God is real and he has spoken

Topics: God, God speaks to us

I. God speaks through creation

* General revelation displays God's creative power and greatness!

1. The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their utterances to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; it rejoices as a strong man to run his course. Its rising is from one end of the heavens, and its circuit to the other end of them; and there is nothing hidden from its heat (Psalm 19:1-6).

2. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse (Romans 1:20).

II. God speaks through scripture

* Special revelation unveils God's holiness and His redemptive plan!

1. The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward (Psalm 19:7-11).
2. See 2 Peter 1:20?21

III. God speaks through his Son

*Personal revelation of the Incarnation is God's amazing love for us!

1. Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not rule over me; then I will be blameless, and I shall be acquitted of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:12-14).
2. God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:1-3a).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, October 30^th,2022

Life group flow and discussion questions

Come into the presence of God

An important Guideline of Life Groups: It is vitally critical to evaluate your teachers by sound exegesis of Scripture. Ask yourself and one another, "Is that what God says?" Become a "Berean mindset" Life Group (Acts 17:11).

Getting Started:

1. How has God made Himself known to you through His three different revelations?

• His General Revelation (Natural Creation)
• His Special Revelation (Written Word)
• His Personal Revelation (Living Word)

2. Why does Satan seek to discredit the words of God in his temptations of mankind (Genesis 3:1; see also Matthew 4:4, 7, 10, 11)?

Discussing Truths:

3. Do you think that General Revelation of God is enough to save someone? Why or why not? What did Paul mean by saying they are "without excuse" (Romans 1:20)?
4. How has Scripture restored your soul and imparted wisdom in your life (19:7)?
5. Why is the inerrancy of Scripture called the "watershed issue" of the Christian faith?
6. How do you answer a skeptic who claims that the Bible is full of contradictions and errors?
7. Do you have a growing desire to know God more by an earnest yearning of studying Scripture (19:10; see also 2 Timothy 2:15; 4:1-4)?
8. Why do you think David prayed for discernment and God's acquittal of "hidden faults" and "presumptuous sins" (19:12, 13)? Do you pray like that (Psalm 139:23, 24)?
9. How is Jesus's incarnation essential for Him to be our Redeemer (19:14; see also Hebrews 2:14-18)?

Now What? Application:

1. Evaluate all your words and all your thoughts by what God would see as acceptable and righteous. Memorize and meditate on Psalm 19:14.
2. Thank God everyday for His gracious revelation of Himself and seek to know Him more deeply in your reflections of creation, study of Scripture and prayer!