at play always in it. It is a world in which God is continually at play and over which he constantly rejoices.”and over which he constantly rejoices.”

——Dallas Willard, "The Divine Conspiracy" pg 61-62Dallas Willard, "The Divine Conspiracy" pg 61-62

Page 4: Can I Hear God? May 12, 2013. Can we really hear God, or is that just something crazy people say?

Assumption #1: God is goodAssumption #1: God is good

Starting here is crucial because the idea of hearing Starting here is crucial because the idea of hearing God can easily make us feel God can easily make us feel excluded from an eliteexcluded from an elite, , or as though or as though God is disappointed with meGod is disappointed with me for not for not being able to hear him.being able to hear him.

Truthfully, we often refashion God in our minds as a Truthfully, we often refashion God in our minds as a passive-aggressive, easily offended deity who would passive-aggressive, easily offended deity who would just as soon give us the silent treatment as invite us just as soon give us the silent treatment as invite us into deeper levels of intimacy.into deeper levels of intimacy.

Page 5: Can I Hear God? May 12, 2013. Can we really hear God, or is that just something crazy people say?

Assumption #2: God is Assumption #2: God is confident & competentconfident & competent

My one-on-one with My one-on-one with Dallas WillardDallas Willard

Dallas’ confidence was Dallas’ confidence was not in me, but in Godnot in me, but in God

Even so, Even so, God’s God’s confidence is in God!confidence is in God! He is not worried He is not worried about his ability to help about his ability to help us grow.us grow.

Page 6: Can I Hear God? May 12, 2013. Can we really hear God, or is that just something crazy people say?

Assumption #3: God is chattyAssumption #3: God is chatty

Just look at Genesis, for example: God keeps Just look at Genesis, for example: God keeps dropping by to have a conversationdropping by to have a conversation

““And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day...” (Gen 3:8)garden in the cool of the day...” (Gen 3:8)

““So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?...” Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?...” (Gen 4:5–7)(Gen 4:5–7)

““Long ago, Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathersspoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these by the prophets, but in these last days last days he has spoken to us by his Sonhe has spoken to us by his Son.” Heb 1:1.” Heb 1:1

Page 7: Can I Hear God? May 12, 2013. Can we really hear God, or is that just something crazy people say?

Where we’re going today:Where we’re going today:

Look at some Look at some obstacles to hearing Godobstacles to hearing God

Consider Consider why and how God speaks why and how God speaks (and how I can know when he does)(and how I can know when he does)

Explore what this means Explore what this means for my daily lifefor my daily life

Page 8: Can I Hear God? May 12, 2013. Can we really hear God, or is that just something crazy people say?

So why don’t I hear God?So why don’t I hear God?

There are some typical obstacles to us hearing and There are some typical obstacles to us hearing and recognizing God’s voice today:recognizing God’s voice today:

Theological obstaclesTheological obstacles

Practical obstaclesPractical obstacles

Motivational obstaclesMotivational obstacles

Page 9: Can I Hear God? May 12, 2013. Can we really hear God, or is that just something crazy people say?

Theological obstaclesTheological obstacles

Many people believe that Many people believe that God God does not talk to us does not talk to us anymoreanymore,, so they simply are not listening. so they simply are not listening.

God’s Word, on this view, is sufficient and listening God’s Word, on this view, is sufficient and listening beyond that is dangerous.beyond that is dangerous.

Another way to look at it: Another way to look at it: the Bible presents us the Bible presents us with the typical experiences of people who with the typical experiences of people who encountered God, so that we can recognize encountered God, so that we can recognize when we encounter Him, too.when we encounter Him, too.

Page 10: Can I Hear God? May 12, 2013. Can we really hear God, or is that just something crazy people say?

