<< Previous | Index | Next >>"THE CLARION VOICES OF GOD" INTRODUCTION 1. Sometimes people may wonder: if there is God... a. Why hasn't He made Himself more clearly known? b. Why has He spoken only through what many view as an antiquated book (the Bible)? 2. I would contend that God has made Himself known... a. He has spoken in various ways (in addition to a book that is far from antiquated) b. He has spoken quite loudly (for those willing to listen) [In what I like to call "The Clarion Voices Of God", note that...] I. GOD SPEAKS LOUDLY THROUGH HIS CREATION A. GOD'S VOICE IN HIS CREATION... 1. Reveals His glory and His handiwork - Ps 19:1-4 2. Reveals His eternal power and divine nature - Ro 1:19-20 -- Through the intelligent design of the universe God says, "I exist!" B. HOW WELL DO WE LISTEN...? 1. Do we take the time to consider the wonders of the creation? 2. The Psalmist took time to contemplate them - Ps 8:3; 104: 24-25; 139:14 3. It prompted Einstein to believe in "an Intelligence that produced the integrative complexity of creation." 4. The intelligent design of the universe prompted even a prominent atheist to become a deist (Anthony Flew) -- If we open our eyes to the world around us, we will say "I believe!" [Through His creation we can know that God exists. But what does this Supreme Being desire of us? What does He want us to know or do? For that...] II. GOD SPEAKS LOUDLY THROUGH HIS WORD A. GOD'S VOICE IN HIS WORD... 1. Is designed to produce faith (trust, conviction) - Ro 10:17 2. Fulfilled prophecy is designed to produce faith in God - Isa 42:8-9; 44:6-8; 45:18-21; 46:9-11 3. Eyewitness testimony offers evidence to believe in Jesus - Ac 10:39-42; 1Jn 1:1-4; 2Pe 1:15-16 4. Through His Providence, God's Word has spread to every nation and translated into virtually every language - cf. Ro 10:17-18 5. The manuscript evidence which attests to its authenticity as a historical document far surpasses any other ancient document (such as those by Socrates, Plato, Homer, etc.) -- Through His Word God says of Jesus, "This is My Beloved Son, Hear Him!" B. HOW WELL DO WE LISTEN...? 1. It was written to produce faith in Jesus - Jn 20:30-31 2. Do we take the time to read the Word of God? The Bereans did! - Ac 17:11 3. David also, and praised it highly - Ps 19:7-11; 119:97-105 4. We have so much more of God's Word than did David, shall we not read it? -- If we open our ears to the Word of God, we will say "I believe in Jesus!" [Note that God not only revealed His Word, but sent Jesus to this world. In this way...] III. GOD SPEAKS LOUDLY THROUGH HIS SON A. GOD'S VOICE IN HIS SON... 1. God now speaks through His Son Jesus - He 1:1-2 2. Through Jesus God has manifested Himself most fully - cf. He 1:3; Jn 1:14-18 3. The life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus have changed history 4. Countless lives and entire nations have been affected by the sending of His Son -- Through His Son, God says "This is who I Am, this is what I desire of you" B. HOW WELL DO WE LISTEN...? 1. Do we listen to what Jesus reveals about God? - Jn 14:6-9 2. Do we heed His warnings regarding eternal life? - Mt 7:13-14, 21-23 3. As Jesus said so often, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" - Mk 4:9 -- If we will but listen to Jesus, we will say "You have the words of eternal life!" [God not only sent Jesus into the world, but has sent His disciples throughout the world...] IV. GOD SPEAKS LOUDLY THROUGH HIS PEOPLE A. GOD'S VOICE IN HIS PEOPLE... 1. The disciples of Jesus were given a great commission - cf. Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15-16 2. Their duty as the people of God is to proclaim His praises - cf. 1Pe 2:9-10 3. They are to proclaim His message in word and deed, proving what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God - Ro 12:1-2 4. Their love and unity are to speak powerful messages to the world a. Through love for one another, that they are Christ's disciples - Jn 13:34-35 b. Through unity, that God loves us and sent His Son into the world - Jn 17:20-23 -- Through His people, God says "I love you, and sent My Son to save you!" B. HOW WELL DO WE LISTEN...? 1. Their message has gone out into the world, today everyone has the opportunity to hear God through the lives and words of His people - cf. Ro 10:18; Col 1:23 2. Do we notice the transformation in the lives of true disciples? - cf. 1Pe 2:12 3. Are we willing to listen to the good news they are willing to share? - cf. Ac 17:11 -- If we will but give them our attention, we will say "What shall we do?" CONCLUSION 1. N.T. Wright in his book, Simple Christianity, mentions universal traits found in mankind... a. The search for justice b. The quest for spirituality c. The longing for relationship d. The yearning for beauty -- Which he suggests are echoes of a voice, calling us toward God 2. I agree, though I would add that we have more than echoes; God has spoken... a. Through His Creation b. Through His Word c. Through His Son d. Through His People -- Through such 'voices' God has spoken loud and clear! 3. Who are they that fail to hear "The Clarion Voices Of God"? Only those... a. Who have shut their eyes b. Who have closed their ears c. Who have hardened their hearts -- Sadly, many have refused to hear the voices of God (Mt 13:15) As the Psalmist wrote, fools say there is no God (Ps 14:1), and it is the wicked who do not seek Him (Ps 10:4). Yet the prophet Isaiah calls upon all mankind to: "Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon." - Isa 55:6-7 Are you willing to seek Him, and to heed "The Clarion Voices Of God"...?<< Previous | Index | Next >>
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