August 25, 2024

Communication; A Spiritual Privelidge

History of Communication

Hyroglifics

Letters

Homing Pigeons

Postal Carrier System

Hebrews 1:1–2 (NASB95)

God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways,

in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

Main Idea:

“Every genuine revelation of God has this mark upon it, that it makes Him appear more glorious.”

Charles Spurgeon

The theme of our text is how God revealed His message to the people. It will contrast with the ministry of Christ which is superior to any past revelation. But the past revelations do show great spiritual privilege.

FIRST—THE MOMENT IN THE REVELATION “many ways … long ago.” God spoke at different times. It behooves us to remember this and always be where God speaks for if you fail here, you may miss the spiritual privilege.

• Distance times. “In time past” This refers especially to Old Testament times. God has been revealing Himself and His ways to men ever since the Garden of Eden.

a. God spoke with Adam and Eve in the Garden He created (Gen. 1-2).

b. God spoke with Noah when sin was rampant all over the world and in the thoughts of men continually.

SECOND—THE MANIFESTATION IN THE REVELATION “Spoke.” God is not silent. He has manifested Himself and His ways. And as the next verse indicates, He revealed Himself and His ways in Jesus Christ which is His best revelation.

Jesus is the Word Incarnate.

The Latin verb incarnare meant “to make flesh.” When we say that Jesus Christ is God “Incarnate,” we mean that the Son of God took on a fleshly, bodily form (John 1:14). However, when this happened in the womb of Mary, Jesus’ earthly mother, He did not stop being deity. Although Jesus became fully human (Hebrews 2:17), He retained His status as God (John 1:1, 14). How Jesus is able to be both man and God simultaneously is one of the great mysteries of Christianity but is nevertheless a test of orthodoxy (1 John 4:2; 2 John 1:7). Jesus has two distinct natures, divine and human. “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me” (John 14:11).

Those alive when Christ ministered on earth were given a tremendous spiritual privilege. But, as is often the case, men did not take advantages of this greatest of spiritual privileges. and will abide in the darkness of damnation forever. However we have the record of Christ recorded in the Scripture and though we were not present when He was on earth, we still enjoy tremendous spiritual advantage in reading and studying His ministry from the Word of God.

Communication is important to God. Speaking was the method behind creating the entire universe.

Deuteronomy 29:29 NASB95

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.

THIRD—THE MANNER OF THE REVELATION “many ways .” These words speak especially about the prophets declaration. Sometimes they declared the truth in signs and sometimes solely in speech. But either way brought spiritual privilege to those who became acquainted with His message. However most of the signs and speeches were rejected.

A. The first use of the word prophet.

1 Now Abraham journeyed from there toward the land of the [fn]Negev, and [fn]settled between Kadesh and Shur; then he sojourned in Gerar. 2 Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is [fn]married.” 4 Now Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord, will You slay a nation, even though [fn]blameless? 5 Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my [fn]hands I have done this.” 6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also [fn]kept you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her. 7 Now therefore, restore the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.”

FOURTH—THE MULTITUDE FOR THE REVELATION “to the fathers.” This refers to those who lived in the past. It is not limited to male humans. The Israelites had great spiritual privilege, but blew it. That is the root of Israel’s problems today. They rejected Christ, their greatest spiritual privilege and this has brought much trouble to the people. Spiritual privilege can greatly bless if it is received and revered, but if it is rejected, it will bring damnation.

-The author’s intent in Hebrews is to add to the confidence of the listeners who are going through a difficult time in their faith.

FIFTH—THE MINISTERS IN THE REVELATION “The prophets.” It was a great privilege for Israel to have all the prophets which they were given. These prophets which for the most part were cruelly rejected brought Israel the message of God which gave Israel great spiritual privilege. It is always a spiritual privilege to have a man of God declaring Divine truth in your midst. But most such men are mistreated which is rejection of spiritual privilege.

-While the office of prophet as we understand it from the Old Testament and New is closed, we are to continue to herald or share Christ’s message.

Butler, John G. 2014. Sermon Starters. Vol. 4. Clinton, IA: LBC Publications.