Apostle Selman started his message by introducing his message title – The Voice of God. His first passage of the Bible is Psalm 29:5-9. After this, he then read from Ezekiel 43:1-2.
He began on the note that the Bible is so clear on the fact that the faith life of the believer is designed to depend solely on the voice of God for leadership and direction. Without this voice, the believer cannot prosper in his walk. Referring to Psalm 23, Apostle Joshua Selman said of this passage that it captures the totality of the leadership of God. Reading from Romans 8:14, he briefly mentioned that sons of God are led by the Spirit.
Apostle Selman went on to define what the voice of God means. It represents, he said, all the spiritual channels and the pathways that God uses to communicate his will and intent. He then laid emphasis on the words, “spiritual channels”, “will” and “intent”. Following this, he revealed that the assignment of the power of God is to bring the will and intent of God to pass. If we cannot perceive or discern the will of God, we may never be able to experience his power. In other words, God’s power cannot be expressed in an area where his will and intent is absent.
As he went on, Apostle Selman decided to share the methodology in which God’s will/intent is known. The primary channel for God’s communication is scripture. He quoted 2 Timothy 3:15 to support this. Another channel is through dreams. We see this in prophetic dreams like that of Joseph. The third channel is through the prophets. The fourth channel is through the knowing or the witness of the Spirit. Romans 8:1 is a scripture that supports this point. After this fourth point, Apostle Selman said that the proof of accurate hearing is that the life of the individual reflects the intent of God.
In proceeding in his message, Apostle Selman went on to explain what the language of God is. Does he speak in English, French, Greek, Hebrew or any other language? To this rhetorical question, Apostle Selman revealed that the language of God is not vocabulary but LIGHT. 1 John 1:5 explains this point excellently. Also, in Psalm 119:130, we see that the entrance of God’s word gives light and then understanding follows thereafter.
Reading from Matthew 17:5, Apostle Selman established the fact that it is possible to not hear. He gave a practical illustration of how important it is for us to accurately capture the speakings of God even if it came through different vocabulary. This is seen in the four synoptic gospels, each of which shared from the writer’s angles. However, studying all four of them equips the believer with holistic knowledge about what God is saying.
Not only this but Apostle Selman also hammered on the fact that the mind has an important part to play in receiving what God has to say. The mind he reveals, consists of the will, the emotions and the intellect. This means that if an individual’s mind isn’t transformed through enlightenment that comes from God’s Word, the ability to accurately interpret what God is saying will be impaired. Therefore, the assignment of our minds, with reference to the speakings of God, is to give vocabulary to the speakings of God so that there can be understanding. He read from Ephesians 5:17 to corroborate this point. He also read from Philippians 2:15.
Furthermore, Apostle Selman charged the congregation to give themselves to studying the Word of God so that they have the right tool to interpret what God is saying. Studying the Word of God regularly will lead to the transformation of our minds which he earlier referred to. 2 Peter 1:19, Acts 20:32, Ephesians 4:18
In particular, Apostle Selman announced that the most important component about the voice of God is not his speakings but it is the safe transference of God’s intent from his heart to ours.
Before he wrapped up, he mentioned four ways to know God according to scripture. First of all, the scripture is one of the things that reveal the character of God to us. Secondly, the names of God capture the dimensions of God. The third way is by studying the life of Jesus. The Bible calls him “the express image of the invisible God.” As we study Jesus, we have the right to vet everything that the prophet said using the reference of Jesus. Lastly, we also know God through experience. He read from Job 42:5 to back up his point.
In closing, he admonished the congregation to build their capacity to accurately interpret God’s communication by giving themselves to fasting and praying.