Understanding Divine Communication and Spiritual Authority

Devotional

Day 1: The Audible Voice of Angels

Angels in the Bible often communicate audibly, which challenges some historical views that they only use mental impressions. This understanding encourages believers to critically evaluate commentaries and align their understanding with Scripture. The Bible provides numerous examples of angels speaking directly to humans, emphasizing the importance of discerning truth through the lens of Scripture. By doing so, believers can ensure that their understanding of spiritual matters is grounded in biblical truth. [10:21]

"And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, 'I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.'" (Exodus 3:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt God was communicating with you. How did you discern whether it was truly from Him, and how can you apply this discernment to future experiences?

Day 2: The Primacy of Scripture in Hearing God's Voice

While God can speak in various ways, the Bible is the primary source of His voice. Seeking revelation outside of Scripture can lead to error, emphasizing the need for discernment and alignment with biblical truth. The Bible serves as the ultimate authority and standard against which all other revelations must be measured. This approach helps believers avoid deception and ensures that their spiritual experiences align with God's truth. [19:23]

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules." (Psalm 119:105-106, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize reading and meditating on Scripture this week to better hear God's voice in your life?

Day 3: The Consistent Grace of God

The concept of grace is consistent throughout the Bible, representing God's unmerited favor. While the New Testament provides a more developed understanding, the essence of grace remains the same across both Testaments. This continuity highlights God's unwavering love and mercy towards humanity, encouraging believers to embrace grace as a foundational aspect of their faith. Understanding grace in both the Old and New Testaments allows believers to appreciate the depth of God's love and the transformative power of His favor. [23:22]

"But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" (James 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: How can you extend the grace you have received from God to someone in your life who may not deserve it?

Day 4: The Historical Value of the Apocrypha

While the Apocrypha offers historical insights, it is not considered inspired Scripture. It can be useful for understanding historical context but should not be equated with the canonical Bible. Recognizing the Apocrypha's role helps believers appreciate its historical value while maintaining a clear distinction between inspired Scripture and other writings. This understanding encourages believers to approach the Apocrypha with discernment, using it as a tool for historical insight rather than doctrinal authority. [24:54]

"These are the words of the covenant that the Lord commanded Moses to make with the people of Israel in the land of Moab, besides the covenant that he had made with them at Horeb." (Deuteronomy 29:1, ESV)

Reflection: How can you use historical writings, like the Apocrypha, to enhance your understanding of the Bible without confusing them with inspired Scripture?

Day 5: Exercising Spiritual Gifts with Humility

Titles like "apostle" or "prophet" can create unnecessary hierarchies and misunderstandings. Spiritual gifts should be exercised humbly, judged by the community, and always aligned with Scripture. This approach fosters a spirit of humility and accountability within the church, ensuring that spiritual gifts are used for the edification of the body of Christ. By focusing on the exercise of spiritual gifts rather than titles, believers can contribute to a healthy and vibrant church community. [34:46]

"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching." (Romans 12:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What spiritual gift has God given you, and how can you use it humbly to serve your church community this week?

Sermon Summary

In today's session, I addressed a variety of questions and topics, beginning with a discussion on the nature of angelic communication. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 13:1, we explored the concept of the "tongues of angels" and how angels communicate both audibly and non-verbally. While some historical commentators, like Matthew Poole, suggested that angels communicate through mental impressions rather than audible speech, the biblical record shows numerous instances where angels speak clearly to humans. This highlights the importance of critically engaging with biblical commentaries and always comparing their insights with Scripture.

We also delved into the significance of seeking God's voice primarily through the Bible rather than through angels or other supernatural means. While God can communicate in various ways, the Bible remains the ultimate authority and standard against which all other revelations must be measured. This is crucial to avoid deception and ensure that our spiritual experiences align with God's truth.