Theological obstaclesTheological obstacles““Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his as a man speaks to his friendfriend.” Exodus 33:11.” Exodus 33:11

““No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called not know what his master is doing; but I have called you you friendsfriends, for all that I have heard from my Father I , for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15)have made known to you.” (John 15:15)

““I still have many things to say to you,I still have many things to say to you, but you but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak... he will take what is mine and declare it he will speak... he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:12-14)to you.” (John 16:12-14)

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Theological obstaclesTheological obstaclesOne reason for this theological obstacle is One reason for this theological obstacle is fearfear: we’ve : we’ve all hear stories of someone who said, “God told me...” all hear stories of someone who said, “God told me...” and then did terrible things.and then did terrible things.

Gen 22—Abraham and Isaac.Gen 22—Abraham and Isaac.

My recommendation: ask, “Who is this?”My recommendation: ask, “Who is this?”

Remember that Abraham had a Remember that Abraham had a lifetime of knowing lifetime of knowing and interacting with God behind him by this point! and interacting with God behind him by this point! This was not out of the blue.This was not out of the blue.

Hebrews 11 tells us that Abraham reasoned on the Hebrews 11 tells us that Abraham reasoned on the basis of the character of God he already knew: basis of the character of God he already knew: “He’ll raise him from the dead!”“He’ll raise him from the dead!”

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Theological obstaclesTheological obstacles

So, let’s make the point early on: So, let’s make the point early on: just because we just because we hear an infallible God does not mean we heard hear an infallible God does not mean we heard him infallibly!him infallibly!

Test Test what we hear by:what we hear by:

ScriptureScripture

CommunityCommunity

Common sense/experience of God (would he Common sense/experience of God (would he do this? Is this Christ-like?)do this? Is this Christ-like?)

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Practical obstaclesPractical obstacles

We assume that if God were to speak, We assume that if God were to speak, we would not we would not be able to miss it!be able to miss it!

But this doesn’t seem to be true from Scripture!But this doesn’t seem to be true from Scripture!

And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. (1 Sam 3:8–9)went and lay down in his place. (1 Sam 3:8–9)

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Practical obstaclesPractical obstaclesDistraction and noise: we are Distraction and noise: we are constantly plugged in. constantly plugged in. Again, our assumption is that God will overpower Again, our assumption is that God will overpower us with his voice. But he tends not to do this!us with his voice. But he tends not to do this!

And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:11-13, ESV)“What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:11-13, ESV)

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Motivational obstaclesMotivational obstacles

If we If we dodo listen for God, listen for God, whywhy do we want to hear do we want to hear Him? This makes a difference.Him? This makes a difference.

Often, we want God to tell us what to do so we Often, we want God to tell us what to do so we can avoid responsibility and be in the clear.can avoid responsibility and be in the clear.

““God told me to break up with you.”God told me to break up with you.”

side note—you rarely, if ever, need to report side note—you rarely, if ever, need to report that God told you ‘that God told you ‘xx.’ Resist the trump card!.’ Resist the trump card!

Or, we want God to tell us how to achieve Or, we want God to tell us how to achieve our our own goals.own goals.

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Motivational obstaclesMotivational obstacles

As we listen, do we intend to As we listen, do we intend to obey?obey?

Jesus speaks often of those who cannot hear Jesus speaks often of those who cannot hear because “their hearts are hard”—which means, because “their hearts are hard”—which means, primarily, that they are settled in their ways and primarily, that they are settled in their ways and do not do not wantwant to be changed. to be changed.

Listening to God goes hand in hand with Listening to God goes hand in hand with repentancerepentance (thinking about your thinking). (thinking about your thinking).

At a certain point, if someone does not want to At a certain point, if someone does not want to hear you, you give them space—you don’t nag.hear you, you give them space—you don’t nag.

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So, if we want to hear God...So, if we want to hear God...

Expect that God Expect that God doesdoes speak, speak,

create space to listen closely for him, free create space to listen closely for him, free from distraction,from distraction,

invite him to speak,invite him to speak,

and listen with a willingness to change if and listen with a willingness to change if needed.needed.

Page 18: Can I Hear God? May 12, 2013. Can we really hear God, or is that just something crazy people say?

