17 Apr Book it! (Because a Bible that is falling apart indicates a life that isn’t!) Part 29
Last week we reviewed the past few months of our series; this week let’s jump into a short review of some…
Truths to Trust God’s Word:
1. The Bible is historically accurate (Ps. 33:4)
2. The Bible is scientifically accurate (I Tim. 6:20)
3. The Bible is prophetically accurate (Matt. 26:56)
4. The Bible is thematically unified.
5. The Bible is trusted by Jesus (Matt. 5:18)
6. The Bible has enduring power (Luke 21:33)
7. The Bible has transforming power (John 8:31-32)
Then we began to share “Four Characteristics Concerning Continuing in the Word”:
- Make it the foundation of your life (Matt. 7:24).
I began sharing different foundations that will surely not uphold you in this house.
Let’s call them “Four Faulty Foundations”:
1.) Popular culture.
2.) Tradition (Mark 7:7-9)
3.) Reason
4.) Feelings
Last week we began by sharing that because “Four Faulty Foundations” won’t work, obviously our lives need to be found on the firm foundation of the Word of God!
Therefore…
“Two Tests to truly tell if the Bible is your True Foundation”:
- What do you do when you don’t understand the Bible?
Remember this: Never let go of what you do know, because of what you don’t know.
This week let’s continue with our second Test:
2. What do you do when you don’t like a portion of the Bible?
Have you ever been to a food buffet? We select and eat what we do want and disregard what we don’t like. I think we have taken that buffet mentality into our Bible reading. We select and eat what we do want and disregard what we don’t want.
Remember this: If you really want to grow, study and “eat” the Scriptures that are not underlined in your Bible!
“Well Pastor Jim, what if I don’t like a certain Scripture?”
Please allow me to respond with “Three ‘I don’t like it’ Lessons”:
- You don’t have to like it, you just have to obey it.
If you struggle with “obeying” God in one area, go back into Scriptures that reveal how much God loves you. You see, it’s easy to obey someone who has my best interest in mind. Anytime God requires me to obey a verse in the Bible it is always for my long-term benefit…always! Anytime God asks me to give something up, it is always for my benefit. Remember this: Many times you must give up to go up!
2. Never adjust the Bible to fit “you”…always adjust “you” to fit the Bible
3. Many times, understanding comes on the other side of obedience.
When God clearly called us to Mt. Juliet, Tennessee it was a “one horse” town. It had a small hotel and a Waffle House, and not much else. Well I grew up in the city and at first I did not fully understand why God was calling us to this small country town. Since we arrived, the little town has burgeoned into a lovely city and 2,100 active Joy Church team members later…I understand!
Join us next week as we continue our series…