Lesson 1 KNOWING THE VOICE OF GOD

KEY VERSE: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)

The title of this course, "Knowing God’s Voice," implies several things:

First:                                That there is a God.

Second:                                That He communicates with man.

Third:                            That man can recognize His voice when He speaks.

Fourth:                                That God has something to say.

Let us examine each of these statements:

First: This course is based upon the truth that there is a God who is revealed to man through the written record of His Word, the Holy Bible.

Second: The Bible is the inspired written record of God's communication to man. It details the ways which God spoke to man and the response of individuals and nations to the voice of God. The Bible often repeats the phrase “. . . and the Lord said" and incidents where He spoke to man. This confirms that God communicates with men and women.

Third: The Bible verifies that believers can know the voice of God. Jesus said: I am the good shepherd and know my sheep , and am known of mine. . .

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring,

and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. . . (John 10:14,16,27)

Fourth: God has something important to say to mankind. We are warned:

Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith), Today if ye will hear His voice,

Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness. . .

While it is said, Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. . . (Hebrews 3:7,15)

The "temptation in the wilderness" and the "provocation" (provoking) of God mentioned in these verses refer to the disobedience of the nation of Israel.

After Israel was delivered from Egyptian captivity, they repeatedly disobeyed when God spoke to them. In these verses God warns us to respond when He speaks and not disobey as Israel did.

The phrase "today, if ye will hear His voice," confirms that God still speaks to men in present times just as He did in times past. The warning to listen confirms that what He has to say is important.

© Harvestime International Institute

Knowing God's Voice Lesson 1 to 4

Introduction

"What is God's will for me?"

This question is perhaps the one most often asked by believers. It is also a question that frequently confronts Christian leaders as men and women turn to them for guidance in decision making.

In everyday situations of life, believers are constantly making choices which determine whether or not they will do the perfect will of God. It is essential to know God's voice, understand His will, and make right decisions each day. It is important because each minor decision affects the finding of God's will for a lifetime.

This course explains how God speaks to man and how to find God's will for your life. Guidelines are given on knowing the voice of God and determining His will. The pattern of God's will and Scriptural examples of how God reveals His will are discussed.

I am the good shepherd and know my sheep, and am known of mine. . .

And other sheep I have which are not of this fold: them also I must bring,

and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:14,16,27)

God has a plan for intimate relationship with mankind. Man is known by God and can know Him personally.

You can know the voice of God!

© Harvestime International Institute

The Biggest Barrier To Teens Living Out Their Faith? by Andy Blanks - ChurchLeaders.com - Christian Leadership Blogs, Articles, Videos, How To's, and Free Resources

The Biggest Barrier To Teens Living Out Their Faith? by Andy Blanks - ChurchLeaders.com - Christian Leadership Blogs, Articles, Videos, How To's, and Free Resources

The Son

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart, and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art." The young man held out his package. "I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift."

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home, he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?" There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one." But the auctioneer persisted. "Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?" Another voice shouted angrily, "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!" But still the auctioneer continued, "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?"

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. "We have $10, who will bid $20?" "Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters." "$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?" The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD FOR $10!"

A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now, let's get on with the collection!" The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is over." "What about the paintings?" "I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!"

God gave his Son 2000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, "The Son, the Son, who'll take the Son?" Because you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

- AUTHOR UNKNOWN -

Dayspring Discipling Ministries