God Communicates

I. God Talks to His People

A. Full Bible Christians testify that the
Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures
of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to
direct us how we may glorify and enjoy God. "All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness: That
the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished
unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

B. The Bible is the reliable account of redemption
through Christ; the power of Scripture is the
message of grace, which the Holy Spirit delivers
through it. "But now in Christ Jesus ye who
sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood
of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both
one, and hath broken down the middle wall of
partition between us; Having abolished in his
flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments
contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of
twain one new man, so making peace; And that he
might reconcile both unto God in one body by the
cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came
and preached peace to you which were afar off, and
to them that were nigh. For through him we both
have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now
therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners,
but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the
household of God; And are built upon the
foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus
Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In
whom all the building fitly framed together
groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom
ye also are builded together for an habitation of
God through the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:13-22)

II. People Ignore or Corrupt the Creation Message

A. Creation tells enough about God to
remove any excuse for human behavior, but
conviction is not all people need. "Because that
which may be known of God is manifest in them; for
God hath shewed it unto them. 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:" (Romans 1:19-20)

B. Because creation reflects the Creator,
even pagans and infidels have troublesome
consciences. "For when the Gentiles, which have
not the law, do by nature the things contained in
the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto
themselves: Which shew the work of the law written
in their hearts, their conscience also bearing
witness, and their thoughts the mean while
accusing or else excusing one another;)" (Romans
2:14-15)

C. Sinful humanity distorts God's message and in
doing so seeks to close the doors of heaven. "Who
knowing the judgment of God, that they which
commit such things are worthy of death, not only
do the same, but have pleasure in them that do
them. Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man,
whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou
judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou
that judgest doest the same things." (Romans
1:32-2:1)

III. The Bible Preserves God's Message

A. The Bible writers wrote with the stated
intention of preserving truth. "It seemed good to
me also, having had perfect understanding of all
things from the very first, to write unto thee in
order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou
mightest know the certainty of those things,
wherein thou hast been instructed." (Luke 1:3-4)

B. The Bible is God's instrument for developing
hope through knowledge of true gospel history; God
would not let Scripture fail. "For whatsoever
things were written aforetime were written for our
learning, that we through patience and comfort of
the scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4)

C. God takes a detailed interest in the
preservation of His Word to accomplish heaven's
objectives; every word matters to the God of
Providence. "But he answered and said, It is
written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by
every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of
God." (Matthew 4:4)

D. Jesus set the pattern for determining matters
by Scripture rather than by human judgment.
"Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou
shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." (Matthew 4:7)

E. People get gospel light from the Bible or they
do not get truth from God. "To the law and to the
testimony: if they speak not according to this
word, it is because there is no light in them."
(Isaiah 8:20)

F. The Bible protects believers from cunning
doctrines and profane claims of false science.
"For we have not followed cunningly devised
fables, when we made known unto you the power and
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were
eyewitnesses of his majesty." (2 Peter 1:16) "O
Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy
trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and
oppositions of science falsely so called: Which
some professing have erred concerning the faith.
Grace be with thee. Amen. The first to Timothy
was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest
city of Phrygia Pacatiana." (1 Timothy 6:20-21)

G. God's personal Providence make the Bible both
reliable and indispensable. "We have also a more
sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that
ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a
dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star
arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no
prophecy of the scripture is of any private
interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old
time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake
as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Peter
1:19-21)