Holy Spirit and Revelation

CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND

2 Peter 1:21 “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.”

+    Peter’s soon departure from this world (vv.13-15);

+    Peter’s testimony as being a witness of Christ’s ministry and majesty (vv.16-18);

+    Peter’s desire for the readers to know Christ; Christ’s desire for His disciples.

 

INTRODUCTION

2 aspects of the Holy Spirit’s revelation:

1.   He reveals God’s Word;  

2. He gives us the ability to understand the revelation. 

THE CONNECTION

Ephesians 1:17 “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:”

Ephesians 3:5 “Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;”

SERMON OUTLINE

INTRODUCTION

1. THE MEANING OF THE SPIRIT’S REVELATION
2. THE MANNERS OF THE SPIRIT’S REVELATION
3. THE MATTERS OF THE SPIRIT’S REVELATION
4. THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE SPIRIT’S REVELATION

CONCLUSION AND APPLICATION

1. THE MEANING OF REVELATION

2 Pet. 1:21

Peter emphasizes the process and power involved in inspiration.

2 Tim. 3.16-17

Paul’s statement emphasizes the source and end result of inspiration.

REVELATION AND INSPIRATION

Example:

Moses went up into Mount Sinai to receive instructions for the building of the Tabernacle by revelation from God; and then, at a later time, he recorded it by inspiration.

He received the revelation at Sinai, and later he recorded that revelation by Divine inspiration near Mt. Nebo (Deut. 31:24). 

 

2. THE MANNERS  OF REVELATION

DIFFERENT WAYS GOD SPOKE:

Moses went to Mt. Sinai and was with God on the Mountain for forty days (Exo. 31:18);

David wrote under the power of the Spirit (2 Sam. 23:2);

Ezekiel caught up by the Spirit, was taken to Jerusalem (Ezek. 3:12);

John in Revelation saw and talked to the resurrected Jesus (Rev. 1:10).

Paul saw a vision of Jesus on the road to Damascus and was commissioned to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9:4-6).

The Greek word for "moved" in 2 Peter 1:21 is the same word found in Acts 27:15-17.

As the sailors were active on the ship (though the wind, not the sailors, controlled the ship's movement), so the human authors were active in writing as the Spirit directed.

It indicates the Spirit's complete superintendence of the human authors.

2 Samuel 23:2 "The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue."

Here is a clear reference to a human being used as a mouthpiece for the spirit of God (cf. Isa. 59:21).

God used human beings in the process of communicating His words, it is clear that the Holy Spirit was in charge of the whole process so that there’s no human error. 

 

3. THE MATTERS OF REVELATION

John 14:26 “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

John 15:26 “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:” (cf. 16:13)

Moses under the power of the Holy Spirit recorded the history of creation, including events such as what happened at the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve fell.

How could Moses have known the details of these events, unless God’s Spirit revealed them?

All of Genesis took place before the birth of Moses, with the death of Joseph being the last verse.

4. THE MAIN PURPOSE OF REVELATION

2 Peter 1:2 “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,”

2 Peter 1:3 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

For  Our Salvation in God, Our Sanctification thru Spirit and Our Service for Christ.

WITHOUT THE SPIRIT

Job 11.7 "Canst thou by searching find out God?“

1 Corinthians 2:10 “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”

Our ignorance - If God does not reveal Himself to man, He will remain unknown and unknowable.

Our privilege - But God has graciously chosen to reveal Himself so that we might learn of Him and His inscrutable wisdom and ways.

VERSE TO REMEMBER

1 Corinthians 2:12

  “Now we have received,  not the spirit of the world,  but the spirit which is of God;  that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”