GOD SPEAKS STILL, DM

By disciplerami on January 29, 2019 • ( 0 )

SPEAK BECAUSE GOD HAS SPOKEN, SERMON, 1/27/19 (Scripture reading: Amos 6:12-13)

Amos said, “The Lord GOD has spoken! Who can but prophesy?” Amos 3:8

The Idea That God would Speak to Us Is Often Lost in Theological Talk! Does God speak to us?
1. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
2. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim. 3:16-17
3. “Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20-21
4. “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” 1 Thess 2:13
5. “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound[a] teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.“ 2 Tim. 4:1-4
6. “16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.“ 1 Tim. 4:16
7. The God in heaven does speak to us – indirectly, but still it is Him speaking.
8. We cannot miss the passage that is in Hebrews 1: “1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 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.“ Heb. 1
  1. God spoke directly to Jonah and the Old Testament prophets. They heard and they spoke. Sometimes reluctantly, as with Jonah who had to be chased down and steered back to the mission.
  2. But now God speaks to the world through Jesus Christ. “Jesus said, ‘My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me‘” John 10:27
9. When God speaks it is to the soul, educational, with heavenly wisdom.
10. When God speaks it is rest, comfort, and salvation to the obedient.
11. AND IN OUR TEXT, When God speaks it is judgment to the wicked and disobedient people: “7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing Unless He reveals His secret counsel To His servants the prophets. 8 A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken! Who can but prophesy? ” Amos 3:7-8
  1. God has spoken kindly. It did not work. He did good unto them. They responded with disrespect. He disciplined them. Still they did not return to Him. Here is what God says in response: “Prepare to meet your God”, Amos 4:12
  2. This is the hard one to tell them they are judged and found wanting. Yes, God has spoken.
12. Man knows nothing of the truth unless God has spoken and communicated it through some means. Praise God for that. GOD SPEAKS STILL – what is prayer, after all?
13. As I pointed out in a recent sermon, God speaks with a clear voice in the creation.
14. The Importance of Prayer: God heard the prayers of a lost sinner Cornelius in Acts 10:4;
  — The Psalmist wrote, “I shall give thanks to you, for you have answered me, and you have become my salvation” (Ps. 118:21)
  — David said, “Incline Your ear, O LORD, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy” (Ps 86:1).