HAPPY THANKSGIVING
"in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
4 Functions of God’s Word by Pastor Jack Wellman
Scripture Teaches
Every word of God is necessary for teaching us something about God or how to be more like Christ. It is “so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:17). It is necessary to teach us or others sound doctrine (Titus 2:1), to teach us how to avoid living ungodly lives full of worldly passions (Titus 2:12), to teach us about the past so that we can learn from it (Rom. 15:4), to teach us to avoid false teachings (Heb. 13:9), and to equip us for what we are to do for God’s glory (2 Tim. 3:17).
Scripture Rebukes
God must have a sense of humor because He once used a donkey to rebuke Balaam (Num. 22:28; 2 Pet. 2:16), and today God uses His Word to rebuke or discipline us (Heb. 12:5), to keep the church sound in the faith (Titus 1:13), to teach and encourage the church in godly instruction (2 Tim. 4:2), to rebuke even His own disciples (Mark 8:33), but also to avoid rebuking our elders in public (1 Tim. 5:2. God rebukes those whom He loves (Rev. 3:19). Don’t you want that? I might not like it, but I surely need it!
Scripture Corrects
Second Timothy 4:2 says we should “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” Why? It’s because “the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Tim. 4:3-4). I think that time is not coming anymore–it is already here!
Scripture Trains
There is a training process going on right now. We are in training to become more like Christ and to grow in righteousness and holiness, and this lifelong process is called sanctification. Jesus prayed to the Father to “sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17). The Word not only cleanses us (Eph. 5:26), trains us in and about God’s righteousness (Titus 2:12), trains us to be more godly (1 Tim. 4:7), trains us to discern good from evil (Heb. 5:14) but also trains us to be more like our Master (Luke 6:4 and our Savior.
Conclusion
The Word of God cuts in order to heal. It can discern our thoughts and intents (Heb. 4:12), and it convicts us and cleanses us (Eph. 5:26). We need the Word of God so much in our daily lives. We can trust it because we know it’s from the very mouth of God and “is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16), and speaking for myself, I really need all four of these.
Members -- Please do NOT add me to any group without my permission. Thank you.
Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover
1 Samuel 16:7 - But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks
at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
Samuel was looking for an individual to replace Saul as king. Samuel was to select one of the son's of Jesse the Bethlehemite. Eliab was one of the son's that Saul was considering. Based on what Saul saw, physically, of Eliab, he was sure God would choose this young man. But God had other ideas. Saul was judging on what he saw on the outside, but God, looking at the heart and character of Eliab knew that he was not the right selection.
When people judge by outward appearances, they may overlook quality individuals who lack the particular physical qualities society admires. Appearance doesn't reveal what an individual is like on the inside. Appearance doesn't show what's in a man's heart, or his morals, or his integrity. Only God knows what's on the inside. If only we would spend as much time developing what we look like on the inside as we do on the outside. Man sees your face, while God sees your heart.
God Bless
Many times we wonder what the will of God is for our lives. Let me suggest that you simply say, "Lord, I am willing to obey, even though I don't completely understand what it is that You're asking me to do." - Greg Laurie
Crop your avatar
