Introduction
For the follower of Jesus, the number one factor guiding our choices should be
“What does _____ want”?
“By faith, Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, build an ark to save his family.” (Hebrews 11:7)
“By faith, Abraham, when called to go to a place, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8)
“By faith [the Israelites] passed through the Red Sea as on dry land” (Hebrews 11:29)
1) How can we know what God wants us to do?
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God” (2Tim.3:16-17)
i) GOD-BREATHED – these are the thoughts of ____ not of men.
ii) ALL SCRIPTURE – Paul meant the Old Testament here, but the early church (and all Christians subsequently) have affirmed the whole Bible is inspired.
For more information, see “I want to know more” at the end.
iii) WHY DOES IT MATTER WHO WROTE THE BIBLE?
“the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2Tim.4:3)
There are lots of voices speculating about the truth, but only one voice is the truth.
2) How can God’s Word be at work in us?
“We thank God continually because when you received the word of God…you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.” (1Thess.2:13-14)
Read the word. Learn the word. Put it into practice!
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. … the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:22-25)
- A — Admit I can’t in myself do what needs to be done.
- P — Pray for God’s help.
- T — Trust a particular promise he has given.
- A — Act to do whatever God is calling me to do.
- T — Thank him for his help when I am done.
Think: Where might this be helpful in my daily struggle with temptation?
3) Endeavouring to make God’s word central at church.
i) Teach the _____ every Sunday
ii) Organising our structures to reflect the Bible’s _________.
iii) Examine our _________ in the light of the Bible
iv) Lifestyle
v) ____________ partnership
vi) The Bible trumps __________.
________________________________________
I want to know more:
- To listen: Keller Tim, MP3, Is the New Testament canon reliable and accurate? http://download.redeemer.com/rpcsermons/QandA/Is_the_New_Testament_canon_reliable_and_accurate.mp3
- To read: Stevenson, John, Are the Right books in the bible?, www.angelfire.com/nt/theology/js.html
- To read: BOOK: Gordon D. Fee, How to read the Bible for all its worth
- To read: Driscoll, Mark, Vintage Church (though he’s wrong in his arguments against infant baptism)
- To read: Joshua Harris, Why I love the Church