The God Who Speaks

Introduction

A major miscommunication.

Psalm 19:1 (ESV)

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Psalm 19:7 (ESV)

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

GOD SPEAKS TO YOU

We’ll talk more about how, but this is the first big idea.

It is not as though we call out to God and then he speaks to us; rather, God has been speaking since time began.

A few things can be said about this truth:

1.It is an act of amazing grace.

God isn’t obligated to speak to us. The very fact that he has chosen to speak to us is evidence of his grace and has nothing to do with our ability.

2. It sets God apart as the Living God.

Archaeologists have found a manual for Babylonian priests from the 6th Century BC. It was written by the Babylonian priest, Iddina-NabuÆ, to be used in Marduk’s temple.

It describes what is known as the “Opening of the Mouth Ritual.”

The inscription begins:

When you wash the mouth of a god, on a favorable day in the  [workshop], you set up two holy-water vessels. (You place) a red cloth in front of the god and a white cloth to the right of the god. For [the purification gods] Ea and Asalluh_i you set up offering-tables.

You perform mouth-washing on that god and for that god you set up an offering table.

You raise your hand and recite three times the incantation, “Born in heaven by your own power.” You recite three times before that god the incantation, “From today you go before your father Ea,” and you take the hand of the god . . . You recite the incantation, “As you grew up, as you grew up from the forest,” (while going) to the riverbank from the house of the craftsmen [carrying] a torch in front of the god. Seat (him) on a reed-mat, and you set his eyes toward sunset. You set up a reed-hut. . . .

You libate best beer; you open the thigh of a ram, and you place inside an axe, a nail, a saw, a tortoise and turtle of silver and gold; you bind it up and throw it into the river.

Before Ea you pronounce three times, “King, lord of the deep,” and raise your hands and recite three times the incantation, “Enki [Ea], king of the Apsu,” and you libate beer, milk, wine (and) honey. You perform mouth-washing, and three times you pronounce the incantation, “He who comes, his mouth is washed,” and dismantle the offering-tables.

You take the hand of that god, and in the orchard in the midst of the reed-standards you seat him on a reed-mat on a linen cloth. You set his eyes toward sunrise.

At this point, the sculptor’s hands are symbolically cut off with a wooden knife to separate the idol-maker from the idol itself.

You bind their [the sculptors’] hands with a “headband” and cut (them) with a knife of tamarisk wood. “I did not make him (the statue), Ninagal (who is) Ea (god) of the smith made him,” you make (them) say. You open the eye of that god.

The idol is then carried into the temple led by priests who chant prayers along the way. At this point the idol is considered a god and is now worshiped as the god who made people and it’s mouth is now opened by the priests so that the god might speak to the priests.

1 Kings 18:26–27 (ESV)

26 And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made. 27 And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.”

3. It reveals God’s desire for relationship.

Communication is key to a relationship.

God doesn’t just speak. He speaks to PEOPLE.

We're told that he speaks to Adam, to Cain, to Noah, and to Abraham, both directly and in a vision.

He speaks to Lot though angels, to Rebekah, to Isaac, to Jacob in a dream and then to Jacob in person.

He speaks to Joseph in dreams.

He speaks to Moses from the burning bush, and later face-to-face on a regular basis.

He speaks the ten commandments to all the people from the top of Mount Sinai.

He speaks to Balaam through a donkey and an angel, and he speaks through Balaam to Balak - and we've only reached the fourth book of the Bible!

God uses OUR language. He didn’t demand that we learn how to communicate with him (as if somehow we could); instead, he used (uses) our language and the best methods to communicate with us that we might respond.

4. When God speaks things happen.

You cannot separate God’s word from his action.

The first thing God did was speak. Oh, all right, the first thing he did was to create the universe, but how did he do it? By Speaking!

Genesis 1, verse 3 And God said;

verse 6 And God said;

verse 9 And God said;

verse 11 Then God said;

verse 14 And God said;

verse 20 And God said;

verse 24 And God said;

verse 26 Then God said; and so on.

God’s words rarely simply describe something. Instead, when God speaks, things happen: the future is told and people are moved, mountains shake and armies tremble, the universe is created and nature obeys, history is shaped and the dead are raised to life!

Because, when God speaks, things happen!

