God's Message (uncondensed)
From SPARK
One-sentence summary
This discusses various ways God conveys His message and gives some resources.
Description
God can reveal Himself and His message by any media format. Originally, God usually conveyed His message(s) [what He wanted us to know] to us in simple visual and audio forms that were live. We now are in an age in which technology allows us to record and transmit God's Word in many ways.
God's truths revealed in life
God reveals things about Himself and various truths through nature. "The heavens declare the glory of God..." (Ps. 19:1)
God reveals Himself as the Holy Spirit moves people to action and creates various events. "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake." (1 Thess. 1:5) "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world." (Luke 2:1)
God reveals Himself by the examples of the lives of people. Jesus is the best embodiment of that. But now that He has died, been resurrected, and is living inside His followers, God's message can be seen in people. Those who have accepted salvation through Him desire to live out and display the message God wants to convey. "He was wearing clothes with blood all over them. His other name is: ‘The Word of God.'" (Rev. 19:13)
God's message recorded
God's message inscripturated - Written portions or the whole Bible
One of the ways God has chosen to reveal Himself most clearly and deeply is by the inspired Old and New Testaments. This can take a printed form that may be read.
Non-print scriptural productions
These days other media types are also being used to convey the message we find in the Bible. Some repeat the Scriptures word-for-word; others are more like a paraphrase. Examples:
- Live Media (drama, singing)
- Visual Media (flipcharts, filmstrips)
- Audio Media (radio, cassette tapes)
- Audio-visual Media (television, videos).
Considerations
- God is powerful and can get His message across in spite of our inadequacies.
Limitations
Guidelines for Use
- Care needs to be given to use media types that are appropriate for the characteristics of the audience. Filmstrips are inappropriate for cultures that do not know how to interpret two-dimensional images. Booklets are less effective in cultures that have a high illiteracy rate.
- Usually the most effective way to communicate the gospel is to use a media mix. For example, one might use Bible study lessons after showing the Acts video. Or one might teach Scripture songs that were used in a live drama. Additional media types may be added, such as a booklet for new readers. In such cases, one plus one seems to equal three or more as far as effectiveness is concerned. A translator sharing the love of God in his daily life plus the written Word of God can be very effective.
Additional Bible verses
God's message preached
- Luke 8:21 - 'Who are my mother and brothers?' replied Jesus. 'They are those that hear the message of God and obey it.'
- Luke 11:28 - ‘How happy, rather,’ he replied, ‘are the people that hear the message from God and obey it.’
- 1 Thessalonian 2:13 - There is also another reason why we continue to thank God always. When we told God’s message to you, you believed it as words from God. You knew that it was not only a human message. You believed it as God’s message, which it certainly is. And God’s words do powerful things in you who believe him.
- Hebrews 13:7 - Remember your leaders, who taught God’s message to you. Continue to think about the result of how they lived. They really believed God; so copy their example.
- 1 John 2:14 - I write to you, fathers, because you know Jesus Christ. He was before the world began. I write to you young men because you are trusting Christ well. God’s word is always in your minds and you have beaten Satan.
God's message revealed - Jesus Christ
- Luke 3:2 - While these men were ruling, the most important priests were Annas and Caiaphas. At that time John, the son of Zechariah was living in the desert. He heard God speak to him.
- Revelation 19:13 - He was wearing clothes with blood all over them. His other name is: ‘The Word of God.’
- Revelation 20:4 - Then I saw some thrones. The people who were sitting on the thrones had received authority. They had authority to decide what is fair. I also saw the spirits of those people who had died for Jesus. People had killed them because they had spoken to other people about Jesus. They had spoken God’s messages, so other people had cut off their heads. The people who had died had not worshiped the strange animal nor his false god. They had not received his mark on the front of their heads nor on their hands. They became alive again and they ruled as kings with Christ for 1000 years.
- Luke 5:1 - One day, Jesus was standing on the shore of Lake Gennesaret and a crowd was pushing to get close to him. They were listening to him talk about the message of God.
- Luke 8:11 - "This is what the story means," he went on to say. "The seed is like the message of God..."
An example from The Message:
You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That's right-you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I'd never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. I'm going to do what you tell me to do; don't ever walk off and leave me. (Ps. 119:1-8 The Message)
Where to Obtain
Link to Producer or Source Organization
Where to Obtain
In addition to the still small voice of God, more sources are:
Non-print and Print Sources:
For examples of the different media types that may be used in conveying God's message, go to Choose Media and enjoy searching for what works best in different contexts.
Some Bible Resources:
- EasyEnglish Bible This series is a very simple translation of the Bible (not word for word) for people who are starting to learn English. It can also be used to help mother-tongue Bible translators who are translating the Bible into their own language. It is written in Level A EasyEnglish (1200 word vocabulary).
- World English Bible The World English Bible (WEB) is a Public Domain (no copyright) Modern English translation of the Holy Bible, based on the American Standard Version of the Holy Bible first published in 1901, the Biblia Hebraica Stutgartensa Old Testament, and the Greek Majority Text New Testament.
- The Message is a modern rendering of the Bible from the original languages.
Cost
Varies by media type and producer
Producer/Owners
Author/Artist/Producer
See above
Current copyright owner
Other Information
Reviewed by
SPARK Staff
Date
May 2008
