"God's Means of Communication - The Bible"
A sermon preached on The Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost, Octber 21 at Edgemont Chrsitian Church (Disciples of Christ), by the Rev. Christopher E. Yopp. The sermon is based on II Timothy 3:14-4:5.
I heard the story this past week of a lady whose pastor had made arrangements with her to visit her home one afternoon. In preparation for his visit, the lady wanted to impress her new pastor so she made sure to have a Bible visible when he came to visit. She placed a Bible on the coffee table right in front of where he would be seated. On the day he came, as the pastor walked in she seated him right in front of where the Bible lay. She commented to her minister; "Yeah, I love God’s Word - in fact, I love to read it." Her young son, who was also in the room, interrupted the conversation by saying; "Well, mom you better hurry up and read it because you only have two weeks before you have to turn it back in at the library." We may laugh at that story but this is the way many people treat the Bible.
Rev. Roger Walterhouse tells of one night as his family was preparing for bedtime, he said; "My four-year-old daughter Claire began singing ‘The Bible.’ As she came to the end, she combined another song. Here is what she sang; ‘I stand alone on the word of God and that’s what it’s all about.’" By mixing up "The Bible" and "The Hokey Pokey," Claire nailed the way that each of us should view God’s word. "I stand alone on the word of God and that’s what it’s all about!"
We Disciples have always been a people who have encouraged the reading and studying of Scripture. We are challenged to allow the Spirit of God to speak to their hearts through the pages of God’s word that they might find direction and guidance, purpose and meaning to life. The Bible is a human testimony of God’s revelation. And we, as Disciples - students of Christ, are encouraged to interpret or read the scriptures in the light of all sciences and in the strength of Christian tradition and through in the inspiration and illumination of the Holy Spirit. But this isn’t just true of Disciples, this is also to be true of all Christians. As the compass is to the wandering Boy Scout, and the evening star to the pilot at sea, so the Bible is an infallible guide to the wandering Christian. Therefore, we must "read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest it," as that ancient prayer challenges us.
The word "Bible" comes the Greek words, biblos meaning "little books." The Bible is a collection of 66 little books in all. Yet, I find it amazing that the books fit together perfectly like a jig-saw puzzle and without one the puzzle is incomplete. In fact, these 66 books were written by 40 different authors – over the span of some 1500 years. And what’s more, the writers include fishermen and farmers, political leaders and kings, philosophers and even one writer - the Apostle Luke, a medical doctor. The original language of the Old Testament was Hebrew, and the New Testament was originally written in Greek and Aramaic. It’s origin shows that there is indeed something "special" about this book. However, most people recognize the Bible as something more than just a collection of "little books" or even "religious writings." In fact, some see the Bible as a record of man’s search for God. While others see it as a record of man’s experience of God and still others see it as God’s revelation to man. And certainly I think all three apply.
Within this set of 66 books there are two sections known as the Old and New Testaments. The word "testament" comes from the Latin word testamentum meaning "an agreement" or "a covenant. The first 4 books of the New Testament are called the "gospels," which comes from the Anglo-Saxon word godspel, which means "good news." And certainly the gospels contain the "good news" of Jesus Christ. Another pertinent word of the Bible is the word apocalypse, which we find throughout the Bible, but especially in the Book of Revelation. The word apocalypse means "to reveal" or "to bring a mystery to light." And certainly that is what the entire Word of God does, isn’t it? The Bible is an apocalypse - it is a revelation or revealing of God’s love for us in and through the mystery of Jesus Christ!
But the 66 books that make up our Bible are considered the canon of Scripture. The word "canon" in the Greek means, "measuring stick" or "measuring rod." So to speak of the "canon of Scripture" indicates that there are certain writings uniquely recognized as the measuring stick by which belief and practice are measured. Are there other biblical writings? Are there other biblical books apart from those that are found in the Bible? Yes! But these 66 books that we have in our Bible were considered, by the church fathers, as being the "canon of Scripture" – the inspired word of God.
Sadly, many, throughout the centuries, have tried to discredit and even uphold the Bible as a tool for history, science and other agencies. And while, the Bible does have, in many respects, historical accuracy, it is important to understand that the Bible stands alone. The Bible is not intended to be a substitute for science or history, politics or even religion, for that matter. The Bible can neither be made nor destroyed by these agencies, for it is at the same time both less and more than all of these.
