2. God Has Spoken in Nature (OT) Out of nothing, God spoke this world into existence. (Genesis 1; Heb. 11:3; Rom. 1:20) God spoke from heaven to the Israelites with thunder and lightning at Mt. Sinai (Ex. 19:16-19). They trembled & promised to obey (Ex. 20:18ff; 24:7). God’s word was like a fire in Jeremiah’s mouth that was going to consume His people in their sins. (Jeremiah 5:11-15; 23:29)‏. God answered Job out of the whirlwind about how He governed the universe (Job 38:1ff). Job realized he was vile & repented (Job 40:4; 42:5-6).

3. God Now Speaks Through His Son (NT) Jesus was the Word who was with God in the beginning and came in the flesh explaining His Father’s will (John 1:1, 14, 18; Heb. 1:1-2). The miracles Jesus performed confirm the words of eternal life He spoke were true (Jn. 20:24-31). The apostles were guided into all the truth by the Holy Spirit who would bring to their remembrance all that Jesus said (Jn. 14:26; 16:13)‏. The Lord worked with the apostles by confirming their word by the signs which followed (Mark 16:20). The apostles & prophets wrote it down so that when people read it they could understand (Eph. 3:3-4).

4. When God Speaks Men Should Listen If men trembled at thunder, lightning, or tornadoes in the OT, how much more should we not refuse God’s word which will judge us in the last day. (Heb. 12:25-29; John 12:48) Knowing the terror of the Lord, Paul persuaded men. (2 Cor. 5:10-11) Felix trembled, Agrippa was almost persuaded, but they didn’t obey the gospel (Acts 24:24-25; 26:28)‏. For souls to be saved the gospel preacher must preach God’s word so that people will obey Jesus and have eternal life (2 Tim. 4:2-4; Heb. 5:9; 1 Pet. 4:11). How will you respond to the word of God?

5. Our Response to God’s Word I will open my heart and allow God’s word to penetrate my soul and spirit in view of the Judgment Day. (Heb. 4:12; Rom. 10:17; Acts 2:36-37a) I will have godly sorrow that will lead me to repent of my sins (2 Cor. 7:10; Acts 2:38). I will humble my pride and change my will (Lk. 18:14). I will be baptized for the remission of my sins. (Acts 2:41; 22:16)‏ I will study, learn, and obey so that I will be useful in His service (2 Tim. 2:15, 21; 3:14-17). Obey the gospel or be restored!