Sermon Notes

Pastor Chris finished our series on David with a message entitled, God is Speaking today. God speaks today just as he did yesterday and will in the future. It is our job to take prophecy under the word of God (prophetic protocol, 1 Thessalonians 5:19–21). In today’s message, Chris shared with us the model that David inquired of God for a word and listened. God is always speaking; are we listening?

The Lord Speaks Today 

1 Samuel 23:1-2 (ESV)

1 Now they told David, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors.” 2 Therefore David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” 

Why did David inquire of God? He was confident the Lord would

  • See
  • Respond 
  • Direct 

1 Samuel 23:3a (ESV)

3 But David’s men… 

1 Samuel 22:1–2 (ESV)

1 David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. 2 And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.

1 Samuel 23:3–4 (ESV)

3 But David’s men said to him, “Behold, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” 4 Then David inquired of the Lord again. And the Lord answered him, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.” 

Why Does God Speak? 

  1. To encourage, comfort, and strengthen (1 Corinthians 14:3) 
  2. To foster an intimate relationship with the Lord (John 10:2–4; 27) 
  3. To reveal Christ (John 16:12-14; Revelation 19:10) 
  4. To demonstrate God’s loving concern for the heart condition of individuals (1 Corinthians 14:24–25). 
  5. Clarify direction and provide courage (Acts 13:1–3) 
  6. To prepare for difficulties and trials (Acts 20:22–23) 
  7. To purify and sanctify (Acts 5:3–5) 

How Does God Speak? 

  1. Impression (Acts 20:22; Acts 15:28) 
  2. Internal thoughts (1 Kgs. 19:11-12) 
  3. Gentle visions or a picture (Jn. 1:48; Acts 7:56) 
  4. Visions (Daniel 7:2-3) 
  5. Trances (Acts 10:9-10) 
  6. Dreams (Job 33:14-17; Matt. 1:20) 
  7. Angelic revelation (Gen. 32:24-30; Heb. 1:14) 
  1. Audible voice (Acts 9:4) 
  2. Scriptures (Daniel 9:2-3) 
  3. Other people (1 Corinthians 14:3) 
  4. Nature (Romans 1:19-20) 

1 Samuel 23:5 (ESV)

5 And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines and brought away their livestock and struck them with a great blow. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

Paths for Confirmation

Internal Witness: Does it carry a peaceful and righteous spirit? 

Philippians 2:13 (ESV)

13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

People’s Witness: Does it show any signs of manipulation? 

Proverbs 24:6 (ESV)

6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

The Church’s Witness: Do those to whom I am accountable agree? Paul, concerning Epaphras 

Colossians 4:13 (ESV)

13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.

The Sprit’s Witness: Is it in harmony with Scripture? Does it glorify Christ? 

Prophetic Protocol 

1 Thessalonians 5:19–21 

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

  1. Do not quench the Spirit.
  2. Do not despise prophecies.
  3. But test everything

Live in the Word and Spirit 

1 Samuel 23:6–13 (ESV)

6 When Abiathar the son of Ahimelech had fled to David to Keilah, he had come down with an ephod in his hand. 7 Now it was told Saul that David had come to Keilah. And Saul said, “God has given him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars.” 8 And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. 9 David knew that Saul was plotting harm against him. And he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.” 10 Then David said, “O Lord, the God of Israel, your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city on my account. 11 Will the men of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O Lord, the God of Israel, please tell your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will come down.” 12 Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will surrender you.” 13 Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up the expedition.

The Word of God

  • The Bible is Authoritative

2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

  • The Bible is Clear

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (ESV)

6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

  • The Bible is Necessary 

Romans 10:13–15 (ESV)

13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? 

  • The Bible is Sufficient

“You said it, I believe it, and that settles it.”

The Spirit of God

John 7:37–39 (ESV)

37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

John 14:15–17 (ESV)

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

John 14:26–27 (ESV)

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Walk in the Spirit 

  • Humbly ask.
  • Be quiet before Him.
  • Be ready to obey.
  • Look to the Bible.
  • Expect His voice.
  • Wait patiently.

His Voice Will Be Your Rock of Escape

1 Samuel 23:25–28 (ESV)

25 And Saul and his men went to seek him. And David was told, so he went down to the rock and lived in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon. 26 Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain. And David was hurrying to get away from Saul. As Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them, 27 a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid against the land.” 28 So Saul returned from pursuing after David and went against the Philistines. Therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape. 

Psalm 54:4–7 (ESV)

4 Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. 5 He will return the evil to my enemies; in your faithfulness put an end to them. 6 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good. 7 For he has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.

Discussion Questions

  • When was the last time you inquired of God? When was the last time you inquired of God and expected an answer?
  • Review the “why does God speak” section above; what sticks out to you and why? What here sticks out to you? Why?
  • Tell about a time that you clearly heard from God. How did you hear (Impressions, internal thoughts, pictures, visions, etc.) what was he sharing with you? How can you confirm it was Him (see prophetic protocol, 1 Thessalonians 5:19–21)?
  • “You said it, I believe it, that settles it.” Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 below, do you believe God at his word? How is it correcting, equipping, you for his good work(s) for you?

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. — 2 Timothy 3:16-17, NLT

Application Questions

  • Remember a time when you cried out to God. How did he show up for you? Share with someone your story.
  • Review the “How does God speak” section and reflect on how God speaks to you. How were you designed to hear his voice?
  • Do you journal out what God promises and his answers? If not, start a note on your phone listing out a promise from God and his fulfillment of those promises. If you cannot think of a time when it was fulfilled, make a note of the date and how he did it.