Revelation of God Colossians 1:15-23 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. Colossians 1:15-23 (NIV) Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; (NIV) but blessed is he who keeps the law. (ESV) Proverbs 29:18 MB Confession of Faith Article 2: Revelation of God God’s Self-Revelation We believe that God has made Himself known to all people. God’s power and nature have always been evident in creation. The Old Testament reveals God as the One who established a covenant relationship with Israel to make known to all people the eternal plan of salvation. God revealed Himself supremely in Jesus Christ, as recorded in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit continues to make God known to individuals and the church; this revelation is always consistent with the Scriptures. The Written Word of God We believe that the entire Bible was inspired by God through the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit guides the community of faith in the interpretation of Scripture. The person, teaching, and life of Jesus Christ bring continuity and clarity to both the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament bears witness to Christ, and Christ is the One whom the New Testament proclaims. We accept the Bible as the infallible Word of God and the authoritative guide for faith and practice. The 3 R's of Revelation: We revelation We revelation We to revelation We require, receive and respond to the revelation of God that is: General General revelation is how God makes Himself known to all people, everywhere, at all times through creation and the human conscience. We require, receive and respond to the revelation of God that is: Special Special revelation refers to the specific ways God has revealed Himself clearly and savingly to humanity.This includes Scripture, the person of Jesus Christ, and direct acts of God in history. We require, receive and respond to the revelation of God that is: Contextual God's ultimate purpose is not just knowing, seeing, or believing, but activating and contexualizing what he has revealed for such a time as this. “No one knows God unless God reveals himself to him. And no one knows what love is except in the self-revelation of God. Love, then,is the revelation of God. And the revelation of God is Jesus Christ.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Ethics “True evangelical faith is of such a nature it cannot lie dormant, but spreads itself out in all kinds of righteousness and fruits of love; it dies to flesh and blood; it destroys all lusts and forbidden desires; it seeks, serves and fears God in its inmost soul; it clothes the naked; it feeds the hungry; it comforts the sorrowful; it shelters the destitute; it aids and consoles the sad; it does good to those who do it harm; it serves those that harm it; it prays for those who persecute it; it teaches, admonishes and judges us with the Word of the Lord; it seeks those who are lost; it binds up what is wounded; it heals the sick; it saves what is strong (sound); it becomes all things to all people. The persecution, suffering and anguish that come to it for the sake of the Lord’s truth have become a glorious joy and comfort to it.” Menno Simons – 16th century Personal Reflection and Small Group Questions If God has revealed himself to you today in that your eyes, heart & mind have come to know the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ for you a sinner, then what will you do with that? How is God revealing himself personally or communally that demands a response, an obedience, or an embodying for the sake of his Kingdom come?