If You Feel Like You're Not Hearing from God, Watch This (Kevin DeYoung on Hebrews 1)

Around 10 years ago, there was an Around 10 years ago, there was an anonymous article in Christianity Today anonymous article in Christianity Today anonymous article in Christianity Today entitled My Conversation with God. entitled My Conversation with God. entitled My Conversation with God. I remember seeing it because John Piper I remember seeing it because John Piper I remember seeing it because John Piper wrote a very good response to it. Here's wrote a very good response to it. Here's wrote a very good response to it. Here's how the Christianity Today story began. how the Christianity Today story began. how the Christianity Today story began. Quote, "Does God still speak? I grew up Quote, "Does God still speak? I grew up Quote, "Does God still speak? I grew up hearing testimonies about it, but until hearing testimonies about it, but until hearing testimonies about it, but until October 2005, I couldn't say it had ever October 2005, I couldn't say it had ever October 2005, I couldn't say it had ever happened to me. I'm a middle-aged happened to me. I'm a middle-aged happened to me. I'm a middle-aged professor of theology at a well-known professor of theology at a well-known professor of theology at a well-known Christian university. I've written Christian university. I've written Christian university. I've written award-winning books. My name is on award-winning books. My name is on award-winning books. My name is on Christianity Today's Mastad. For years, Christianity Today's Mastad. For years, Christianity Today's Mastad. For years, I've taught that God still speaks, but I I've taught that God still speaks, but I I've taught that God still speaks, but I couldn't testify to it personally. I can couldn't testify to it personally. I can couldn't testify to it personally. I can only do so now anonymously for reasons I only do so now anonymously for reasons I only do so now anonymously for reasons I hope will be clear. A year after hearing hope will be clear. A year after hearing hope will be clear. A year after hearing God's voice, I still can't talk or even God's voice, I still can't talk or even God's voice, I still can't talk or even think about my conversation with God think about my conversation with God think about my conversation with God without being overcome by emotion.

without being overcome by emotion. without being overcome by emotion. And then this anonymous professor goes And then this anonymous professor goes And then this anonymous professor goes on to talk about his experience on to talk about his experience on to talk about his experience where he said in a moment of great where he said in a moment of great where he said in a moment of great delight, God supernaturally gave him a delight, God supernaturally gave him a delight, God supernaturally gave him a book outline and a book title, book outline and a book title, book outline and a book title, a revelation I have often been waiting a revelation I have often been waiting a revelation I have often been waiting to receive. to receive. to receive. [cough] [cough] [cough] And [clears throat] then God directed And [clears throat] then God directed And [clears throat] then God directed him to use the money from the book to him to use the money from the book to him to use the money from the book to help a young man go to school and help a young man go to school and help a young man go to school and prepare for ministry. And so he tells prepare for ministry. And so he tells prepare for ministry. And so he tells this whole story of how this outline and this whole story of how this outline and this whole story of how this outline and title came to him from God and then title came to him from God and then title came to him from God and then directed him to a young man who needed directed him to a young man who needed directed him to a young man who needed to go to ministry and told him this to go to ministry and told him this to go to ministry and told him this story. And he finishes the article by story. And he finishes the article by story. And he finishes the article by saying how strengthened his faith has saying how strengthened his faith has saying how strengthened his faith has been that now finally after all these been that now finally after all these been that now finally after all these years God personally spoke to him. years God personally spoke to him. years God personally spoke to him. I don't know if you can find that story I don't know if you can find that story I don't know if you can find that story entitled My Conversation with God and entitled My Conversation with God and entitled My Conversation with God and you could read it and be encouraged in you could read it and be encouraged in you could read it and be encouraged in some ways that he would do this and want some ways that he would do this and want some ways that he would do this and want to send a young man into ministry.

