[social_warfare buttons=”Facebook”]Sermon for the service of February 12, 2017 by Pastor Steve Hopkins
New Year, New You: Scripture
1.God Speaks…
- All scripture is God-Breathed: But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:14-17, NIV)
- Speaking is God’s first Biblical Act: In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. (Genesis 1:1-3, NRSV)
- Jesus is God’s Incarnate Word: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. (John 1:1-4, NASB)
- The Bible is animated by the Holy Spirit: For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates event to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12, NIV)
Transformation Questions (TQ): What is my experience with the Bible? What are my doubts and concerns about the Bible (really, answer this question!)?
2.We Eat…
- Sweet & Sour: Then the voice from heaven spoke to me again: “Go and take the open scroll from the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” So I went to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll. “Yes, take it and eat it,” he said. “It will be sweet as honey in your mouth, but it will turn sour in your stomach!” So I took the small scroll from the hand of the angel, and I ate it! It was sweet in my mouth, but when I swallowed it, it turned sour in my stomach.” (Revelation 10:8-10, NLT)
- Filling & Substantial: And he said to me, “Son of man, eat whatever you find here. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” So I opened my mouth, and he gave me this scroll to eat. And he said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.” Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey. (Ezekiel 3:1-3, ESV)
- Grounded in Truth: Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32, NIV)
- Consuming the Word vs. Reading the Word: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. (James 1:22-25, NIV)
TQ: What do I make of this statement: God speaks, we eat? What are some things I can do in the coming weeks to grow in this area?
♦ Resources: www.seedbed.com/dailytext; Sunday School class; Life Support Group; Use of a good Study Bible – daily routine. Most importantly, expect to meet God in the text.