IN THE MOMENT OF PRESENT TRUTH
“HEARING GOD”
scottSTANLEY
(For purposes of
clarity, all scriptures presented have been edited with the author’s paraphrase
as indicated by brackets [ ].)
THE BLESSING OF ABRAHAM
This study is the fourth part of our series entitled In the Moment of Present
Truth. In the past three studies, we went through an Introduction
study where the sin nature was touched upon. Then we looked at The Godhead,
keying first on the Father and Son – then going into the Holy Spirit. This
study is simply the next step in a gradual progression into serving God –
what it means to serve God. First, we needed to see our problem; second, we
needed to see who God is. Now we need to understand what it means to be “led of
the Spirit.” Romans
Well, we saw in the last study that the Holy Spirit is the resurrected Christ – not saying there was never a Holy Spirit before Christ was resurrected, but the Spirit given at Pentecost was the Spirit of the risen Savior. Now, I want to go to some texts that we covered in the last study, but I want to continue reading – this is found in Acts, chapter 3, and I would ask you to have your bible, follow along with me. Pray that we be not deceived; pray that we walk in no darkness whatsoever, but that we fully understand and possess the knowledge of God. Acts, chapter 3 – let’s begin reading at verse 19:
Acts 3:19-26
19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall [you] hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. [Now he is quoting Deuteronomy 18.]
23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which [shall] not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
24 Yea, …all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have …foretold of these days.
25 [You] are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, …in [your] seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, [has now] sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
Another proof text that after the resurrection, it was Christ who the Father sent… Now in this study, from these scriptures, I want to key on the blessing of Abraham because this will lead us right to a definition of the Everlasting Covenant. We have got to enter into the blessing of Abraham. Let’s see what that is – turn with me in your bibles to Galatians, chapter 3, and I want to begin reading at verse 5:
Galatians 3:5
5 He therefore that [ministers] to you the Spirit, and [works] miracles among you [that word “among” is in…], [does] he [do] it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Now, who “works miracles in you”? Who “ministers to you the Spirit”? Well, the Son of God does that. How does He do it? Does He do this because you keep the law so well, or is it by the hearing of faith? Remember, faith comes by hearing; hearing by the word of God – Romans 10:17. Well, He does it by the “hearing of faith.” Verse 6:
Galatians 3:6-7
6 ¶ Even as Abraham believed God, and it was [counted unto] him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, …are the children of Abraham.
Now, before I read on in this, he states that the one who ministers the Spirit to us, which we know to be Christ, ministers His Spirit by the hearing of faith. Next verse – even as Abraham believed, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Consider with me: This scripture is telling us to have a relationship with God, even as Abraham – that Christ is ministering the Spirit to us, doing works of miracles, works of power in us by means of hearing – even as Abraham believed. Abraham did not possess a bible… Abraham heard God, and was led of the Spirit through his conscience. Consider with me: The man did not possess a bible – I’m not telling you, “Don’t read the bible.” I’m telling you that Christ can lead you without the book, even as Abraham. I’m telling you that there is a higher revelation of God on this planet than the bible – it’s called the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit will lead you and guide you by means of the hearing of faith.
In the last study I talked about “faith,” that faith is not a verb – the
verb of “faith” is believe. “Faith” is a noun; faith is the result
of believing. God impresses your heart, you believe – the result is called
faith, and you can possess the faith of Christ. Let’s get back to Galatians 3,
verse 7 again:
Galatians 3:7-8
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify [or, make righteous] the heathen through faith [by means of hearing], preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee [will] all nations be blessed.
What I have just read to you is key, and I have never heard a preacher in my
lifetime say what I’m getting ready to tell you. The scripture, foreseeing that
God was going to justify the heathen, the same way He justified Abraham – by
means of hearing, by means of faith – He preached before the gospel unto
Abraham, saying in thee will all nations be blessed. Why? Because all
nations were going to receive righteousness the same way Abraham received it,
and Abraham received it by the hearing of faith.
KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS
Think about it: Again, Abraham did not possess a bible… Well let me show you an interesting scripture about Abraham, considering he didn’t possess a bible – let’s turn to Genesis, looking at chapter 26, verse 5:
Genesis 26:5
5 Because … Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
Look at it again: How did Abraham keep the commandments of God, the statutes and the laws? He did it by means of hearing, therefore, the commandments, the statutes and the laws were spoken to that man and he was faithful to the Lord leading him by means of his conscience. Consider, if Abraham didn’t have a bible, the commandments to him from God had to have been spoken. Now, how could Abraham have heard God? How could Paul tell us we need to have a relationship with God like Abraham, because all of my Christian life, I was told Abraham literally heard the voice of God – that God spoke to him differently than He does to you. In fact, to this very day I can listen to the radio evangelists, TV evangelists, and Abraham had a different relationship to God than you; God doesn’t speak to people like this anymore.
