Date: 1 March 2009

Title:Knowing God's Voice
Text: John 10:1-5
Reference: Acts 17:27, Matt 11:15, Rev 2:7
Speaker: Pastor Nephas Ndhlovu

Introduction

It is important for every believer to have a close relationship with God. We live in a microwave time where everbody is so busy that no one would take time to know God's voice and His leading. It is easier to hear sounds of people and noise coming from our industries and yet dificult to know God's voice. Most people have made grave mistakes in their lives concerning the decisions they had made in terms of their life partners,busiess partners and their careers for lack of spiritual ears.

Outline

Knowing God' voice is expedient in our lives. It helps us know the direction God wants us to take in order for us to achieve or attain our destiny. The only question one may ask is,'How do I know God's Voic?". This is a question that has seldomly been answered by so many preachers. I will endeavor to articulate the different ways that will make you know His voice. The voice of God in our lives will help us make

i. Business  decisions
ii. Relational decisions
iii. Career decisions.

We should never allow our mind, emotions and flesh to direct us or manipulate us so we get wrong voices.

Indicators of the Voice of God

1. You Can be led by the spirit

The bible in te book of Romans 8:14 states, " For as many as are led by the spiit of God, they are the sons of God." This means that when you are sensitive to the spirit of God, He is able t lead you through Hs gentle voice within your heart. This demands a close relationship wth Him. Many many people have not given the Holy spirit His right place in theirlives, as a result, are not able to commune with Him. Others even refer to Him as 'it'.

2. Your Spirit within you can have purpose

In Acts 19:21 we see a situation where Paul purpose in his spirit to go to Jerusalem. The word 'Purpose' in this passage comes from a greek word, Tithemi, which literally means to settle, sink down, ordain,conceive or burden. In other words, the spirit within Paul was settle to go to Jerusalem. This is what happens when God is speaking to you. He wil put an impression that will cause you to purpose to do somethng.

3. You can be bound in the spirit

Acts 20:22 tells us how Paul was bond in the spirit to go to Jerusalem even when when he didnot know what would happen to him there. The greek word for 'Bound' in this scripture is the word,"Deo" and this word means to be in bonds, Knit, tie or wind. S Paul was tied by the spirit to go to Jerusalem.

4. Your Spirit can be provoked

In Acts 17:16, we see Paul being provoked or agitated in his spirit. It was not Paul who was provoked but his spirit. You can kno God is speaking to you when your spiri is provoked.

5. You have peace in your spirit.

There are certain times that God wants you to do something that may seem hard but the moment you notice the peace in your heart, you will know God wants you to move in that direction. 2 Corinthians 2:12-13. Whenever God leads you, He will give you rest, Phil 4:7.

6. Listen to your heart

You must listen to your heart which is the inner conscience. After people advise you and you have prayed, there is inner witness concerning what you want to do. 

Conclusion 

I encourage you to know God's voice and your life will be different.