There are lots of people that say "God told me" but are they really hearing from God? Ryan and Elaine dig into the Bible to figure out if there's any truth to these claims!
Show Notes
Personal
Gabe has started homeschooling as well
New Podcasts - Bible365 and Daily Witnessing Tips from Witness Radio
Ohio Fire
Ladies Bible Study
Ryan is excited about Ambassadors Academy
Doctrine
Who does God speak to in Scripture? (To name a few)
What was the purpose behind God speaking to men?
Does God speak to man individually today?
John Piper verses on receiving divine revelation:
News
Personal Revelation is very popular in today’s churches...Sarah Young’s book, Jesus Calling is a huge Christian book.
Todd Bentley said God told him to dropkick people and punch them.
Benny Hinn said that God told Him Jesus would appear at a gathering he was having. He also falsely predicted fidel castro’s death in the 90’s among other false prophecies.
People aren’t just claiming to hear from God on their own behalf, but on behalf of others. A woman prophesied over John Piper years ago…
“A lawyer one time prophesied over me when my wife was pregnant and said: ‘Your fourth child is going to be a girl, and your wife is going to die in childbirth.’ And that lawyer with tears told me that she was sorry she had to tell me that. So I went home and I got down on my knees and I said, ‘Lord, I am trying to do what you said here in 1 Thessalonians 5:20–21. And frankly, I despise what that woman just said.’ It proved out that my fourth child was a son, and I knew as soon as he came out that that prophecy was not true, and so I stopped having any misgivings about my wife’s life. She is still with me now thirty years later. That’s the sort of thing that makes you despise prophecy.”
Life Issues
If divine revelations still occur, how do we discern what is from God and what is not?
If private revelations agree with Scripture they are needless,and if they disagree, they are false. - John Owen
What if two Christians have contrary “revelations”?
What are the dangers of “hearing from God” if it doesn’t contradict Scripture?
People arent going to Scripture for wisdom on how they are to live holy lives - everything is based on impressions/feelings. Scripture is read often out of context in these circles or simply to claim divine blessings
“The Lord told me” is no substitute for “the Bible says” - Voddie Baucham
You are claiming God has said something. If it doesn’t happen, that means one of two things…
Speaking on behalf of God is an awesome and terrifying thing. Even teachers and preachers need to tread carefully when expounding on God’s Word to men and women.
The message from people claiming to have heard from God are often shallow and not gospel centered (no call to repentance and holy living) which is contrary to the main theme of Scripture
What about Muslims having visions of Christ and are converting to Christianity?
Grab Bag
“If you want to hear God speak, read your Bible. If you want to hear God speak audibly, read your bible out loud.” - Justin Peters
For further study:
Strange Fire by John MacArthur
Strange Fire Conference from Grace to You
Clouds Without Water by Justin Peters
Gabe has started homeschooling as well
New Podcasts - Bible365 and Daily Witnessing Tips from Witness Radio
Ohio Fire
Ladies Bible Study
Ryan is excited about Ambassadors Academy
Doctrine
Who does God speak to in Scripture? (To name a few)
- Moses
- Adam
- Serpent
- Noah
- Jonah
- Job
- Jacob
- Isaiah
What was the purpose behind God speaking to men?
- To warn the people of trials and judgments
- To call people for a certain purpose
- To make Himself known to man
Does God speak to man individually today?
- Hebrews 1:1
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- The Bible is sufficient. We have EVERYTHING we need to know right on the pages of the Holy Scriptures.
John Piper verses on receiving divine revelation:
- 1 Corinthians 14:29
- 1Thess 5:20-21
- 1 John 4:1
- 1 Corinthians 11:4-5
- 1 Corinthians 13:8-10
News
Personal Revelation is very popular in today’s churches...Sarah Young’s book, Jesus Calling is a huge Christian book.
Todd Bentley said God told him to dropkick people and punch them.
Benny Hinn said that God told Him Jesus would appear at a gathering he was having. He also falsely predicted fidel castro’s death in the 90’s among other false prophecies.
People aren’t just claiming to hear from God on their own behalf, but on behalf of others. A woman prophesied over John Piper years ago…
“A lawyer one time prophesied over me when my wife was pregnant and said: ‘Your fourth child is going to be a girl, and your wife is going to die in childbirth.’ And that lawyer with tears told me that she was sorry she had to tell me that. So I went home and I got down on my knees and I said, ‘Lord, I am trying to do what you said here in 1 Thessalonians 5:20–21. And frankly, I despise what that woman just said.’ It proved out that my fourth child was a son, and I knew as soon as he came out that that prophecy was not true, and so I stopped having any misgivings about my wife’s life. She is still with me now thirty years later. That’s the sort of thing that makes you despise prophecy.”
Life Issues
If divine revelations still occur, how do we discern what is from God and what is not?
If private revelations agree with Scripture they are needless,and if they disagree, they are false. - John Owen
What if two Christians have contrary “revelations”?
What are the dangers of “hearing from God” if it doesn’t contradict Scripture?
People arent going to Scripture for wisdom on how they are to live holy lives - everything is based on impressions/feelings. Scripture is read often out of context in these circles or simply to claim divine blessings
“The Lord told me” is no substitute for “the Bible says” - Voddie Baucham
You are claiming God has said something. If it doesn’t happen, that means one of two things…
- God was lying (His character and nature revealed tells us He cannot lie.
- You made a prophetic announcement that didn’t come to pass, making you a false prophet and your testimony is no longer trustworthy. We have to give an account of every word we have spoken...I wonder how much more so when we put words into God’s mouth
Speaking on behalf of God is an awesome and terrifying thing. Even teachers and preachers need to tread carefully when expounding on God’s Word to men and women.
The message from people claiming to have heard from God are often shallow and not gospel centered (no call to repentance and holy living) which is contrary to the main theme of Scripture
What about Muslims having visions of Christ and are converting to Christianity?
- http://www.theblaze.com/news/2016/12/21/muslim-refugees-convert-to-christianity-after-claiming-to-see-jesus-in-their-dreams/
- http://www.wnd.com/2014/11/rising-number-of-muslims-reporting-dreams-about-jesus/
Grab Bag
“If you want to hear God speak, read your Bible. If you want to hear God speak audibly, read your bible out loud.” - Justin Peters
For further study:
Strange Fire by John MacArthur
Strange Fire Conference from Grace to You
Clouds Without Water by Justin Peters