Additionally, we touched on the role of grace in the Old and New Testaments, noting that while the concept is more developed in the New Testament, it remains consistent throughout Scripture as God's unmerited favor. We also discussed the Apocrypha, recognizing its historical value but affirming that it does not hold the same inspired status as the canonical books of the Bible.

Finally, we addressed the contemporary issue of self-proclaimed apostles and prophets. While the gifts of the Spirit are active today, taking on titles like "apostle" or "prophet" can lead to misunderstandings and elevate individuals inappropriately. Instead, we should focus on exercising spiritual gifts humbly and allowing them to be judged by the community of believers.

Key Takeaways

1. Angelic Communication: Angels in the Bible often communicate audibly, contradicting some historical views that they only use mental impressions. This reminds us to critically evaluate commentaries and always align our understanding with Scripture. [10:21]
2. Seeking God's Voice: While God can speak in various ways, the Bible is the primary source of His voice. Seeking revelation outside of Scripture can lead to error, emphasizing the need for discernment and alignment with biblical truth. [19:23]
3. Understanding Grace: The concept of grace is consistent throughout the Bible, representing God's unmerited favor. The New Testament provides a more developed understanding, but the essence remains the same across both Testaments. [23:22]
4. Role of the Apocrypha: While the Apocrypha offers historical insights, it is not considered inspired Scripture. It can be useful for understanding historical context but should not be equated with the canonical Bible. [24:54]
5. Modern-Day Apostles and Prophets: Titles like "apostle" or "prophet" can create unnecessary hierarchies and misunderstandings. Spiritual gifts should be exercised humbly, judged by the community, and always aligned with Scripture. [34:46]
** [34:46]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction and Program Overview
[01:13] - Current Events and Biblical Perspective
[02:32] - Addressing Racial Tensions
[03:51] - Basics of Christian Life
[05:17] - Lead Question: How Do Angels Speak?
[07:24] - 1 Corinthians 13:1 and Angelic Tongues
[09:00] - Matthew Poole's Commentary on Angels
[10:21] - Biblical Evidence of Angelic Speech
[12:08] - Evaluating Bible Commentaries
[14:11] - Quoting Commentaries in My Work
[17:26] - Seeking Angelic Revelation
[19:23] - The Bible as God's Voice
[22:56] - Grace in the Old and New Testaments
[24:36] - The Apocrypha and Its Role
[34:46] - Modern-Day Apostles and Prophets

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1 Corinthians 13:1
Luke 1:26-38 (Gabriel speaking to Mary)
Daniel 10:10-14 (Angel speaking to Daniel)

---

Observation Questions:

According to 1 Corinthians 13:1, what does Paul imply about the "tongues of angels"? How does this relate to the way angels communicate in the Bible? [07:24]
In the sermon, what examples were given of angels speaking audibly to humans? How does this challenge Matthew Poole's commentary on angelic communication? [10:21]
How does the sermon describe the role of the Bible in seeking God's voice compared to other supernatural means? [19:23]
What is the significance of the Apocrypha according to the sermon, and how does it differ from the canonical books of the Bible? [24:54]

---

Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of "tongues of angels" in 1 Corinthians 13:1 influence our understanding of spiritual communication? What might Paul be suggesting about the nature of love in this context? [07:24]
The sermon emphasizes the Bible as the primary source of God's voice. Why is it important to measure all spiritual experiences against Scripture? What are the potential dangers of seeking revelation outside of the Bible? [19:23]
Discuss the consistency of the concept of grace throughout the Old and New Testaments. How does the sermon explain the development of this concept in the New Testament? [23:22]
What are the potential issues with self-proclaimed apostles and prophets in the modern church, as discussed in the sermon? How should spiritual gifts be exercised according to the sermon? [34:46]

