SERMON TITLE: Responding to your questions pt1: What does it mean to hear from God?
SCRIPTURE: multiple (ESV)
SPEAKER: Josh Hanson
DATE: 11-10-24
Sermon Discussion Guide
Take notes here
As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And if this is your first time worshiping with us — or if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus or are with our friends in Bucyrus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.
Before we get to the sermon, I want us to pause and pray for our country — for as you’re well aware — this is election week. It’s a great privilege to be able to vote — and I hope that you have already or will on Tuesday. But — though a great privilege — as followers of Jesus we vote knowing that our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness — and not on the outcome of elections. So would you please join in prayer.
Heavenly Father, the One who is Sovereign and in control of all things. From the beating of every heart on this planet to a meteor flying through the depths of outer space — you who causes the sun to rise and set each day — who knows the count of every grain of sand on our planet — who’s the God who creates beautiful flowers in meadows that no human eye will ever see to appreciate — what a majestic God you are.
Spirit of God, as we think of the state of our nation — we can’t help but grieve the ways that we’ve dishonored the One who’s made us. But as your people — those called out of darkness and into your marvelous light — you’ve called us to be a light on a shining hill. A bright beam of hope to those who of course do wicked, evil, and defiled activities — for they walk in the darkness of the world, have been blinded by their Enemy and ours — Satan — and are slaves to their sinful nature. Yet your people — us who follow Jesus — are to live lives that brilliantly display the hope of the transforming power and freedom found in what Christ has done on our behalf — and on behalf of all who turn to him in faith. For we’ve been set free — we’ve been transformed — we do have hope — a sure and firm foundation that will not be any more or less firm when we wake up on Wednesday morning.
For you — Jesus — are the only One who we look to for hope that will last. No earthly leader — whether political, spiritual, or otherwise — is meant to be put in your place. For you are the King of kings and Lord of lords. You are the President of presidents and Pastor of pastors. You are the One for whom and through whom we live, and move, and have our being.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — lead our nation. Guide our nation. We pray for your will to be done and may we — your people — trust that not even political elections are outside of your control. For you — our great and mighty God — is in charge of all things. And we pray this in Jesus’s name. Amen.
We’re going to do something a bit different this week and next. Before we return to the book of Romans — I want to take two weeks to do something that we see Paul do in his letter to the Corinthians. Apparently, the Corinthians had sent some questions to Paul. In fact, six times Paul seems to address questions they had asked him. For example, in First Corinthians chapter seven Paul writes…
1 Corinthians 7:1a (ESV)
1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote…
What kind of topics did the Corinthians ask Paul about? Based on his use of the phrase “now concerning” we know they asked him about…
The Corinthians had questions and Paul responded. And — over the past few weeks — I’ve been hearing of questions you’ve been asking and I’d like to take time to respond to them. The two questions you’ve been asking are — one — what does it mean to hear from God? This is due to our guest speaker from two weeks ago. And — two — what is man’s free will in light of God’s sovereignty? This is due to my recent sermons from Romans.
This week — I’ll answer your question on what it means to hear from God and — next week — I’ll answer your question about our — humanity’s — free will — which will set us up to return to Romans chapter nine.
Sound good? Usually Laura and I answer questions like these on the podcast — in fact we’ve answered similar questions to these on the podcast — but I know not everyone listens to the podcast. I don’t listen to our podcast — of course I’m on the podcast so listening to it would be weird — but given that there’s no preacher’s guidebook on when to answer questions in a sermon versus a podcast — I thought we’d take time to address your questions in a couple of sermons.
And — if you’re here today and don’t consider yourself to be a Christian — think of these sermons as a peak behind the curtain of what Christians believe about topics you may have never thought about before. You may even have your curiosity pricked and find yourself wanting to come back to learn more about what we believe.
Now — as I begin to answer your question — what does it mean to hear from God — I hope it won’t surprise you that my answer begins with the Word of God. For the Word of God — the Bible — is the authority by which we measure all things — it’s the authority to which we’re to submit our lives to — for it is where God has spoken most clearly and authoritatively to us.