Some of you are here today and you don’t need to hear about God, you need to hear God speak, because you need God to act in your life. LISTEN! God is speaking.

Today we will focus on second (and third) part of the psalm. But let’s get a running start by starting at the beginning:

God Speaks to the World (1-6)

Psalm 19:1–14 (ESV)

1 The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

2 Day to day pours out speech,

and night to night reveals knowledge.

3 There is no speech, nor are there words,

whose voice is not heard.

4 Their voice goes out through all the earth,

and their words to the end of the world.

In them he has set a tent for the sun,

5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,

and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.

6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,

and its circuit to the end of them,

and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

General Revelation

ILLUST - I can tell you general things about a person based on the car they drive and what their car looks like

General revelation is not generally aimed at any one person but available for all

General revelation is usually found in three main areas:

Creation

History

Human nature

Creation

Augustine of Hippo, in the 5th Century

“Some people, in order to discover God, read books. But there is a great book: the very appearance of created things. Look above you! Look below you! Read it. God, whom you want to discover, never wrote that book with ink.”

— Sermon 126, c. 410 AD

Notice how many times the language of communication is used in Ps 19:1-4

A look at Creation tells us there is something (Someone) who made it all.

Paul states creation is enough to give us a knowledge that there is a God:

Romans 1:18–20 (ESV)

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 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.

History

The course of human history is such that it speaks of a Divine orchestrator (fate, luck, etc)

Acts 17:26–27 (ESV)

26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,

A.W. Tozer

“God is above history but acts within it. He does not sit idly as a mere observer of time. History is His story.”

— The Knowledge of the Holy

Human Nature

John Calvin:

“There is within the human mind, and indeed by natural instinct, an awareness of divinity… God himself has implanted in all men a certain understanding of his divine majesty.”

— Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 1, Chapter 3

Romans 2:14–15 (ESV)

14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them

In contrast with what one would expect with a completely naturalistic and atheistic worldview, there is a basic morality and sense of justice pervasive throughout human history. It seems to NOT be tied to culture or context, and seems to be both universal and innate and so seems to be rooted in something (Someone) outside of our time and space.

Here are some things we can learn about God from general revelation:

God exists (Ps. 19:1; Rom. 1:19)

God is uncreated (Acts 17:24)

God is Creator (Acts 14:15)

God is Sustainer (Acts 14:16; 17:25)

God is universal Lord (Acts 17:24)

God is self-sufficient (Acts 17:25)

God is transcendent (Acts 17:24)

God is immanent (Acts 17:26–27)

God is eternal (Ps. 93:2)

God is great (Ps. 8:3–4)

God is majestic (Ps. 29:4)

God is powerful (Ps. 29:4; Rom. 1:20)

God is wise (Ps. 104:24)

God is good (Acts 14:17) - rain

God is righteous (Rom. 1:32)

God has a sovereign will (Acts 17:26)

God has standards of right and wrong (Rom. 2:15)

God should be worshiped (Acts 14:15; 17:23)

Man should perform the good (Rom. 2:15)

God will judge evil (Rom. 2:15–16)

In sum: God’s glory (Ps. 19:1), divine nature (Rom. 1:20), and moral demands (Rom. 2:14–15) are to some extent known through general revelation.

God Speaks Through His Word (7-11)

Particular Revelation

finds its focus on a person or group of people.

Big turn in v 7 from global to personal

Before this only generic term for God is used, from v7 on, the personal name for God is used.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect,

Here it is talking about God speaking through the OT Law.

Law was God’s direct (particular) revelation to His people, Israel so they would know how to be in a relationship with Him.

The Word is Relational

Law was given to describe how to have a relationship with God

ILLUST - Parents, do you have rules for you children? Does that make you a loving parent? Are your rules for their good or harm?

God’s Word is not just about rules. The Law could be seen that way, but it is in fact, very relational.

J.I. Packer

“God gave the law not as a ladder to climb to heaven, but as a map for a people He has already brought near.”

— Knowing God

ILLUST - The way we explained the rules to our adopted kiddos as they moved form one family to another was to say “That’s not what Dickinsons do.” This was not to say we were the superior family (though I am partial). It was not to say you wouldn’t be part of the family if you didn’t follow the rules (you were chosen to be part of the family apart from any action on your part).

