Obey God's Voice (June 8, 2013)

• Hearing God's voice is easy. Just need to have a relationship with Him.
• How do we differential noise from voice? Intimacy with God
• Why is it so difficult to obey God's voice?
  • he tells us to do things we don't want to do?
  • don't know if I can do it?
  • takes too much sacrifice, inconvenience.
  • doubt. Is it really you God?
  • afraid of what people with think.

• A. Logos (written word) and Rhema (action & delivery)
• ex) 29 Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures (Logos) or the power of God (Rhema). Matt 22:29
• Church leader who know neither the scripture nor God's power = Throw-up
• Church leader who know the scripture but not God's power = Dry-up
• Church leader who don't know the scripture but not God's power = Blow-up
• Church leader who know both the scripture and God's power = Grow-up
• A Rhema from God - A communication from God designed & empowered to APPLY to a specific situation
  • ex) We have been praying for God's answer to a insoluble problem. God speaks the solution intor our heart in a clear practical terms which solve the prblem, That is a Rhema

• Need to realize that God's life-giving word seldom comes in response to a religious form or a formula. A proper relationship with his heavenly Father was the secret of Jesus' ministry. John 8:29, John 5:19

• Jesus new the word at 12 years old. But the secret of his ministry was His obedience to the Father's instruction.

• have you developed a relationship with the Father in terms of prayer and fasting? A disciplined devotional life yields sensitivity to hear the Father's voice.

• 1 cor 2:4-5, 4:20 Eph 1:21, 3:20, 2 Tim 1:7-8, 3:5
• How many seminaries and churches are teaching believers on how to move in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and how to hear God's voice? Why? What is the reason behind it?

• peter wagner, john weimer, lawrence kong are courageous servants of God who teach others to prepare for spiritual battles with Satan & his demons. They taught them how to heal the sick, cast out demons, and preach the gospel with miracles confirming the ministry of the Word instead of merely turning out students with theological degrees. Like in Acts 8:6-7.

Substituting academic knowledge for the rhema of god, we are destined to failure. 1 Cor 8:1 stated, “Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.” Knowledge and technology can only provide convenient, but ultimately fruitless, substitute for god's power in or lived and ministry. Seek to be hearer and doers of God's word.

• Where have the money gone to? Building cathedral, spend luxuriously, carelessly, children or investing in souls?
• Where are the time go? Building the career, businesses, entertainment, children activities or investing in souls?
• We must be generous, esp to non-Christians.

• “Go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature” Matt 16:15. At his death, Jesus was wrapped in borrowed shroud and borrowed tomb. A King, A God! Well, He came into a poor family and was born in a barn. Did he Mind? He preach the gospel to the poor. There is a quotation saying, “church building replaces the temple in our heart and the spiritual organism started to die.” 2 Tim 3:5

• Chinese churches in the East are extremely strong. Many aspects of the Chinese culture were in harmony with the scriptures, Ex) The strength and structure of the Chinese Family and importance placed upon the home as a place of worship. There respect and honour towards elder members of the family and those in the community, their leaders. Relational evangelism (lifestyle evangelism) thrive in Asia Pac, where most of the largest churches are found today.

• Mark 16:20, Rom 1:16, 15:20
• Dead ritual will not bring men to the living Christ but by Rom 15:19.

• most Cathedral in Europe are majestic building that can seats thousands with choir singing, beautiful medieval hymns. A great pipe organ with highly educated minister who recites the sermons and prayer. On surface it is very impressive except people. Where are there? May be tourists. Wonder what is Christ's thoughts upon seeing this event.

• are we confident to make statement as Paul did in acts 20:26-27? We need to re prioritize our money, our man power resource , our KPI. We need to manage such scarce resources in order to win souls for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. The we can say, “Innocent…”

1. Churches in Asia have arisen. Kings & Priests are working hand in hand to enlarge the tents of God. Isa 54
   1. Market place evangelism
   2. tent maker ministry
   3. FGBMF movement
   4. movement of gate keepers and many more
2. deep repentance begins with bishops priests, pastors and church leaders to usher in desperate revival. 1 peter 4:17-18. Flame and fire have started in europe.
3. Arab Spring has awoken spiritual confrontation and allow gospel to penetrate into Muslim World. Isa 19:21-22
4. Living 1 Peter 2:9-10

1. Academic knowledge - Useful but cannot produce saving, healing power of God.
2. God's word - LOGOS needs to translate into application (RHEMA)
3. God's plan for your life is much bigger than your OWN …. Wait on the lord in prayer until you have a clear understanding & mandate of what God's plan is for you.

• Children is a blessing from God (Prov). They are not your curse. They do not rob you of your time. They are a blessing from God.
  • Many say/think, I cannot serve because of my children. Don't accidentally curse your children.
• If you trust God, allow God to be in partnership with you to raise your children.
  • we need to expose them to the kingdom of God.
  • Might feel a lot of pressure to help them be saved but… they cannot live on our faith.