Christmas/Advent: The Miraculous Message

Title: “The Miracle of the Message” Scripture: Hebrews 1

Type: Advent 2023 Where: GNBC 12-10-23

Intro: Last week we considered “The Miracle of the Moment” in relation to the Advent of Christ’s coming. History is replete with amazing messages: Henry the 5th’s famous “St. Crispin’s Day Speech before the Battle of Agincourt”; Queen Eliz I. “Tilburg Speech”, Washington’s famous “Farewell Address”; Lincoln’s 272 words that became “The Gettysburg Address” are as famous as any speech in history; Between May and August of 1940, Winston Churchill produced no fewer than 7 notably famous speeches, including: “Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat”, “Fight on the Beaches”, and “Their Finest Hour”. MLK’s “I Have a Dream” must be included in the great speeches of history. “That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." – Twelve little words spoken by Neil Armstrong that signified a monumental accomplishment by man. All of these messages were amazing. However, no one would say they were miraculous. The message I will speak of today was MIRACULOUS!

Prop: Exam Heb. 1:1ff we’ll realize 3 truths in relations to Advent’s Miraculous Message.

BG: 1. Hebrews – no one is sure of authorship. You may have an older Bible that states Paul. Could be, but that was added. Not sure. Many arguments for many different individuals.

2. Written to 1st century Jews who had converted to Christianity.

3. Theme of the entire letter – Christ is better!

Prop: Let’s examine Heb. 1 to realize 3 important truths relating to Advent’s miraculous message.

I. God Had Spoken in History Past. V. 1

A. Notice the Means By Which God Spoke in the Past.

1. God Exists and is Active.

a. Illust – Do not miss the importance of the Opening Axiom. In Geometry you have theorem and axioms. An axiom is a law is not “proven” but assumed in order to explain the observed geometrical system. Illust – Parallel lines will never cross. The author of the Hebrew letter begins with a theological axiom: “God”! God is presented. Not defended. Simply stated and understood. God! The assumption begins with God! There are two views of history – secular/materialistic/evolutionary with time and chance as the means and method. Or, there is theological – design, intelligence, and purpose with God being both means and method. Advent/Christmas is built upon the truth God exists!

b. As we begin today’s message we need to realize not a single one of us can argue another into the KOG. Not a single one of us can argue a person into salvation. It is a sovereign work of God’s divine grace that moves a person from unbelief to faith in Christ in a matter of moments. The author here is declaring an essential truth: Christianity isn’t a manmade religion. Rather, it is a God-revealed religion. God is active and He spoke!

2. God was also Alive and Active in the Past.

a. “after He spoke long ago…” The writer of Hebrews, well aware of the history of the Jewish people, recognizes that God had spoken in times past to the people Through whom He would bring salvation’s blessings and the fulfillment of the miraculous message: The Messiah!

b. For 400 years even Israel had sat in spiritual silence. When God delivered His final message through Malachi, He paused His communications through man for nearly 400 years. The book of Malachi was completed in 397 BC, starting this period of silence until the angel’s announcement of the birth of John the Baptist in 4 BC (Luke 1:11-17). The silence of God gave rise to many theories about His nature. Some might have argued that He was acting as He had always acted. Others might have surmised that man was too sinful to hear God (which is absurd; all sin is an affront to God). Still others might have suggested that man’s lack of faith was the cause of God’s silence and apparent inactivity.

None of these theories would have taken into account the omniscience and sovereignty of God. His determined, covenantal love had already set His course. Rather, He was preparing to speaking His greatest and most powerful message to mankind: JESUS! The Miraculous Message!

B. God Spoke In Different Times and Ways so as to Secure a Single Unified Message.

1. God Spoke to Specific People in Times Past of the Coming Advent.

a. The author of the Hebrew Letter Takes the Reader Back in History to Be Reminded of God’s Dealings with men. Fathers – Who were the “Fathers” to these Jewish Christian converts? The patriarchs. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are being referred to here. Possibly others. But at least these. It was God, speaking to a man, a pagan man, a hopeless, and hapless man, Abram, in Ur of the Chaldees. (Read Gen. 12:1-4). God reached into history, to initiate and secure His Story thru one man who had absolutely nothing by which he was spiritually recommended to God. Friend, some people find that message disturbing. I find it gloriously comforting. God had compassion. God demonstrated mercy. God initiated salvation’s blessings not just to one man, but to all who would claim faith in Christ.