Thus — one of the characteristics that we desire to see in all who follow Jesus — here at Gateway — is that we are Word and Spirit Christians. Though we live in an age with many authorities demanding our submission — God’s Word is to be the final authority in our lives.
We submit to God’s Word — the Bible — as our final authority on all things because we believe that the words in this book are God-inspired, without error, authoritative, clear, and teach us everything necessary to live a life of faithfulness and godliness. And when God’s Word and anything else — including our own thoughts or theology or what our “momma always told us” — when God’s Word and anything else come to an impasse — God’s Word wins. Every single time.
As the prophet Isaiah has said…
Isaiah 40:8 (ESV)
8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
And as the apostle Paul wrote…
2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
And “all Scripture” means all Scripture. Take note of this — it’ll be important later.
Our view of God’s Word is why we dedicate so much of our worship service to the preaching of God’s Word. It’s why the vast majority of our sermons are verse by verse through books of the Bible — because — as disciples of Jesus — our goal is for God’s Word to be the final authority on all that we believe and how we live. This would include what you believe about abortion, racism, marriage, sex, gender, the spiritual gifts, and what it means to hear from God — to name a few. And it would include what you do — like — supporting a pregnancy center, being a foster parent, waiting to live together and have sex until you’re married, and eagerly desiring the spiritual gifts — to name a few.
Earlier I said, “Though we live in an age with many authorities demanding our submission — God’s Word is to be the final authority in our lives.” And — what I want us all to consider is if God’s Word is our final authority — or — is a religious tradition or a popular Bible teacher our final authority? Where a tradition or a singular voice in your life is being substituted — even unknowingly on your part — as your authority — instead of the Bible. Where what they say — is always equal to what God’s Word says. And — look — I’m including myself in this group. Never blindly take what I say to be faithful to God’s Word. My desire is for it to be — but I want you to investigate what I say with God’s Word.
One of the best things — at least from my perspective — coming from out of the last few weeks of sermons — is how these challenging topics have gotten us to open our Bibles to look for answers. Where you say, “I’m not sure I agree with what I hear Josh saying. Let me open God’s Word to investigate” — know that this so pleases me as a pastor. Just as it grieves me when — instead — it’s, “I’m not sure I agree with what I hear Josh saying” and that’s the end of it. Or at least there’s no opening of God’s Word — though there may be much debating and discussion that takes place. That doesn’t do anything for me because — if we’re not opening God’s Word for answers — we’re submitting ourselves to something other than God’s Word as our final authority.
Speaking of God’s Word — and God speaking — the author of Hebrews opens his letter with these words.
Hebrews 1:1–3 (ESV)
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
God has spoken to us in Jesus Christ. So what did Jesus say? Well he said…
John 5:19a (ESV)
19 “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.
Jesus is our Savior and Lord — but must never forget that he’s also our example of how to live the Word and Spirit life. And we’re to follow Jesus’ lead by doing our Heavenly Father’s will.
For example, Jesus shows us how God’s Word helps us to fight temptation. When tempted by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus replied demonstrating that his life was fully submitted to the Word of God. In Matthew’s gospel we read…
Matthew 4:2–10 (ESV)
2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he (Jesus) was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”
It is written. It is written. It is written. Jesus lived under the authority of the Word of God — and — he lived empowered by the Spirit of God. For — after being tempted in the wilderness — Luke tells us that…
Luke 4:14–21 (ESV)
14 Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Jesus lived by the power of the Holy Spirit. The power in his preaching and the power displayed in him healing those who were blind — Jesus tells us — in quoting from Isaiah — was not his divine power as the Son of God — but was the power of the Spirit of God. You see Jesus…
Philippians 2:6–11 (ESV)
6 though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
To offer himself as our substitute — not only in his death, but also in his life — Jesus never ceased to be God — yet he set aside his divinity in order to live a perfect human life without a divine cheat code that we don’t have access to. This is why he’s our ultimate example — and not just in how to love our enemies, or in being patient with others, or in loving little children — he’s our example in all of those things — just as he’s our example in how we’re to fight temptation and in rebuking those who dishonored his Father — to calming storms and healing those who were sick — Jesus did it all by the power of the Holy Spirit and did so as an example to us.
