02/20/11 - Power of a Whisper PT3 - Pastor Tony Ashmore

Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "The Power of a Whisper" with part 3, "Step-by-Step: Whispers for Daily Direction", in this Sunday service.

The Power of a Whisper PT3: Step-by-Step: Whispers for Daily Direction

Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, February 20, 2011

www.mylifegatechurch.com


Sermon Notes:

Step-by-Step: Whispers for Daily Direction

Key Scriptures:
Psalm 37:23 “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
Isaiah 30:21 “Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.”

Big Idea: God speaks to his followers not just at life’s major crossroads, but also during daily routines. What would your daily life look like if each step was directed by God?

1. God speaks through whispers of action.
2. God speaks through whispers of admonition.
3. God speaks through whispers of assurance.


God speaks through whispers of action

•   Acts 10: God whispers to Cornelius and Peter—specific directions that change the world
•   Charlie Rome: “Go back and check your garbage”.
•   Tony Deblasis: “Change your morning routine and I’ll teach you how to handle the things life brings your way.”
•   SAK: Hurt mom and 7 year old son at McDonald’s.  Older couple at Zaxby’s.
•   We were created to do good works, and one of the primary ways God helps us accomplish them is by imparting whispers of action [Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”]


God speaks through whispers of admonition

•   Psalm 48:14 “For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die.”
•   Getting away to ‘spend time with God’ after being mean to my wife, stuck in middle of nowhere.
•   Eric’s story: God whispered through someone else’s story and kept him from trouble.
•   God will not stop refining us until transformation’s work is complete


God speaks through whispers of assurance

•   Psalm 3:3 “But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.”
•   Video: Kathy Karr’s story
•   The losses we face in this life do not change who God is.  Sometimes all we need to hear is a whisper from Him that we are going to make it.


Positioning Yourself to Hear the Whispers:

•   John 14:26 “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”
•   John 16:13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.”
   -   Be teachable: “I need to hear from you today Father.” James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”
   -   You must have put the Word in for Him to ‘remind’ you.  (Psalm 119:103 “How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.”)
   -   It’s a relationship—it is either growing or shrinking every day—it never stands still. James 4:8 “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”