Hebrews 1:1-3
[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; [3] Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
God has always had His prophets and has revealed Himself and His will in various ways. Many of those ways we no longer see in actions. People often don’t like the answers they get from God’s Word and like a spoiled child seeking a different answer will try a different method. Let’s look at some of the divers manners that God has used in history to reveal His will.
- The MANNERS – God has ‘spoken’ in the past by:
- The CREATION – the natural world and the magnificent universe that we see around us testify of the existence, power, wisdom and care of God. To look at the creation and believe that it is a giant cosmic accident requires more ‘faith’ than to look at a fine watch or beautiful automobile and think ‘what a wonderful convergence of metal, silica, carbon and other elements. When we see a beautiful building or a even the computer that I’m using to write this and post it on the web it is clear that someone designed and made these things. In the same way the creation testifies of God.
- SIGNS such as the Fleece – Judges 6:37-40 [37] Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. [38] And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. [39] And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. [40] And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground. The main problem we see with this method is that, as in the case of Gideon, God has already spoken by His Word. Judges 6:36 [36] And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, Gideon acknowledges that God has already spoken. Notice that he says to God that You have said. How many times does God have to say something for us to heed it? My father was a man who said things one time, it was enough. My brothers and I knew that when he spoke that it was a settled issue. I should certainly heed the Word of my Heavenly Father with much greater attention and obedience than that of my earthly father.
- His Revealed WORD –
- The Written Word of God came in times past as God revealed it to men Romans 1:19-20 [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: We have the Bible, the Scriptures by revelation 2 Timothy 3:16 [16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: All that is necessary for our spiritual life is in the Bible. It is a sad fact that as a nation we have neglected our youth in regard to their education in the things of God.
- The Living Word – Jesus John 1:1-2 [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [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. Jesus is God the Son. The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to man. God the Father is a spirit and we could not see Him with the eyes of flesh and survive. Exodus 33:18-23 [18] And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. [19] And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. [20] And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. [21] And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: [22] And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: [23] And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen. When Jesus came robed in human flesh, born of the Virgin Mary, He gave a living revelation of God, one that we can see and not only live but have everlasting life. That generation that lived at the time of His appearance saw Him with physical eyes, we can see Him with the eyes of faith through the Word He has given us.
- The MESSAGE
- Man is a sinner and without hope. Romans 3:23 [23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; I have dealt with only a very few people who did not know and admit that they are sinners. The knowledge of wrongdoing is innate in the human. The Word of God makes it clear that all are guilty having sinned.
- Because we have sinned we have incurred a debt. That debt can only be paid by death. Romans 6:23 [23] For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.The death is more than just physical death. It is described as the second death in Revelation 20:14-15 [14] And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. [15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Jesus paid our debt on the cross by His death. He had no sin and because of His sinless life was able to pay our sin debt for us. 2 Corinthians 5:21 [21] For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
- That we are saved by faith. Acts 16:31 [31] And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. John 3:16 [16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. The message of the Bible is one of love. God loves his creation. He wants us to be in fellowship with Him. He wants us to be with Him for all eternity. He loves us so much that even though He knew about all our sins before the creation of the world He still made us and made a way for us to be forgiven for our sins.
- The MAJESTY of God. We need to recognize the majesty of God. He is perfect in every way. We can see this in some of His characteristics. Consider His:
- Omnipotence – He has all power that means that nothing is beyond His abilities. It is important to remember with whom we deal. My pastor Brother Ken Jacques used to say that most people think of God as “an old man sitting in a rocking chair on the porch of Heaven, who wouldn’t hurt a fly”. The Bible describes Him thusly Hebrews 12:29 [29] For our God is a consuming fire. He has all power!
- OMNIPRESENCE – Psalm 139:7-8 [7] Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? [8] If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. I have seen the science fiction movies on time travel, it is entertaining, but certainly a fantasy. But I have never seen or read science fiction that portrays one with the ability to be everywhere at one time and at all times,
- OMNISCIENCE – 1 John 3:20 [20] For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Nothing can be hidden from the eyes of God. Men do their sins in a dark corner, thinking that their evil deeds will be hidden. God knows all and will bring all to light at the time of judgment.
We all will stand before the Creator God and answer for our lives. If one has not accepted the payment of the blood of Jesus then he must answer for his sins and then hear the sentence of eternity in the Lake of Fire. If one is saved then he will answer for the stewardship of all the things that God has placed in our care, money, time, talents and opportunities. As we live our lives we should always think about the judgment that is to come.
May God bless you
Brother Mike Scott
Faith Baptist Church
Faith Baptist Church of Newborn GA 