“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.”
Through the observance of this universal revelation of God to humanity, we learn that it is possible to know at least something of the divine nature and character of God.
In fact, in light of this teaching it should not be surprising that we do find some common elements among the worlds religions.
Let me be very clear, universal revelation can never bring us to a redemptive relationship with God.
Apart from the redemptive blood of Jesus Christ there is no salvation and there is no forgiveness of sins. While general revelation can give us context, it can not save.
We need something more.
2. Particular Revelation refers to the ways in which God speaks directly to humanity at specific times and places, enabling them to enter into a redemptive relationship with him.
Imagine God speaking to Moses at in a burning bush. Imagine the angel sent by God to tell Marry that she would conceive the Messiah.
At varying times and in varying ways, God chooses to reveal himself as he works out his sovereign plans in our individual lives and in the human story of history.
The pinnacle, the crux, the heart beat, the “nitty-gritty” of God’s revelation to humanity is found in the life of Jesus Christ.
Milliard Erickson says it well when he says, “The miracles, death, and resurrection are redemptive history in its most condensed and concentrated form.”
If you want to take salvation 101, if you want to read the cliff notes on redemption, if you want a clear picture into the plan of God for humanity as well as your own life; look into the pages of the Bible and understand the life of Christ.
God has not changed.
The redemptive plan of Jesus Christ was foretold by the prophets in the Old Testament and foreshadowed in the customs and laws of Israel.
In Christ we find the word of God translated in a redemptive picture. Jesus spoke and lived the word of God. He talked the talk and walked the walk.
In Christ, we find the expression of God to man. How can I know how to have peace with God? In Christ. How can I know that I will go to heaven? In Christ. How can I know what God is like? In Christ.
If we are going to hear the voice of God we can hear it most clearly in the life of Jesus Christ.
We identify with his death, burial and resurrection.
We find life in the great reversal which Jesus brought about.
No longer is God afar off. In Christ, we se that God has lowered himself to one knee like a father to a child and spoken gently the words of Mathew 11:28-30 where Jesus said,
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (ESV)
Earlier, I told you that I hoped to give this message some context. The context is this; God is still speaking today and he is speaking words of hope and encouragement.
God has spoken most clearly through the life of Jesus Christ and when we identify with him we find life, peace, and joy. Nowhere else is there eternal rest but in Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
I described to you the ways that God has revealed himself universally through creation.
I spoke to you about how God has revealed himself most fully through the life of Jesus Christ.
Today, I challenge you to reaffirm your commitment to listening for the voice of God
As you drive home and pass the beauty of the Gulf Coast; marvel at the wonder of God’s voice. As you read your Bible this week, be in awe of the life of Christ.
A. W. Tozer once wrote, “The voice of God is a friendly voice. No one need fear to listen to it unless he has already made up his mind to resist it.”
