#2 - Revelation: God Speaks Series

The fundamental question about God that we have to ask first is this: Does He speak? Does He communicate?

Revelation means that God is not discovered by us, he REVEALS HIMSELF to us. REVELATION means God chooses to reveal his nature and his will to us.

The LORD has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations. Psalm 98:2

1. God speaks through ____________________.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”

Psalm 19:1-4

What could we learn about God just from observing creation?

2. God speaks through His ________________.

Two key theological words describe what the Bible says about itself:

Inspiration: The process through which God ____________ us the Bible. God, through the Holy Spirit, worked in the hearts of human writers to write down his words. Since they are the very words of God, they are without __________________, perfect and trustworthy.

“…the holy Scriptures… are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17

Can we trust the Bible? How do we know what books were supposed to be included? Answers to lots of common questions:

http://www.everystudent.com/sg/features/bible.html

Illumination: The process through which God helps us ____________________ the Bible. It is the Holy Spirit’s work bringing light to the words of the Bible as we read or hear them.

“Then he opened their mind so they could understand the Scriptures.”

Luke 24:45

3. God speaks through _______________.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made…. The Word became flesh and dwelled among us. John 1:1-4, 14

“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-4

How to tune in to what God is saying – Three attitudes:

1. ____________________________.

“Speak, Lord – your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10

2. ________________________________.

“If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” John 7:17

3. ______________________.

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16

“Blessed is the man… [whose] delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Psalm 1:1-4

#2 – Revelation: God Speaks

WORSHIP PLAN:

OPENING: What Do YOU BELIEVE?

What do you believe…

Not your opinion…

Not what you think…

Not what you hope…

What do you BELIEVE? What are you basing your life on?

All actions in your life come from beliefs… you go to work because you believe you will get a paycheck. You flip the switch because you believe the light will come on. You go to your favorite restaurant because you believe that you will like the food again. You get married because you believe this person is the one you love. You obey the law because you believe you will be arrested if you don’t.

For the next 12 weeks, we will be looking into basic Christian doctrine. When we finish, I hope you will be able to say, “THIS I BELIEVE!”

SONGS:

 This is My Father’s World (

READING:

Years ago, a pastor named Babcock in New York would often take a morning walk to the top of a hill. From the top of the hill, he had an inspiring view of Lake Ontario, and much of the surrounding countryside. When he was leaving for his walk, he would often say to whoever he was with, “I’m going out to see my Father’s world.” The view gave him a consciousness of God’s presence – a feeling that God spoke to him almost everywhere in nature.