to send a young man into ministry. to send a young man into ministry. Except I hope you would quickly realize Except I hope you would quickly realize Except I hope you would quickly realize the great problem with that testimony. the great problem with that testimony. the great problem with that testimony. It gives the impression that God It gives the impression that God It gives the impression that God does not now normally speak to us does not now normally speak to us does not now normally speak to us personally and he doesn't do so except personally and he doesn't do so except personally and he doesn't do so except by means of these extrabiblical by means of these extrabiblical by means of these extrabiblical personal communications. personal communications. personal communications. Notice he said in that opening Notice he said in that opening Notice he said in that opening paragraph, I grew up hearing testimonies paragraph, I grew up hearing testimonies paragraph, I grew up hearing testimonies about God still speaking, but I couldn't about God still speaking, but I couldn't about God still speaking, but I couldn't say it had ever happened to me. say it had ever happened to me. say it had ever happened to me. So you walk away from that article with So you walk away from that article with So you walk away from that article with the distinct impression that the living the distinct impression that the living the distinct impression that the living God speaking to us through the God speaking to us through the God speaking to us through the scriptures scriptures scriptures either does not happen or it is an either does not happen or it is an either does not happen or it is an inferior, less exciting, less edifying inferior, less exciting, less edifying inferior, less exciting, less edifying means of communication. means of communication. means of communication. You walk away thinking, "Well, of course You walk away thinking, "Well, of course You walk away thinking, "Well, of course we have the Bible, and sure, none of us we have the Bible, and sure, none of us we have the Bible, and sure, none of us would want to deny the Bible, and we would want to deny the Bible, and we would want to deny the Bible, and we would give honor to the Bible, but wow, would give honor to the Bible, but wow, would give honor to the Bible, but wow, what what a treasure it would be if God what what a treasure it would be if God what what a treasure it would be if God could really could really could really speak to me. If only I could hear from speak to me. If only I could hear from speak to me. If only I could hear from the voice of God himself."

the voice of God himself." the voice of God himself." Some of you may have thought that. You Some of you may have thought that. You Some of you may have thought that. You may have people in your churches who may have people in your churches who may have people in your churches who think that they may be chasing after think that they may be chasing after think that they may be chasing after books that will claim to give them the books that will claim to give them the books that will claim to give them the voice of Jesus speaking. voice of Jesus speaking. voice of Jesus speaking. The good news is that every single one The good news is that every single one The good news is that every single one of us in Christ can hear from God. You of us in Christ can hear from God. You of us in Christ can hear from God. You can hear personally from God today. can hear personally from God today. can hear personally from God today. You have one of these, a Bible. You have one of these, a Bible. You have one of these, a Bible. God still speaks. He has a word for us God still speaks. He has a word for us God still speaks. He has a word for us that is sure and steady and unairring that is sure and steady and unairring that is sure and steady and unairring and understanding the nature of this and understanding the nature of this and understanding the nature of this word is absolutely paramount if we are word is absolutely paramount if we are word is absolutely paramount if we are to be effective in ministry. You heard to be effective in ministry. You heard to be effective in ministry. You heard Stephen mention this morning the acronym Stephen mention this morning the acronym Stephen mention this morning the acronym scan. We can think of the attributes of scan. We can think of the attributes of scan. We can think of the attributes of scripture with those four letters. The scripture with those four letters. The scripture with those four letters. The sufficiency, the clarity, the authority sufficiency, the clarity, the authority sufficiency, the clarity, the authority and the necessity of scripture. and the necessity of scripture. and the necessity of scripture. This session is about the sufficiency This session is about the sufficiency This session is about the sufficiency sometimes called the perfection.

