God's word to us is ~
loving
challenging
life changing
available
admonishing
convicting
directing
reproofing
encouraging
thoughtful
exact
open
understandable
clear
concise
The Old Testament points to Jesus ~ the Savior, the New Testament is Jesus ~ the Savior.
With the Lord guidance, we can understand its meaning. The Bible doesn't say one thing but mean another. Our Pastor says "A text without a context is a pretext" ~ meaning read Bible verses in the context in which they are written, think about who they are written to, where they lived, under what conditions ... then see how this applies to you and your situation. Don't take a single verse out of context and try to make it fit what you want ~ what was the Lords intention?
The Bible does deal with all of life's issues/concerns/questions.
You can't just chose to believe one verse and not another.
Gods word clearly shows us His nature, His love, His jealousy, His ways, His truth, His strength, His power, His might, His will, His statutes, His omnipotence.
So many sermons today point to what the Pastor believes, the direction
He wants His church to go, how He wants to be known in the community,
what He wants, why his preferred Bible translation is the most accurate, why his church is right & others are wrong, and even makes excuses to why His membership is small/large in comparison to other churches ~~~~ but thats all about the Pastor & not about the Lord.
Its man that takes these inspired words and twists them to fit what he wants. Its man that picks and chooses what he wants to believe or who he wants to believe.
The Lord never changes ~ He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Every sermon you hear ~ should be based on the scriptures, point to God, to His mercy, to His love, to His saving grace, to HIM!
Romans 12:2
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is ~ His good, pleasing and perfect will"
Proverbs 9:10
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding"
Colossians 1:10
"Be fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Psalm 89:15
"Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound; they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.
Psalm 100:5
"The Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."
Psalm 100:4
"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name:
John 14:27
"Peace I leave with you, y peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
PSALMS 19 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
ReplyDeleteCrossway Bibles (2011-02-09). The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (with Cross-References) (Kindle Locations 18546-18552). Good News Publishers/Crossway Books. Kindle Edition.