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When God Speaks

When God Speaks
Words of Faith 1-4-17
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2017
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
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John 12
[27] "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. [28] Father, glorify your name!"
Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." [29] The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
[30] Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. [31] Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. [32] But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." [33] He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

“Father, glorify your name!"
"I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."
Wow. The voice of God. What does the voice of God sound like? In most instances, the voice of God is not audible to many at the same time. God more often speaks through the still small voice of the heart or even through the voice of the prophet. But in some cases an audible sound is heard and even heard by many.
When the children of Israel heard the voice of God together at Mt. Sinai, they found it too terrible to behold and asked for a prophet to bring God’s words instead!
In this case, a crowd including some Greeks heard the voice of God together and there is every indication that this was an audible sound. Some thought this sound might have been thunder while others the voice of an angel. It is interesting that even when God speaks clearly and loudly only some have “ears to hear”.
Jesus made it clear that this divine pronouncement was not for His benefit. It was for the benefit of those listening. Even though He was deeply troubled by what was ahead Jesus was already quite familiar with the voice of God.
Jesus made three powerful statements in response to the Word from the Lord. You can absolutely count on all three.
1) The world is about to be judged.
2) The prince of this world will be driven out.
3) When I am lifted up, I will draw all men to myself.
Jesus was very focused concerning His mission. I have sometimes heard this verse quoted as an exhortation for believers to “Lift Jesus up”. The message is often preached that if we will lift Jesus up, He will draw all men to Himself. It has a good ring to it but that is not what this text says.
John is clear that Jesus was speaking of the manner of His own death. Such a personal interpretation would exhort us that if we will crucify (lift up) Jesus, then He will draw all men to Himself. That is not the call of God even if it makes a catchy phrase.
In fact, all three of these purposeful intentions are wholly the work of Jesus by the power of God. Jesus will now judge the world. Jesus will drive out the prince of this world. Jesus will surrender to be “lifted up” on a cross and in doing so will usher in a time of great harvest evangelism. He will draw people to Himself.
To be clear, these three things belong to Jesus. He will judge the world, not us. He will drive out the prince of this world, not us. He will draw all men to Himself through His being lifted up.
Are we listening for the voice of God? God speaks to us in this day first and foremost through His Word. His Scripture speaks to us if we will listen.
He also speaks through ministers, writers, and friends as they open the Word and even bring the prophetic gift. He speaks through the still small voice of the heart. He may certainly speak audibly even if that is rare. Of course, we should test anything we “hear” against the revelation of Scripture but then we should walk in the truth He reveals.

Lord, speak to Your people. Glorify Your Name. We are listening. Give us ears to hear and hearts to obey in faith. In Jesus’ name.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2002, 2017
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.