The Word and the Truth
Introduction
Coming out of Jubilee…
Every-changing world — innovating with methods and strategies
Shift — divine alignment
Change, not for change-sake — obedience, fulfilling purpose
John 17:15-18 (ESV) “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.”
Our calling as a church…be sent into the world, not of it, set apart by truth.
The Word
Romans 10:17 (ESV) So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Faith is not built or strengthened just by memorizing Bible verses (thought I advocate for doing that). It is nurtured by fellowship with Jesus, the Living Word, who brings the written Word to light.
John 8:31-32 (ESV) So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 14:6 (ESV) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Acts 2:36-42 (ESV) Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Next week I will begin a series that brings some of these things together: the prayers and the word. I’m going to discuss what it looks like for the church to begin in prayer before any other action. What do we learn in prayer? How are we transformed through prayer? We’re going to look at a few psalms that when we learn how to pray, we are transformed in these days of distraction, discouragement, and deception. I’ll begin in Psalm 93 next weekend.
Conclusion
Information…
Online strategy — pray for us, were in a shift and creating clarity
Extra Scriptures
John 1:14 (ESV) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Mark 1:15 (ESV) “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV) For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.