God’s Word is louder than any wave.
Part 1: Why should we honour & obey God’s Word?
In Matthew 24 Jesus prepared His disciples for catastrophic change and ultimately for His return. Jerusalem was about to be attacked and conquered, it’s Temple would be destroyed and everything they knew about worship would change forever. They must have heard, believed and applied His words because God’s Church has grown and thrived over the last two thousand years, despite innumerable attempts to destroy it.
Jesus did not call on the Church to survive difficult times, but to grow in them. We’re facing catastrophic change all over the world right now, and we can apply the same teaching, not just to survive - but to thrive. So how do we do this? How do we resist being afraid and being led astray, how do we accept the circumstances we cannot change and still apply all of Jesus teaching so that we are ready for His return? How do we overcome the waves of doubt, fear and deceit that threaten not only our peace but also our purpose?
Today we look at why we exist as a Church, and how we fulfil our purpose. The early Church described in Acts 2:42-47 shows four pillars essential to the mission of the Church. Scripture, Prayer, Worship and Serving. In doing these things wherever we are, as often as we can, we will not only fulfil our purpose but also find the love, joy and peace of the Holy Spirit, no matter how loud the waves of our circumstances are.
Scripture.
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:12-17 ESV
Bible Study Questions.
What is the most important thing anyone can do? (Mark 12:28-31) How does this relate to the words “Love and Worship”. Can we love and worship God without “Honouring & Obeying His Word?” (Hebrews 11:6 & Romans 10:17)
Read Acts 2:42-47. In this glimpse of the earliest Church, which was growing daily, can you see the four pillars of the Church? (Scripture, Prayer, Worship & Serving). Where and when did they do these things?
What happens when God speaks? How powerful, effective and trustworthy is His Word? (Genesis 1:3, Luke 8:24, Hebrews 6:18)
What happened to Peter when he focused on the waves instead of on Jesus Words? How do we do the same thing, especially in tough times like we are currently experiencing? (Matthew 14:26-33)
Are the Scriptures God’s Word? (2 Peter 1:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21) What does Paul mean that God “breathed” the Scriptures? (2 Timothy 3:16, Psalm 33:6)
God tells us in 2:Timothy 3:13 that evil people go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. How can we avoid being deceived and ensure that we are not tricked out of holding onto the gift of God’s forgiveness, put in place through our Lord Jesus Christ? (2 Timothy 3:14-15)
Apart from teaching and reminding us of everything we need to know to be saved by God’s grace, what can God’s Word do for those who know, believe and practice His Word? (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Who does God give to those who believe and obey His Word (Acts 5:22), and what will be the result in their lives? (Galatians 5:22)
Worship.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
When I feel afraid
Think I've lost my way
Still you're there right beside me
And nothing will I fear
As long as you are near
Please be near me to the end
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
I will not forget
Your love for me and yet
My heart forever is wandering
Jesus be my guide
And hold me to your side
I will love you to the end
Nothing will I fear as long as you are near
Please be near me to the end
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
And a light unto my path
You're the light unto my path
Service.
We hear the waves when we focus too much on the world, especially by over exposure. We can become overwhelmed by news which is spread by news, social media, and general conversation. We can counter this effect by listening for God’s voice in reading, trusting, applying and sharing God’s Word. Read Hebrews 10:23-25 and think and talk about how can we serve others by being selective over what we talk about and share on social media?
We can actually encourage and heal hurting people by repeating God’s powerful Word. How can we go out this week and minimise the negative words we hear, maximise the truth of God’s Word that we absorb, and share His word with others as much as possible?