Voice

1. For the first time in my life I recently did a concordance search on the word “voice.”

2. More than 500 passages in both testaments use this term.

3. About a 4^th of these 500 verses are in the New Testament.

ONE OF GOD’S GREATEST GIFTS TO MANKIND IS THE HUMAN VOICE.

1) In the world animals can make sounds, but none can speak as we do.

a) We have the ability to communicate in a marvelous way and we have many words available for us.

b) In a wide variety of ways the Bible recognizes man’s unique vocal abilities.

2) For instance, Mt. 2:18 says there was a “voice” heard in Ramah.

3) This voice was “weeping.”

a) It was not only weeping, the text says there was “great mourning.”

b) Children had died and those who mourned the loss “would not be comforted.”

c) Sorrow can be expressed in quite a few ways.

d) We may use our eyes, our hands, our posture, facial expression, or something else.

e) Sadness and grief are often powerfully expressed with the human voice.

f) We find the word voice being used in the third chapter of Matthew’s gospel, 3:3.

g) John the Baptist used his voice to “cry forth” about the Son of God.

h) John encouraged people to straighten up their lives so they would be ready to meet God.

i) At one point or another, almost everyone uses their voice to “teach” someone or something.

j) Our voice is an ideal tool for offering instruction.

4) It is also in Mt. 3 that we are introduced to voice in a different sense.

5) Mt. 3:17 says there was a voice from “heaven” (i.e. the Father); He said He was pleased with the Son.

6) A similar even happened in Mt. 17:5 at the time Jesus was transfigured.

7) Towards the end of the Lord’s life we see the word voice coming to the forefront once again.

8) Jesus said seven different things from the cross.

9) All these passages show that throughout our lives, our voice is a very important and special gift.

IN OUR WORLD THERE ARE TIMES WHEN TEACHERS OFFER “VOICE LESSONS.” IN THE NEW TESTAMENT WE RECEIVE INSTRUCTION WE HAVE SOME “VOICE LESSONS.” GOD HAS TOLD US HOW TO USE OUR VOICE, AND WE ARE TO PRACTICE WHAT WE FIND IN THE BOOK KNOWN AS THE BIBLE.

a) Let’s take some specific examples to make this point practical.

b) Early in the book of Acts after people had become Christians opposition began to increase.

c) Acts 4 tells us about a “notable” miracle.

d) A man who had never walked had been healed by the apostles.

e) Leaders of the opposition could not and did not deny this miracle.

f) All they could hope for was ending the preaching.

g) The apostles continued to preach, and they also prayed – 4:24 – READ.

2) We can “lift up” our voice in different ways.

3) It might be to warn someone or as we previously noted, to express grief, shock.

4) We might raise our voice to express surprise.

5) These people lifted up their voice to God: Oh God, hear our plea.

6) Luke used a special term that is translated “Lord.”

7) This term describes the highest kind of official or magistrate.

8) These Christians were sending their petition to the highest possible source for aid.

a) One of the most important things we can do with our voice is pray.

b) When we pray, Acts 4 suggests we are calling upon the most powerful source in existence.

9) It is difficult to think of a better use for our voice than what we see in Acts 4.

10) As we think about the word “voice” and Christianity, we have another helpful text — Acts 7.

a) Stephen used about 20 verses to recite a whole lot of Jewish history.

b) Hundreds of years of Jewish history were squeezed into about 1200 words.

c) What these people heard and how it was applied did not make them very happy.

11) Acts 7:57 – READ.

12) When we think about a person’s voice, we find it is sometimes used to shout.

13) People may be screaming something in the midst of a fit or terrible rage.

14) There are going to be times when we need to scream.

15) Lives have been saved because someone shouted, “get out of the way.”

16) Most of the time a screaming voice is more like what we see at the end of Acts 7.

17) Screaming is in the midst of a time of uncontrolled range or very intense anger.

18) God has given us the ability to holler and yell, but there is a time and place for that ability.

19) As we look at Acts 7 we see an additional thought.

20) It is very difficult to listen to others if we are engaged in screaming and hollering.

21) When a person is yelling his or her head off, they are not usually interested in reasoning.

22) For at least a little time, it appears that rationality is turned off in favor of uncontrolled anger.

23) This is the kind of reaction we expect from a mom, not a child of God.

24) God offers an additional comment on this subject in Acts 8:7.

