Word Alive Testimony
My Story His Glory • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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INTRO
INTRO
Gallup Pole finds that nearly 1 in three people in America believe that the Bible is nothing more than fables, history, or moral precepts recorded by man.
Nearly 1 in three people deny that Bible is the actual word of God that is inspired by God.
In addition, only 20% of our nation believes that the Bible is completely relevant for every aspect of life and should be looked to for guidance in everything.
49% believes the Bible can be trusted somewhat
29% says not at all
20% say you can trust it completely
The less people are engaged with the Church the less they are engaged with and trust God’s Word…and ultimately God’s influence in their lives.
5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6 Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
As Jesus-followers, we must share with people the reality of God’s Word and the trustworthiness of God’s Word.
WE MUST RECOGNIZE AND SHARE THESE THREE TRUTHS TO HELP CONNECT PEOPLE WITH THE CREATOR AND SAVIOR OF THE WORLD:
WE MUST RECOGNIZE AND SHARE THESE THREE TRUTHS TO HELP CONNECT PEOPLE WITH THE CREATOR AND SAVIOR OF THE WORLD:
1) God’s Word is Living and Active!
1) God’s Word is Living and Active!
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
The Bible is not a religious book. It is God’s perfectly preserved revelation to His creation of who He is, who we are made to be, how we have fallen short, and how He has done what we could not do by bridging the gap so we can be redeemed and restored!
The Bible is unlike any other text in the world.
It is a collection of 66 books that have been carefully vetted and preserved to create the Canon (or Standard) of Holy Scripture.
Some argue that man has put it together for selfish reasons at various Church Counsels throughout the 3rd and 4th Centuries , but like scripture itself, it was the Holy Spirit of God working through faithful servants to bring about the preservation of scripture.
There was a strict qualification for the New Testament Canon: Apostolic origin (undeniably connected to one of the Apostles), Recognition by the early church as authoritative (If the early church fathers held and recognized letters from apostles), and the content was in alignment with the Apostles teaching (sometimes people would attribute books to apostles that were not truly from that apostle and it’s content would verify it was a fake, i.e. the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Judas, etc.)
The Old Testament Canon was preserved and established by strict guidelines by Rabbi’s across generations. The New Testament believers and Jesus himself recognized their authority and Spirit-led preservation.
It was written by over 40 different authors
Over a span of 1500 years
From at least 3 different continents
And the themes and texts are all in agreement and alignment with one another!
The Bible is filled with various genres and speak to the deepest parts of our hearts in profound ways that shape life as we know it!
2) God’s Word is our Source for Life!
2) God’s Word is our Source for Life!
4 But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
89 Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. 90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. 91 By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants. 92 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life. 94 I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts. 95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies. 96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad.
Jesus (who is the Word made Flesh, John 1) gives us forgiveness and restoration through His death, burial, and resurrection.
He also gives us the path of righteousness and life by living according to the Word of God.
The statues and precepts of God give us guidance on what is appropriate and best for the entirety of life, both now and eternally!
We are created beings in a created world, with a created order.
The Bible is our Creator’s manual for life. His laws are not oppressive, but preserving.
He knows the dangers of sin and what hardship we bring upon ourselves by living different from His design.
We live in a broken world that will bring turmoil into our lives already, why should we bring more calamity within us by living apart from His standards?
To live in relationship with God and to walk in his ways is life…to live apart from Him is death.
Most people are just living to die, but those who walk with God are dying to live.
We are spiritual beings who have bodies. We know how to nourish our bodies, yet most neglect to nourish the core of who they are…their soul.
God’s word must be what we hang our lives upon if we are going to truly live.
You are either spiritually healthy or you are spiritually decaying.
What this world feeds into our lives is spiritual poison and bring death and decay.
What God feed into our lives is spiritual nourishment and brings life and brings it abundantly!
Even in the hardest of times, when life hits the hardest and we are hurt the most, God’s Word still stands strong and sure.
3) God’s Word is our Comfort in Affliction!
3) God’s Word is our Comfort in Affliction!
49 Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. 51 The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law. 52 When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O Lord. 53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law. 54 Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning. 55 I remember your name in the night, O Lord, and keep your law. 56 This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept your precepts.
We live in a broken world and we will experience broken hearts.
In the midst of the brokenness, God’s Word gives us life and guidance. He preserves us in His precepts and statues.
His promises give us assurance.
His timeless and timely commands give us praise and light in the darkest of times.
CLOSING
CLOSING
Our lives should center around God’s Word and our life experiences should be shared with others. Our testimony should always show and display that
5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
ARE YOU DAILY TAKING IN GOD’S WORD AND APPLYING IT YOUR LIFE?
WHEN HARD TIMES HIT, ARE YOU TURNING TO GOD’S WORD FOR DIRECTION AND COMFORT?
ARE YOU TELLING PEOPLE ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH GOD’S TRUE AND TRUSTWORTHY WORD?
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