Closer
Sunday, SEPTEMBER 20, 2026 - PASTOR CHRIS REA
John 16:7
7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
John 14:16–17
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,[a] who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.[b]
John 16:13
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
Acts 8:26
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.
Acts 8:29
29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”
You don't have to make your impression someone else's obligation.
Acts 13:1–3
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
Acts 16:6–7
Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.
John 10:27
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
How to Recognize God’s voice:
1. DOES IT AGREE WITH SCRIPTURE?
2. DOES IT LOOK LIKE JESUS?
John 16:14
He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.
How to Recognize God’s voice:
3. WHAT FRUIT DOES IT PRODUCE?
Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
How to Recognize God’s voice:
4. CAN IT SURVIVE WISE COMMUNITY?
1 Corinthians 14:29 (NLT)
Let two or three people prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said.
1 Thessalonians 5:19–21
Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good.
How to Recognize God’s voice:
5. AM I WILLING TO BE WRONG? YOU HAVE TO SURRENDER THE OUTCOME
Luke 22:42
42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
PRAYER EXERCISE ONE: SURRENDER
Speak, Lord. I'm listening.
PRAYER EXERCISE TWO: ASK A SIMPLE QUESTION
Holy Spirit, is there anything You want me to know today?
PRAYER EXERCISE THREE: WHO?
Holy Spirit, is there someone You want me to encourage this week? Wait.
PRAYER EXERCISE FOUR: WHAT ARE YOU SAYING TO ME?
Jesus, what are You trying to teach me in this season of my life?
