2030 Hearing the Voice of God

Ex 3:1-4

God still speaks in our lives today.

Jn 10:27 "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."

1. We can be in relationship with God. Hearing the voice of God begins in a relationship with God.

2 We can know the voice of God. God wants to have a relationship with us and talk with us. How does this work?

- the Holy Spirit takes up residence in us. Jn 14:15-17, 25-26; 1 Cor 2:14

- the best way to know and hear God's voice is to get in the Word of God (for myself, not just from others), so I can mature. 1 Cor 3:1-2. God's voice always lines up with His Word. The more time I spend in God's word allowing God's voice to speak to me, the more my voice begins to sound like God's voice.

3. We can trust the voice of God. God knows us intimately. Ps 139

4. We must obey the voice of God. It may be scary at times, but He knows us and will only do things for our own good.

5. God whispers so we can shout!

2030 Who Will You Be?

1. Long term consistency is always better than short term intensity.

Heb 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Endurance - steadfastness, perseverance, consistency. 

We overestimate what we can do in the short term, and underestimate what we can do in the long term.

2. The ways that I let in, are the ways that I am set in. Who I will be in 2030, will be an exaggerated version of who I am now. Allow God to change me. Time will not change who you are, it will only reveal who you are.

If you don't like where you are headed, you can change your direction. Start making different decisions now. "One gets to the place one wants to be the same way one got to the place one didn't want to be."

Faith

1 Kings 18:16-19:18

1. When you find yourself in a valley, don't forget your mountaintop experiences. We can't make it on emotion alone, we need to rely on God. 

2. God is always ready and willing to gently restore us. 1 Kings 19:5-9

3. After a spiritual encounter with God, Satan WILL show up. 1 Kings 19:9-10 "I am the only one left" - a lie that Satan uses against us. 1 Kings 18:13. Don't run and isolate yourself, lean on the church community. You are not alone. Rom 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

4. God often comes in the quiet, DON'T MISS IT! 1 Kings 19:11-18. God reminds us of who He is, how good He is, and how faithful He is.

Peace

Jesus came to bring us peace. Isa 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Lk 2:13-14 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

How we can have peace:

1. I can have peace because God is in control. Mt 1:18-21; Jn 14:27

2. I can have peace because my sins are forgiven. Rom 5:1

3. I can have peace because God specializes in the impossible. Lk 1:37

A Heart Of Generosity

2 Cor 9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (Jesus' life and the gift of salvation)

Having a heart of generosity is a sign that your confession of faith is genuine.

2 Cor 9:6-15 

1. We are to give generously. v6. Mal 3:10

2. We are to give cheerfully. v7. Have a plan, think about what you are going to give. You will never be generous if you don't have a plan for being generous. Generosity is not about the size of the gift. God doesn't want generosity from us, he wants

3. God will continue to give you what you need to continue to be generous. v8, 11. When God supplies us with what we need, it's not so we can have all we want.

4. Generosity points people to God. v11-12. 

5. Generosity proves your faith in Jesus is real. v13. Our lives as followers of Jesus are to be radically different. 2 Cor 5:17.

6. Jesus is the most generous gift ever given.

Hey Siri, Is Jesus The Only Way?

How can you claim that Jesus is the only way? All major religions (even atheism) make an exclusive claim. Christianity is the most inclusive and easiest religion because you don't have to do anything except accept the gift. Acts 2:21, Rom 10:13, Jn 3:16. (Life boat example)

The main areas that at Jesus apart from every other religious leader:

1. His purpose. Jesus' purpose was completely different than every other leader's purpose. Lk 19:10, Mt 20:28 Jesus is the only religious leader that provided a viable solution to sin. Jn 14:6 "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Rom 10:1-2 How good is good enough? There's no standard we can meet to be good enough.

2. His prophecies fulfilled. Jesus is the only religious leader that had fulfilled prophecy. He fulfilled over 250 prophecies.

3. His power. Jesus displayed power in a way that no other religious leader did. 1 Cor 15:13-15, Rev 1:17-18. No other religious leader can claim life after death. 2 Cor 4:4.

Hey Siri, Why is there suffering in this world?

Truth:

1. God has a purpose for your pain. Even when you are hurting, God is still working. Jas 1:2-4. God will use your pain to advance his Kingdom.

2. God is present in your pain. Isa 41:10. Sometimes God uses pain to show us what we need - Him and Him alone.

3. There is power from our pain.