Let’s read a definition of the Everlasting Covenant – and to do this, I want to turn to Hebrews 8. We’re going to begin reading at Hebrews 8:8:
Hebrews 8:8-12
8 For finding fault with them, he [said], Behold, the days come, saith the
Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of
9 Not according to the covenant … I made with their fathers in the day … I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
10 … this is the covenant … I will make with the house of
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12 … [I’ll] be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
Well, let’s compare this with Romans, chapter 2, starting at verse 14:
Romans 2:14-15
14 …when the Gentiles, which have not the law [the written law], do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
15 Which [show] the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience … bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or … excusing one another;)
Romans 2 sums up the keeping of the law of God – Romans 2 sums up the meaning of
the “Everlasting Covenant” that we read in Hebrews 8… it’s through the
conscience. Abraham didn’t have the law either and he did, by nature, those
things contained in the law. How do I know? Genesis 26 tells us that he kept
God’s commandments, statutes, His laws, His judgments – meaning it had to have
been spoken. Paul shows us again in Romans 2 that as God speaks to your
conscience, your conscience will “yea” or “nay” – it is through the
conscience that you begin to understand what God is saying to you. I’m not
saying He cannot use the bible, but let me tell you this: Even when you read
the book, you must be listening for the Spirit of Christ to give you the
understanding of the book. If you’re not, you are simply interpreting this book
yourself and God is not in it, and you are your own “god” – you will
become your own worst enemy.
THE SHEPHERD
Hearing God through the conscience – now I’ve been told, “Is that safe? There are so many voices out there, that you have to have this bible to support everything, to prove everything.” Again, Abraham didn’t have that luxury and he’s the father of our faith. What I would like to ask you to do is turn to the gospel of John, chapter 10, and let’s cover this subject. Starting at verse 1, Christ is speaking, notice what He says – this is key:
John 10:1-2
1 ¶ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that [enters] not by the door into the sheepfold, but [climbs] up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2 … he that [enters] in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
Now I want to read the next few verses, but before I do, understand: “The
shepherd of the sheep” is Jesus Christ – He “enters in through the
door.” What is “the door”? How about the door of your heart? If
someone comes up another way, they’re a thief and a robber, and only the
shepherd comes in through the door. Only Christ is speaking to your
conscience – a thief and a robber will come up another way. What is another
way into our minds? I’ve thought about that; I have sought the Lord, and I
believe the Lord has given me two ways that we can be deceived:
Intellectually and emotionally. When we listen to our emotions,
we’re going to fall into deception. If somebody sits down and tries to convince
you intellectually, you can be deceived that way, but if you listen to your
heart, following the conscience, God can guide you. Now, two things come to
mind – I’ve got to say this: When you stand before God to give an account of
yourself (like Paul writes that we’ll do), all you are going to have is your
conscience (2 Corinthians
Another thing is – I’ve been told we can’t trust our hearts…. Our hearts are desperately wicked. Well, in Ezekiel 36, the Lord says, I’m going to give you a new heart, and a new spirit will I put within you (Ezekiel 36:26). When does that happen to you? When He gives you a new heart, you better believe you can listen to it, and you can learn to trust the voice of God – I call it developing a hearing ear. We read in Acts where Peter told us that God is going to raise up a prophet (he’s quoting Moses from Deuteronomy 18) – He’s going to raise up a prophet and we must hear that prophet. That prophet, he goes on to say, was Jesus Christ – that God has sent Jesus to you to bless you. It’s true that Christ spoke and moved through these men who wrote the bible – I believe in the Old Testament, too.
That’s why no prophecy… there isn’t a single scripture in this book that’s of
any private interpretation, why? Holy men of God spoke as they were
moved by the Spirit (2 Peter
I want to read a verse that talks about “confidence toward God” – it’s found in 1 John, starting at verse 19 of chapter 3:
1 John 3:19-22
19 … hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
20 ¶ For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and [knows] all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart [doesn’t] condemn us, then have we confidence toward God.
