Matt 13:11 Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. 12 For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
15 for the heart of this people has become dull, with their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes, otherwise they would see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and return, and I would heal them.’
3 MAIN DISPENSATIONS RECOGNIZED IN THE BIBLE.
ONE REQUIREMENT IN EACH DISPENSATION. HEARING HIS VOICE
THE THING THAT SINGLES THE BELIEVER OUT FROM ALL OTHER PEOPLE IS THEY HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD.
WHEN WE TRULY HEAR FROM HEAVEN IT CHANGES OUR STANDARDS, OUR VALUES, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE WAY WE LIVE.
3 DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF HEARING GOD’S VOICE.
1) HEARING GOD’S VOICE IS PERSONAL
2) HEARING GOD’S VOICE IS INTANGIBLE
3) HEARING GOD’S VOICE IS PRESENT
1) HEARING GOD’S VOICE IS VERY PERSONAL.
OUR PROTECTION AND BLESSING IS IN HEARING HIS VOICE.
2) HEARING GOD’S VOICE IS INTANGIBLE. IT CAN’T BE TOUCHED.
GOD’S VOICE IS NOT RESTRICTED TO A PLACE.
3) HEARING GOD’S VOICE IS PRESENT
HEARING HIS VOICE FORCES YOU INTO A PRESENT RELATIONSHIP, A PRESENT EXPERIENCE.
HEARING HIM GIVES US THAT PERSONAL AND PRESENT RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.
IF WE ARE CALLED TO LIVE A FAITH LIFE THEN WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF HEARING IN CONNECTION WITH THAT WALK OF FAITH.
THE RESULT OF HEARING IS FAITH
Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
TWO GREEK WORDS FOR THE WORD…“WORD”
LOGOS; THE MIND OF GOD, THE PURPOSE, TOTAL COUNSEL OF GOD
RHEMA; THE SPOKEN WORD
WE ARE INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT WHICH IS THE WORD (RHEMA) OF GOD (Eph 6:17).
SOMETHING SPECIFIC WE USE FOR THE MOMENT (NEED)
Matt 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD (RHEMA) THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’”
LOGOS; ETERNAL IN THE HEAVENS, UNCHANGED
RHEMA; THE SPOKEN WORD, SPECIFIC. TO YOU OR FROM YOU
IN Matt 4:4 Jesus compared the Rhema with natural Bread.
GOD’S WORD NOURISHES AND FEEDS OUR SPIRIT WHEN WE HEAR.
THE HOLY SPIRIT QUICKENS THE WORD TO US FOR OUR DAY OR TIME.
THIS WAS THE LIFESTYLE OF JESUS HIMSELF
Isaiah 50:4 The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples,
That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. 5 The Lord GOD has opened My ear; And I was not disobedient Nor did I turn back.
THE RESULTS OF JESUS LISTENING ARE IMPORTANT.
1) HE HAD WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR OTHERS.
2) HE RECEIVED PERSONAL DIRECTION FOR HIS LIFE EACH DAY.
3) HE RECEIVED STRENGTH
John 8:47 He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.”
HOW DO WE LEARN TO HEAR AND DEVELOP OUR LISTENING?
WE ARE LIKE BABIES WHO HAVE TO GROW UP. (1 Pet 2:2)
DEVELOPING OUR SPIRITUAL EAR… “A HEARING HEART”
1 Kings 3:9 So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”
“UNDERSTANDING HEART” IN THE HEBREW LITERALLY SAY’S, “A HEARING HEART”
WE NEED TO CULTIVATE AN INWARD SENSITIVITY TOWARD GOD
THE REAL KEY TO BLESSING IS A HEART SENSITIVE TO HIS VOICE.