sometimes called the perfection. sometimes called the perfection. John frame John frame John frame says scripture is enough to make us says scripture is enough to make us says scripture is enough to make us responsible for carrying out our present responsible for carrying out our present responsible for carrying out our present responsibilities to God that is responsibilities to God that is responsibilities to God that is sufficiency. sufficiency. sufficiency. So the question So the question So the question is should we expect is should we expect is should we expect new revelation? new revelation? new revelation? Now, we know enough to say, of course, Now, we know enough to say, of course, Now, we know enough to say, of course, we don't we don't have new new doctrines we don't we don't have new new doctrines we don't we don't have new new doctrines to be added to the church, but might we to be added to the church, but might we to be added to the church, but might we expect or even long for or be right to expect or even long for or be right to expect or even long for or be right to pray and plead for a new direct word pray and plead for a new direct word pray and plead for a new direct word from God? from God? from God? Sometimes you find this on the liberal Sometimes you find this on the liberal Sometimes you find this on the liberal end of the spectrum. People say, "Well, end of the spectrum. People say, "Well, end of the spectrum. People say, "Well, didn't uh Peter receive a word or didn't uh Peter receive a word or didn't uh Peter receive a word or Cornelius received a a word? And might Cornelius received a a word? And might Cornelius received a a word? And might God be doing an Acts 10 kind of vision God be doing an Acts 10 kind of vision God be doing an Acts 10 kind of vision in our day?" may be telling us that in our day?" may be telling us that in our day?" may be telling us that sexuality has changed just as he told sexuality has changed just as he told sexuality has changed just as he told Peter that to go and eat. Peter that to go and eat. Peter that to go and eat. Should we expect God to speak to us in Should we expect God to speak to us in Should we expect God to speak to us in prayer by that still small voice prayer by that still small voice prayer by that still small voice the inner impression of the spirit, the the inner impression of the spirit, the the inner impression of the spirit, the liver shiver as it were? Should we liver shiver as it were? Should we liver shiver as it were? Should we expect God to give us when we face those expect God to give us when we face those expect God to give us when we face those crossroads in life? A specific calling, crossroads in life? A specific calling, crossroads in life? A specific calling, a clear sense of what we are to do. Some a clear sense of what we are to do. Some a clear sense of what we are to do. Some of you may be facing that a new ministry of you may be facing that a new ministry of you may be facing that a new ministry position, maybe a new house, a new position, maybe a new house, a new position, maybe a new house, a new place, a school choice. When we get to place, a school choice. When we get to place, a school choice. When we get to those those those forks in the road, should we expect that

forks in the road, should we expect that forks in the road, should we expect that after much prayer, God would give us a after much prayer, God would give us a after much prayer, God would give us a subjective internal sense? Yes, he's subjective internal sense? Yes, he's subjective internal sense? Yes, he's telling us directly what we ought to do. telling us directly what we ought to do. telling us directly what we ought to do. And should we encourage each other to And should we encourage each other to And should we encourage each other to read Christian books that purport to read Christian books that purport to read Christian books that purport to give direct extra-biblical conversations give direct extra-biblical conversations give direct extra-biblical conversations from Jesus? from Jesus? from Jesus? Well, I hope you know enough from what Well, I hope you know enough from what Well, I hope you know enough from what I've written and just by how I'm asking I've written and just by how I'm asking I've written and just by how I'm asking the questions that the answer to those the questions that the answer to those the questions that the answer to those questions should be no. questions should be no. questions should be no. Again, as Stephen alluded to in this Again, as Stephen alluded to in this Again, as Stephen alluded to in this morning's session, if the authority of morning's session, if the authority of morning's session, if the authority of scripture might be considered the scripture might be considered the scripture might be considered the liberal problem, and maybe the clarity liberal problem, and maybe the clarity liberal problem, and maybe the clarity of scripture, the post-modern problem, of scripture, the post-modern problem, of scripture, the post-modern problem, and the necessity of scripture, the and the necessity of scripture, the and the necessity of scripture, the non-Christian problem, non-Christian problem, non-Christian problem, I would argue that the sufficiency of I would argue that the sufficiency of I would argue that the sufficiency of scripture is the evangelical problem. We scripture is the evangelical problem. We scripture is the evangelical problem. We know, yes, the Bible's true. It's know, yes, the Bible's true. It's know, yes, the Bible's true. It's authoritative. It's inherent. Yes, it's authoritative. It's inherent. Yes, it's authoritative. It's inherent. Yes, it's necessary. Yes, it can give us a clear necessary. Yes, it can give us a clear necessary. Yes, it can give us a clear word. But when it really comes to it, word. But when it really comes to it, word. But when it really comes to it, many of us do not believe and do not act many of us do not believe and do not act many of us do not believe and do not act as if the scriptures were sufficient.

