Download Communication with God

Communication with God
“Communication is the vehicle
for creating and maintaining intimacy,
and it is the means by which
we know another person.”
--H. Norman Wright
Communication with God
com·mu·ni·ca·tion n.
The exchange of thoughts, messages, or information,
as by speech, signals, writing, or behavior.
Interpersonal rapport.
communications (used with a sing. or pl. verb)
The art and technique of using words effectively
to impart information or ideas.
Something communicated; a message.
communications A means of communicating, especially:
A system, such as mail, telephone, or television, for sending and
receiving messages.
A network of routes for sending messages
and transporting troops and supplies.
Communication with God:
Interpersonal rapport
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Relationship
Understanding
Bond
Link
Affinity
Connection
Empathy
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God communicates.
We are created in His
image to communicate
as well.
God is a relational
being—3 in 1.
We are likewise created
as relational beings.
Communication with God
Purposes: God to Man
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Interpersonal rapport
Imparting information, instruction, or ideas
Reconciling differences
Inviting participation and partnership
Conducting business or work
Sending messages, transporting troops and supplies
Expressing affection
Communication with God
Purposes: Man to God
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Interpersonal rapport
Responding to instruction, information and ideas
Reconciling differences
Requesting assistance
Conducting business or work
Requesting messages, transporting troops and supplies
Expressing gratitude & worship
Communication with God
Means of Communication: God to Man
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The Creation (including donkeys!)
Face-to-face (Adam & Eve, Abram, Moses)
By the Holy Spirit (Old & New Testament)
Written Word (Ten Commandments, Law & Prophets, Bible)
Dreams & visions, signs & wonders (Joseph, Zechariah, Gideon)
The Word made flesh—by His Son Jesus
Through other intermediaries:
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Priests, prophets, angels
Apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists
Fellow believers
Communication with God
The Creation
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“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible
qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have
been clearly seen, being understood from what has been
made, so that men are without excuse.” –Romans 1:20
Communication with God
Face to Face
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“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he
was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from
the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God
called to the man, “Where are you?” –Genesis 3:8-9
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“When a prophet of the Lord is among you, I reveal myself to him
in visions, I speak to him in dreams. But this is not true of my
servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face
to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord.”
–Numbers 12:6-8
Communication with God
Through the prophets
By his Son
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“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the
prophets at many times and in various ways,
but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son,
whom he appointed heir of all things,
and through whom he made the universe.”
–Hebrews 1:1-2
Communication with God
The Word of Christ
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“But not all the Israelites accepted the good news.
For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message,
and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
But I ask: “Did they not hear? Of course they did:
“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.” –Romans 10:16-18
Communication with God
Means of Communication: Man to God
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Prayer—involves both listening to God speak
and speaking to God…
We are called to develop a conversational relationship with God.
Prayer can be individual or corporate,
in the heart or out loud.
We can pray in many postures,
singing, speaking, shouting, or whispering.
Prayer can be in the spirit and with understanding.
Prayer is both an invitation and a command,
a privilege and a responsibility.
Pray without ceasing!
Communication with God
Roles in Communication: Man to God
Our Father which art in heaven
 Hallowed be Thy Name
 Thy Kingdom come Thy will be
done on earth as it is in Heaven.
 Give us this day our daily bread.
 Forgive us our debts as we forgive
our debtors.
 Lead us not into temptation but
deliver us from evil.
 For thine is the kingdom and the
power and the glory forever and
ever.
 Amen
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Child before the Father
Worshiper before the Holy One
Ambassador of the King of
Heaven
Steward of the Master’s House
Advocate before the Righteous
Judge
Soldier of the Captain of Hosts
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Subject of the King of kings and
Lord of lords
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Joint heirs with Jesus.
Communication with God
Called to Know Him & to Make Him Known
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people belonging to God,
that you may declare the praises of him
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
1 Peter 2:9
Chosen to be included in intimate relationship with God
in order to display and proclaim
the virtues of such a privileged relationship
so that others become interested & are included as well.
Communication with God
Protocol in Communication: Man to God
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THANKSGIVING, PRAISE AND WORSHIP
PAVE THE WAY INTO GOD’S PRESENCE.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise…”
Psalm 100:4
Thanksgiving opens the gate into His throne room, and praise
ushers us into His courts.
Communication with God
Recognizing the Voice of God
“God’s impressions within and his
word without are always
corroborated by his providence
around, and we should quietly wait
until those three focus into one
point…If you do not know what
you ought to do, stand still until
you do. And when the time comes
for action, circumstances, like
glowworms, will sparkle along your
path; and you will become so sure
that you are right, when God’s
three witnesses concur, that you
could not be surer though an
angel beckoned you on.”
The Three Lights:
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Circumstances
Impressions of the Spirit
Passages from the Bible
Three Factors in the Voice:
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The Weight of Authority
The Spirit of God’s Voice
Content
Communication with God
Practical Consequences
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Direct daily kingdom access for all
believers so that the rule of God is
promoted through our lives as it should
and could be.
Provision of confidence, comfort and
peace in knowing our Father is WITH us.
Protection from mad religionists and
legalism so that we may not be carried
away by voices contrary to God.
Realization of a biblical quality of life so
that God clearly communicates to us
plainly as long as we are open and
prepared by our experience to hear and
obey.
Communication with God
Results of Prayer
1— Prayer brings us into God’s presence, which changes us. (Isa. 6:1-8)
2— Prayer reveals to us God’s plans so we can cooperate with Him in them. (Luke 10:2)
3—Prayer invites God’s participation & presence in the process. (Matt. 9:37-38)
4— Prayer obeys Jesus’ command to ask the Lord of the Harvest
to send out workers. (Lk. 10:2)
5—Prayer removes hindrances to the gospel. (1 Cor. 16:9)
6—Prayer prepares the hearts of unbelievers to hear the good news. (Acts 17:27)
7— Prayer releases resources necessary to accomplish the task. (2 Cor. 9:8-11)
8— Prayer insures protection for workers and their work. (Eph. 6:19-20)
9— Prayer releases spiritual power to fulfill the call. (Acts 1:8)
10—Prayer exercises divine authority to change situations & people. (Matt. 18:18)
11— Prayer IS the battle! (Eph. 6:18)
12— Prayer maintains the victory. (2Tim. 4:17-18)
Communication with God
GET INTO SMALL GROUPS WITH 1 OR 2 PARTNERS TO PRAY WITH.
Thank God for 3 specific things for which you are grateful today.
Praise God for 3 of His attributes.
Ask God to tell you what He is thinking about you today. Listen for
His response; you may wish to jot down what He tells you.
Pray for your partner briefly for one felt need.
Ask God for one scripture He would like us to remember this week as
we meet; jot down the reference He gives you.