14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.
-John 17:14-18 (NLT)
Today, I want us to focus on verse 17. "Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth." Jesus is praying that God, the Father, makes us holy. What does He mean by this request? The Greek word for holy is "hagios." That word means "likeness of nature with the Lord" because "different from the world." Jesus is praying that God makes us in the likeness of Him, for us to be different from the world. How many Christians are living more like the world than like Christ? But, I think there is more to this verse than that.
Look at the second comment of Jesus, "teach them your word, which is truth." Jesus first prays that God would makes us in the likeness of Him, and make us different from the world, by His truth. Then He prays that God would teach us His word, and His word is truth. Do you see it? We are made in the likeness of God through the truth, which is the word of God, because the word of God is the truth. We are made into the likeness of God through our relationship with Jesus, because Jesus is the truth and His words are the truth. Jesus said in John 14:6 "Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." God's Word is the truth, Jesus is the truth. He is the way to God, and He alone gives life to those who accept Him as Lord and Savior. Jesus said in John 14:23-24, "Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. 24 Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me."
Do you love Jesus? Are you keeping His words? His words are the truth, and it's only through His words that we can grow into the likeness of Him. Think About It.
Showing posts with label Word of God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Word of God. Show all posts
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Just Preach The Word
I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
-2 Timothy 4:1-2 (NLT)
Having just taught Timothy the importance and use of the Word of God, Paul gives Timothy a charge. It's a charge that we need to heed, especially in our times today. We'll dig more into why we need this charge tomorrow, but for now, let's look at what Paul charged Timothy to do.
Verse 1 says, "I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his kingdom:" This is a charge that Paul is serious about. Paul is not merely urging Timothy to do a certain thing. Instead he is urging him, in the presence of God and of Jesus, to do this certain thing. You know it's serious. It's kind of like a "triple dog dare you" kind of challenge. What is he challenging Timothy to do? Verse 2 says, "Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching." His challenge is to preach the word of God. Preach means to deliver, to proclaim to give instruction. Timothy was to deliver, proclaim and to instruct the Word of God. He was to be prepared to preach, whether the time is favorable or not. The purpose of his preaching was to patiently correct, rebuke and encourage his people with good teaching. Timothy had quite a challenge, but I'm sure he was ready for that challenge. What does this have to do with us today?
We must be ready, we must be prepared to to present the Word of God. Peter writes, in First Peter 3:15, "Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it." You must be prepared to present the Gospel, even when conditions don't seem favorable to you. The last two weeks on SLTV, our Monday evening Bible study, we've talked about having strength to follow Jesus, no matter what. Are you prepared to deliver the Word of God? If your faith was challenged, would you defend it? If someone blatantly twists and skews the message of the Word of God, will you defend it? Friends, we've buried our heads in the sand long enough, are you ready to make a stand and proclaim the Word of God? Think About It.
-2 Timothy 4:1-2 (NLT)
Having just taught Timothy the importance and use of the Word of God, Paul gives Timothy a charge. It's a charge that we need to heed, especially in our times today. We'll dig more into why we need this charge tomorrow, but for now, let's look at what Paul charged Timothy to do.
Verse 1 says, "I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his kingdom:" This is a charge that Paul is serious about. Paul is not merely urging Timothy to do a certain thing. Instead he is urging him, in the presence of God and of Jesus, to do this certain thing. You know it's serious. It's kind of like a "triple dog dare you" kind of challenge. What is he challenging Timothy to do? Verse 2 says, "Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching." His challenge is to preach the word of God. Preach means to deliver, to proclaim to give instruction. Timothy was to deliver, proclaim and to instruct the Word of God. He was to be prepared to preach, whether the time is favorable or not. The purpose of his preaching was to patiently correct, rebuke and encourage his people with good teaching. Timothy had quite a challenge, but I'm sure he was ready for that challenge. What does this have to do with us today?
We must be ready, we must be prepared to to present the Word of God. Peter writes, in First Peter 3:15, "Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it." You must be prepared to present the Gospel, even when conditions don't seem favorable to you. The last two weeks on SLTV, our Monday evening Bible study, we've talked about having strength to follow Jesus, no matter what. Are you prepared to deliver the Word of God? If your faith was challenged, would you defend it? If someone blatantly twists and skews the message of the Word of God, will you defend it? Friends, we've buried our heads in the sand long enough, are you ready to make a stand and proclaim the Word of God? Think About It.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Pursuit Of Knoweldge
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
-Second Timothy 2:15-19 (KJV)
During yesterday's Talkin' Scripture broadcast, we studied that we must put into practice the Word of God. We studied that it's not enough to merely listen to the Word, we must do it. I think that is the idea that Paul was teaching Timothy.