25) Philip went to Samaria and did some preaching.

26) Quite a few people became Christians because of the miracles and the spoken word.

27) At least some of the miracles involved the expulsion of demons.

28) Verse 7 of Acts 8 – READ.

29) In the NASB “loud voice” is translated “shouting.”

a) At least in this chapter, the forces of Satan and the devil are portrayed as the screamers.

b) Here is a good passage and thought to take home with us.

c) Hollering and yelling (unless we are trying warn someone of danger) is generally not on the side of righteousness.

d) In the Old Testament we are told that a “soft answer” turns away wrath.

30) The tone and volume of our voice matter.

31) Several years ago there was a study done by the Navy and a university.

32) Researchers wanted to see how sailors responded to verbal commands.

33) The study ended with this conclusion: How a person was addressed was usually how they were responded to.

34) If a softer voice were used, a softer response was typically received.

35) If a person was shouted at, that same tone was usually used when replying.

36) In this study the testers found out the method of communication did not matter.

a) If a person shouted an order on the phone, the person shouted back.

b) If they used an intercom or did it face to face, nothing was changed.

c) A screaming voice is usually not needed to make a point.

37) Two passages which Biblically illustrate this information are found in the next two chapters.

38) In Acts 9, Paul was on the way to Damascus; he was ready to bind and injure Christians.

39) He was met and stopped by God.

40) Acts 9:4 – READ.

41) God used a voice but it is very difficult to argue that this was a screaming voice.

42) I grant that the intense light and the whole experience was overwhelming.

43) Still, when God used a voice He did not scream at Saul.

44) A similar point is found in Acts 10.

45) Peter was supposed to go and teach the gospel to some non-Jews.

46) He was resistant to doing that so God gave him a special vision.

a) There was a voice in this vision (verse 13) that told Peter to “rise, kill, and eat.”

b) God did not need to shout at p to make the point known.

47) As we think about God and His voice, a passage from Hebrews come to mind, Heb. 3.

a) Many religious people like to speak about “God’s voice.”

b) I have had people tell me that God speaks to them.

c) Some Christians hear that and do not know what to say.

d) What should be our reply to a person who says God talks to them.

48) We could say, “God speaks to all people. If He is not talking to you, you are certainly not saved.”

49) The question is not, “Do people hear God’s voice;” God does talk.

50) Heb. 3:15 – READ.

51) Here is a verse that was written to Christians.

52) Members of the church were told to “hear God’s voice.”

a) God does speak to us, and He tells us how it is done.

b) Heb. 1:1-2 says God’s voice in ancient time was spoke to the fathers.

c) Now God has spoken “through the Son.”

d) Heb. 2:1 says we must give heed to what we have “heard.”

e) God speaks to us through His word.

f) We need to hear that voice, obey it, and insure we never harden ourselves against it.

53) One of the most irritating things for me about false teachers is their view of God and Satan.

54) There are many people who refer to the devil in a way where he seems to be a plaything.

55) God is also treated in a similar manner.

56) Many make statements about the Holy Spirit and God which are far beyond disrespectful.

a) Either God or the Holy Spirit are presented as having a little chat with folks.

b) When people have heard the voice of God it was not a friendly chit chat session.

c) People were terrified.

d) If you are in the book of Hebrews, let’s look at Heb. 12:19.

e) Israel was at Mount Sinai to receive the law.

f) At this time they heard the voice of God.

g) Here was their reaction – Heb. 12:19 – READ.

57) When God’s people heard the voice of God they shook with fear.

58) God’s voice is one of authority, power, and nothing to treat in a light hearted way.

59) Think back to the transfiguration; Mt. 17:6 says when God’s voice spoke from heaven, these men were scared.

60) They fell down on their faces and were filled with fear.

61) Yet, we have people repeatedly saying how they carry on casual conversations with God and the Holy Spirit.

62) Such a claim is utterly outrageous.

63) One book of the Bible which uses the word voice quite a few times is Revelation.

64) I submit that fact for your future study, not tonight’s lesson.

65) God has given us a voice and He expects us to use it for good and right.

66) Part of using our voice properly involves becoming a Christian.

67) Most have the ability to verbalize their confession that Christ is the Son of God.

68) After conversion they have the ability to exhort and edify fellow Christians.

69) We also have a voice to help reach the lost.

70) God has given us a great tool; are we using it to His glory and honor?