Ezekiel 26:14
We can trust God's word because it has been fulfilled in history and is consistent with true knowledge.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the significance of recognizing that God has indeed spoken to humanity, urging listeners to consider the implications of divine communication. He argues that it is reasonable to believe in God's ability to communicate, as He created humanity with the capacity to hear and understand. Smith examines the prophecies given to Ezekiel, demonstrating their accuracy and fulfillment as evidence of God's voice. He concludes by stressing that our future hinges on our relationship with Jesus Christ, who embodies truth and life. The sermon calls for a deep reflection on the reliability of God's word and its relevance to our lives.
Text
"GOD HAS SPOKEN"
Intro: Many have claimed divine inspiration. "The Lord showed me, the Lord
told me." If the infinite God has spoken to finite man, we ought
to take heed.
I. HOW CAN WE KNOW THAT GOD HAS SPOKEN?
A. It is not unreasonable to think that God has spoken to man.
1. He that made the eyes can surely see.
He that made the ears can surely hear.
He that made the mouth can surely speak.
2. If God made man, He surely had a purpose in doing so.
a. It would be necessary to communicate that
purpose to man.
b. It would be insane and cruel to just let men go
on his own to try to find out the reason why he
is here.
B. We can evaluate what man says that God spoke, to see if it is
accurate knowledge.
1. If he says that God said something was going to happen
and it didn't, then God didn't speak.
a. There can be extenuating circumstances, such as
in Jonah.
b. There are charlatans.
2. If there are any inaccuracies in the message, then God
didn't speak.
a. Scientists were predicting that there was 30
feet of meteorite dust on the moon.
1. They were envisioning blowing dust and
obscuring vision as the lunar lander
sank down through the dust.
b. Had someone said that God said the lunar lander
would be lost in the dust, He would be a false
prophet. God did not speak.
1. It must conform to true scientific
knowledge which is to be subsequently
learned.
2. Oh Job - you said God hung the earth on
nothing.
3. Isaiah - you said God said the earth
was a circle, the scientists know it is
flat.
II. DID GOD SPEAK TO EZEKIEL? Vs. 3, 14.
5 A. Bring many nations against thee, vs. 3.
B. Destroy walls and break down towers, vs. 4.
500 C. Scrape the dirt from it and make it like a rock, 4.
10 D. Place for spreading of nets, 5.
3 E. Nebuchadnezzar first king to attack, 7.
10 F. He will destroy the city, but no mention of spoil.
G. Change of pronoun, vs. 12 - they shall spoil.
100 H. They shall lay thy stones, timber, dust in the midst of the water.
20 I. Thou shalt be built no more.
J. What does subsequent history reveal?
1. 586 Nebuchadnezzar began siege.
2. Phoenicians - because of powerful navy, able to hold
out 13 years.
3. Later part of siege moved city to island - half mile
off shore.
4. Nebuchadnezzar's victory was hollow.
5. Tyre continued to prosper until 322 B.C.
6. Alexander the Great sought to conquer it.
7. His method of conquest.
K. Chances are God did speak - 150,000,000 to one.
III. WHAT HAS GOD SPOKEN ABOUT OUR FUTURE?
A. All depends upon your relationship with His Son Jesus Christ.
1. He who has the Son has life.
2. Salvation can come no other way - "No other name. .."
-- "I am the way..."
3. Jesus said, "the words that I speak, they are life and
they are truth."
a. That is a true or false statement.
Sermon Outline
- How Can We Know That God Has Spoken? points: - It is not unreasonable to think that God has spoken to man. - We can evaluate what man says that God spoke, to see if it is accurate knowledge.
- Did God Speak to Ezekiel? points: - Bring many nations against thee, vs. 3. - Destroy walls and break down towers, vs. 4.
- What Has God Spoken About Our Future? points: - All depends upon your relationship with His Son Jesus Christ.
Key Quotes
“He that made the eyes can surely see. He that made the ears can surely hear. He that made the mouth can surely speak.” — Chuck Smith
“Jesus said, 'the words that I speak, they are life and they are truth.'” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We must evaluate what man says that God spoke to see if it is accurate knowledge.
- Our relationship with Jesus Christ is the key to our future.
- We can trust God's word because it has been fulfilled in history and is consistent with true knowledge.