The Miracle of the Message

What would be the best text message or phone call you could receive today?

If you got that text message or call, how would you likely respond?

Which of the following methods of communication would you most miss if you lost it: social media, texting, email, phone calls, or letter writing? Why?

What are some of the ways God communicates to you?

Which of His methods of communication do you appreciate the most? Why?

God communicates to us all day long. So many times we are so busy, and our world is so hectic and noisy, we can’t hear him. The Christmas Message is the loudest and most effective God ever communicated His love to man.

Hebrews 1:1–2 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.

What are some of your favorite Old Testament accounts where God communicated to His people?

In the Old Testament, God would communicate through visions, angels, events, and people.

Some might think it would be easier if God still showed up in a burning bush, or similar method, to speak to us.

Why did God change His method of communication by sending Jesus to earth? How is the way God has spoken in “these last days” (v. 2, “by His Son”) altogether better than how He communicated previously?

Now God speaks directly to us through the Holy Spirit which was given to us when His Son ascended in to heaven. The Holy Spirit, being part of the Trinity, is a direct part of God. Therefore, God no longer speaks to His people any of the ways written above. He now speaks to us directly if we will listen.

Why is it important to know that God speaks?

What would be some of the implications for our lives if God was silent?

In between the arrival of John the Baptist and Malachi, God had been pretty much silent for 400 years. Even though He was silent, He was still actively involved in His creation and with His creation. God continues to reveal Himself to us through His Son. As a matter of fact, if we want to become more intimate with God, all we need to do is look to His Son and the Holy Spirit. His Son is found in the Word of God.

Hebrews 1:3 ESV

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,

Which part of this verse is most significant to you? Why?

For me there are so many things about this verse which are very important, but having Jesus making purification for my sins and that He sits at the right hand of God means He has paid the price for me and will be there when I go to glory.

What does it mean personally to you?

That I have a spot in heaven because of the one who sits at the right hand of the Father.

How would you summarize God’s message to us in the Person of Jesus Christ?

He loved us so much He sent His Son to die on the cross for us and allow us to be able to come into His presence. He has bridged the gap. He has taken away the separation from God we found in the Old Testament, and now we can come before our God fully because of the sacrifice which was made for us.

Ephesians 2:18 ESV

18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

John 14:6–9 ESV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

What do passages like Ephesians 2:18 and John 14:6-9 reveal about our ability to know and communicate with the Father because of Jesus?

We now have direct access to our heavenly Father through His Son. We also now know more about the Father than any other time before since He was revealed to us through His Son.

Colossians 1:15–23 ESV

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

What is the difference between simply hearing someone speak and really listening to them?

I have real problems with this. This is where my self-diagnosed ADHD kicks in. I can be looking you in the eye, and not hear a word your saying. I actually did this to a kid today. They were talking with me, I was looking right at them, and my mind was on next week’s concert.

When we really listen to someone, we are geared into the conversation we are having with them. We are following what they are saying, and we are interested as well. We take what they are saying, and we put value to it.

Who is someone whose communication and advice you pay close attention to and act upon? Why?

Let’s take a look at verse 22 again before we ask the next question.

Colossians 1:22 ESV

22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

From verse 22, for what purpose did God communicate to us through His Son Jesus?

So that we could be blameless in His sight. Blameless and above reproach before God. He has sent His Son to provide that for us.

Based on these verses, respond to the following statement: It isn’t enough to simply hear God’s message to us.

It isn’t enough to simply listen. We must believe and act. We must demonstrate and faith in the gift that has been given to us through our Lord and Savior. It is through this belief and action that we will be transformed into being more like Him. It will take time. It will take so many different avenues. We’ve heard from scripture the last two weeks of how God will discipline all of us so He can get us where He needs us to be. We’ve have all, we all are, and we all will continue to have God working on us through His will and His might to help become who He wants us to be.

Questions to think about tonight:

God speaks through history. In the history of your life, what has He communicated to you? When your life is “history”, what do you hope He will have communicated through you?

God speaks through Christ. What are some steps, then, that you can take to know Christ better?

God speaks to transform. What is one change you know God wants to make in your life? How is God speaking to you about that in today’s lesson?