It WAS to say, this is how we relate to each other and the world now that we ARE a part of this family

We needed this particular revelation because of the Fall and sin

This is why David says the Law is perfect (or blameless) - it is the external character corrector for those of us who have been affected by the Fall (everyone)

The Word is Beneficial

Look what the Law (God’s revelation) is to do for us:

reviving the soul;

the testimony of the Lord is sure,

making wise the simple;

8 the precepts of the Lord are right,

rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the Lord is pure,

enlightening the eyes;

9 the fear of the Lord is clean,

enduring forever;

the rules of the Lord are true,

and righteous altogether.

The Word is a Person

You can wax the eloquent about all you want but it will never compare to experiencing the presence of a person.

You can send emails, texts, even phone calls, and it is never the same as actually being with the person, yes?

ILLUST - Ever communicate with a masked emailer?You know the people who email or text in a way that you think they are mad at you but when you meet them in person you find they are totally different?

The best communication is always in person

The ultimate revelation of God to you is Jesus.

Hebrews 1:1–3 (ESV)

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

John 1:14 (ESV) — 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:17–18 (ESV) — 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

If you want to know what God is saying to you look at Jesus — who he is and what he has done.

Jesus came not simply to tell about God, not only to speak for God or tell about his heart; instead, Jesus is a living picture of God’s heart

God has spoken and is speaking to you so you might know Him and live for Him.

How does God speak to us today?

Through the Word He has given us.

Through the Bible

The Bible was written:

Over a span of 1500 years.

By more than 40 authors from many walks of life:

- Kings

- Tax collectors

- Philosopher

- Fisherman

- Military general

- Shepherds

- Rabbi

- Poets

- Physician

On three different continents:

- Asia

- Africa

- Europe

In many different places:

- The wilderness

- A palace

- A dungeon

- A prison

- A hillside

In times of war and times of peace.

In three languages:

- Hebrew (OT)

- Aramaic (OT)

- Greek (NT)

By hand until the printing press was invented by Johann Gutenberg in the 1450’s.

On several types of material:

- Potsherd

- Stone

- Vellum

- Clay tablets

- Papyrus

- Wax tablets

- Parchment

In the form of a scroll or codex

*How many original copies of the books of the Bible do we have?

- Zero

*Do we have what was really written?

- YES

For three reasons:

- The number of copies

- The quality of the copies

- The ‘checkability’ of the copies

The number of copies

- Gospel of Judas – 1 (100-199 AD)

- Gospel of Mary – 2 (100-199 AD)

- Gospel of Thomas – 4 (100-199 AD)

- Plato – 7 (61-113 AD - 500 years after he wrote)

- Caesar, Gaelic Wars (100-44 BC)

- Works of Josephus – 55 (75-95 AD)

- Homer’s Illiad – 650 (800 BC)

- New Testament >6000 (50 – 100 AD)

For the most part, the Old Testament Canon had been set for millennia through Jewish tradition and writings.

Thus, the Old Testament canon is not really disputed (except for possibly the OT Apocrypha)

- Most of these books needed to attach themselves to other accepted books for authority.

Through the words that he continues to give to us.

Apart from general revelation of creation and the Holy Spirit through the Bible, God does not promise he will speak to us through any other avenue.

However, he does not say that he could not either. We know he has spoken to many men and women throughout Scripture through phenomenal and miraculous means.

His Word is the ultimate and final authority over any other words we may experience.

Primarily through prayer, but may also be through other means - dreams,

Any words God gives you will be consistent with His Word and confirmed by His Spirit.

ILLUST - counseling session of a pastor - two married (not to each other) people want to be in a relationship and believe God is telling them to divorce their spouses and marry each other - nope.

God gives Word and we respond in worship (12-14)

12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Notice the areas of our worship include both our external actions as well as our internal intentions.

- External actions are easier to control than our internal intentions.

When was the last time you allowed God’s Word to have this type of effect on you?

Hebrews 3:7–8 (ESV)

7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness,

Psalm 95:7–8 (ESV)

7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,

Psalm 19:14 ESV

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

God thinks of you and speaks to you so you might speak about him and think about him.

God has spoken and is speakingso you might know Him and live for Him.

God is speaking to you. How will you respond?

I’m listening