Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "The Power of a Whisper" with part 2, "1st Name Basis", in this Sunday service.
The Power of a Whisper PT2: 1st Name Basis
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, February 13, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Big idea is moving to a first name relationship with God from "the big guy upstairs" concept.
1 Kings19:11-13 11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
John 10:3-5, 27 “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice…27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
A fruitful, productive life is the result of hearing the whispers:
John 15:5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
Like Joseph, we start off clumsily, not knowing for sure if we are even hearing God, and move to a clearer and more definitive recognition of His whispers. Along the way, He is working to "overcome" our mishandling and misinterpretation of the whispers and the result is our purpose and destiny.
Our own stories reflect the whispers, and the consequences of not hearing His whispers:
• Away to college, leaving behind the divine connection with Sheryll
• Go to work at Withers for less pay
• Offered 3 great jobs in one day—chose the one most would not have chosen, God whispered through my father-in-law
• Message on using your gift—teaching—compelled us into children’s ministry
• Marietta or Monticello—both of us hear the whisper in different places
• Contract for Korea—no Dana, no Michael, no Melissa
• Youth ministry—Covington restaurant
• “You like this” whisper on the platform leading worship
• “move” in prayer while in shopping center
• “Never complain about what you are willing to accept”, “Find a place where you are celebrated, not tolerated”
• 3 locations: Vinings, Acworth, Villa Rica
• Listening to a CD together on I-20: “Find a friend”—Billy Hornsby
• Billy Hornsby on a napkin at dinner in North Atlanta: Build now
How do you know the whisper is from God? :
1. Confirmed by scripture (Psalm 89:34 NCV “I will not break my agreement nor change what I have said.”)
2. Confirmed by trusted godly people (Amos 3:7 “Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets.”)
3. Confirmed by an inner witness (Holy Spirit within you) (Romans 8:16 “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God”)
A 1st name basis with God changes everything:
Revelation 3:20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”
Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Jacob to Israel and Saul to Paul
Direct relationship between clearly hearing God's whispers and knowing Him on a 1st name basis.
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