“Let God’s Word Change You”
We spent time reading through and hopefully putting into action the book of James. For the next two weeks we will be looking towards Easter. It is my hope that this year we will allow Easter to change us. Many of us have become so used to the religious holidays that that is exactly what they have become, “religious holidays.” This year, as we move towards Easter with the expectation that it will indeed change us into being more like Jesus I want to focus on how that is done. This week we will focus on how God’s Word should change us. Next week we will look at how prayer can change us to be more like Jesus
Easter is the day we recognize our risen Savior and the power He offers to change our lives through His defeat of sin and death. The ongoing work of Jesus in our lives can continue to change us. Today, as we get into the Scriptures we’ll see how God uses His inspired Word to shape us and mold us.
But, before we get too far into our message, I think it is important to set the framework for understanding what the Bible is…The Bible is a collection of books, letters, and poems that were written over a 1500-year span by nearly 40 authors. It is a timeless tool that speaks to every aspect of our lives. I’ve heard it said this way, “more than we read the Bible, the Bible reads us”, meaning the people who penned these inspired words offer us a mirror through which we might see ourselves most clearly.
It is important that when we read and study God’s Word, we do so in the manner that the book was written, and with the intention of the authors in mind.
For instance, many people read the Bible as if it were an owner’s manual. (Consider having one in hand or a picture up on the screen) We expect it to quickly fix anything that is broken in our lives. Much like we use an owner’s manual for our vehicles, if we just turn to this page, then everything will go our way. If we approach the Bible in this fashion, then we will find ourselves frustrated.
Others read the Bible like a textbook. (Consider having one in hand or a picture up on the screen) We expect it to lay out in detail everything we need to know to pass the test of life. We look to it for proof of how the world was made or to explain Jesus’ miracles. Treating the Bible as a textbook will also leave us frustrated.
Lastly, many people use the Bible like a Magic 8 Ball. (Consider having one in hand or a picture up on the screen) Just like they shake the ball up and down and hope for good news, some just turn to a random page in the Bible, throw their finger down, and hope for a word from God. If these verses do not fit what they were looking for, they just look for another.
So, if it’s not a manual, textbook, or magic eight ball, then what is this mysterious and lengthy book? It’s actually a collection of 66 books in total. The Old Testament consists of 39 books and is the telling of Israel’s relationship to God and the people and countries around them. They contain everything that happens in the story of God before Jesus arrives on the scene.
The New Testament is made up of 27 books that are dedicated to the life and times of Jesus Christ, and the expansion of the Church after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Some of these books are history books while others are books of the law. Some are poetry, prophecy, biography, and letters; 66 different books, 40 authors, 1500 years. All with one consistent message; God loves His creation and has gone to great lengths to rescue and redeem it. This message has the power to change you and me.
One of the clearest depictions of how the Bible impacts our lives is found in the book of 2 Timothy as Paul writes to his disciple, Timothy. He ends his letter by reminding Timothy of the importance of staying grounded in God’s Word.
First, according to Paul, the words that we read in the scriptures are not simply of human origin. They are not just Paul’s insight, David’s wisdom, or John’s ideas. The scriptures originate with God first.
He inspired every word throughout history through the perspective and personality of the authors. They were birthed out of the individual’s intimate relationship with God to help people navigate every aspect of their lives.
The Bible calls it useful.
The Scriptures are a tool to accomplish many things in the life of a believer. The key is that we must engage with it through reading and studying. When I say read, I don’t mean just saying the words on the page, but letting the words soak deeply into our hearts.
As the Episcopal clergyman, Phillips Brooks, once said, “The Bible is like a telescope. If a man looks THROUGH his telescope, he sees worlds beyond; but if he looks AT his telescope, he does not see anything but that. The Bible is a thing to be looked through to see that which is beyond; but most people only look at it and so they see only the dead letter.”
Second Timothy also says that the Bible teaches and trains us. When we read the Bible and study the scriptures, it forms our minds and hearts. It trains us in the way of righteousness. The Bible teaches us how to love people well, how to handle conflict, how to defend our faith, how to serve those in need, how to handle our finances, how to enjoy life, and so many more lessons.
