Creekside Church || Wasilla, AK
07.20.25 || HEARING GOD'S VOICE pt1 || Reading & Studying God's Word
Weekly Sermon Notes
Locations & Times
Creekside Church || Wasilla, AK
2201 S Knik-Goose Bay Rd, Wasilla, AK 99654, USA
Thursday 9:00 AM
Thursday 11:00 AM
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INTRODUCTION…
Today we are starting a new series to help us grow to maturity as a disciple. As we have defined it...a disciple is a person who is abiding in Jesus, being transformed by Jesus and living on mission with Jesus…and in order to do that, we believe there are certain disciplines that need to be practiced so that we might grow to maturity. For those of you who have grown up in the church, most of this will not be new to you…but again…our goal is not to “know” what to do, but to actually do it! That was what John was getting at in our last series in 1 John. So I thought it would be good to take a few weeks and talk specifically about the things we need to practice, at a minimum, to grow in obedience and maturity as a disciple.
These ‘habits’ are sometimes referred to as ‘spiritual disciplines’, but for our purposes I am going to call them “Habits of Grace”. I got this title from a great book by the same name by David Mathis, and I will be using it as a resource to guide us through this series. We will take the next 7 weeks to walk through three major areas:
1. HEARING GOD’S VOICE: God’s Word
- wk1 centrality/reading/studying
- wk2 meditating/listening/memorizing
2. HAVING GOD’S EAR: Prayer
- wk1 praying in secret & with others
- wk2 fasting/silence/solitude/journaling.
3. BELONGING TO GOD’S PEOPLE: Importance of the Body of Christ
- wk1 generosity living selfless lives times talent treasures
- wk2 fellowship (MC, DNA, Sunday, For The One) life on life, life in community, life on mission
- wk3 worship living all of life for the glory of God
Today we are starting a new series to help us grow to maturity as a disciple. As we have defined it...a disciple is a person who is abiding in Jesus, being transformed by Jesus and living on mission with Jesus…and in order to do that, we believe there are certain disciplines that need to be practiced so that we might grow to maturity. For those of you who have grown up in the church, most of this will not be new to you…but again…our goal is not to “know” what to do, but to actually do it! That was what John was getting at in our last series in 1 John. So I thought it would be good to take a few weeks and talk specifically about the things we need to practice, at a minimum, to grow in obedience and maturity as a disciple.
These ‘habits’ are sometimes referred to as ‘spiritual disciplines’, but for our purposes I am going to call them “Habits of Grace”. I got this title from a great book by the same name by David Mathis, and I will be using it as a resource to guide us through this series. We will take the next 7 weeks to walk through three major areas:
1. HEARING GOD’S VOICE: God’s Word
- wk1 centrality/reading/studying
- wk2 meditating/listening/memorizing
2. HAVING GOD’S EAR: Prayer
- wk1 praying in secret & with others
- wk2 fasting/silence/solitude/journaling.
3. BELONGING TO GOD’S PEOPLE: Importance of the Body of Christ
- wk1 generosity living selfless lives times talent treasures
- wk2 fellowship (MC, DNA, Sunday, For The One) life on life, life in community, life on mission
- wk3 worship living all of life for the glory of God
1. WHY IS GOD’S WORD IMPORTANT?…(CENTRALITY/IMPORTANCE)
— THERE ARE LOTS OF VOICES:
competing voices, deceptive, evil... 2 TIM 3:13“13 Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived.” We have been warned that there are deceptive voices that lure us into temptations, distort the truth and desire to destroy the work of God in our life and world. The Bible gives us the direction, instruction and guidance we need to live in obedience to God. It should be the primary ‘voice’ in our life.
— THE BIBLE IS TRULY A UNIQUE AND SPECIAL BOOK:
66 books (39ot/27nt), 40 different authors, written in 3 languages (Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic) over 1500 years…amazing! There is no book like it. And like the Psalmist, we need the light of the Word to give us direction
PSA 119:105“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.”
