Surprises, Part 2 // Pastor Brad Johnson

California Community Church

WHAT CATCHES THE EYE AND HEART OF GOD? Part 7 Surprises-part two 1. IT’S SURPRISING THAT GOD SPEAKS TO US Deism and Theism Deism suggests--God created the world much like clock maker would create a clock, and God wound it up and tossed it out into the universe to just let it run on its own. Theism suggests--God created the world much like a Father with children and He remains intimately involved with His creation. “God SAID, ‘Let there be light and there was light…’” Genesis 1:3 “Long ago God SPOKE many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets.” Hebrews 1:1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God,and the Word was God…So the Word became human and made his home among us.” John 1:1, 14 I MUST BE READY 2. IT’S SURPRISING HOW GOD SPEAKS TO US God speaks through the Bible The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point. 2 Timothy 3:16 Get a modern translation of the Bible and Read it. God speaks through gifted teachers When we preached to you, you didn’t think of the words as being just our own, but you accepted it as the very Word of God -- which, of course, it was -- and it changed your lives. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 We do not speak in words taught by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, as we explain spiritual truths. 1 Corinthians 2:13 Make Sunday a priority...be here every week when possible God speaks through quiet promptings The Holy Spirit will be your teacher and will bring to your mind all that I have said to you. John 14:26 11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. 13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:11-13 “Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10 To hear God’s still voice, I must get still 3. IT’S SURPRISING WHEN GOD SPEAKS TO US God Speaks IN PAIN Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways. Proverbs 20:30 God Speaks ON TIME The Lesson from Murline: God is not always on our time, but God is always on time! Story of Lazarus--John 11