Does God Speak? Series

Sermon Brief

Date Written: May 25, 2010

Date Preached: May 30, 2010

Where Preached: OPBC (AM)

Sermon Details:

Series Title: Great Questions of Our Faith

Sermon Title: Does God Speak?

Sermon Text: 1 Cor 2:10-13 [ESV]

10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

Introduction:

Does God speak to us? Can we hear the voice of God? If God speaks, how does He do it? Does God speak internally to our spirit? Does God speak externally through a holy man or guru or prophet? Does God choose NOT to speak because He is distant and disinterested in us?

These are questions that many ask everyday in our world, but the main question I hear most people asking, in their comments and in their seeking and searching is… Can God speak to ME?

As a creation, we are created by God as social and curious beings. The human desire to explore and discover is only exceeded by our desire to preserve our life. However, in some cases we find that even when danger is imminent, humans still press forward to discover the unknown and learn more…

But what about our search for knowledge about God, about our creator? Can we know Him? Can He know us? Can we communicate with Him? Can we ‘hear’ His voice? Does God speak to ME today in this world of technology and scientific advancement?

One of the 1st things we learn about God in Scripture is that speaking is something God has always done on a frequent basis. In Genesis 1 no less than 10 times does Scripture say… “And God said…” And as we go thru Scripture we find this truth reaffirmed over and over again, thousands of times…

God speaking to His people is a foundational element of the Christian faith and belief about God. God speaks in many ways. God reveals Himself and His message in many ways!

How does God reveal Himself? v.10

10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

Here Paul acknowledges a couple of things that I believe to be very important in answering our question this morning. First, Paul begins this passage with “God has revealed” God has spoken… God is speaking… God SPEAKS!

2nd we find that God speaks through the Holy Spirit, and it is thru the Holy Spirit that we find God revealing Himself to us in many ways! This morning I want to share 2 distinct ways God reveals Himself… 1st He reveals Himself from the general perspective…

Thru General Revelation:

God’s general revelation is available to ALL people, and consists of the world around us [i.e. His creation] Granted the view we have is perverted because of the fall of humanity into sin, and so all we see is the broken and fallen result of God’s perfect and beautiful creation…

We can witness beauty around us and see the hand of God present in creation, but what we are seeing is a poor substitute for what God created before the fall of humanity to sin, and before sin distorted and damaged our world!

Paul states in Rom 1:19-20 [ESV]

19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

God is revealed all around us in our world, so much so that we have NO excuse if we don’t believe He exists. Scripture tells us that He not only exists, but it is His desire to commune with His creation, so He speaks… He reveals Himself in many ways!

General revelation includes the creation around us…

General revelation includes the common grace that is extended to all people on earth… this is a grace that comes from God that is extended to all humanity… a grace that allows us to exist, strive and flourish and prosper.

Common grace allows those outside the kingdom of God to live what would appear to be a morally upright lifestyle… a life of compassion and service, although their deeds are not meant to glorify God.