as if the scriptures were sufficient. as if the scriptures were sufficient. And even if we say, well, we don't need And even if we say, well, we don't need And even if we say, well, we don't need new direct revelations. new direct revelations. new direct revelations. Yet, when we're sitting across the table Yet, when we're sitting across the table Yet, when we're sitting across the table from someone who is anorexic, from someone who is anorexic, from someone who is anorexic, cutting herself, depressed, anxious, cutting herself, depressed, anxious, cutting herself, depressed, anxious, we feel like, well, where do I go after we feel like, well, where do I go after we feel like, well, where do I go after Romans 8:28? I I I don't know. Is is Romans 8:28? I I I don't know. Is is Romans 8:28? I I I don't know. Is is this word really sufficient? Or is the this word really sufficient? Or is the this word really sufficient? Or is the word of God just there to help word of God just there to help word of God just there to help sort of normal people who seem to have sort of normal people who seem to have sort of normal people who seem to have their life more or less working in the their life more or less working in the their life more or less working in the right way? And this can sort of steer us right way? And this can sort of steer us right way? And this can sort of steer us in the right. But the really messed up in the right. But the really messed up in the right. But the really messed up things in ministry. The word's not things in ministry. The word's not things in ministry. The word's not enough there. enough there. enough there. Scripture is enough for you to know God Scripture is enough for you to know God Scripture is enough for you to know God and be saved. Scripture is enough for and be saved. Scripture is enough for and be saved. Scripture is enough for you to live a holy life pleasing to God. you to live a holy life pleasing to God. you to live a holy life pleasing to God. Scripture is perfect and complete, Scripture is perfect and complete, Scripture is perfect and complete, giving us all we need to know about giving us all we need to know about giving us all we need to know about Christ, about salvation, and about Christ, about salvation, and about Christ, about salvation, and about godliness. godliness. godliness. We should add nothing to it. we should We should add nothing to it. we should We should add nothing to it. we should subtract nothing from it. That is the subtract nothing from it. That is the subtract nothing from it. That is the sufficiency of scripture.

sufficiency of scripture. sufficiency of scripture. I want us to take an exogetical and I want us to take an exogetical and I want us to take an exogetical and doctrinal look at the sufficiency of doctrinal look at the sufficiency of doctrinal look at the sufficiency of scripture. If you have a Bible, turn to scripture. If you have a Bible, turn to scripture. If you have a Bible, turn to Hebrews chapter 1. Hebrews chapter 1 Hebrews chapter 1 1-4. 1-4. 1-4. Long ago, Long ago, Long ago, at many times, and in many ways, God at many times, and in many ways, God at many times, and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets. spoke to our fathers by the prophets. spoke to our fathers by the prophets. But in these last days, But in these last days, But in these last days, he has spoken to us by his son, whom he he has spoken to us by his son, whom he he has spoken to us by his son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, appointed the heir of all things, appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. through whom also he created the world. through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God He is the radiance of the glory of God He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature. and and the exact imprint of his nature. and and the exact imprint of his nature. and he upholds the universe by the word of he upholds the universe by the word of he upholds the universe by the word of his power. his power. his power. After making purification for sins, he After making purification for sins, he After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the sat down at the right hand of the sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high, having become as much majesty on high, having become as much majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has superior to angels as the name he has superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