Verse 15 says, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Paul teaches Timothy to study. He didn't say listen to the Word, or hear the Word, or glance over Scripture. Instead he says to study. Among the definition of study is the pursuit of knowledge. To be a pastor, Timothy would have to pursue knowledge. Pursue is a verb, it's an action. To pursue means to strive to gain or accomplish. Timothy would have to pursue, to gain or accomplish, knowledge. Why? Two reasons, to "shew thyself approved unto God." To be approved means to consider right or good; think or speak favorably of. We must show ourselves as right or good unto God. The only way to do that is to study (and apply) the Word of God to our lives. The second reason Timothy would have to pursue knowledge is to "rightly dividing the word of truth." He could not teach God's Word to others if he has no idea what it says. That is why we must study the Word, and also why we must apply the world. If we fail to apply what we read in the Word of God, we will never be approved onto God, and we'll never rightly divide the Word. We'll talk more about this tomorrow.
For now, though, I must ask. Do you spend time in study of the Word? I'm not talking about just reading a chapter a day, or taking a glancing look at Scripture. I am talking about getting into the word, following the cross references, looking up words you don't understand. Have you done that? If so, have you applied your new found knowledge? Think About It.
-Second Timothy 2:15-19 (KJV)
During yesterday's Talkin' Scripture broadcast, we studied that we must put into practice the Word of God. We studied that it's not enough to merely listen to the Word, we must do it. I think that is the idea that Paul was teaching Timothy.
Verse 15 says, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Paul teaches Timothy to study. He didn't say listen to the Word, or hear the Word, or glance over Scripture. Instead he says to study. Among the definition of study is the pursuit of knowledge. To be a pastor, Timothy would have to pursue knowledge. Pursue is a verb, it's an action. To pursue means to strive to gain or accomplish. Timothy would have to pursue, to gain or accomplish, knowledge. Why? Two reasons, to "shew thyself approved unto God." To be approved means to consider right or good; think or speak favorably of. We must show ourselves as right or good unto God. The only way to do that is to study (and apply) the Word of God to our lives. The second reason Timothy would have to pursue knowledge is to "rightly dividing the word of truth." He could not teach God's Word to others if he has no idea what it says. That is why we must study the Word, and also why we must apply the world. If we fail to apply what we read in the Word of God, we will never be approved onto God, and we'll never rightly divide the Word. We'll talk more about this tomorrow.
For now, though, I must ask. Do you spend time in study of the Word? I'm not talking about just reading a chapter a day, or taking a glancing look at Scripture. I am talking about getting into the word, following the cross references, looking up words you don't understand. Have you done that? If so, have you applied your new found knowledge? Think About It.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Talkin' Scripture: Our Responsibility Toward God's Word, Part 1
We're studying through the book of James. This week, we start studying James 1:19-27, where we find three responsibilities that Christians have toward the Word of God. The first is to "Receive The Word."
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Thursday, January 26, 2012
What's Your Desire?
7The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
-Psalm 19:7-11 (KJV)
In these verses of Psalm 19, we see three sets of six things. One set is 6 titles to the word of God as the whole of Divine revelation. The second set of six proves God. The third set of six teach us the effects of the law of God. Let's break them down.
We read these as titles of the Word, "The law...The testimony...the statutes...the commandment...the fear...the judgments." These things describe the Word of God. We read these descriptions about the Word, "is perfect...is sure...are right...is pure...is clean...are true and righteous altogether." These describe the Word of God. Look at it like this: The Word of God is the law of God and is perfect. The Word teaches us the way God expects us to live so that we can be perfect.
The third set reveals the effects of the laws. "converting the soul...making wise the simple...rejoicing the heart...enlightening the eyes...enduring forever." These teach us what happens when the Word of God takes over our life, or we put it into practice. Look at it like this: The Word of God is the law of God and is perfect causing a change in our life. Because the law is perfect, when you apply it to your life, your life will change to conform to the Word. Do you understand what I'm saying here?
Then, in verse 10, David teaches us that these things (the law, testimony, statutes, commandment, fear & judgments) are to be desired. Do you desire these things in your life? I hope so. David says, "More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold." We should desire the Word of God in our life, so that we may find the way to be saved, so that we can have wisdom for our lives, so that we can rejoice in the things of God, so that our eyes can be enlightened to see Him, so that we can endure through all things.
Finally, look at verse 11, "Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward." By these six descriptions of the Word are we warned. We are warned about our need for a Savior. We are warned about Hell. But the great thing is "in keeping of them there is great reward." Do you desire the things of God? Do you desire God more than anything else? Think About It.
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