Introduction
Is God still speaking today? Is it possible to hear the voice of God? Christian leaders are confused about this issue.
Some believe that God can guide us and give direction when we need it. Others say God only speaks to us by what we read in the Bible. I believe that God still speaks to us today by His Holy Spirit just as He did in Bible times. What do you believe?
The Pseudepigrapha tells about a sect of the Pharisees that came into existence 800 years (or more) before Christ. This sect taught that all God would ever say was already said through the writings of Moses. Any subsequent prophetic voice or writing was invalid. They accepted only the first books of the Bible. Nothing more!
It seems many church leaders believe the same doctrine today (with some modification). For example, modern-day “theological Pharisees” teach that God only speaks to us now by what is written in the Bible. Beyond that, God is not speaking anymore.
While the Bible is a finished book, and no one should dare add anything to the Canon of Scripture, the idea that we now serve a DUMB GOD (one who cannot speak) is a great theological travesty.
Many will die to defend what God said (past centuries) but “… refuse him that speaketh [presently in our day and time] from heaven” (Heb 12:25).
Seven times we are admonished, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith [present tense] unto the churches” (Rev 2:7; 3:22).
A. THE NEED TO HEAR
Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4).This word “proceedeth” speaks of a present-continuing function. That means something that happened in the past, is happening in the present, and will happen in the future.
This verse could be translated, “Man…lives… by every word that has been spoken and continues to be spoken by the mouth of God. ” God, Who spoke in ages past, is speaking in the future. GOD IS NOT A DUMB GOD!
This is not to say the Bible is still being written and we need to add to it. I do NOT believe that. The Bible does teach us however, that God wants a people to “dwell in, and walk in” (2 Cor 6:16). “living epistles, known and read by mankind” (2 Cor 3:2,3).
Oh, how we need to hear His voice! We can only live (have the life and blessing of the Lord in our churches today) by hearing every word that continues to proceed from God’s mouth to our hearts.
1. To Know God’s Will
Every church leader faces this question: What does God expect me to do, and what am I to leave up to God to do? Where does my responsibility end and God’s begin?
On the one hand, the Scripture says, “Not by might, nor by power, but by me Spirit, says the Lord” (Zech 4:6).
Some have suggested this teaches God will do it all by His Spirit and we need do nothing.
On the other hand, Jesus said, “That servant who knew his Lord’s will, …neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes” (Luke 12:47). This clearly teaches that God holds His servants responsible to know His will and to take action to implement (do) the will of God.
How do we reconcile this tension between God’s sovereignty and the church leader’s responsibility to implement the will of God?
We can easily, resolve this dilemma by examining Jesus’ words again. “That servant who knew his Lord’s will… neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes…” (Luke 12:47). Jesus contrasts this with the servant that knew not his Lord’s will. That servant ” shall be beaten with few stripes” (vs 48). Both ways you get a beating. If you know – and don’t do, and if you don’t know – and don’t do.
God wants church leaders who know and do their Lord’s will. The will of God establishes the limits of our responsibility. If we don’t know His will, we will be judged less harshly, though we will still be judged. To do the will of God we must know His will. To know His will – we must hear His voice. It’s that simple!
a. A Personal Testimony.
When I was being trained as an evangelist, I used to preach to nearly everyone I met, hoping to find someone who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. I had read in one of my books and it taught me to use the following outline. By giving the sinner these four points, I might lead someone to Christ.
- You are a sinner (Rom 3:23).
- The penalty of sin is eternal hell (Rom 6:23).
- Jesus bore your penalty for sin on the cross (1 Pet 2:24).
- Receive Jesus and you will be saved *John 1:12).
Let me assure you, all the above is true. This is all people need to know to be saved. If they believe this with all their heart, they are born from above by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit.
But not one person I talked to was born again during that whole summer. Not one wanted to receive Jesus. What was I doing wrong?
I was relying on a formula, a method, instead of the leading of the Holy Spirit. I was not hearing the Lord’s voice of direction and my efforts were fruitless.
Some years later, observing Brother Heeley lead scores of souls to Christ, I found out how wrong I had been in my approach to soul-winning. Everywhere Brother Heeley went to lead people in Christ.
When Brother Heeley needed a haircut he would pray. “Lord, lead me to a barber that needs You and is ready to receive You.” He would get in his car and drive by several barber shops. When he sensed that inward feeling from the Spirit that he had found the right one, he would go into that shop, fully expecting to lead the barber to Christ. he seldom failed.
When Brother Heeley would put air in his bicycle tire, or go to the market for his wife. it was always the same. He would pray for the direction of the Holy Spirit – and then listen for God’s voice of gentle direction. He would always find sinners who were ready to receive a Savior as he followed the Spirit’s leading.
I asked him one day, “What method do you use when you talk to people, Brother Heeley?: I don’t have one,” he replied. “I listen for the voice of the Spirit to direct me in what to say to people. I never say the same thing twice. The Lord helps me to discover their need and talk to them about it in a loving, concerned way that let them know I care and God cares.”
Brother Heeley was born and raised in Canada but never heard the gospel until he was past 40 years of age. He was led to Christ by an itinerant soul-winner who demonstrated a loving concern for him. Brother Heeley does what the man who let him to Christ did. He itinerates all over Canada, showing loving concern for people and leading them to Christ. His secret? He hears and obeys God’s voice.
I’ve tried to emulate Brother Heeley since I met him. I have found God will lead you if you desire He do so. Listen for God’s voice and He will gently lead you to people who need salvation and are ready to receive a Savior.
Not only in soul-winning, but in every area of our ministry, we need to hear God’s voice. What then hinders us?