inherited is more excellent than theirs. inherited is more excellent than theirs. The big idea in this paragraph is the The big idea in this paragraph is the The big idea in this paragraph is the big idea for the whole book of Hebrews. big idea for the whole book of Hebrews. big idea for the whole book of Hebrews. God has spoken by his son and his son is God has spoken by his son and his son is God has spoken by his son and his son is superior to all other persons, beings, superior to all other persons, beings, superior to all other persons, beings, institutions, rituals and means that institutions, rituals and means that institutions, rituals and means that have come before. Let me say that again. have come before. Let me say that again. have come before. Let me say that again. The point of this paragraph and the The point of this paragraph and the The point of this paragraph and the point of Hebrews is this. God has spoken point of Hebrews is this. God has spoken point of Hebrews is this. God has spoken by his son and his son is superior to by his son and his son is superior to by his son and his son is superior to all other persons, beings, institutions, all other persons, beings, institutions, all other persons, beings, institutions, rituals, and means that have come rituals, and means that have come rituals, and means that have come before. before. before. Notice four contrasts. Notice four contrasts. Notice four contrasts. First, there's a contrast of eras. First, there's a contrast of eras. First, there's a contrast of eras. Verse one, long ago. Verse one, long ago. Verse one, long ago. And now the contrast is verse two. in And now the contrast is verse two. in And now the contrast is verse two. in these last days. Last days being an these last days. Last days being an these last days. Last days being an esqueological category, not necessarily esqueological category, not necessarily esqueological category, not necessarily meaning that all of the events of meaning that all of the events of meaning that all of the events of Revelation or Ezekiel or Daniel are Revelation or Ezekiel or Daniel are Revelation or Ezekiel or Daniel are unfolding now. But we are in these unfolding now. But we are in these unfolding now. But we are in these latter days where there is no act of latter days where there is no act of latter days where there is no act of salvation left to be fulfilled before salvation left to be fulfilled before salvation left to be fulfilled before the peruseia, before the appearing of the peruseia, before the appearing of the peruseia, before the appearing of Christ arrives. Peter, you remember, Christ arrives. Peter, you remember, Christ arrives. Peter, you remember, announced at Pentecost that the last announced at Pentecost that the last announced at Pentecost that the last days had been ushered in. So in that days had been ushered in. So in that days had been ushered in. So in that sense, we are in the last days. We have sense, we are in the last days. We have sense, we are in the last days. We have been since the spirit came upon the been since the spirit came upon the been since the spirit came upon the disciples. All that is needed for our disciples. All that is needed for our disciples. All that is needed for our redemption has been accomplished. We're redemption has been accomplished. We're redemption has been accomplished. We're in now the age of the spirit, the death

in now the age of the spirit, the death in now the age of the spirit, the death and resurrection of Jesus ushered in and resurrection of Jesus ushered in and resurrection of Jesus ushered in this new age. And so we have long ago, this new age. And so we have long ago, this new age. And so we have long ago, that's the first contrast. That era, that's the first contrast. That era, that's the first contrast. That era, we're not there. We are now in this era, we're not there. We are now in this era, we're not there. We are now in this era, this epoch called the last days. That's this epoch called the last days. That's this epoch called the last days. That's the first contrast. The second contrast the first contrast. The second contrast the first contrast. The second contrast is with recipients. is with recipients. is with recipients. So God spoke to our fathers, to the So God spoke to our fathers, to the So God spoke to our fathers, to the patriarchs, to the ancestors. patriarchs, to the ancestors. patriarchs, to the ancestors. But in these last days, he has spoken to But in these last days, he has spoken to But in these last days, he has spoken to us. us. us. Now here in Hebrews, it's first of all Now here in Hebrews, it's first of all Now here in Hebrews, it's first of all those alive at that present time, but by those alive at that present time, but by those alive at that present time, but by extension, those of us who are alive in extension, those of us who are alive in extension, those of us who are alive in these last days. So long ago these last days. So long ago these last days. So long ago to our fathers in these last days to us. to our fathers in these last days to us. to our fathers in these last days to us. Now the third contrast is with the Now the third contrast is with the Now the third contrast is with the agents of this speaking. agents of this speaking. agents of this speaking. So verse one again God spoke to our So verse one again God spoke to our So verse one again God spoke to our fathers how by agency of the prophets fathers how by agency of the prophets fathers how by agency of the prophets that is the named prophets Isaiah, that is the named prophets Isaiah, that is the named prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel also those with a Jeremiah, Ezekiel also those with a Jeremiah, Ezekiel also those with a prophetic function like Abraham, Isaac, prophetic function like Abraham, Isaac, prophetic function like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and more broadly the Jacob, Moses and more broadly the Jacob, Moses and more broadly the prophetic writings all of scripture he prophetic writings all of scripture he prophetic writings all of scripture he has spoken to us by the prophets. The has spoken to us by the prophets. The has spoken to us by the prophets. The contrast then verse two in these last contrast then verse two in these last contrast then verse two in these last days he's spoken to us how well the days he's spoken to us how well the days he's spoken to us how well the contrast of agency is from the prophets contrast of agency is from the prophets contrast of agency is from the prophets now to his son.

