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
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