Communication - Part 1

Intro

Communication is: To make known, to show by word or deed, to impart to another, to reveal

Several forms of communication:

Verbal communication (the words we say… how we say it… when we say it…)

Non-verbal communication (what we say without words… body language, posture, facial expressions)

Written communication (letters, email, text)

Visual communication (video, photo, drawing, illustrations, animation)

Some communication is clear… some is unclear…

Squid communicate by changing different colors

Bees communicate by dancing

They say an African Elephant communicates by something called Infrasound… it’s a deep vibration too low for humans to hear. They believe other elephants can hear this 175 miles away

The African Demon Mole Rat communicates through their underground tunnels by thumping their heads on top of the tunnel wall that reverberates through the tunnel

Needless to say, there are some pretty interesting communication methods out there…

God made it so we have the easiest form of communication… Yet we are so unskilled with it.

What you say communicates

A wife texted her husband and asked, “Diamond ring - Price $10,000, can I get it?”

The husband replied, “No price is too high.” (no punctuation)

She bought the ring…

2. What you don’t say communicates

*The silent treatment?

*Ignoring someone?

Studies show 55% of communication is non-verbal

Non-verbal always reveals more than verbal because you see the true intent or motive…

3. What you do communicates

*Financial purchases

*Purchasing something for yourself only

*Prioritizing your wants over others

4. What you don’t do communicates

*Refusing to participate in something that doesn’t interest you

*Missing an anniversary or birthday

*Failing to chasten when needed

*Skipping church for something else

Why is communication important?

1. God Communicated in Creation

Hebrews 11:3 (KJV 1900)

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Psalm 33:6 (KJV 1900)

6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made;

And all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

Psalm 33:9 (KJV 1900)

9 For he spake, and it was done;

He commanded, and it stood fast.

2. God Communicates to Mankind

Think of the ways God spoke in the Bible:

a.) He spoke and the world was created (He created mankind)

b.) He verbally warned Noah of a flood that would destroy the earth (He preserved mankind)

c.) He called Moses from a burning bush (He sent mankind)

d.) He gave the 10 commandments (He instructed mankind)

e.) He spoke from Heaven and said, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” (He admonished mankind)

f.) He spoke / converted Saul (He Reconciled mankind)

g.) He spoke to Job out of a whirlwind (He Reproves mankind)

God also communicated by:

a.) A pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire

b.) Signs and miracles

John 2:11 (KJV 1900)

11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

c.) Visions and dreams

d.) Prophets

e.) Angels

e.) A Whale to Jonah

f.) A donkey…

Here’s what I’m saying: You CANNOT say God did not go to great lengths to communicate with mankind

We live in a day where we have more access to God’s communications than just about any time in history…

We have the entire canon of scripture in our language

We have the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit

Because of the time God allowed us to live in history:

You know of how God created the world

You know the truth of God for all mankind for ever

You know of the grace of God

You know of the love of God

You know what God did, is doing and will do

We have more access to communications from God than anytime in history…

What do we do with it?

Luke 24:13–27 (KJV 1900)

13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Luke 24:44 (KJV 1900)

44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

What was written?

The Gospel…

Luke 24:45–47 (KJV 1900)

45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Think about it…

Through inspiration, God used human authors to pen His words…

Many of these great people God used, the words weren’t even for them…

Or at least they didn’t fully understand those words at least…

1 Peter 1:10–12 (KJV 1900)

10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Do you think Isaiah knew He was writing about Jesus when God, through Him, wrote Isaiah 53 about the one who will:

bore our griefs

carry our sorrows

wounded for our transgressions

bruised for our iniquities

With his stripes we are healed

He was oppressed, afflicted

We know what this passage is referring to…

Philip knew what this passage was referring to when he expounded on it to the Ethiopian Eunuch…

But I doubt Isaiah knew what he was writing about…

We believed in the inspiration of the scriptures, not the writers…

What’s the point of all this?

God communicates to mankind in great ways then and now…

How much more should we look into and study this great topic of communication?