now to his son. now to his son. So how does he speak by the son? We'll So how does he speak by the son? We'll So how does he speak by the son? We'll say more about this but we can say here say more about this but we can say here say more about this but we can say here at the beginning that the son reveals to at the beginning that the son reveals to at the beginning that the son reveals to us what god is like and not only what us what god is like and not only what us what god is like and not only what god is like but how we can be right with god is like but how we can be right with god is like but how we can be right with this god. He reveals the one of this god. He reveals the one of this god. He reveals the one of salvation and he reveals the way of salvation and he reveals the way of salvation and he reveals the way of salvation speaking to us through the salvation speaking to us through the salvation speaking to us through the son. So there's a contrast of eras, a son. So there's a contrast of eras, a son. So there's a contrast of eras, a contrast of recipients, a contrast of contrast of recipients, a contrast of contrast of recipients, a contrast of agents. And then finally there's a agents. And then finally there's a agents. And then finally there's a contrast of ways. contrast of ways. contrast of ways. Long ago, verse one, at many times and Long ago, verse one, at many times and Long ago, verse one, at many times and in many ways in many ways in many ways polymeos, many pieces, many parts, many polymeos, many pieces, many parts, many polymeos, many pieces, many parts, many times. And then the Greek word times. And then the Greek word times. And then the Greek word polyropos. Many ways. Think about all polyropos. Many ways. Think about all polyropos. Many ways. Think about all the ways in which God has spoken in the the ways in which God has spoken in the the ways in which God has spoken in the Old Testament. He spoke by visions, by Old Testament. He spoke by visions, by Old Testament. He spoke by visions, by dreams, by voices, by a burning bush, by dreams, by voices, by a burning bush, by dreams, by voices, by a burning bush, by a pillar of fire, by a donkey, by a pillar of fire, by a donkey, by a pillar of fire, by a donkey, by writing on a wall, writing on a wall, writing on a wall, many ways.

many ways. many ways. Now the contrast which is not stated Now the contrast which is not stated Now the contrast which is not stated explicitly but the implied contrast is explicitly but the implied contrast is explicitly but the implied contrast is just as in those long ago days by the just as in those long ago days by the just as in those long ago days by the prophets he has spoken in many ways the prophets he has spoken in many ways the prophets he has spoken in many ways the implied contrast is now he has spoken to implied contrast is now he has spoken to implied contrast is now he has spoken to us by one way. So no longer many but one us by one way. So no longer many but one us by one way. So no longer many but one by the son. by the son. by the son. So if we say I want to know who God is So if we say I want to know who God is So if we say I want to know who God is want to know what he is like I want to want to know what he is like I want to want to know what he is like I want to know how to be right with God and live know how to be right with God and live know how to be right with God and live forever. forever. forever. God now speaks that saving word not in God now speaks that saving word not in God now speaks that saving word not in many ways but in one way through his many ways but in one way through his many ways but in one way through his son.