We know this because Jesus said…
John 14:12 (ESV)
12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
Do you believe in Jesus? If so, he says that you will do the works he did while here on earth. Can I ask — how’s that going? And — not only what he did — Jesus said that we’d do even greater works than what he did — because — he’s now at his Father’s side in heaven.
Again — how’s that going for you? If God’s Word is our final authority — and if we simply take Jesus at his word — it sure seems like there should be similarity to what we read of him doing in the gospels and what we do as his followers. And — remember — the only divine cheat code that Jesus lived by — we have access to: the Spirit of God who is our empowering presence.
Twice — already — you’ve heard me say, “Though we live in an age with many authorities demanding our submission — God’s Word is to be the final authority in our lives.” And to this — let me add — “though we live in an age when many people and entities with power try to tell us how to live — the power we need to live out our God-given purpose is found in the Spirit of God.”
Jesus — our Savior — lived both under the authority of the Word of God and by the power of the Spirit of God. And — to follow in his footsteps — we must be disciples who are Word and Spirit Christians — who live under the authority of the Word of God and by the power of the Spirit of God.
For when we remember how the church began…
Acts 2:1–4 (ESV)
1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
And the crowd was confused — for they could see the power of the Spirit of God at work in the disciples — something so evident that the crowd assumed the disciples were all drunk. I don’t know about you — but no one’s ever confused a display of the Spirit’s power in my life for drunkenness. Before you chuckle — has it ever happened to you? Now — I don’t know about you — but I hope along with me — that you desire for this outcome — of God’s Spirit working so powerfully in and through us — where “greater things” — as Jesus said — are done through us — even if it means we’re confused for drunkenness.
Do I want us to start dancing in the aisles, and busting out tambourines, or getting a bunch of flags to wave around — no! I don’t think that’s the kind of behavior that made the crowd think these Spirit-empowered Christians were drunk. Instead, it’s Peter standing up and preaching a sermon by the power of the Spirit of God. And three thousand men came to faith in Jesus.
Spirit, may you come in this kind of power among us.
Or — in the next chapter of Acts — there’s a guy who can’t walk and he’s healed and stands up and starts walking around. Why? Because the power of the Spirit of God worked through the disciples. And — as cool as that is — you want to know what’s more incredible to me? Another five thousand people are saved.
Spirit, may you come in this kind of power among your people.
After that — the Spirit empowers followers of Jesus to speak boldly in front of people who have the authority to have them killed. Yet they don’t cower in fear. They don’t back down. They’re not arrogant or prideful — they’re empowered by the Spirit of God.
Some of us are nervous about talking to anyone about Jesus — if this is you — may God’s Spirit empower you to be bold for Jesus.
More healings take place — this is all in the Bible, by the way — don’t take my word for it — and more people come to faith. We see more boldness in the lives of regular folks who follow Jesus — all because they live by the power of the Spirit of God.
Let me ask you something: When’s the last time you experienced the Spirit’s power in your life? Like “anything close to what we see in the Bible” kind of power?
Something you’ve heard me say in past sermons — but maybe now it’ll be a bit more sticky — is this: We’ve got to stop seeing the Christian faith as something that’s not supernatural — as if our faith lacks power. Now I know that we’ll all say that we believe that our faith is supernatural — but the evangelical church in the US — and even many of us — are living spiritually powerless lives — not all of us — but many of us are. For we neglect the Spirit of God — or we theologize him into such a small box — so we’re never mistaken for being drunk — that’s for sure! — and I think the reason why this is the case is because we’re not taking God at his Word. For — in God’s authoritative Word — we’re told that God has given…
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
7 us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Let me ask you again: When’s the last time you’ve experienced the Spirit’s power in your life? Like supernatural power. Like what we read in the Bible kind of power. Or — has much of — if not most of — your life with Jesus been pretty powerless?
