The Revealed Word
Notes
Transcript
Handout
29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
In our nation, at least in years past, there has typically been a respect for the Bible.
But in recent years there has been a shift in our culture to a distrust and a criticism for the Word of God and those who stand on it.
Anyone who takes a close look at the Bible will see that it is the very Word of God.
The Bible is the greatest book in the world simply because it is the very revelation of God.
It is the greatest book meaning greatest in subject matter, greatest in influence, and it answers the greatest need in man – salvation.
I. The Implication of Revelation
I. The Implication of Revelation
What do we mean by Revelation, What is revelation?
Revelation is the act of God where He gave to man knowledge about himself and his creation.
Knowledge that man could not have otherwise know.
The act of revelation is described in several places in the Bible
29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
In the New Testament we see
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
There are a few things we should notice about revelation.
A. Revelation Is An Act of God
A. Revelation Is An Act of God
Peter tells us:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Even though God used over 40 men to write the Bible, we know they did not write like other men write books.
No, the message of the Bible originated with God and concerns God.
But God is unknowable, and man couldn’t understand his maker apart from the decision by God to let man know Him.
Because God loves man, God wanted to share himself with man, so God chose to tell man about Himself.
Man did not stumble onto facts about God, nor did man figure it out.
All that anyone knows about God came from God.
This is called the act of revelation which was “forever settled in heaven.”
Psalm 119:89
So the real author of the Bible is God himself.
The 40 something men just simply recorded the things that God revealed to and through them.
When a photographer takes a picture of a landscape, we respect him for his skill.
But no one seriously considers him the creator of the subject of the picture.
Yet as we compare his picture with those taken of the same scene by a beginner, we can see the evidence of the photographer’s skill.
Ansel Adams - Pictures
An extremely good photographer is able to communicate his personality through his work.
So it is with the Bible.
It is God’s revelation recorded by men.
Sometimes we can see characteristics of a particular writer in a book, but there can be no question that the Bible is the very Word of God.
B. Revelation Is Given to Man
B. Revelation Is Given to Man
The Bible is a personal book; it is written to and for men.
When a person is saved, he feels the Bible has a personal message from God to him, even though the Word of God is addressed to all.
Moses told Israel
Deuteronomy 29:29 (KJV)
29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
The act of revelation began in the heart of a personal God who wanted to reveal himself to his creation.
But man has a hard time understanding because of his sin nature,
The nature and plan of God are contrary to sinful man, so finite humans could not understand God if they would try.
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Man could not understand God if he wanted to, for only God can understand God.
Therefore, God chose to reveal everything we know about himself to us.
C. Revelation Is Partial and Complete
C. Revelation Is Partial and Complete
This seems like a contradiction.
By “complete” we mean that the revelation of God is finished, completely written, containing all that God wants us to know about Him.
The Christian does not expect to find some new truth that needs to be added to the Bible.
In fact, the final words of the closing chapter of the book of Revelation make it clear that the book is completed.
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Even though these words were written about the Book of revelation, they are relevant to all the Bible.
The Bible is complete, yet in its completed form it is only a partial revelation of God.
We do not know everything there is to know about God.
Deuteronomy 29:29 (KJV)
29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
When John wrote Revelation, he was prevented from recording some things God had revealed to him.
Paul had a similar experience when
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
God in His wisdom feels it best not to reveal some things to us.
Many things about God are still hidden and unrevealed.
But we can rest assured that God has given us everything we need to accomplish His purpose in our lives!
II. The Importance of Revelation
II. The Importance of Revelation
A. Foundational to Salvation
A. Foundational to Salvation
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.
The records of history tell us of the death of Christ, but only the Bible tells us it was for our salvation.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
B. Foundational to Knowing God
B. Foundational to Knowing God
God has revealed his existence in general ways to all men though nature, conscience and history.
But God used the special revelation of Scripture and Christ to reveal his Person.
Men cannot arrive at the right ideas about God by themselves
The only ideas that are correct about God are those he has revealed about himself.