Across the past three hundred years the Bible has been the most comprehensively analyzed book in all of literature. Thorough scrutiny will continue, and always will bring enlightenment rather than weakness to the truth of the message because the discernment of truth is lodged in the Bible’s underlying spirit rather than its literal events. It is not faith in the book that Christians hold, but faith in God as revealed through the pages of the Bible.
So, what is the Bible? What is its purpose? The writer of Hebrews refers to God’s word in this way; "...the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). What a powerful description. Through these words the writer of Hebrews is telling us that God’s word is incisive, like a surgeon’s scalpel it does not mangle, but opens the heart of man to reveal its contents.
James tells us in the first chapter of his epistle; "In the fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits of his creation" (James 1:18). James is reminding us that God through his word - both the written word and the Living Word (Jesus) has given us instructions so that we might become first fruits for God - that is to say the very best! But notice that this isn’t obtained on our own, but only by the word of truth!
God’s word is truth, as James reminds us! But not only is the written word truth, but so is the Living Word - Jesus. Jesus said; "I am the way, the truth and the life." God’s word does not merely "contain truth," it is absolute truth. Jesus said; "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." Paul tells us in Romans 3:2 that the word of God is considered "the oracles of God." You see, pagans referred to divine messages as "oracles." Therefore Paul, writing to the church in Rome many of whom came out of paganism, uses language familiar to them and said that the word of God was an oracle or a divine message from the one true God. Paul further describes God’s word as a window to God, revealing the very heart and will of God. What powerful analogies for the word of God!
The Psalmist writes in Psalm 19; "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandments of the Lord are clear, enlightening the eyes." The Psalmist is saying that God’s word is absolute authority, from which we must measure and base our lives.
Look again at our Scripture Lesson for this morning; "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness." Now, friends, keep in mind, when Paul wrote these words to Timothy there was no New Testament. Timothy would have had the Old Testament scriptures, he would have been taught them growing up. He may have had some of the epistles that Paul had written earlier, but all of the New Testament hadn’t been written nor compiled. In fact, throughout most of the first century, the life and ministry of Christ was transmitted orally. As those who knew Jesus grew old or were martyred, it became important to preserve their knowledge and experience in written form. Scattered samplings of the recorded thoughts of several apostles who nurtured the early church through its formative days were gradually collected, and in the second century consolidated into a single volume, which later became canonized as "sacred writings" and known as the New Testament.
But here, in our Scripture Lesson this morning, Paul reminds young Timothy that the word of God is inspired. The Greek word for "inspired" here is theopneustos, which literally means "God-breathed." God’s word is pure, when people try to add, or change, or delete, or twist or dilute it, they destroy its purity. That is why we must affirm; "Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent." Though the Bible was written by the hand of man, it was given by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
So, how are the Scriptures to be understood? Well first and foremost, through the illumination of the Holy Spirit. You see, God’s Spirit is the source of all wisdom and understanding. Therefore, we must allow God’s Spirit to grant us wisdom and understanding while reading God’s word. Secondly, by examination, which is to say; we must read, study and examine the Scriptures. If you only open your Bible or hear it read on Sunday mornings then you’re not going to grow in your understanding. The Psalmist reminds us that we must "meditation upon God’s word day and night!" Thirdly, by reasoning. God says test me, put my words to the test and they will prove to be trustworthy. Fourthly, by human help. By looking to preachers, teachers and elders. We gain insight from others – we learn from others. And then finally, through resources. We live in an age graced with so many different resources that make the Bible come alive. We have videos, commentaries, dictionaries, concordances and atlases that all bring the Bible to life. All of these are great tools and resources for studying God’s word.