— THE BIBLE IS INSPIRED/GOD BREATHED:
2 TIM 3:14-17 “14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, 15 and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
- INSPIRED…God-breathed: At times, when we use the term “inspire,” we mean “motivate”; e.g. he was inspired to write that book. At other times, we mean “encourage”; e.g., her singing was inspiring. However, when we say that “all Scripture is inspired by God,” we don’t mean either of those things. What we really mean is that “all Scripture is breathed out by God.” The term "inspiration" in relation to Scripture comes from the Greek word “theopneustos,” meaning "God-breathed". This implies that the Bible originates from God's very being, not just human ideas or creativity.
- The Holy Spirit's Role: The Holy Spirit guided the human authors, ensuring that their writings accurately conveyed God's message. This guidance didn't override the authors' personalities, styles, or the historical contexts in which they wrote.
- Divine and Human Authorship: The Bible is both a divine work and a human one. God is the ultimate author, but He used human authors with their unique perspectives and abilities to write His Word.
- Accuracy and Authority: Because of this inspiration, the Bible is considered accurate and authoritative as a revelation of God's truth. It's a reliable source of information about God, humanity, and how to live in a way that pleases God.
— THE BIBLE IS THE PRIMARY WAY GOD SPEAKS TO US:
God speaks through people and he speaks through our circumstances but primarily he speaks through his written Word, the Bible.
- THE WORD: — Jesus is the LIVING WORD made Flesh — JN 1:14 — The Gospel is the PROCLAIMED WORD — Scripture/Bible is the preserved WRITTEN WORD that keeps us aligned with the Truth.
Example as Jesus was being tempted:
MT 4:1-4“1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 Then the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”word that comes from the mouth of God.”
God’s instruction to Joshua:
Joshua 1:8“This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.”
Additional Instructions from the NT:
COL 3:12-17“12 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. 14 Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
HEB 4:12“12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
1 PET 2:1-3“1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, 3 if you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
2 PET 3:18“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.”
— THE BIBLE IS IMPORTANT AND WE SHOULD MAKE ROOM FOR IT IN OUR DAILY LIVES: The Holy Spirit works through God’s Word to grow us, feed us, correct us and sustain us.
--> The Bible is not just for INFORMATION…it is for TRANSFORMATION!
And as a disciple, transformation is one of the goals of our maturity! So the Bible has to be a central part of that!
— THERE ARE LOTS OF VOICES:
competing voices, deceptive, evil... 2 TIM 3:13“13 Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived.” We have been warned that there are deceptive voices that lure us into temptations, distort the truth and desire to destroy the work of God in our life and world. The Bible gives us the direction, instruction and guidance we need to live in obedience to God. It should be the primary ‘voice’ in our life.
— THE BIBLE IS TRULY A UNIQUE AND SPECIAL BOOK:
66 books (39ot/27nt), 40 different authors, written in 3 languages (Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic) over 1500 years…amazing! There is no book like it. And like the Psalmist, we need the light of the Word to give us direction
PSA 119:105“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.”
— THE BIBLE IS INSPIRED/GOD BREATHED:
2 TIM 3:14-17 “14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, 15 and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
- INSPIRED…God-breathed: At times, when we use the term “inspire,” we mean “motivate”; e.g. he was inspired to write that book. At other times, we mean “encourage”; e.g., her singing was inspiring. However, when we say that “all Scripture is inspired by God,” we don’t mean either of those things. What we really mean is that “all Scripture is breathed out by God.” The term "inspiration" in relation to Scripture comes from the Greek word “theopneustos,” meaning "God-breathed". This implies that the Bible originates from God's very being, not just human ideas or creativity.
- The Holy Spirit's Role: The Holy Spirit guided the human authors, ensuring that their writings accurately conveyed God's message. This guidance didn't override the authors' personalities, styles, or the historical contexts in which they wrote.
