The Bible is A Guide

Sermon Reflections from The Bible is A Guide | Alex Hardt | May 14, 2023 
 
Pastor Alex started us out with Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”   Why is it important to be reminded that God’s Word is eternal and unchanging?  First, I think it goes to the lastingness of the Bible’s Words of truth.  Second, it reminds us that God does not change, He is immutable, and so is His Word.  Why would we want to base our lives on truth that was not lasting and solid? God’s Word is just like God, the same yesterday, today and forever.  We can count on it as we seek to build our life on something solid.  If it changed from generation to generation, it would be like building our lives on sand which can shift or even be blown away.  I am thankful that God’s Word is constant and that the ancient words have truth and meaning for my life today just as it did for those who came before me. 

In addition to God’s Word being immutable, it is also alive.  Pastor Alex pointed us to 1 Peter 1:23 in addition to Hebrews 4:12 that speaks of the dynamic living Word of God. 1 Peter 1:23 “ For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.”  Something that is alive has the ability to interact with the living and effect change.  That is what the Word of God does in our lives.  God’s Words are alive. His Word changes us from the inside out.  Praise God for His Word that works within us!

God’s Words are sharp and may have to cut deep to expose our sins. They desire to bring into the light that which is dark and causing us grief or distress.  These are things that grieve God that we are allowing to have a place in our lives.  He desires to see us rid of them.  Hebrews 4:12-13 in the Message translation explains how piercing God’s Word can be “God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one can resist God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what.”  God wants to get our attention and often uses His Word to do just that!  He desires that we have a new heart and character that is responsive to Him. Ezekiel spoke of this transformation in Ezekiel 36:26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”   God’s Words are sharp and pierce the deepest most secret parts of our heart.  We cannot hide our true nature from God.  He know our heart and desires to give us a new heart and a new spirit! 

Lastly, Pastor Alex reminded us that God’s Word will be used to judge our actions, attitudes and thoughts.  Have you considered how you might be willfully going against God’s Word?  Do you tell small ‘harmless’ lies?  Do you treat others with callousness when you are having a bad day?  Do you think unwholesome thought towards your family, friends or enemies?  Hebrews 4:13 in the Message came with a warning, “. Nothing and no one can resist God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what.”   I like the analogy God used for Amos to show the people His standards.  

Amos 7:7-8 This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. 8 And the Lord asked me, “What do you see, Amos?”
“A plumb line,” I replied.

Then the Lord said, “Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer.

The plumb line that God gave to Israel was his Word. That was their guiding line to measure all things against to see if they were true, uplifting and honoring to God.  We have that same plumb line today in the Bible.  It is God’s truth to which we can compare anything and everything.  I love our memory verse for this week from Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp for my feet,  a light on my path.” Thank goodness we have God’s Word to light our pathway so that we will not stumble and fall into darkness.  God’s Word will hold us accountable, but also will give us direction and guidance through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Have a great week as you consider the power of God’s Word and what place you will give Him and His Word in your life. 
Linda

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