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and [we] do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
And that “commandment” he’s talking about is spoken…it is not written. God is greater than your heart and He can speak to you as you move and live every day of your life – and if you begin to move in a direction you shouldn’t go, He is big enough to say “no” and get it across to you that He does not want you to go that direction. If your heart is not condemning you, then you have confidence toward God. What we read in Romans – yea or nay – the Lord moves you through the conscience. Back to the gospel of John, chapter 10, and let’s finish reading this about our Shepherd – verse 1, again:
John 10:1-5
1 ¶ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that [enters] not by the door into the sheepfold, but [climbs up another way – I’ve just put intellect or emotions], the same is a thief and a robber.
2 … he that [enters] in by the door [of the heart] is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the porter [or, the doorkeeper opens]; and the sheep hear his voice [By the way, the “doorkeeper” is you – it’s your heart]: [the sheep hear his voice and he calls] his own sheep by name [in other words, he reveals to you your character], and [he leads you] out [of confusion]. [He leads them out – out of the darkness into the light.]
4 … when he [puts] forth his own sheep, he [goes] before them, … the sheep follow him: [because] they know his voice.
5 … a stranger will they not follow, but [they’ll] flee from him: for they
know not the voice of strangers.
It is amazing the resistance I received in teaching the truth that you can hear
the voice of Christ and be led of Him. The scriptures are point blank – He
comes in through the door of your heart. You will not be led of another; you
will not be deceived by another, except it be a thief and a robber coming up
another way. People are so fearful of hearing God; they have made an idol out
of the bible. Think about it: The pages of your bible are made from “wood” –
it’s wood, and when people close their bibles, that “wood” is covered over with
“gold” or “silver” – it’s a modern day idol (Habakkuk 2:19-20). And they
will turn to the “wood” and they will say, “Teach me,” and what it amounts to is
they are teaching themselves. They are their own god. They’re
not listening to God to teach them – they’re taking their own interpretation of
the book.
HEARING GOD
I want to ask you to turn with me, first of all to James 1, and I want to just make a string of verses for you. James, chapter 1 – starting at verse 18:
James 1:18-21
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
19 ¶ Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, [and] slow to wrath:
20 For the wrath of man [works] not the righteousness of God.
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity [or abundance] of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Back to the question that I read to you from Galatians 3:
Galatians 3:5
5 He [who is ministering the Spirit to you], … [is he doing] it by the works of
the law, or … the hearing of faith?
It’s “the hearing of faith” – even as Abraham believed.
James 1:21
21 … receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your [soul].
He is talking about God speaking to you through the conscience. Be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath – Swift to hear the voice of God and receive that impression on the heart. Let’s turn to another verse – this one is in Isaiah, chapter 30, verse 21:
Isaiah 30:21
21 … [Your] ears shall hear a word behind [you], saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when [you] turn to the right hand, and when [you] turn to the left.
There is another scripture that ties in with Romans 2, being led of the Spirit through the conscience, having not the law but doing by nature the things contained in the law; when you start to go to the left or the right, hearing a word behind you saying this is the way, walk ye in it. I think of my daughters playing outside, or playing in the living room – I have set for them boundaries…they have learned their boundaries. When they begin to step out of the boundary, that is when they will hear me step outside and say, “Hey, don’t go there; don’t do that; be careful there.” You see, they don’t need to hear me every second of every minute, of every hour of every day. They need to learn their boundaries and they only need me when they begin to step out of the boundary, or if there’s something I want to teach them – something I want them to do, somewhere I want them to go, then they’ll hear me then. God is no different with you. As you live your life and you’ve learned your boundaries, you’ll hear God as He gives you instruction and as He keeps you from turning to the left or the right – it is the voice of our Savior to your heart; you can trust Him. You can learn to hear Him and you can trust Him. Now let’s take this another step. Let’s turn to 1 John, chapter 2 – reading from verse 24:
1 John 2:24
24 Let that therefore abide in you, which [you] have heard from the beginning. If that which [you] have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, [you] also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
The words “abide,” “remain,” and “continue” are all the same Greek word [3306], so I want to read this again and simply use the first word they’ve used – “abide.”
1 John 2:24
24 Let that therefore abide in you, which [you’ve] heard from the beginning. If that which [you] have heard from the beginning shall [abide] in you, [you shall abide] in the Son, and in the Father.
