If you love someone but you never tell them, that relationship is in trouble. And God is trying to tell you how much he loves you.

How do you (personally) know that God loves you?

If we are going to hear from God, we have to be open to listening for his voice.
We already talked about hearing God’s voice through scripture, creation, gifted teachers, the family of faith and the indwelling spirit. But sometimes God’s voice is heard in surprising ways.

Be open to the possibility of God sending messages from angels.

Share some stories from scripture where an angel talks to someone.

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? —Hebrews 1:14 (NIV)

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. —Hebrews 14:2 (NIV)

What does Hebrews tells us about receiving messages from angels?

Be open to the possibility of God sending messages through visions and dreams.

Share some stories from scripture where God sent messages through dreams.

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. —Acts 2:17 (NIV)

What is this passage telling us about visions and dreams?

Be open to the possibility of God sending messages through prophetic words.

Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good. —1 Thessalonians 5:19–21 (NIV)

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. … 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. —1 Corinthians 14:1,3 (NIV)

What do these passages tell us about prophetic words?
What is the difference between prophets and the gift of prophecy?

But, how do we know it is a word from the Lord and not just someone using “God told me” as a trump card for their agenda? Paul says to “test them”… So as we close, here are 3 tests.

1.A message from God will line up with Scripture.

They received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. —Acts 17:11b (NIV)

What are some practical steps you can take to discern if a prophetic word aligns with scripture?

2.A message from God will lift up His Son.

I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. —John 15:26 (NLT)

If you ever hear a word that diminishes or detracts from Jesus, that is not a word from the Lord.

3.A message from God will build up the body.

Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. —1 Cor 14:26b (NIV)

Why might the ability to hear God’s voice be essential for the health of the church?