Paul encourages us, in Colossians 3:16, to let the word dwell in us richly. In other words, we must let the word be alive and effective in our lives like yeast thrown in water. We must embrace it, live it, be it, and share it. We must, like Christ, become the living word. I want to close with a story that is told of a pastor who, when assuming his duties as the Pastor of a church in Indiana, was delighted to see brand new Bibles placed in pews. When he opened one to see what version it was, he was dumbfounded by what he saw and read. In large, red letters these words were stamped inside the front cover; "NOT TO BE TAKEN FROM THE CHURCH!" Here was the word of God, "not to be taken from the church." And so, may the Word dwell in us richly - may we embody the Word that we become the living word - so that our lives become testimonies of the Word. You see, friends, God communicates with us through God’s word, so that we might in turn communicate with others the Word of God!
Rev. Roger Walterhouse tells of one night as his family was preparing for bedtime, he said; "My four-year-old daughter Claire began singing ‘The Bible.’ As she came to the end, she combined another song. Here is what she sang; ‘I stand alone on the word of God and that’s what it’s all about.’" By mixing up "The Bible" and "The Hokey Pokey," Claire nailed the way that each of us should view God’s word. "I stand alone on the word of God and that’s what it’s all about!"
We Disciples have always been a people who have encouraged the reading and studying of Scripture. We are challenged to allow the Spirit of God to speak to their hearts through the pages of God’s word that they might find direction and guidance, purpose and meaning to life. The Bible is a human testimony of God’s revelation. And we, as Disciples - students of Christ, are encouraged to interpret or read the scriptures in the light of all sciences and in the strength of Christian tradition and through in the inspiration and illumination of the Holy Spirit. But this isn’t just true of Disciples, this is also to be true of all Christians. As the compass is to the wandering Boy Scout, and the evening star to the pilot at sea, so the Bible is an infallible guide to the wandering Christian. Therefore, we must "read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest it," as that ancient prayer challenges us.
The word "Bible" comes the Greek words, biblos meaning "little books." The Bible is a collection of 66 little books in all. Yet, I find it amazing that the books fit together perfectly like a jig-saw puzzle and without one the puzzle is incomplete. In fact, these 66 books were written by 40 different authors – over the span of some 1500 years. And what’s more, the writers include fishermen and farmers, political leaders and kings, philosophers and even one writer - the Apostle Luke, a medical doctor. The original language of the Old Testament was Hebrew, and the New Testament was originally written in Greek and Aramaic. It’s origin shows that there is indeed something "special" about this book. However, most people recognize the Bible as something more than just a collection of "little books" or even "religious writings." In fact, some see the Bible as a record of man’s search for God. While others see it as a record of man’s experience of God and still others see it as God’s revelation to man. And certainly I think all three apply.
Within this set of 66 books there are two sections known as the Old and New Testaments. The word "testament" comes from the Latin word testamentum meaning "an agreement" or "a covenant. The first 4 books of the New Testament are called the "gospels," which comes from the Anglo-Saxon word godspel, which means "good news." And certainly the gospels contain the "good news" of Jesus Christ. Another pertinent word of the Bible is the word apocalypse, which we find throughout the Bible, but especially in the Book of Revelation. The word apocalypse means "to reveal" or "to bring a mystery to light." And certainly that is what the entire Word of God does, isn’t it? The Bible is an apocalypse - it is a revelation or revealing of God’s love for us in and through the mystery of Jesus Christ!
But the 66 books that make up our Bible are considered the canon of Scripture. The word "canon" in the Greek means, "measuring stick" or "measuring rod." So to speak of the "canon of Scripture" indicates that there are certain writings uniquely recognized as the measuring stick by which belief and practice are measured. Are there other biblical writings? Are there other biblical books apart from those that are found in the Bible? Yes! But these 66 books that we have in our Bible were considered, by the church fathers, as being the "canon of Scripture" – the inspired word of God.
Sadly, many, throughout the centuries, have tried to discredit and even uphold the Bible as a tool for history, science and other agencies. And while, the Bible does have, in many respects, historical accuracy, it is important to understand that the Bible stands alone. The Bible is not intended to be a substitute for science or history, politics or even religion, for that matter. The Bible can neither be made nor destroyed by these agencies, for it is at the same time both less and more than all of these.
Across the past three hundred years the Bible has been the most comprehensively analyzed book in all of literature. Thorough scrutiny will continue, and always will bring enlightenment rather than weakness to the truth of the message because the discernment of truth is lodged in the Bible’s underlying spirit rather than its literal events. It is not faith in the book that Christians hold, but faith in God as revealed through the pages of the Bible.