- Divine and Human Authorship: The Bible is both a divine work and a human one. God is the ultimate author, but He used human authors with their unique perspectives and abilities to write His Word.
- Accuracy and Authority: Because of this inspiration, the Bible is considered accurate and authoritative as a revelation of God's truth. It's a reliable source of information about God, humanity, and how to live in a way that pleases God.
— THE BIBLE IS THE PRIMARY WAY GOD SPEAKS TO US:
God speaks through people and he speaks through our circumstances but primarily he speaks through his written Word, the Bible.
- THE WORD: — Jesus is the LIVING WORD made Flesh — JN 1:14 — The Gospel is the PROCLAIMED WORD — Scripture/Bible is the preserved WRITTEN WORD that keeps us aligned with the Truth.
Example as Jesus was being tempted:
MT 4:1-4“1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 Then the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”word that comes from the mouth of God.”
God’s instruction to Joshua:
Joshua 1:8“This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.”
Additional Instructions from the NT:
COL 3:12-17“12 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. 14 Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
HEB 4:12“12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
1 PET 2:1-3“1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, 3 if you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
2 PET 3:18“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.”
— THE BIBLE IS IMPORTANT AND WE SHOULD MAKE ROOM FOR IT IN OUR DAILY LIVES: The Holy Spirit works through God’s Word to grow us, feed us, correct us and sustain us.
--> The Bible is not just for INFORMATION…it is for TRANSFORMATION!
And as a disciple, transformation is one of the goals of our maturity! So the Bible has to be a central part of that!
2. TWO PRIMARY WAYS TO PUT GOD’S WORD IN OUR LIFE…
- Q: If God wrote you a letter everyday, would you read it? Truth is…he has given us His Word…how should we approach reading it?
- The Art of Bible Reading:
Bible study is not just a science—it is also an art. Good readers don’t just follow formulas; they grow in skill through practice. Ask the Spirit to help you see the beauty of Christ in the Scriptures
PSA 119:18“Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wondrous things from your instruction.”
- Jesus Himself showed how to read Scripture spiritually and with eyes that look for Jesus being revealed. When Jesus was addressing the religious leaders after healing the disabled man, he told them Moses wrote about him..
JN 5:41-4741 “I do not accept glory from people, 42 but I know you — that you have no love for God within you. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and yet you don’t accept me. If someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe, since you accept glory from one another but don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. 47 But if you don’t believe what he wrote, how will you believe my words? ”
- Let’s consider two different ways we can learn from the Bible…David Mathis uses the analogy of ‘raking the leaves’ to ‘digging for diamonds’. We should strive to do both!
—> Rake the Leaves…“READ” the Bible for BREADTH to see the BIG PICTURE…
- Breadth is like surveying the biblical landscape…reading full books of the Bible or large sections at a time
- Reading like this helps you see God’s ongoing love story (Beyond the Beginning sermon series as an example), seeing his promises and patterns unfold
- It trains us to think with the mind of Christ and see how the whole Bible points to Jesus…Jesus did just this with the disciples after he rose from the dead on the way to Emmaus
LK 24:27“27 Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures.”
- Jesus had a holistic view of Scripture. He affirmed the Old Testament as authoritative scripture by using it and quoting it and also laid the groundwork for the New Testament by teaching his disciples and commissioning them to spread his message. He validated the Old Testament through his teachings and actions, referencing its prophecies and narratives, and He also established the foundation for the New Testament by instructing his followers and promising the Holy Spirit to guide them in their understanding.
BREADTH IDEAS:
A. Reading on your own—even a few minutes—compounds spiritual transformation over time…Lots of Bible Reading Plans (in App and Web Page…8 different options)
B. Listen to Bible on commute or while doing chores(mow the lawn, exercising, before you go to sleep)
C. Read with a friend, spouse, MC(DNA Ephesians)
- This type of reading is probably without pen and journal, most likely on the go or when time doesn’t allow you to dig deep. || this type of bible reading is acceptable, it counts, and is important in the overall input of God’s word into your life.
