DISCERNING GOD'S VOICE.

Theme: DISCERNING GOD'S VOICE.  (Pt.1)

Topic: GOD SPEAKS THROUGH PROPHECY BY THE PROPHET.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 KJV .

Introduction: Naturally in language acquisition a child doesn't go to school to learn L1 which is the native language or mother tongue.

Children learn the sounds and the rules of language through listening, repetition and imitation of those around them. With trial and error, they lengthen their thoughts and ideas based on the reaction/reinforcement from those around them in order to satisfy a want, need or expressing of emotion. In the same vein when you're born-again which mean that your spirit which is God's part in you has been regenerated your spirit can now connect with God's spirit. Until you're born-again and begin to follow Jesus Christ to learn His ways by listening to His instructions and imitating His examples you can't discern God's voice.

Body: There are primarily three Voices which are as follow: God's voice, Man's voice and satan's voice. You need to discern the one that's talking to you. Don't believe all spirits but test every spirit to know if they're from God. While satan spoke to the first Adam through the third party, he spoke to the last Adam which is Jesus Christ directly but Jesus discern and overcame satan via God's word.

According to 1Corinthians 12 vs 4 to 11 the nine gifts of the spirit was classified into three halves which are: Revelational Gifts, Power Gifts and Vocal Gifts.

Revelational Gifts: word of wisdom, word of knowledge and discerning of the spirit.

Power Gifts: Miracle, healing and Faith.

Vocal Gifts: speaking in tongue, interpretation of tongue and prophecy.

In the course of this teaching we will be considering 8 major ways by which God speaks to man. Briefly today we will be looking at Prophecy.

1. Prophecy. naba' to prophesy is to speak God's message to people, under the influence of the divine Spirit. It also mean to speak the future now. Though it's only the prophet who majorly prophesied in the old testament but through the gift of the Holy Spirit in the new testament believers who are not call into prophet office can prophesy under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. "To prophesy" was a task that the prophet could not avoid because God speak through prophet to people.

A. Prophet is called "Nabi" because he's the mouthpiece of God. Nabi a prophet is the one who speaks for another, or his mouth. Exo.4:16; 7:1.

B. Prophet is called "ro'eh" a seer of visions. All seers were prophets but all prophets were not seers. One who saw in a vision or otherwise what he predicted, was a seer; whereas, a prophet would sometimes speak as the Holy Spirit move him, without seeing anything. 1Sam.9:9.

C. Prophet is called "chozeh" which referred rather to the spiritual comprehension of what was seen. All these three words - nabi, roeh and chozeh - are used together in 1Chro.29:29.

Finally: When God speaks all other voices must remain silent. It's imperative to be able to discern God's voice. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesying because prophecy is for edification, exhortation and comfort.

It's my prayer that your spiritual eyes and ears will not be darkened nor blocked in Jesus name.

If you're not seeing nor hearing from God your spiritual network need to be reconnected.