03/06/11 - Power of a Whisper PT5 - Pastor Tony Ashmore

Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "The Power of a Whisper" with part 5, "Whispers that Rock the World", in this Sunday service.

The Power of a Whisper - Part 5
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, March 06, 2011

www.mylifegatechurch.com


Sermon Notes:

(Turn to and mark Philippians 2.  Then turn to Isaiah 58:6-11)
You may have noticed during these past three weeks that much of the discussion has been all about us!
   *   How do we open our ears so that we can hear more clearly and more consistently from God?
   *   How do we invite his input into the situations we are facing so that we know which way to go?
   *   How do we hear his whispers so that our lives are better?

These are worthwhile questions to answer because they represent one level of listening that all of us should strive to cultivate, which is to learn to listen for the still, small voice of God each and every day.  Is there a deeper level of listening that is available to us in this life, a level of listening that centers not so much on the cries of our hearts, but on the cries of the heart of God.

John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
Mark 1:17 “Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”


1.   Whispers that rock the world: Key Scripture: Isaiah 58:6-11
   a.   Big Idea: When we learn to hear God’s voice and obey his whispers, we impact not just our lives, but the world at large. What world-rocking whisper is God ready to place in your ears?


Living Wide Open-- Philippians 2:5-7 “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”  Are you grasping or living with an open hand? 
   *   “On Mission” Lifestyle (school, work, home, church)—Jeremiah 15:19 “This is how the Lord responds: “If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you!”
   *   Kingdom Influence—Psalm 112:9 “They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.”
      -   Consistency—Hebrews 13:7 Message “…There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn't change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he's always totally himself.” 
   *   Treasure Hunters—Matthew 6:20-21 “Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”  So many quit pursuing destiny because of a perceived “lack of success”—think about the successful gold prospector panning for gold—how much sludge, mud, rocks and junk does he go through to find a few specks of gold?  But what is his focus?  If he focuses on the sludge he will become discouraged and quit, go pursue another endeavor.  But the ones who succeed are the ones who are focused on the faint glimmer of gold, spotting it in the midst of the all the other stuff.  The treasure is lives transformed.  That treasure is all around you.  Find it.  Raise somebody’s potential.  Most of us can think of times in our lives when somebody reached out, gave us a hand and raised our potential.
   *   Remember, God’s not asking ‘How’, He is whispering ‘Who’.  Isaiah 6:8

Live Wide Open with God this week—wide open ears to hear His whispers, wide open hands to share generously, wide open hearts to feel and see what God is feeling and seeing. Matthew 10:39 “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.”

Psalm 116:15 “What can I give back to God for the blessings he's poured out on me? I'll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God! I'll pray in the name of God; I'll complete what I promised God I'd do, and I'll do it together with his people…In the place of worship, in God's house, in Jerusalem, God's city. Hallelujah!”