Have You Heard?

“Have You Heard?”

Introduction

Speaking of God in the Old Testament; Ezekiel 43:2 (ESV) says, “And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters.”

Speaking of Jesus in the New Testament; Revelation 1:15 (ESV) says, “His feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.”

Have you heard the echo of many waters? Have you heard the voice of God? Is it even still possible to hear the voice of God today?

The nineteenth century German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, said in response to this idea, "Where has God gone? I shall tell you. We have killed him - you and I.”

This morning I would like to suggest to you that God is certainly not dead. Further, God is not now nor has he ever been silent. In fact, God is still speaking to me, you, and the entire world today.

I will do this by presenting to you the two primary ways that God has revealed himself to humanity.

First, I will address God’s universal revelation. That is, the ways in which God has revealed himself generally; primarily through creation.

Then I will talk about God’s particular revelation to humanity. I hope to give this message some context and make it valid for you today by discussing the most complete of all of God’s revelation to humanity; the incarnation of Jesus Christ; the very pinnacle of God’s redemptive expression.

This will not be a long message, so I want to ask for your careful attention. I encourage you to open your heart to the Spirit of God. Allow God to speak to you. God will not force his way into your heart. I encourage you to be receptive this morning.

Body

1. Universal revelation refers to God’s self-manifestation through nature, history, and the inner being of the human person.

Natural - From observing nature we are able to at least discern that a wonderful God was at work in the creation of this universe.

Psalms 19:1 (KJVR) “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.”

C. S. Lewis once wrote, “Nature never taught me that there exists a God of glory and of infinite majesty. I had to learn that in other ways. But nature gave the word glory a meaning for me.”

Historical – Through the examination of history we can observe that God has been at work in the affairs of mankind; bringing about His ultimate purposes.

The providential plans and divine purposes of God are unfolding today, just as they have been through out all of history.

J.I. Packer, in his book “Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God” writes,

“I do not intend to spend any time at all proving to you the universal truth that God is sovereign in His world. There is no need; for I know that, if you are a Christian, you believe this already. How do I know that? Because I know that, if you are a Christian, you pray; and the recognition of God’s sovereignty is the basis of your prayer. In prayer, you ask for things and give thanks for things. Why? Because you recognize that God is the author and source of all good that you have had already, and all the good that you hope for in future.”

Inner being of man – Humans are God’s highest earthly creation. Some believe that it is in the human mind and capacity for science and knowledge that the finger print of God may best be observed.

According to Millard Erickson, however, it is, in fact, in the moral and spiritual qualities of humankind that God’s character is best perceived.

We see the unique character and moral capacity of God expressed in us. In this way we look like our father. You know, both of my sons look very much like me. They appear to be created in my image.

Genesis 1:25 (ESV) says, “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Contained in this passage are several truths, but for our purposes today, take notice that from the very beginning we were created in the image of God.

The Bible tells us that God is spirit therefore it is in our very spiritual makeup that we are created in the image of God.

The next time you are unsure of your own worth, I encourage you to consider that in our very being, in our capacity for love, in our capacity to appreciate beauty that we are in the very image of God.

The next time you look into a mirror or a reflective stream, consider this; “You are viewing a reflection of God.”