HAS
GOD SPOKEN TO US?
COVID-19 Pandemic has caused such
havoc worldwide. To say that we are living in uncertain times is an
understatement. There is much fear, confusion, and conflicting voices. It is
hard to discern who is telling the truth and who is misleading us. Whose voice
should we believe or whose voice should we reject? While some countries are
still struggling to bring this virus under control, strangely, others are eager
to get back to business as usual.
Does
anyone know what our post-COVID-19 world is going to be like? Would it be a
better world or worse than before? One would hope that we will live in a better
world since we have lived through this Pandemic. That is only our Hope, but no
one can tell it for sure, can they?
When
all around you is gloomy and depressing, where do you look, or who do you look
to for better things? Last Sunday, we looked at what Mary found in her quest
for happiness. She found the better part of the deal that was Jesus Christ, our
Lord, and His words.
Our
former president Barack Obama in his book, “The Audacity of Hope,” notes, “Hope
in the face of difficulty. Hope in the face of uncertainty. The audacity of Hope!
In the end, that is God’s greatest gift to us...A belief in things not seen. A
belief that there are better days ahead.”
Yes,
indeed, there are better things and days ahead. In general, for all those who
are always in search of better things, I invite you to journey with me through
a Biblical book named Hebrews, as some suggested, “The Book of Better Things.”
For
the next few weeks, we will dig more in-depth into the mine of God’s words
found in the book of Hebrews. This book is laden with rich theology. My prayer
is that as we study it personally, and during our Live-Stream services, we will
discover the truth. We will hear His voice, about his plan of salvation and how
we are to live in this world as people of the New Covenant. This morning I want
to address this BIG question: Has God spoken to Us? If so, when, how, why,
where, and through whom? What do we know about the Book of Hebrews?
I. INTRODUCTION TO
HEBREWS
The
author of Hebrews is unknown. Some suggest Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Luke, Philip,
Priscilla, Aquila, etc. But no one knows for sure who wrote it. The author
appeared to be well versed in the Old Testament, especially with the book of
Leviticus. He was familiar with temple practices, Levitical priesthood, and the
sacrificial system as they were the customs of that day.
The
author wanted to reassure Jewish believers that their faith in Jesus as Messiah
was secure and reasonable. He tried to prepare them for the impending disaster.
The temple, with its attendant animal sacrifices, would soon be destroyed by
the Romans, just as Jesus predicted. Hebrews may have been written before the
fall of Jerusalem in A.D 70.
The
author shows the contrast between the imperfect and incomplete provisions of
the Old Covenant, given under Moses, and the infinitely better provisions of
the New Covenant offered through Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Included in the
better “provisions” are a better hope, testament, promise, sacrifice,
substance, country, and resurrection. Let’s move into our text.
Remember
the BIG question we are dealing with today is, Has God Spoken to Us? When I say
“us,” I am referring to people in general, the people of God, and also our
country, the U.S. The author opens the first chapter with these words, “Long
ago God spoke.”
These
words come with a conviction based on evidence. They leave no room for
skepticism whether or not there is a God, and even if so, He speaks to
humanity. I don’t want to spend time here proving to us that the God we come to
love, serve, and follow is a God who speaks to us. Instead, I will look at
where, how, and through whom He has spoken to us.
I. HAS GOD SPOKEN
TO US?
Vs.
1-2 “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through
the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his
Son.”
To
unpack these two verses, we have to go back and visit the history of 1,800
years (from Job 2200 B.C to Nehemiah 400 B.C. Which means visiting the historical
locations, cultures, and situations in which God spoke to His people. For want
of time, the author simply concluded long ago God spoke many times and in many
ways to our ancestors through the prophets.
Before we look at how God used His prophets
to communicate His truth, I want us to look at His general way of communication
with his people. How does God speak to us? Because God created us, each one
uniquely different, He doesn’t communicate to all of us the same way. That’s
why the author says, “God spoke many times and in “many ways.” However, based
on the scriptures, we could narrow down God’s prime modes of communication to
eight different ways.
II. EIGHT WAYS OF
GOD’S COMMUNICATION
1.
God speaks to us through His creation. 2 God speaks to through the visitation
of His angels. 3. Through dreams and visions. 4. Through circumstances. 5
Through prophets. 6. Through His Son Jesus Christ. 7. Through the Holy Spirit.
8. Through His written and spoken word. When I began to dwell on the first two verses
of Chapter one, I didn’t know where I was going with it, but I had a deep sense
in my heart that God was leading me as I pondered.
If
I want to do justice to these eight ways of communication, we need more than
eight weeks. My prayer is that you will begin your journey to discover the
voice of God through the pages of God’s Word, as amid conflicting views and
confusion, we need to discern what God is saying to us and hold on to it
firmly. So, let’s get started and see how far we will go with it.
1. God speaks to
us through His creation:
We
are in springtime. Unfortunately, we are in a lockdown situation where we can’t
go out and enjoy the life of nature that is budding all around us. As I walk
with my wife, we admire the blossoms of forsythia, daffodils, azaleas, tulips,
and hear the soothing sound of birdsong.
When
we look at dramatic sunsets and starlit nights with a bright moon, we cannot
but marvel at the beautiful creation of God.
How did this all come about? The Genesis
account speaks to us, “God spoke, and everything came into existence out of
nothing.” Therefore, nature
recognizes its creator and aptly returns praise and glory to the one who
created them. God uses His creation to speak to us of His beautiful and
marvelous deeds. The scriptures talk about nature declaring the Glory of God.
Consider these scriptures: Psalm 19:1-4, “The heavens proclaim the glory of
God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day, they continue to
speak; night after night, they make him known.
They
speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message
has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.” God has
mercifully brought this crazily out of control world to a grinding halt through
Corona Virus. Perhaps thinking that we might slow down and pay attention to
God’s beautiful world around us and stand in awe of Him.
But
how often do we just go through the motions without once marveling at the
beauty around us? How often do we stop and consider the majesty of God in
little and big things? Psalm 66:4, “Everything on earth will worship you; they
will sing your praises, shouting your name in glorious songs.” Romans 1:20, “For
ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything
God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and
divine nature. So, they have no excuse for not knowing God.”
Despite
living in God’s beautiful world, if skeptics still say there is no God, they
will have no excuse for their ignorance. Are you one of those skeptics? Seek
for God’s mercy. God has spoken and is still speaking to us today through his
creation. What more can I say about the lessons of trust, hard work, and not to
worry that He wants us to learn His creation? Are you looking for a word from
God during this COVID-19? Pause and listen to His Creation! Amen!