Why God speaks to usWhy God speaks to us

AFFIRMATIONAFFIRMATION

The Lord your God is in your midst,The Lord your God is in your midst,a mighty one who will save;a mighty one who will save;he will rejoice over you with gladness;he will rejoice over you with gladness;he will quiet you by his love;he will quiet you by his love;he will exult over you with loud singing.he will exult over you with loud singing.Zeph 3:17Zeph 3:17

Do not be surprised when God doesn’t want to talk Do not be surprised when God doesn’t want to talk shop, but comfort & encourage you!shop, but comfort & encourage you!

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Why God speaks to usWhy God speaks to us

GUIDANCE (Direction & Protection)GUIDANCE (Direction & Protection)

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. (Isaiah to the right or when you turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:21)30:21)

““The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out... he goes sheep by name and leads them out... he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him...” (John 10:3–5)they will flee from him...” (John 10:3–5)

Page 20: Can I Hear God? May 12, 2013. Can we really hear God, or is that just something crazy people say?

Why God speaks to usWhy God speaks to us

PARTNERSHIPPARTNERSHIP

““We are not spectators, we are in the game. The We are not spectators, we are in the game. The game is producing the greatest creative goodness game is producing the greatest creative goodness possible under the power and character of God in possible under the power and character of God in which we share. God is not just a creator, he which we share. God is not just a creator, he creates creators. We were meant to live in a creates creators. We were meant to live in a fellowship that is meant to be described as a fellowship that is meant to be described as a conversational relationship with God.”conversational relationship with God.”

““God’s intent for each of us is to grow each of us to God’s intent for each of us is to grow each of us to the point where he can empower us to do what we the point where he can empower us to do what we want.”want.”

Page 21: Can I Hear God? May 12, 2013. Can we really hear God, or is that just something crazy people say?

Why God speaks to usWhy God speaks to us

Gen 1: Gen 1: Then God said, “Let us make man in our Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have image, after our likeness. And let them have dominiondominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26, ESV)the earth.” (Genesis 1:26, ESV)

Rev 22: Rev 22: They will see his face, and his name will be They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will be their light, and they will reignreign forever and ever. forever and ever. (Rev 22:4–5)(Rev 22:4–5)

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Why God speaks to usWhy God speaks to us

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10, ESV) (Ephesians 2:8-10, ESV)

God’s intent for humanity is not just to whisk us away God’s intent for humanity is not just to whisk us away to heaven, but to create a people “zealous for good” to heaven, but to create a people “zealous for good” (Titus 2) who will partner with him in creative acts of (Titus 2) who will partner with him in creative acts of goodness for others & for the world.goodness for others & for the world.

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Why God speaks to usWhy God speaks to us

And he wants to do this And he wants to do this RELATIONALLY!RELATIONALLY!

““I have called you I have called you friendsfriends...”...”

““Friendship is born at that moment when one Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” C. S. Lewiswas the only one.” C. S. Lewis

Most often, in the Bible, we see God talking with Most often, in the Bible, we see God talking with people about things they are doing together: people about things they are doing together: ways the person and God are together ways the person and God are together conspiring for goodness in their world.conspiring for goodness in their world.

Page 24: Can I Hear God? May 12, 2013. Can we really hear God, or is that just something crazy people say?

Why God speaks to usWhy God speaks to us

This, by the way, is why he will not overpower: His This, by the way, is why he will not overpower: His primary intent for you is not just “doing what you are primary intent for you is not just “doing what you are told” but joining him in his life told” but joining him in his life creatively, creatively, bringing your bringing your own ideas to the table.own ideas to the table.

Parable of the TalentsParable of the Talents

This is also why the “message-a-minute” view is This is also why the “message-a-minute” view is flawed. God is not interested in overriding you, but flawed. God is not interested in overriding you, but seeing you mature!seeing you mature!

Page 25: Can I Hear God? May 12, 2013. Can we really hear God, or is that just something crazy people say?

How God speaks to usHow God speaks to us

We’ve already seen that God tends to speak quietly, We’ve already seen that God tends to speak quietly, not to shout: not to shout: in fact, generally speaking, visions & in fact, generally speaking, visions & angels and fiery bushes are needed when angels and fiery bushes are needed when someone is someone is notnot attentive to God. attentive to God.

