RE:Membership

Week 3. Listening To God and Talking To God

When we meet on a Sunday we are either singing songs based on the bible, listening to the Bible
in a sermon, or talking to God as we pray. We want to take a look at what the Bible and prayer
are, so that we can be healthy listeners and talkers.

Godʼs Voice
How does God speak to us? Psalm 19 tells us how :

Firstly in what we call general revelation (v1-6). This is creation:

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to
day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. Psalm 19:1-2
(Romans 1:19-20 remind us the same thing about creation.)

Then in what we call special revelation (v7-14):

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the
commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; Psalm 19:7-8

In the Old Testament we read that God spoke through burning bushes, fleeces, visions, voices,
prophets, burning bush, various angels, THE angel, even through a disembodied hand and a
donkey!
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in
these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things,
through whom also he created the world. Hebrews 1:1-2

Godʼs Voice - The Bible

The primary, normal, and supreme way that God talks to his people is through the Bible. This
does not mean that the Bible is unspectacular.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from
whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred
writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All
Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and
for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every
good work. 2 Timothy 3:14-17

The Bible is
(A) God’s Word - God speaks to us from his book, the Bible:
“...no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was
ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the
Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 2-21

(b) The Story of God’s Work of Salvation:

Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures
the things concerning himself. Luke 24:26-27

(c) To be preached, heard and obeyed:

preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with
complete patience and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:22
RE:Membership
Week 3. Listening To God and Talking To God
Learning To Pray
Jesus assumes that we will pray... but he assumes we need taught.
Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Matthew 6:9-13
(a) Father
Jesus revoutionises prayer by telling us to call God father. We have been adopted as his children:
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of
slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom
we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children
of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we
suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:14-17

(b) Our Father

There are no single first person pronouns in this model prayer, this calls us to pray for others and
to pray with others. Praying with others is often a blessing and we learn many things.

(c) Heavenly and Holy Father

How can we talk to a holy God in heaven, through Jesus and his perfect work:
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of
God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to
sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are,
yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may
receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

(d) Our Father The King

God is a perfect King who rules over EVERYTHING. Vital to remember as we pray.
They raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the
heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. Acts 4:24

(e) Generous Father

God calls us to turn to him for every various need. He will provide our needs. For those of us who
have tomorrows bread as well, God calls us to answer this prayer for others.

(d) Our Father Forgives

The Christian life is one of Faith and repentance. We will, in this life stumble into sin, and we will
be sinned against by other believers. We need to seek forgiveness and forgive one another.

(e) Our Father Leads Well and Delivers When We Stray

If we ask God to lead us we need to be prepared to follow his perfect leading. We need to remember
that when we stray he delivers us.
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalm 23:3 

For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not
ashamed to call them brothers. Hebrews 2:11