The Four Eleven Foundation: 1 Thessalonians

1. HEARING FROM GOD IN SERVICE (Leviticus 1:1, 2)

Leviticus 1:1 "Now the LORD called to Moses, and spoke to him ..."

1.1. THE ONE WHO SPEAKS IS THE LORD

God Himself takes the initiative in calling to service and instructing for service. All revelation comes from Him - the revelation contained in Leviticus came from and through Moses - reminding us that all New Testament truth came from God through the fullest revelator Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 1:1 "In these last days spoken to us by His Son."

When on earth He perfectly passed on all that the Father commanded Him to say

John 12:49 "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave me a command, what I should say and what I should speak."

New Testament revelation was completed through the Lord Jesus speaking from heaven.

Revelation 1:1 "The revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave him to show His servants."

He is also the revealer of specific personal guidance and instructions to all His called servants. Paul is an excellent example - he acquired his authority through revelation of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:11-12 "But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ."

It is pertinent to notice that Paul on the one hand, did not receive his teaching from any human agency; on the other, his teaching was acknowledged by other apostles as truly from God. All personal revelation received today is only acceptable in accordance with the Scriptures and witnesses to be truth, by recognized anointed leadership.

Philip is a good example of development by the Lord in his gifting and receiving instruction from the Lord, and specific guidance in his ministry. He was chosen as an administrative elder (Acts 6:5 ). Then his gifting as evangelist blossomed (Acts 8:5-7 ). He was open to specific guidance from the Lord in his ministry. (Acts 8:26-39 ).

Hearing from God in service is as necessary today as when Moses heard the Lord call to him. We need to hear the lord who speaks.

1.2. FROM WHERE THE LORD SPEAKS

Leviticus 1:1 "... and spoke to him from the tabernacle of meeting, saying,"

As soon as the Lord had taken possession of the finished tabernacle, He began to speak from it. As soon as the Spirit of the Lord comes to dwell in our spirit He begins to speak from it. So the prayer of Paul is sure of being answered in us being able to comprehend with all saints, to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge (Ephesians 3:16-19 ).

Through the indwelling Holy Spirit the Father of glory can give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation (Ephesians 1:17 ). It is from our human spirit that the Spirit speaks, giving us revelation in the knowledge of Him - instruction and guidance.

1.3. FOR WHOM THE LORD SPEAKS

Leviticus 1:2 "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ..."

What God said to Moses was intended for Israel to hear - a nation chosen by God to serve Him. Moses spoke to none but the Israelites. None but the Lord's people could offer sacrifices. The New Testament truth brought into focus is that it is only Christ's own sheep who hear His voice.

John 10:27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."

Further, it is only His born again people who can receive the Holy Spirit of truth, and therefore hear.

John 14:17 "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."

It is only those in the family of God through believing and being born of God (John 1:12-13 ), who can be appealed to to render service involving all of ones rational powers.

Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."

None but His own, bought with a price, can offer Him any sacrifice. The same principles that were in operation in Leviticus are operative in His people today.

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

Do you believe that hearing from God is essential to your service for God (Leviticus 1:1 )?
Would you reject instruction that you found not to be in accordance with the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures?
Did you experience that as soon as the Holy Spirit came to dwell in your human spirit, He began to speak from it?
Is the prayer of Ephesians 3:16-19 being answered for you?
Is hearing the privileged right of the Lord's people (John 10:27; John 14:17 )?