—> Dig for Diamonds…“STUDY” the Bible for DEPTH…
- It is also important for us to study deeply to understand and apply God’s word. This is not a quick read or skim, it is an intentional reading of the word that takes time, effort and if you are like me, a journal and a pencil! (Or tablet if you like digital)
- Depth is slowing down and drilling into the Word like a miner searching for treasure. You might study a large portion of scripture or maybe only one verse, but as you take time to drill down you can pull out profound truths for your life.
REAP METHOD: We like to encourage you to use the REAP method every time you study the Bible. (Back of Weekly). This type of in-depth study involves reading, observation, interpretation, and application—often called “inductive study.” There are lots of acronyms that help in remembering the steps…we use REAP:
R=READ: Pick a text and read it. It can be a long or short passage or even one verse. The goal is to really unpack what is written. Which leads us to step two…
E=Examine: After reading, we need to examine the text by asking specific questions. Here are a few to ask…1. What does this bible verse/passage tell us about who God is and what God does/did? 2. What does this bible verse/passage tell us about who we are and what we did or should do?
A=Apply: Ask these two questions…1. What do you hear Jesus saying to you? 2. What does Jesus want you to do?
P=Pray: spend time after reading to pray through the things you learned, were challenged to do, repent of or encouraged by. Then, by the power of the Holy Spirit…Obey! And by way of accountability and proclamation, tell someone about it!
REAP Ephesians 1:1-14 as an example
- Q: If God wrote you a letter everyday, would you read it? Truth is…he has given us His Word…how should we approach reading it?
- The Art of Bible Reading:
Bible study is not just a science—it is also an art. Good readers don’t just follow formulas; they grow in skill through practice. Ask the Spirit to help you see the beauty of Christ in the Scriptures
PSA 119:18“Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wondrous things from your instruction.”
- Jesus Himself showed how to read Scripture spiritually and with eyes that look for Jesus being revealed. When Jesus was addressing the religious leaders after healing the disabled man, he told them Moses wrote about him..
JN 5:41-4741 “I do not accept glory from people, 42 but I know you — that you have no love for God within you. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and yet you don’t accept me. If someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe, since you accept glory from one another but don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. 47 But if you don’t believe what he wrote, how will you believe my words? ”
- Let’s consider two different ways we can learn from the Bible…David Mathis uses the analogy of ‘raking the leaves’ to ‘digging for diamonds’. We should strive to do both!
—> Rake the Leaves…“READ” the Bible for BREADTH to see the BIG PICTURE…
- Breadth is like surveying the biblical landscape…reading full books of the Bible or large sections at a time
- Reading like this helps you see God’s ongoing love story (Beyond the Beginning sermon series as an example), seeing his promises and patterns unfold
- It trains us to think with the mind of Christ and see how the whole Bible points to Jesus…Jesus did just this with the disciples after he rose from the dead on the way to Emmaus
LK 24:27“27 Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures.”
- Jesus had a holistic view of Scripture. He affirmed the Old Testament as authoritative scripture by using it and quoting it and also laid the groundwork for the New Testament by teaching his disciples and commissioning them to spread his message. He validated the Old Testament through his teachings and actions, referencing its prophecies and narratives, and He also established the foundation for the New Testament by instructing his followers and promising the Holy Spirit to guide them in their understanding.
BREADTH IDEAS:
A. Reading on your own—even a few minutes—compounds spiritual transformation over time…Lots of Bible Reading Plans (in App and Web Page…8 different options)
B. Listen to Bible on commute or while doing chores(mow the lawn, exercising, before you go to sleep)
C. Read with a friend, spouse, MC(DNA Ephesians)
- This type of reading is probably without pen and journal, most likely on the go or when time doesn’t allow you to dig deep. || this type of bible reading is acceptable, it counts, and is important in the overall input of God’s word into your life.