So, what is the Bible? What is its purpose? The writer of Hebrews refers to God’s word in this way; "...the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). What a powerful description. Through these words the writer of Hebrews is telling us that God’s word is incisive, like a surgeon’s scalpel it does not mangle, but opens the heart of man to reveal its contents.
James tells us in the first chapter of his epistle; "In the fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits of his creation" (James 1:18). James is reminding us that God through his word - both the written word and the Living Word (Jesus) has given us instructions so that we might become first fruits for God - that is to say the very best! But notice that this isn’t obtained on our own, but only by the word of truth!
God’s word is truth, as James reminds us! But not only is the written word truth, but so is the Living Word - Jesus. Jesus said; "I am the way, the truth and the life." God’s word does not merely "contain truth," it is absolute truth. Jesus said; "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." Paul tells us in Romans 3:2 that the word of God is considered "the oracles of God." You see, pagans referred to divine messages as "oracles." Therefore Paul, writing to the church in Rome many of whom came out of paganism, uses language familiar to them and said that the word of God was an oracle or a divine message from the one true God. Paul further describes God’s word as a window to God, revealing the very heart and will of God. What powerful analogies for the word of God!
The Psalmist writes in Psalm 19; "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandments of the Lord are clear, enlightening the eyes." The Psalmist is saying that God’s word is absolute authority, from which we must measure and base our lives.
Look again at our Scripture Lesson for this morning; "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness." Now, friends, keep in mind, when Paul wrote these words to Timothy there was no New Testament. Timothy would have had the Old Testament scriptures, he would have been taught them growing up. He may have had some of the epistles that Paul had written earlier, but all of the New Testament hadn’t been written nor compiled. In fact, throughout most of the first century, the life and ministry of Christ was transmitted orally. As those who knew Jesus grew old or were martyred, it became important to preserve their knowledge and experience in written form. Scattered samplings of the recorded thoughts of several apostles who nurtured the early church through its formative days were gradually collected, and in the second century consolidated into a single volume, which later became canonized as "sacred writings" and known as the New Testament.
But here, in our Scripture Lesson this morning, Paul reminds young Timothy that the word of God is inspired. The Greek word for "inspired" here is theopneustos, which literally means "God-breathed." God’s word is pure, when people try to add, or change, or delete, or twist or dilute it, they destroy its purity. That is why we must affirm; "Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent." Though the Bible was written by the hand of man, it was given by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
So, how are the Scriptures to be understood? Well first and foremost, through the illumination of the Holy Spirit. You see, God’s Spirit is the source of all wisdom and understanding. Therefore, we must allow God’s Spirit to grant us wisdom and understanding while reading God’s word. Secondly, by examination, which is to say; we must read, study and examine the Scriptures. If you only open your Bible or hear it read on Sunday mornings then you’re not going to grow in your understanding. The Psalmist reminds us that we must "meditation upon God’s word day and night!" Thirdly, by reasoning. God says test me, put my words to the test and they will prove to be trustworthy. Fourthly, by human help. By looking to preachers, teachers and elders. We gain insight from others – we learn from others. And then finally, through resources. We live in an age graced with so many different resources that make the Bible come alive. We have videos, commentaries, dictionaries, concordances and atlases that all bring the Bible to life. All of these are great tools and resources for studying God’s word.
Paul encourages us, in Colossians 3:16, to let the word dwell in us richly. In other words, we must let the word be alive and effective in our lives like yeast thrown in water. We must embrace it, live it, be it, and share it. We must, like Christ, become the living word. I want to close with a story that is told of a pastor who, when assuming his duties as the Pastor of a church in Indiana, was delighted to see brand new Bibles placed in pews. When he opened one to see what version it was, he was dumbfounded by what he saw and read. In large, red letters these words were stamped inside the front cover; "NOT TO BE TAKEN FROM THE CHURCH!" Here was the word of God, "not to be taken from the church." And so, may the Word dwell in us richly - may we embody the Word that we become the living word - so that our lives become testimonies of the Word. You see, friends, God communicates with us through God’s word, so that we might in turn communicate with others the Word of God!
posted by Pastor Christopher @ 11:42 AM
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