Three common ways God speaks:Three common ways God speaks:

Through the BibleThrough the Bible

Through other peopleThrough other people

Through our thoughtsThrough our thoughts

Page 26: Can I Hear God? May 12, 2013. Can we really hear God, or is that just something crazy people say?

How God speaks to usHow God speaks to us

Through the Bible:Through the Bible:

Meditative reading is attentive to hearing what God Meditative reading is attentive to hearing what God has to say has to say to me todayto me today as I read the Word as I read the Word

Slow, repetitive, listening while readingSlow, repetitive, listening while reading

We are listening for We are listening for moremore than just the words on the than just the words on the page: we are listening for God to catch our page: we are listening for God to catch our attention and speak affirmation, instruction, love, or attention and speak affirmation, instruction, love, or gentle correction.gentle correction.

Page 27: Can I Hear God? May 12, 2013. Can we really hear God, or is that just something crazy people say?

How God speaks to usHow God speaks to us

Through other people:Through other people:

This is common in the Scripture. Ex: Nathan & This is common in the Scripture. Ex: Nathan & David.David.

The other person may or may not be aware that The other person may or may not be aware that God is speaking through them!God is speaking through them!

God enjoys using the community to care for one God enjoys using the community to care for one another, so we should listen to one another with an another, so we should listen to one another with an ear open for words from Godear open for words from God

Page 28: Can I Hear God? May 12, 2013. Can we really hear God, or is that just something crazy people say?

How God speaks to usHow God speaks to us

Through our own thoughts:Through our own thoughts:

The “still small voice” is often inaudible, but comes The “still small voice” is often inaudible, but comes as a thought with a certain resonance, a weight, a as a thought with a certain resonance, a weight, a power as though “from outside”power as though “from outside”

We We cancan learn to recognize this voice, with help learn to recognize this voice, with help (Samuel & Eli)(Samuel & Eli)

Jesus: “My sheep know my voice, and they will Jesus: “My sheep know my voice, and they will follow me.” (John 10)follow me.” (John 10)

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Recognizing God’s voiceRecognizing God’s voice

TONE/QUALITY TONE/QUALITY

(weight, confidence, not thought up, surprise, does not (weight, confidence, not thought up, surprise, does not argue)argue)

SPIRITSPIRIT

James—the wisdom that comes from aboveJames—the wisdom that comes from above

CONTENTCONTENT

keep to the principles. If the Bible says something once, keep to the principles. If the Bible says something once, don’t worry about it; if it’s fundamental, use that as a don’t worry about it; if it’s fundamental, use that as a guideline to understand what comes as the voice of God.guideline to understand what comes as the voice of God.

Bible—what is taught on the whole based on a fair Bible—what is taught on the whole based on a fair interpretation when compared Bible with Bible.interpretation when compared Bible with Bible.

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Listening for God in LifeListening for God in Life

So what does this all mean?So what does this all mean?

Because God is good and Because God is good and wantswants to do life with us to do life with us relationally, we can choose to relationally, we can choose to live attentively, with live attentively, with an ear open.an ear open.

In our In our relational livesrelational lives, we can expect that God will , we can expect that God will do more than “nudge”—he can and does often give do more than “nudge”—he can and does often give us specific words to speak when we need them. us specific words to speak when we need them. Which means we can engage difficult situations Which means we can engage difficult situations trusting him.trusting him.

In our In our vocation/business,vocation/business, we can expect God will we can expect God will have good ideas about how to do our work.have good ideas about how to do our work.

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Listening for God in LifeListening for God in Life

God does not only speak to believers!God does not only speak to believers!

Acts 10, Cornelius sees an angel to prepare him to Acts 10, Cornelius sees an angel to prepare him to listen to Peterlisten to Peter

So we can also expect that, more frequently than So we can also expect that, more frequently than we think, God is speaking to our non-Christian we think, God is speaking to our non-Christian friends.friends.

We can invite them to listen experimentally; we can We can invite them to listen experimentally; we can also listen to their words and see when God might also listen to their words and see when God might be inviting them.be inviting them.