How many times have you used the phrase “in Christ” – being in Christ? All of my Christian life, every denomination I belonged to – they were all brothers in Christ, and yet none of them believed that you could hear God to the point of living your life daily in Jesus Christ. Everyone pointed to the book as being “the word of God.” Again, I’m not saying it isn’t the word, but the book coupled with hearing God through the conscience makes this “the word of God.” If you’re not listening to Him, this book is a book of death to you – you’re simply interpreting it yourself. John tells us: Let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If that which you’ve heard from the beginning shall abide in you, you will abide in the Son and in the Father.
Now, I’m going to read a verse that defines the beginning, and hearing God, but
let me ask you this question: If I want to get into a person, I ask them
questions; I enter into their thinking. I get them to speak about themselves
and their spirit, their thoughts, their understanding comes into me. I am in
them questioning; they are in me as they give me answers. If I let
that abide in me which I’ve heard, I’ll continue in the Son and in the Father.
See what He’s saying? As the Father speaks through the Son, the Son speaks to
me, bringing me truth – He is in me and I am abiding in Him.
BORN FROM ABOVE
Let’s turn to the gospel of John, chapter 3. I want to read verse 8 from a literal translation of this verse:
John 3:8 (More literal)
8 The Spirit breathes where He desires, and you hear His voice, but you do not know from where He comes, and where He goes: so is everyone who has received birth from the Spirit.
The King James has put:
John 3:8
8 The wind [blows] where it listeth, and [you hear] the sound [of it], but [cannot] tell whence [or from where] it [comes], and [where it goes]: so is every one …born of the Spirit.
Literally: The Spirit breathes where He desires, and you hear His voice, but you do not know from where He comes, and where He goes: so is everyone who has received birth from the Spirit. Now, I was told that when I cried out to God, and begged and pleaded and prayed for forgiveness, that that is when I was “born again,” but I challenge that. You’re “born again” when you begin to listen to the voice of God, and you come alive in Jesus Christ that way – you are born from above. Nicodemus was a “Pharisee” – he had come to Christ seeking answers. What is a Pharisee? A “Pharisee” is someone who lives according to the literal interpretation of the law, as they interpret it, as it’s been interpreted by their peers. Nicodemus was a Pharisee. Why was he a Pharisee? Had he become a Pharisee because he didn’t want to serve God? No – he wanted to serve God. He was serving God the only way he knew how. I’ve got to read a text that Christ said to the Pharisees so that I can apply that meaning to what we’re reading here in John, chapter 3. Turn to John 5, reading verse 39, Jesus says:
John 5:39-40
39 Search the scriptures; for in them [you think you] have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
40 And [you] will not come to me, that [you] might have life.
That is part of Christ’s message to a Pharisee – you think life is in this
book, but the book is telling you to come to me and you won’t come to me that
you might have life. When I first came to the Lord, I thought, too, that
life was in the book. I also thought, well, I’m coming to Jesus, too, but you
see, I wasn’t coming to Him to lead me in my life… I was coming to the book
to lead me in my life. If I did anything in my life, I had to turn to the book
to see if it was right or wrong. I wasn’t being taught to listen to my
conscience and learn to trust my conscience. I was taught to learn to trust
my interpretation of the book – that is a Pharisee. Nicodemus was a
Pharisee – Christ told that person, Except you be born from above, you will
never see the
I always thought it was interesting that He sent the apostles out, His disciples
out, preaching the gospel, yet not one of them understood His death – not
one of them believed that He would die and be raised again. When He would tell
them those things, they didn’t understand what He meant. They were out
proclaiming something other than His death. I’m telling you, “the gospel of the
kingdom” is a catch phrase for saying the understanding of God – seeing
it the way God sees it. He came to proclaim the good news of how God
understands this book. That is why He said, in Matthew 5: You’ve
been told don’t commit adultery; I tell you, if you even look on a woman and
lust in your heart, you’ve committed it. You see, He took that “outward”
law and put it inside your heart – that was the ministry of Christ, to
give us the understanding of God. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, living according to
the writings. Jesus said: Except you be born from above, you cannot see the
Your born again experience begins when you learn to listen to the voice of Jesus
Christ through your conscience and you learn to trust that and develop a hearing
ear, and you let that man be your shepherd and guide you through your life.
LED BY GOD
One point I’ve already read, when we looked at the Everlasting Covenant – I want to go back to Hebrews 8 and make this point again, and tie it in with 1 John about hearing the voice of God. Hebrews 8, I’m going to go ahead and read verse 10 again, just to set up the next verse:
Hebrews 8:10-11
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
Now, let’s go back to 1 John 2 and tie this in – let’s begin reading again at verse 24:
1 John 2:24-27
24 Let that therefore abide in you, which [you] … heard from the beginning. If that which [you] have heard from the beginning shall remain [or abide] in you, [you] also shall continue [or abide] in the Son, and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that he [has] promised us, … eternal life.
