Learning from God

Text: Habakkuk 2:20

 

I.         If God is the only true God and the Bible is His teachings

            A.        Then truth and error are as distinct as light and dark - I John 1:5; James 1:17-18

            B.        We will face our God to be judged - Romans 2:6

II.        Can we then decide what parts of God’s teachings are relevant and which can be safely skipped?

            A.        This is how most changes start.

                        1.         “It’s not a salvation issue”

            B.        Some issue is then relegated to the category of not essential or unimportant

                        1.         The organization of the church

                        2.         The role of women in church leadership

                        3.         The use of instrumental music in worship

            C.        Truth becomes relative to the individual. “My truth is not your truth.”

            D.        Who determines this? - Romans 11:33-36

                        1.         Who among men has the wisdom to advise God?

                        2.         Who can, by their own wisdom, speak about what God intends?

                        3.         We cannot even guide our own steps - Jeremiah 10:23

                        4.         We don’t think the way God thinks - Isaiah 55:8-9

III.       Habakkuk was upset with God’s plans - Habakkuk 1:13

            A.        He decided to wait for God’s answer and figure out how to reply when God surely rebuked him - Habakkuk 2:1

            B.        God explained to Habakkuk His reasoning and purpose

            C.        The conclusion is that world needs to be silent before God - Habakkuk 2:20

IV.      Did God give any non-essential command?

            A.        Did He tell people to do things that are not necessary?

            B.        Agur pointed out that God knows what He is doing - Proverbs 30:5-6

            C.        God has spoken and said it would not change - Jude 3

V.        Learning requires listening. Listening requires quietness on our part so we can truly hear what God is saying

            A.        Too often we want our say because we are mad - James 1:19-20

            B.        We get impatient - Psalms 4:3-5

            C.        We get too emotional

                        1.         Elihu was a prophet of God. His wise words come from God and not himself - Job 33:1-4

                        2.         Job had made some mistakes because of his emotional response to his situation and his friends’ bad counsel

                        3.         However, he need to listen so God could justify him - Job 33:31-33

            D.        Now is the time to listen and learn from God. Now is to apply His teaching to your life.