When He Speaks // The Whispers of God

“If God doesn’t speak today, then the greatest disservice we could ever do to people is to tell them that they could have a personal relationship with God.” - Dallas Willard John 10:3-5 NIV“The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Matthew 1:23 NIV“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). 1. God speaks to facilitate friendship Exodus 33:11a NIVThe LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. 2. God speaks to give guidance Proverbs 3:6 MSGListen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. 3. God speaks to provide perspective 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJVFor we walk by faith, not by sight. 1 Kings 19:11-12 NIVThe LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper 1. He whispers encouragement Romans 8:16 NLT16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. Isaiah 55:3 MSGPay attention, come close now, listen carefully to my life-giving, life-nourishing words. I'm making a lasting covenant commitment with you, the same that I made with David: sure, solid, enduring love. 2. He whispers warnings Acts 16:6b-7 NKJVThey were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. Isaiah 30:21 NIVWhether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” 3. He whispers direction 4. He whispers dreams Job 33:14a;15a NLTFor God speaks again and again... He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night. Acts 2:17 NIV“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” 1 Samuel 3:9b NIV“Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.” John 10:27 NIVMy sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. Questions: 1) Have you ever considered that God speaks to us? How does that resonate with you? How have you heard His voice? 2) Describe experiences where you felt the “whisper of God” nudging you to do something. What were the outcomes in those situations? 3) Have you ever had a situation where the Lord’s warnings protected you from something? Describe one. How would you encourage someone else to hear God's voice?