I. INTRODUCTION
A. In this lesson we want to answer the following questions:
1. God spoke to Saul through Jesus in a "vision," how does He speak to us today?
2. God's purpose for calling Saul was to send him to the Gentiles, for what purpose does He call us today?
3. It was imperative for Saul's spiritual well being to answer God's call, is it important for us to answer the "call" today?
B. Saul received the will of God through direct communication with Jesus Himself. The vision left no doubt as to its origin, its speaker, and its purpose. (Acts 26:16-18.)
C. Could God address us in this manner today through a vision? He previously used this method with Abraham and Isaac. He spoke directly to Samuel and Isaiah. He sent special messengers to Ahaz and David. He sent angels to Daniel and Mary. He could speak to us through an "internal voice" as He did to Jeremiah and Ezekiel. He could use the glorified Christ as a messenger as He did with Saul and the Apostle John.
D. The means of communication mentioned above, were unusual not usual. God does not usually speak directly to man. Why? It would take away: our ability to reason, the stimulus to search for and investigate the truth. It would make man inactive, unconcerned and dependent on supernatural impulses to regulate things that God intended for us to regulate on a material, earthly level.
E. The majority of the people in Bible times did not expect to receive (nor did they receive) a direct vision from God. Neither should we!
II. DISCUSSION
A. How then does God communicate with us today?
1. Through His Holy Word the Bible. It contains directions and counsels for every situation in which we may find ourselves. It guides us through this earth-life and prepares us for the life to come.
2. Through our rational nature in cooperation with Divine revelation, we are led to the truth. Reason reminds us of the God-given obligations of virtue, justice, and truth.
3. Through the voice of our conscience when it is true to the Lord and His Will. It urges us to do what is right and condemns that which is wrong.
4. Through events of Divine Providence when God's Will (not ours) is done. Are obstacles in the pathways of our lives, really obstacles, or are they checks and restraints set there to help save our souls?
5. Through the Gospel Call of the Word, the preacher, the teacher, the neighbor, the relative, or the friend.
6. Through the voice of a stranger Philip to the Eunuch, Paul to the Gentiles, or the brethren we have sent to Romania.
7. Through the influence of the Holy Spirit by the inspired Word, as a mediator in our prayers, and an influence added to the previous six methods of communication to make them even more effective.
B. To what purpose are we "called" today? What prompts us to our duty? How do we know what God wants of us and from us? What will the Lord have us to do? (Acts 9:6.) Is our "calling" as clearly defined as Saul's?
1. God calls us to forsake the ways of sin, (Isa. 55:7). We must be willing to give up such things as: unbelief, worldliness, ambition, and love of pleasure, no matter what the cost.
2. God calls us to faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in His cross, His sacrifice, His wisdom, His goodness, His Will. The sinner is living without a Savior, but must come to realize his need for a Savior.
3. God calls us to prepare for another world, to give our account to Him. We have been fairly warned of the wrath to come, it is our obligation to watch and pray.
4. God calls us to devote ourselves to His Cause. He expects us to use our natural talents and to develop talents that are not so easy for us. We must "study to show ourselves approved...," because He expects us to be His workmen!
C. It is our duty to obey the "heavenly call."
1. We must move and that movement must be forward. It is hard for us (as it was for Saul) to "kick against the goads."
2. We must obey promptly, correctly, and completely.
3. We are called to:
a. Hear and learn the Word, (Rom. 10:14,17)
b. Believe in and become faithful to Christ, (Heb. 11:6; Jn. 6:28,29)
c. Repent of our old ways, (Acts 17:30; Lu. 13:3)
d. Confess the name of Jesus before men, (Rom. 10:10)
e. Be baptized for the remission of our sins, (Gal. 3:27)
f. Walk as a new man in the footsteps of Christ. (Rom. 6:1-4)
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Are you comfortable with the fact that God does not speak directly to man today? What scriptures back up your answer?
2. Do you agree God communicates with us in the seven ways listed in this lesson?
3. Would you agree the remaining six ways all hinge on the first one in the list? Explain.