Do you know how a bunch of ordinary folks changed the world two thousand years ago? They lived under the authority of the Word of God and by the power of the Spirit of God. They weren’t just ordinary Roman citizens who believed in Jesus. They were so different from those who didn’t follow Jesus that the world took notice. By persecuting them — to begin with — the original cancel culture. But not even persecution could stop Christianity from spreading. And more and more people came to faith in Jesus because those who believed the gospel were empowered by the Spirit of God.
Alright — that was a lot — but it was all necessary in order for us to now talk about hearing from God. Earlier — you may have caught that I said, “The Word of God — the Bible — is the authority by which we measure all things — it’s the authority to which we’re to submit our lives to — it’s where God has spoken most clearly and authoritatively to us.” And that last part — “where God has spoken most clearly and authoritatively to us” is worded in a way to specifically communicate that God’s Word is not the only way he speaks to us.
Now listen to me — because some of you may be getting uncomfortable now: The Bible is the primary and final authority when it comes to hearing from God. Yes and amen. This is why I’m halfway through memorizing my twenty-first book of the Bible from start to finish — because I believe that the Bible is the primary way in which God speaks to us and that it’s the final authority on all things. I am and — Lord willing — will always be “the Bible guy.”
But the reason why I believe that God speaks to us in other less authoritative ways — is because this book — the Bible — tells me that there are other ways that God speaks to us and does so today.
For example…
Psalm 19:1 (ESV)
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
“Well Josh. That’s just poetic metaphor. The psalmist doesn’t mean that God literally speaks to us in creation.” Oh really? Then I guess you disagree with Paul. For Paul says…
Romans 1:18–20 (ESV)
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Theologians call the Bible God’s special revelation — and creation God’s general revelation. The Bible is called special revelation because — in it — the gospel is found. The truth of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection — and the eternal life and hope that’s found by believing the gospel — is found only in the Bible.
Yet creation — God’s general word — does communicate to us that God exists and that we — humanity — have sinned against him. Creation tells us — if we’re listening — about God’s eternal power and divine nature and that he’s the Creator of everyone and everything. And — because of what God is saying to us through creation — Paul says — no one will have an excuse when they stand before God on Judgment Day. For God will say to them, “The heavens were declaring my glory to you and you ignored what they were saying. Creation was telling you that I exist — that I created you — and you suppressed the truth that I was speaking to you through my creation.” Thus — we’re to hear God as he has spoken to us in his Word and we’re to hear God as he is speaking to us through his creation.
So far — so good — I’m guessing. Though that may be toeing the line of uncomfortability for some of us. If so, make sure your seatbelt is fastened and your tray table is locked in an upright position because God’s Word is about to cause a bit of turbulence in your life.
For the Bible also tells us that God also speaks to us through what are called spiritual gifts. Now what are spiritual gifts? One Bible dictionary defines spiritual gifts this way.
Spiritual gifts are abilities given to individual believers by the Holy Spirit in order to equip God’s people for ministry, both for the edification of the church and for God’s salvific (or saving) mission to the world. - Lexham Survey of Theology
So that’s what spiritual gifts are and their purpose. We don’t have time to cover all of the gifts listed in the Bible — as there’s over twenty specific gifts mentioned - but the apostle Peter helpfully puts spiritual gifts into two categories. Peter writes…
1 Peter 4:10–11 (ESV)
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Did you see the two categories? There are speaking gifts and serving gifts. Now — remember our definition: All of the gifts — so both categories — are given by the Holy Spirit to equip God’s people for ministry, for building up the church, and for accomplishing God’s mission to seek and save those who are lost. And Peter says that some of the gifts are speaking gifts.
What are some of these speaking gifts? Some aren’t controversial like encouragement and preaching. Others are controversial like tongues and prophecy. But here’s what I want us all to consider: A spiritual gift isn’t something the Spirit gives to us like an Amazon delivery drive — “Your gift has been left at your front door and I’m outta here.” A spiritual gift is the presence of the Holy Spirit working in and through a Christian for the building up and encouragement of others.
