Luke 3:2 (ESV) during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

The Word Of The Lord - Divine communication and guidance delivered to man.

The Word Of The Lord Is Common. Hearing The Word Of The Lord Is Not.

• Few are aware of the reality

• Few are listening to hear Him speak

• Few listen when He speaks

You Are Listening. You Will Hear. You Will Respond.

The Word Of The Lord In Action:

• Abraham: Genesis 15 - a son in his old age who will inherit a land of promise

• Samuel: 1 Samuel 15 - God had rejected Saul as King for his disobedience.

• Elijah: 1 Kings 17 - God was bringing a drought over Israel but would supply for Elijah in the wilderness.

John The Baptist: Luke 3:2 (ESV) during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

There are a bunch of different ways to hear from God

• Biblical principle

• Circumstantial affirmation

• A sense of confirmation in your spirit

• Prophetic word

The Word of the Lord is higher.

7 Nuances Of The Word Of The Lord

It Comes Unexpectedly At Times, But Can Be Sought.

• Abraham was not seeking - Gen 15

• Daniel was seeking - Daniel 10 - more frequent

• Frequency in life for the general person is low

It Is Guidance For The Macro.

• A true Word for you is not just for you. It is a word, through you, beyond you. You are simply a catalyst to activate the Word. 

• There are life Words and seasonal Words.

• It is change oriented, but doesn’t always require change.

• Samuel: Saul is not king

• Don’t make major life changes without this

It Is The Revelation Of God’s Truth

• 1 Kings 17:24 (ESV) And the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth.”

• Psalm 119:160 (ESV) The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

• John 17:17 (ESV) Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

• Delivered so that you will know for sure

• Key details that you need to know

• Sometimes it confirms, often cuts against the grain

It Requires Your Yes To Receive It

• Luke 1:38 (ESV) And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

• Your amen is required.

• You must embrace it as God’s Word to you.

• You must put it on like a coat

• Otherwise it will become a testimony against you.

Ongoing Action Is Required For Its Fulfillment.

•  It Will Be Tested 

• Psalm 105:19 (ESV) until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him.

• Temptation for substitutes or to quit

• Everything in this world will oppose God’s Best in your life.

Authority and Power Are Embedded Within.

• The word comes with authority and power woven into the fabric.

• Luke 4:32 (ESV) and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority.

• Joseph - Genesis 41:38–40 (ESV) And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?”  Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are.  You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.”

It Transforms As It Rests Upon You.

• Jacob the Deceiver became Israel, he who struggles with God and overcomes.

• 1 Samuel 10:6 (ESV) Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man.

• 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV) And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.