Additionally, Second Timothy tells us that the Scriptures rebuke us and correct us. This can sometimes be uncomfortable, but one of the Bible’s jobs is to expose sin, uncover motives, and reveal false theology in our hearts. The Scriptures keep our lives level and aligned with the foundation that is Christ.
I don’t know about you, but I cannot stand for any kind of hanging thing on my walls to be off one way or another – even a tiny bit. It bothers me when a picture is tilted even the slightest. It just seems disconcerting to have a picture hanging even a bit tilted. The easiest way to determine if it is level or not is to get out a level and check.
The Bible is the level of our lives. When we are out of sync with God’s intentions, it helps align us once again.
If we allow it to teach us, and
if we submit to its authority in our lives,
it will change and correct us when we go astray.
2 Timothy also says that the Bible equips us for every good work. If I am ill-equipped for anything that I undertake, I can never be successful. Someone had to teach me how to use a sewing machine to make my clothing and I had to pass a driver’s test to receive my license. The Bible is instruction in the way that God desires for the world to function so that we might be well-equipped to join Him in His work. God has invited you into partnership with Him to help redeem and restore the world. He is interested in you joining Him in making all things right once again. To do this, there are lessons that we need to learn so that we might see the world through God’s eyes.
In order to join Him in his good work there may be things in our lives that need to change. In order to be equipped for every good work, we must allow the Bible to teach us, train us, rebuke us, and correct us.
I read a story in the Reader’s Digest about a woman whose doctor had recommended surgery and referred her to a specialist. Arriving early for her appointment, she found the door unlocked and the young surgeon, deeply engrossed in reading, behind the receptionist’s desk. When he didn’t hear her come in, she cleared her throat. Startled, he closed the book, which she then recognized as the Bible. “Does reading the Bible help you before or after an operation?” she asked. Her fears of the upcoming surgery were dispelled by his soft, one-word answer, “During.”
The Bible equips us for every good work, no matter what it is. We find God there and we find everything we need to be effective in our endeavors each and every day.
We live in a world that is not easy to navigate. Knowing the wisest choice and the next right step can be very challenging. The Bible tells us that God’s Word is not just a tool to work within us, but it is also a tool to guide us. The author of the book of Psalms writes this in Psalm 119:105,
Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
This passage tells us that God’s Word is like a lamp for our feet. A lamp provides light in dark places, and that is exactly what the Bible does for us.
How many of you have woken in the night, lying in bed, and discover you need to go to the bathroom? You naively think you won’t turn on the light because that will only wake you up more, so you attempt to get to the bathroom in the dark. Only to stub your toe on the bedpost or something else along the way. Had you only turned on the light in order to see all around you, you would not be hopping in pain to and from the bathroom.
Though we live surrounded by sin and darkness, we can rely upon the Scriptures to help light the way in front of us so we can avoid the pitfalls of temptation and the dangers of evil. Without light, we run the risk of stumbling into treacherous places and doing harm to ourselves or to others. When we trust the leading and guidance of the Scriptures, it changes the trajectory of our lives. What are the places where you feel lost?
What are the situations that seem confusing and shrouded in darkness? Look to the Bible to help shed light on what is the best way forward.
How might your life change if you were to commit to a daily reading of the Bible? Consider using a simple approach to studying God’s Word each day to learn and grow. One method that is very effective is the S.O.A.P. method. The SOAP Method for Bible study is a structured approach comprising four key steps.
S – stands for Scripture, where you select and read a passage.
O – represents Observation, prompting you to identify key points, themes, or details in the text.
A – stands for Application, guiding you to consider how the passage is relevant to your life and circumstances.
Finally, P – stands for Prayer, encouraging you to respond in prayer to what you’ve read.
This method fosters a holistic understanding of Scripture, encourages personal reflection, and facilitates a deeper connection with God’s Word, making it a valuable tool for spiritual growth and change.
Isn’t that what we hope and pray for every day?
This week I encourage you to create time, each day, to spend time in God’s Word. I’m not suggesting hours of study, find ten minutes. Try using the S.O.A.P. method of study or some other method and watch God change your life.
Let’s pray now.
