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"I promise you, Joe. It was like the Pastor was speaking to me!" How many times have we left church thinking the Pastor either is reading our minds or following us around town? The Word of God cuts to the quick. The Word of God steps on toes. The Word of God lifts us up. The Word of God directs us. The Word of God has the power to save our souls! I tell my students that the Word of God can be summed up in three words: "God Loves You and knowing God’s Word empowers us to resist temptation, make good decisions, equips us to form healthy habits, and reveals God’s plan of salvation to us."
But, in the process, God’s Word cuts to the center of our spirit! Just as a sword has two edges; so does God’s Word. Two people can hear the same sermon preached at the same service. One will be convicted of the sin going on in their life and one will be lifted up. The Word of God reveals to us how we stack up against Yahweh, the almighty God. It reveals to us our good and bad points. The Word of God is not meant to be studied to gain knowledge for theological arguments. It is to be studied and put into practice so God’s Word shapes our lives so Christ is glorified!
God already knows our heart. There are no secrets with Him. We cannot surprise Him however as we study the Word, what we learn about ourselves may surprise us! The Word of God leads us along the righteous path and keeps us off the road to destruction. If you attend a church where the Pastor’s sermons do not touch reveal your shortcomings compared to Christ, I will recommend that you leave that church! So many churches today are "feel good" churches. Do not get me wrong. The Word of God is an encouragement but ALL have sinned and have fallen short of the Glory of God. If you are in a church that does not delineate between godliness and sin, you are not hearing the Word of God. Many false teachers prosper because they skirt around parts of the Bible that bring conviction and reduce the cash flow! Many churches today condone ungodly practices the secular world now accepts.
The Word of God should stay ’sharp’ by your side as it is the primary piece of the Christian’s armor. We should not memorize God’s Word for any other reason than to help us work daily to lead the life pleasing to Christ. To effectively do the work of Christ, we have to know the Word of God. When we keep our sword ’sharp’, we are less prone to yield to temptations and become "one with the world".
Young Timothy is a perfect example of being guided by Scripture. Timothy did not come to know God through church services and sermons. Timothy learned of God through the scriptures. Never listen to a Pastor and form beliefs without having verified on your own that what the Pastor was teaching is Scripture-based. Many people depend on others to teach them theology without prayerfully spending time in God’s Word. Do not let a false teacher guide you down the wrong road.
I’m reminded of a story where a Pastor was standing by a train track. The train was going by and the Pastor would wave to the people on the train and they would wave back. This Pastor was the head of a mega-feel-good church. The Pastor specialized ini sermons on secular topics popular with parents seeking ways to raise their children but the Pastor did not use God’s Word in his sermons. This Pastor knew that down the track about a mile, the bridge was out. He knew that if he didn’t tell the people the truth that they would perish. As he waved to them as they went past, another Pastor walked up and asked him why he was waving the people on? The Pastor said "I want them to feel good about the path they are on but I am praying that somewhere down the line, they’ll come to know the truth before it’s too late." My friends, I will repeat this. If you are attending a church where the Pastor’s sermons do not cut to your heart and help you know yourself, you should leave that church. God’s Word is a powerful, glorious message and holds the keys to salvation. God’s Word convicts as ALL have sinned and reveals to us where we fall short. God’s Word teaches and equips us to do the work Christ wants us to do. Jesus gave us His final commandments at the Ascension. That is, go into the world and preach the good news! To do so, we must be properly equipped. Read the Word. Study the Word. Know the Word. It has the power to save your soul!
Papa Joe Mac's Commentary:
"I promise you, Joe. It was like the Pastor was speaking to me!" How many times have we left church thinking the Pastor either is reading our minds or following us around town? The Word of God cuts to the quick. The Word of God steps on toes. The Word of God lifts us up. The Word of God directs us. The Word of God has the power to save our souls! I tell my students that the Word of God can be summed up in three words: "God Loves You and knowing God’s Word empowers us to resist temptation, make good decisions, equips us to form healthy habits, and reveals God’s plan of salvation to us."
But, in the process, God’s Word cuts to the center of our spirit! Just as a sword has two edges; so does God’s Word. Two people can hear the same sermon preached at the same service. One will be convicted of the sin going on in their life and one will be lifted up. The Word of God reveals to us how we stack up against Yahweh, the almighty God. It reveals to us our good and bad points. The Word of God is not meant to be studied to gain knowledge for theological arguments. It is to be studied and put into practice so God’s Word shapes our lives so Christ is glorified!
God already knows our heart. There are no secrets with Him. We cannot surprise Him however as we study the Word, what we learn about ourselves may surprise us! The Word of God leads us along the righteous path and keeps us off the road to destruction. If you attend a church where the Pastor’s sermons do not touch reveal your shortcomings compared to Christ, I will recommend that you leave that church! So many churches today are "feel good" churches. Do not get me wrong. The Word of God is an encouragement but ALL have sinned and have fallen short of the Glory of God. If you are in a church that does not delineate between godliness and sin, you are not hearing the Word of God. Many false teachers prosper because they skirt around parts of the Bible that bring conviction and reduce the cash flow! Many churches today condone ungodly practices the secular world now accepts.
The Word of God should stay ’sharp’ by your side as it is the primary piece of the Christian’s armor. We should not memorize God’s Word for any other reason than to help us work daily to lead the life pleasing to Christ. To effectively do the work of Christ, we have to know the Word of God. When we keep our sword ’sharp’, we are less prone to yield to temptations and become "one with the world".
Young Timothy is a perfect example of being guided by Scripture. Timothy did not come to know God through church services and sermons. Timothy learned of God through the scriptures. Never listen to a Pastor and form beliefs without having verified on your own that what the Pastor was teaching is Scripture-based. Many people depend on others to teach them theology without prayerfully spending time in God’s Word. Do not let a false teacher guide you down the wrong road.
I’m reminded of a story where a Pastor was standing by a train track. The train was going by and the Pastor would wave to the people on the train and they would wave back. This Pastor was the head of a mega-feel-good church. The Pastor specialized ini sermons on secular topics popular with parents seeking ways to raise their children but the Pastor did not use God’s Word in his sermons. This Pastor knew that down the track about a mile, the bridge was out. He knew that if he didn’t tell the people the truth that they would perish. As he waved to them as they went past, another Pastor walked up and asked him why he was waving the people on? The Pastor said "I want them to feel good about the path they are on but I am praying that somewhere down the line, they’ll come to know the truth before it’s too late." My friends, I will repeat this. If you are attending a church where the Pastor’s sermons do not cut to your heart and help you know yourself, you should leave that church. God’s Word is a powerful, glorious message and holds the keys to salvation. God’s Word convicts as ALL have sinned and reveals to us where we fall short. God’s Word teaches and equips us to do the work Christ wants us to do. Jesus gave us His final commandments at the Ascension. That is, go into the world and preach the good news! To do so, we must be properly equipped. Read the Word. Study the Word. Know the Word. It has the power to save your soul!