—> Dig for Diamonds…“STUDY” the Bible for DEPTH…
- It is also important for us to study deeply to understand and apply God’s word. This is not a quick read or skim, it is an intentional reading of the word that takes time, effort and if you are like me, a journal and a pencil! (Or tablet if you like digital)
- Depth is slowing down and drilling into the Word like a miner searching for treasure. You might study a large portion of scripture or maybe only one verse, but as you take time to drill down you can pull out profound truths for your life.
REAP METHOD: We like to encourage you to use the REAP method every time you study the Bible. (Back of Weekly). This type of in-depth study involves reading, observation, interpretation, and application—often called “inductive study.” There are lots of acronyms that help in remembering the steps…we use REAP:
R=READ: Pick a text and read it. It can be a long or short passage or even one verse. The goal is to really unpack what is written. Which leads us to step two…
E=Examine: After reading, we need to examine the text by asking specific questions. Here are a few to ask…1. What does this bible verse/passage tell us about who God is and what God does/did? 2. What does this bible verse/passage tell us about who we are and what we did or should do?
A=Apply: Ask these two questions…1. What do you hear Jesus saying to you? 2. What does Jesus want you to do?
P=Pray: spend time after reading to pray through the things you learned, were challenged to do, repent of or encouraged by. Then, by the power of the Holy Spirit…Obey! And by way of accountability and proclamation, tell someone about it!
REAP Ephesians 1:1-14 as an example
3. NEXT STEPS FOR YOU…
- Bible reading is not magic, but something supernatural happens when we engage God’s Word in faith.
- The Holy Spirit makes the Word living and active, we read earlier and it is worth repeating…
HEB 4:12“For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
- The Holy Spirit is the “X factor” who moves in and through Scripture to change us .
QUESTION: Which side do you lean toward? Breadth or depth? Adjust accordingly.
- Begin this week with a plan: one chapter a day, and one verse to study deeply.
- And as Jesus modeled for us our need to pray…we too must pray before we read and study…without the power of the Holy Spirit, we will lack the supernatural ability to understand all that God has given us in His word
- Again a great verse to start with is…
PSA 119:18“Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wondrous things from your instruction.”
- Bible reading is not magic, but something supernatural happens when we engage God’s Word in faith.
- The Holy Spirit makes the Word living and active, we read earlier and it is worth repeating…
HEB 4:12“For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
- The Holy Spirit is the “X factor” who moves in and through Scripture to change us .
QUESTION: Which side do you lean toward? Breadth or depth? Adjust accordingly.
- Begin this week with a plan: one chapter a day, and one verse to study deeply.
- And as Jesus modeled for us our need to pray…we too must pray before we read and study…without the power of the Holy Spirit, we will lack the supernatural ability to understand all that God has given us in His word
- Again a great verse to start with is…
PSA 119:18“Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wondrous things from your instruction.”
RESPOND, REFLECT & COMMUNION
I would like to give you a chance to respond to God…
-- What did God reveal about who he is to you today in our time in God’s word?
-- What did God reveal about what he has done or is doing in our time in God’s word?
-- What did you learn about who you are as we looked at these stories today?
-- What did you learn about what you are supposed to do?
—> Let's take a minute to thank Him, respond to Him, confess our sins to Him, examine our hearts before we take communion...
—> WHAT IS JESUS SAYING TO YOU TODAY?
—> WHAT IS JESUS ASKING YOU TO DO?
I would like to give you a chance to respond to God…
-- What did God reveal about who he is to you today in our time in God’s word?
-- What did God reveal about what he has done or is doing in our time in God’s word?
-- What did you learn about who you are as we looked at these stories today?
-- What did you learn about what you are supposed to do?
—> Let's take a minute to thank Him, respond to Him, confess our sins to Him, examine our hearts before we take communion...
—> WHAT IS JESUS SAYING TO YOU TODAY?
—> WHAT IS JESUS ASKING YOU TO DO?