---

Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you relied on a commentary or external source for understanding Scripture. How can you ensure that your understanding aligns with the Bible itself? [12:08]
Have you ever sought spiritual guidance outside of the Bible? What steps can you take to prioritize Scripture as your primary source of God's voice? [19:23]
The sermon discusses the role of grace as God's unmerited favor. How have you experienced grace in your life, and how can you extend that grace to others this week? [23:22]
How do you view the Apocrypha in your personal study? What historical insights have you gained from it, and how do you differentiate it from canonical Scripture? [24:54]
Consider the role of spiritual gifts in your life. How can you exercise these gifts humbly and ensure they are judged by your community of believers? [34:46]
Reflect on the titles "apostle" or "prophet" within your church community. How can you encourage a focus on humility and service rather than titles and hierarchy? [34:46]
Identify a specific way you can engage with the Bible more deeply this week. Is there a particular book or passage you feel led to study, and how will you approach it? [19:23]

Sermon Clips

I think that in basic our message as Christians is simple. I'm not saying this is the only message but right now we just need to give more attention to the basics and the fundamentals of the Christian life than ever: being true followers of Jesus Christ, to put our trust in him, to not put our trust in ourselves or in human institutions but to put our trust in him, our hope in him, to love God and to love one another. [00:03:48]

So please notice there Paul mentions the tongues of men and of angels implying that there is some kind of angelic language. Now we got to be carefully don't make too much out of this, this isn't Paul's main point at all but at least he does make at least a clearer side mention tongues of men. Now tongues simply means languages in some contexts. [00:07:45]

The Bible has many many instances in it on earth where angels appear in some way on earth and they speak to human beings. It's also the idea here that that we know that angels in some way speak or sing or proclaim in heaven when Isaiah went to heaven when John went to heaven. [00:10:21]

When we read a Bible commentator including myself, David Guzik, when we read a Bible commentary we should not immediately surrender to their opinions. We should not immediately lie down before them and say oh you're a Bible commentator I'm not you must be right and I must be wrong. [00:11:59]

We should not seek for angels to speak to us. This is vain and foolish and it will lead to many serious errors if go around seeking for angels to speak to us. My dear brothers and sisters do not pray Oh Lord would you send an angel to speak to me, do not ask some angelic being to say no. [00:17:37]

The only place to seek God's voice is in the Bible and if someone believes that God has spoken to them in some other way, an angel spoke something to me a God spoke something to me by his Spirit it needs to be carefully judged against the Bible and by the wisdom of God's people. [00:18:26]

Yes Peter I would just say this there's not a contradiction between the ideas of grace in the Old Testament and in the New Testament but the terminology isn't exactly the same and the idea in the New Testament is much more developed but basically the idea of grace in the New Testament is that this is the favor of God. [00:22:56]

I don't regard the Apocrypha as inspired Scripture the way that I regard the old and the New Testaments inspired Scripture they are helpful books they're useful books they're not necessarily bad books but I don't regard them as being what the fancy word in theology is canonical they don't belong to the Old Testament canon. [00:24:36]

I find that when people start to take to themselves or receive from others the title of profit or apostle it changes how other people relate to them maybe that change is desired maybe it's not desired but I think it's real nevertheless you would have to admit that there's a big difference between me introducing myself two years hi I'm David or hi I'm prophet David. [00:33:53]

I think that no one today should take to themselves the title of apostle or prophet it makes things weird and even if it doesn't make some somebody weird in themselves it makes other people with let's say that I am so pure in my own heart and mind that I can take the title apostle apostle David and not get weird in myself. [00:40:34]

I believe that God is able to communicate with us in a way that simply bypasses our biological ears. Think about what the whole mechanism of hearing is I speak sound waves go out those sound waves impact your eardrum there's some machinery in there that God has brilliantly designed that converts that vibration of the eardrum to what we might call some kind of electrical impulse. [00:35:52]

I think again this is a trap the desire to audibly hear the voice of God we have God's voice speaking to us loud and clear in the Bible and and that's what we should put our rest in whether or not the Old Testament prophets or others I think that we should normally think that God did not speak to them like a voice in the air except where it says that he did. [00:37:45]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?