Eyes & Ears
Pt 7 - The Spiritual Ear
November 14, 2021 • Pastor Bracken Christian
Hearing Vs. Listening
May 8, 2024 • Pastor Brody Christian
1 SAMUEL 3:2-10 msg THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LISTENING AND HEARING IS – HEARING IS ALWAYS OCCURING AND LISTENING IS ACTUALLY ACTION TAKEN BY THE LISTENER! THE PARABLE OF THE SCATTERED SEED / FARMER PLANTING THE WORD - MARK 4 THE WAY YOU HEAR THE WORD, IS THE WAY YOU MEASURE AND RESPOND TO THE WORD IS THE MEASURE THAT THE WORD WORKS IN YOUR LIFE! MATTHEW 10:27NIV 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. YOU GO WHERE YOU’RE SENT YOU STAY WHERE YOU’RE PUT YOU GIVE WHAT YOU’VE GOT UNTIL YOU’RE DONE PSALM 37:7 BE STILL BEFORE THE LORD, AND WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIM PROVERBS 18:13MSG – ANSWERING BEFORE LISTENING IS BOTH STUPID AND RUDE JOHN 10:27 MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE. I KNOW THEM, AND THEY FOLLOW ME JOB 33:14-15 FOR GOD SPEAKS IN ONE WAY, AND IN TWO, THOUGH PEOPLE DO NOT PERCEIVE IT. IN A DREAM, IN A VISION OF THE NIGHTS, WHEN DEEP SLEEP FALLS ON MEN FIRST – FOR SOMEONE TO SPEAK WITH YOU – YOU MUST BE IN A RELATIONSHIP SECONDLY – YOU MUST HAVE A SERVANT TYPE ATTITUDE. KNOW YOUR PLACE BEFORE GOD THIRDLY – HAVE AN OPEN EAR TO HEAR WHAT GOD IS SAYING TO YOU AND REALLY LISTEN TO HIM LASTLY – ACT ON WHAT YOU HEAR FROM GOD
The Power of Worship
May 5, 2024 • Pastor Brody Christian
John 16:33NIV “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” AMP 33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] (TPT), “And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous,[a] for I have conquered the world!”[b]” -Praise is celebration.. worship is adoration – A DEEP LOVE & RESPECT ACTS 16:25 niv 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” HOW YOU FEEL CAN NOT CHANGE HOW YOU FOLLOW we worship Jesus regardless of the season 3 REASONS WHY WE WORSHIP 1. WORSHIP ALWAYS BRINGS YOU BACK TO WHERE YOU NEED TO BE 2. WORSHIP TAKES YOU TO WHERE YOU NEED TO GO 3. WORSHIP PLANTS YOU, & WILL SUSTAIN YOU RIGHT IN THE MOMENT WORSHIP IS WHAT WE DO, IT'S WHO WE ARE
Searching For God
April 28, 2024 • Pastor Brody Christian
Ephesians 3:20 (TMSG) God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. God wants us to leave a mark on humanity Acts 20:24 (NLT) But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God Five Things about being intentional about a life with an IMPACTFUL shadow: 1. Your shadow has influence whether you want it to have or not A life casting a Godly shadow, moves others onto God’s agenda. HEBREWS 12:14csb Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness — without it no one will see the Lord. A self-centered shadow causes those in your shadow to drift 2. Your shadow is always consistent with your life A shadow is a reflection not a projection 3. An Impactful shadow comes from God’s ongoing work in your life. Jeremiah 18:2 New Living Translation (NLT) 2 “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” if you want to have a lasting impact yield to - GOD'S HANDS - GOD'S DESIGN - GOD'S PROCESS 4. Our greatest impact does not come from our access to many but our access to few John 4:39 (NRSV) Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” John 4:40 (NRSV) So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. John 4:41 (NRSV) And many more believed because of his word. John 4:42 (NRSV) They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.” - We think stages and crowds – God thinks coffee shops and relationships - We see websites and followers – Gods sees ordinary 1:1 conversation - We see conference and campaigns - God sees doing life together 5. Obeying His impulses, and take the risk The power of our shadow is not for status but for service Acts 20:24 (NLT) But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God Ephesians 3:20 (TMSG) God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us