DISCIPLESHIP JOURNEY: THE WORD OF GOD

DISCIPLESHIP JOURNEY: THE WORD OF GOD

Written from notes taken and thoughts provoked during Pastor Paul’s sermon Sunday, 2/9/ 2014.

John [MKJV] 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and without Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

1Thessalonians [MKJV] 2:12-13 … you should walk worthy of God, who has called you to His kingdom and glory. 13 And for this cause we thank God without ceasing, that when you received the Word of hearing, of God, you welcomed it as the Word of God, not as a word of men, but as it is, truly the Word of God, which also effectually works in you who believe.

  Also note GotQuestions.org "How can Jesus and the Bible both be the Word of God?" http://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-Bible-Word-God.html

 The goal of discipleship is not to be a better person. That will be product thereof. The purpose is to please, honor, and glorify God by being under total control of The Word of God. (Eccl.12:13; Job 28:28)

  Note the record in Matthew 4:1-11: Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to be tested by Satan. Though greatly weakened by physical deprivation incurred by fasting, Jesus did not rely on His power as Word Incarnate. He relied on and used The Word written; His final victorious declaration to Satan being the overcoming truth "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve."

  I find the pronoun “you” very interesting. Originally shown in verse 13 in contextual setting of Deuteronomy 6, it is there addressed to population. In Matthew 4 indeed a reminder of that which we are to rely on and emulate as John 1:12 family, but also reminder to Satan of you didn’t, you don’t, and because of  you never can . . . you are lost and always shall be!   

  Pastor Paul expressed his belief that for some time now the church (God’s people) has lost much knowledge of the Word by:

1.       Allowing self to be intimidated by volume of reading.

2.       Narrow thinking on part of knowledgeable elders; Insist on using KJV whether comprehending the English or not, et al.

3.       Elitism among those learned and educated.

4.       Starting reading with the more difficult books of the Bible. Begin with the 4 gospels!

5.       Hung up on difficult passages. This reminded me of something Lincoln is credited with. The Bible being one of his favorite books, kept at hand, when asked if the parts of Scripture he didn’t understand troubled him . . . he said “No, it’s the parts I understand that trouble me.” Hmmm…. Maybe that’s another problem; the Word being troubling so we don’t read or study it?

6.       Today’s attitudes toward God’s Word: fictional, not trustworthy, another helpful book, etc.

7.       Lack of regard for Jehovah God, Lord Jesus Christ, and/or the Holy Spirit.

8.       Laziness. Not wanting to work at study and application as stated in 2Timothy [NLT] 2:15-16; 3:16-17 “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. … All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”

  Let us not just read and study. Let us ponder what The Word says and discover how we as disciples can fulfill our mandate.  EBB4