His names, his attributes his plan can only be found in this Book.
C. Foundational to All Doctrine
C. Foundational to All Doctrine
The Bible says
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
If God did not reveal anything on a particular subject, there would be no doctrine.
D. Foundational to the Christian life
D. Foundational to the Christian life
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
The Bible is the Christians how to manual on how to please God.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
III. The Instruments of Revelation
III. The Instruments of Revelation
Revelation is usually discussed in two different categories.
General revelation and special revelation.
General revelation is given to all persons and man needs no help understanding it.
General revelation comes from nature to reveal the existence and power of God.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
General revelation also comes from the conscience
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Special revelation however comes to us from Scripture in particular and through the revelation of God in Christ Jesus specifically.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
When the wise men came from the east seeking the king, they had a general revelation, God must have impressed upon their hearts the purpose of the star.
But definitely when they arrived in Jerusalem looking for the king in the palace, they were told by the scribes and pharisee’s that he would be born in Bethlehem.
This was revealed by special revelation.
In Bethlehem, they received the fullest revelation as they worshiped the young child, the King, the Word that became flesh.
People should respond to what God teaches them through natural revelation.
That information will never save them, but it points them to the special revelation, the Bible, where they learn of the Person of God and his salvation.
Special revelation far surpasses the revelation from history, conscience and nature.
As we study the Bible we will be constantly pointed to Christ.
Someday Christ shall return and as it says in ...
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
IV. The Intent of Revelation
IV. The Intent of Revelation
God has revealed his Word for a purpose
Too often the Bible is used in Christian homes for little more than a display.
Christians, by not reading the Scripture rob themselves of the blessings that could be theirs!
A. Revelation of Our Sin
A. Revelation of Our Sin
God reveals our sin, not to rub our nose in it, but to show our need for salvation.
God’s word reveals sin.
Missionary to the Chinese translating Bible
Came to Romans and one man said, “You told us your Book was ancient; but you wrote about our sin since you have come and learned about Chinamen.”
People have come to me and asked, who have you been talking to?
God who knows the heart of all men, has revealed the sinful nature of men in the Bible.
B. Revelation of Christ
B. Revelation of Christ
God’s revelation is primarily a revelation of Christ.
Jesus said he was the central theme of Scripture.
39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
The last book of the Bible is the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
C. Revelation of Eternal Life
C. Revelation of Eternal Life
The Bible shows us how to have both eternal life and the assurance of it.
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Christianity is not like other religions, where the followers can never be assured of their eternal home.
Assurance is possible because of the revelation of God.
D. Revelation of God’s Expectations
D. Revelation of God’s Expectations
The Bible gives us a standard by which to live.
God revealed the law of Moses so that Israel would obey it.
The Scriptures were given so that the Christian might grow spiritually (Deut 29:29)
It is our Christian duty to do all that is commanded of us (2 Timothy 3:17)
Our only biblical guarantee of success in the Christian life is tied to obedience to the biblical standard of our life (Joshua 1:8)
It is God’s manual for our lives.
E. Revelation of Wisdom
E. Revelation of Wisdom
The Bible gives wisdom and understanding to its students.
This is something for which every Christian can and ought to pray
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
God, who is the source of all wisdom, gives to us as we study the Bible.
F. Revelation of Victory
F. Revelation of Victory
The Word of God has the power to keep a Christian from sin.
God knowing that men would face the problem of sin, revealed a way of escape to help the Christian live a clean life.
9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.
We can overcome temptation
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Even Jesus used Scripture when he was tempted.
“This Book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this Book.”
The Bible prepares the Christian for spiritual battles as he struggles against his enemies.
Paul knew this, and he concluded that “above all” the Christian needed the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
God gives us what we need to gain victory, we just need to be faithful to do it!
If we receive a personal letter from a loved one we have not seen for some time, we do not casually glance at it then throw it away like junk mail.
We probably read it again and again to pull the love from it.
The Bible is God’s revelation of himself to us.
Any person who wants to know God and live for him will continue to read and study it.