So — follow me here — preaching — being a spiritual gift — preaching is God’s Spirit using me — at this very moment — to take his Word — which is living and active and our final authority on all things — and the Spirit is using me to proclaim God’s Word to you as God’s mouthpiece. This isn’t a Ted talk or like stand up comedy or communication 101. What I’m doing isn’t solely information transfer. Hearing God’s Word preached is a supernatural event because preaching is a spiritual gift — preaching is God’s Spirit using me to draw you closer to him, to call others to repentance, to call some to new life. Which means — when God’s Word is faithfully preached — you are hearing God speak through the preacher. And please know that I don’t say that lightly. It’s why I take preaching so seriously because I don’t want to speak on God’s behalf and do so unfaithfully.
But — it’s not just preaching — all spiritual gifts are the Holy Spirit actively working in and through people.
So I hope this has helped answer some of your questions. And — it’s OK if it’s caused you to ask some more — especially when you seek the answer to your questions in the Bible. And I hope today’s put you at ease. Know that we’re going to continue to elevate the Word of God in our worship services — even when culture says all of our attention spans are decreasing and that sermons should be more like Ted talks and stand up comedy if I’m to keep you engaged.
And I love that we’re all committed to growing in our biblical view of what it means to be a follower of Jesus — especially to be a Word and Spirit Christian. That we’re starting to see preaching as a supernatural event — a man called by God to be his mouthpiece. And where those encouraging words said to you — were also from God — spoken by you as the Holy Spirit used a fellow Christian to encourage you. Just as the Holy Spirit uses all of God’s children through the gifts he’s given to us to serve one another and build each other up.
And may we all continue to be more intentional in how we live and what we do. Not just showing up to our Life Group — but asking, “God, who do you want to bless through me tonight during our meeting? What word of encouragement or hope or joy or life do they need to hear? God, who is this verse for — it’s stuck out to me for a reason and I wonder if there’s someone who needs to be reminded of its truth?”
And instead of just arriving to greet on Sunday — you’ve sought God in prayer, “God, how do you want to use me to welcome those who I meet this weekend? What word of blessing do you want to say to them?”
Or for the kids in your Kidway small group — praying for them throughout the week, “God, how do you want to use me to be a blessing to the kids on Sunday? I know what our Bible lesson is about — but how can I make this more than just learning information — how can I show them how much you love them?”
My friend Karl — who you’ve met — nearly every month when we have our phone call says something like, “Josh, as I was praying for our time together, I felt like God wanted me to encourage you with these words.” And — you know what? I’m always encouraged by what he shares. But — even more so — I’m encouraged by Karl — and want to be more like him — someone who allows God to speak through me so that others are encouraged as they hear from the God who loves them and is still speaking to his people today. Let’s pray together.
Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word — the Bible. It is inspired by you, is without error, authoritative, clear, and it teaches us everything necessary to live a life of faithfulness and godliness. Stir in us an even greater desire to know your Word, to read your Word, to study your Word, to memorize your Word, to obey your Word, to listen to your Word preached, to discuss your Word, to find the joy and life-giving news of the gospel that’s found only in your Word.
Spirit of God, you inspired the authors to write down your Word to us. Your Word which records Jesus saying, “Whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” Spirit, help us to believe this word. Or the word that tells us that you — Spirit — reside in us — and that you are a Spirit “not of fear, but of power and love and self-control.” Help us to trust not only in your ability to lead us to love others and to fight against temptation through self-control — but also to trust that you can powerfully work in and through your people today. For your power has not lessened or diminished or weakened and we dare not go against your Word and quench you in our lives.
And — Jesus — to you our Savior and King — we praise you for you are also our ultimate example of what it means to live the Word and Spirit life. For you only did what your Father told you to do — you countered the temptations of the Enemy with the Word of God — and you lived by the power of the Holy Spirit who descended on you in the form of a dove to anoint you for your ministry. Help us Jesus — we ask — to follow you — for that’s what it means to be your disciple. And we pray all of this in your name. Amen.
May you go committed to living under the authority of the Word of God and empowered by the Spirit of God. Amen.
God loves you. I love you. You are sent.
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