Eight Ways to Hear from God - #1: Preaching

 In this section we will look at preaching as a way that God speaks to us:

1 Corinthians 1:21 (NKJV)
^1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

 Let’s start with preaching.  How many know that preaching is supposed to be Biblical.  It’s supposed to be based in the word of God.  A lot of preaching sounds like a self-help book.  There’s no confrontation of sin.  There’s no conviction.  It’s all about inspiring you to be a better you.  And that’s great as far as it goes, but it’s not really preaching, because preaching is about hearing from God. 

 

1 Corinthians 1:17-18 (NKJV)

^1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. ¹⁸ For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

 We are sent out, not to speak eloquent words of our own wisdom but to preach the Gospel.  When we are speaking out of our own opinions or mindsets then we are giving that precedence over the Gospel.  That’s why it says “lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.”  It’s not about our wisdom but the wisdom of God.  Sometimes our wisdom may seem more relevant to our times, but our wisdom is nothing in comparison to God’s:

 Isaiah 55:8 (NKJV)

^55:8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord.

 You don’t come on Sundays to hear from pastor or me.  Really, think about it…We may be the one whose mouths are moving, but hopefully the words are inspired of the Holy Spirit.  That word inspired means divinely breathed – Or breathed by God.  So, it should be about what God is saying… That’s what the Gospel is, it’s the “Good News” of Jesus and redemption.  In fact, that word Gospel means exactly that:  Good News. 

 1 Corinthians 2:1 (NKJV)

^2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.

 So, this is Paul and he’s saying, “It’s not about me, my wisdom or speaking talent.”  Preaching MUST be inspired by the word of God in order to be useful for us.  God speaks into our lives through the Biblical preaching of a man of God. 

 

1 Corinthians 2:10-12 (NKJV)

^2:10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. ¹¹ For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. ¹² Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

 This tells us that it’s the Holy Spirit that gives us understanding of the “deep things of God.”  The Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of Truth:

 

John 16:13 (NKJV)

^16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

 If we look once more at this study’s text, not the overall text, but the one for this study it says:

 

1 Corinthians 1:21 (NKJV)

^1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

 The power of God flows to us through the message.  In other words, it comes through God speaking to us.  God speaks to us through HIS message.  This is one reason that I use a lot of scripture when I preach.  I want you to know these things are not my opinion, they come from the Word of God; the Bible.  It’s God’s opinion.

 That message is translated for us by the Holy Spirit.

 1 Corinthians 2:13 (NKJV)

^2:13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

 Here’s the problem with hearing the word of God.  Sometimes, what God has to say will offend you.  A preacher has to understand that the MESSAGE is God’s not the preacher’s.  I remember at one time I would say things that made one of our translators nervous.  He just wouldn’t repeat what I said.  His excuse was, “I don’t want to offend.”  Well, it’s not coming from the translator, and if it’s a real message of God it’s not coming from the preacher, either.  It’s coming from God.  A preacher has to have boldness in order to preach God’s word:

 2 Corinthians 3:12 (NKJV)

^3:12 Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech--

 God wants to convict you.  God wants to shine a light on your sin, because God’s mean – No, because God wants to give you an opportunity to REPENT.  And I want to say something about that.  People should be coming to the altar in a church service.  If you’re hearing from God you shouldn’t always be comfortable with what you hear.  Preaching should make you examine your heart.  Preaching should DRIVE you to your knees, maybe not every time, but there should be times when you say, “Hey that’s what I’m doing.” If you’re always comfortable in church, then you’re probably not hearing from God.

 Preaching is a sacred trust between the preacher and God.  This is for those of you who want to preach someday.  God trusts you with HIS message:

 

1 Timothy 6:20-21 (NKJV)

^6:20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge-- ²¹ by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

 I hear these famous “celebrity” preachers, sometimes and that’s how I see their message as idle babblings, and worldly knowledge.  They’re afraid to confront sin.  One preacher, Joel Osteen, will not preach on sin.  He apparently doesn’t trust God to work in people.  If you read the Bible Jesus wasn’t afraid to offend.  Look:

Matthew 12:34 (NKJV)
^12:34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

 You snakes!  Do you think someone might be offended to be called a snake?

 

Mark 8:33 (NKJV)

^8:33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."

 Ouch.  How would you feel to be called Satan, just because you were worldly?  Finally:

 

Matthew 23:27 (NKJV)

^23:27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.

 Jesus says it like it is.  He’s not afraid to offend.  He’s not afraid to hurt people’s feelings.  So, people say, I want to hear from God…the question is what if God speaks to you like this.

 Preaching is one of God’s ways to speak to His people.  But it takes faith, to think that sometimes what God is saying to you is something you don’t want to hear.  God is speaking to you to transform you:  to make you PERFECT (complete, whole) so that you’re prepared for Heaven.