26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you [or that would lead you astray].
27 But the anointing which [you] have received of him [abides] in you, and [you] need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing [teaches] you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, … even as it [has] taught you, [you] shall abide in him. [King James put “him” – it’s it. You shall abide in it – in that teaching.]
What does he mean, “You have no need that any man teach you”? Ephesians, chapter 4, Paul tells us that God gives us apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. One thing those men all have in common is that they teach. So why would John say, Well, you have no need that any man teach you? Because what John is talking about is different than what Paul means. Paul, in Ephesians, is talking about men teaching us doctrinal things. John, on the other hand, in 1 John 2, is talking about the ways of life – how to live your life; what you should eat, what you should wear; what day you go to church on; how you raise your family; what you do in your daily life. You have no need that any man teach you – the anointing God has given you will lead and guide you. It will teach you; it will lead you into all things.
As a teacher, my responsibility toward you is to turn you toward Jesus Christ and help you recognize who that man is, and that He is the shepherd of the sheep – He Himself is being led of His Father, and as we let the Spirit of Christ move us, we are being led by God and you need not to have anybody teach you how to live your life. You are free in Jesus Christ. This doctrine is huge, if you’ll just consider it with me. Christ, Himself, is the shepherd of the sheep. I have no business telling you how to serve God, how to be a Christian – this is how you know God… See, this is what he said in that definition of the Everlasting Covenant: They shall not tell every man his neighbor, this is how you know God, because they’re all going to know Me. This is what it means to know Him – to listen to Him. Let’s read Isaiah 55, verse 3:
Isaiah 55:3
3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
The “sure mercies of David” are defined in Acts 13:34 as resurrection from death. Incline your ear unto God; listen to Him. He will make the Everlasting Covenant with you, where He writes on your mind and heart so that you need not to have any man teach you. And His promise to you is the sure mercies of David, the resurrection from the dead. Now when I talk about being raised from the dead, I know our minds go off into the future of a literal resurrection but I want you to consider it spiritually, because He will raise you from your death even now… Let me prove this to you – turn to Colossians, chapter 1, I want to begin reading at verse 12:
Colossians 1:12-13
12 ¶ Giving thanks unto the Father, which [has] made us [able] to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who [past tense – now get this… past tense, He’s delivered] us from the [authority] of darkness, and [has already] translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Are you waiting to be translated? The translation is now as we enter
into the abiding truth, letting the Spirit of Christ teach us – He translates us
into the
CLOSE
If you’re understanding what I’m saying, if you are grasping this truth, this must be one of the most exciting things to come along in a long time – to know we can hear God, live according to the conscience and trust Him to guide us into all truth. He is the shepherd – the doorkeeper will hear Him. He comes into the door of the heart…everyone else comes up another way. He is the shepherd of the sheep; He loves you; He will not deceive you – He will guide you through your conscience and keep you perfect, and keep you blameless unto that day. When He returns you can stand before Him, having already been with Him the entire time because He is the I AM – He is with you now. He is speaking to your heart now and when He returns, your attitude will be…You know, you’ve been here all along; you’ve been walking with Him every step of the way, having a born again experience.
I’ve got to say, when I go into some of these denominational churches, I see death. Those people sitting on those pews manifest death to me, and I finally realized that it’s because they are. They might have had a conversion experience where they turned to God and asked for forgiveness, but they have not learned of the second birth – entering into the abiding truth and being born from above, because when you do that, all of a sudden you’ll discover – Hey, I don’t need this creed; I don’t need you people telling me how to serve Christ. He is going to guide me…He is going to teach me. You don’t want to turn your backs on the gifts He gives the church in apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers – He is using men, giving them truth and sending them out to declare to the world the gospel, but their gospel to you should set you free and make God, God… make Jesus Christ your Lord and your Savior – not the book. He can use the book to guide you, but it’s only as He moves in your heart. He will set you free; He will guide you into all truth – He is the only begotten Son of God.
Let’s enter into that truth with Him and let Him be our Savior – let Him be our Master, let Him be glorified through all eternity and the Father be glorified in His Son.
*~*~*
Ascending from the
east,
Having the seal
Of the living God