Aligning Our Perspective with God's Unchanging Word
Summary
Summary:
Good morning, everyone. Today, we continue our series on perspective, focusing on the Bible. Perspective is a personal way of considering something, and it guides our decisions and actions. The Bible, though unchanging, is often viewed differently by people over time, leading to significant shifts in understanding and practice. Historical examples include the Jews missing the Messiah due to a legalistic focus, the Catholic Church's indulgences, and the rise of cults in the 20th century. These shifts occurred not because God or His Word changed, but because people's perspectives did.
We must ask ourselves if the Bible is the number one guide in our lives. Many American Christians do not see it as such, relying instead on church leaders or personal feelings. This reliance has led to a lack of personal engagement with Scripture, resulting in misunderstandings and the spread of false teachings. The Bible is complete and sufficient for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. It is a personal letter from God to us, meant to be read and understood by each believer.
The Old and New Testaments are equally important, but they serve different purposes. The Old Testament reveals God's character and plan, while the New Testament fulfills that plan through Jesus Christ. We must read both in context, understanding their unique roles in God's overarching narrative.
Ultimately, our perspective on the Bible will determine how we engage with it and apply it to our lives. It is a love letter from God, containing all the answers we need. If we truly believe this, we will seek to understand and live by it. Our perspective on God's Word is crucial, as it shapes our faith and actions.
Key Takeaways:
1. Perspective Shapes Our Actions: Our perspective, not reality, guides our decisions. This is evident in how people have historically misunderstood or misapplied the Bible. By aligning our perspective with God's unchanging Word, we can make decisions that honor Him and reflect His truth. [17:25]
2. The Bible as Our Guide: The Bible should be the primary guide for our lives, yet many Christians rely on others to interpret it for them. This has led to a lack of personal engagement and understanding. We must take responsibility for our spiritual growth by studying Scripture ourselves. [20:49]
3. Understanding the Role of Feelings: While feelings are important, they should not dictate our faith. The Holy Spirit's work in our lives is not always accompanied by emotional experiences. Instead, it often involves conviction and transformation. We must base our faith on God's promises, not our emotions. [29:54]
4. The Importance of Personal Study: American Christianity often relies on pastors to interpret the Bible, leading to a passive faith. We are called to study Scripture ourselves, allowing it to shape our beliefs and actions. This personal engagement prevents false teachings from taking root. [35:38]
5. Old and New Testaments: Both Testaments are vital, but they serve different purposes. The Old Testament reveals God's character and plan, while the New Testament fulfills that plan through Jesus. Understanding their distinct roles helps us appreciate the full narrative of God's redemptive work. [44:52]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:00] - Introduction to Perspective
- [05:30] - Perspective and Decision Making
- [08:45] - Historical Shifts in Biblical Perspective
- [12:00] - The Unchanging Nature of God
- [17:25] - The Jews and the Messiah
- [20:49] - Is the Bible Your Guide?
- [23:20] - Authority and Interpretation
- [27:52] - Scripture's Sufficiency
- [29:54] - Feelings vs. Faith
- [33:03] - Personal Experiences with Faith
- [35:38] - The Role of Personal Study
- [40:01] - Misinterpretations and Misapplications
- [41:22] - Old vs. New Testament
- [44:52] - Contextual Understanding of Scripture
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
2. Mark 7:8-9
3. 1 John 5:13
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Observation Questions:
1. What does 2 Timothy 3:16-17 say about the purpose and sufficiency of Scripture? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on personal Bible study? [27:52]
2. In Mark 7:8-9, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for prioritizing human traditions over God's commandments. How does this passage connect to the sermon’s discussion on the authority of the Bible versus human authority? [23:20]
3. According to the sermon, what are some historical examples of how people's perspectives on the Bible have led to misunderstandings or misapplications? [17:25]
4. How does the sermon describe the different roles of the Old and New Testaments in understanding God's character and plan? [41:22]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might 2 Timothy 3:16-17 challenge the common practice of relying on church leaders for biblical interpretation rather than personal study? [35:38]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that feelings can mislead believers in their faith journey? How does this relate to the role of the Holy Spirit as described in the Bible? [29:54]
3. How does the sermon explain the importance of reading the Old and New Testaments in context? What might be the consequences of not doing so? [44:52]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between perspective and faith? How can one's perspective on the Bible influence their spiritual growth and actions? [20:49]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current perspective of the Bible. Is it the primary guide in your life, or do you rely more on other sources like church leaders or personal feelings? How can you shift towards a more Scripture-centered approach? [20:49]
2. Consider a time when your feelings influenced your faith decisions. How can you ensure that your faith is grounded in God's promises rather than emotions? [29:54]
3. How often do you engage in personal Bible study? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of Scripture and prevent reliance on others for interpretation? [35:38]
4. Think about your understanding of the Old and New Testaments. How can you improve your comprehension of their distinct roles in God's narrative? What resources or practices might help you in this endeavor? [41:22]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you need guidance. How can you seek answers in the Bible, and what practical steps will you take to apply its teachings to this situation? [44:52]
6. How can you encourage others in your community to engage in personal Bible study and develop a perspective that aligns with God's Word? What role can you play in fostering a culture of Scripture-centered living? [35:38]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s historical examples of misinterpretation. How can you guard against similar misunderstandings in your own faith journey? What accountability measures can you put in place? [17:25]
Devotional
Day 1: Perspective Shapes Our Actions
Our perspective is a powerful force that shapes our actions and decisions, often more than the reality itself. Throughout history, people have misunderstood or misapplied the Bible due to their perspectives. For instance, the Jews missed recognizing the Messiah because their perspective was heavily influenced by a legalistic focus. Similarly, the Catholic Church's indulgences and the rise of cults in the 20th century were results of skewed perspectives. These examples highlight the importance of aligning our perspective with God's unchanging Word. By doing so, we can make decisions that honor Him and reflect His truth. It is crucial to continually evaluate our perspective and ensure it is rooted in Scripture, allowing it to guide our actions in a way that glorifies God. [17:25]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Think of a recent decision you made. How did your perspective influence that decision, and how might aligning it more closely with God's Word change your approach?
Day 2: The Bible as Our Guide
The Bible is meant to be the primary guide for our lives, yet many Christians rely on others to interpret it for them. This reliance has led to a lack of personal engagement with Scripture, resulting in misunderstandings and the spread of false teachings. The Bible is complete and sufficient for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. It is a personal letter from God to us, meant to be read and understood by each believer. We must take responsibility for our spiritual growth by studying Scripture ourselves, allowing it to shape our beliefs and actions. By doing so, we can prevent false teachings from taking root and ensure that our faith is grounded in truth. [20:49]
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you have relied on others for biblical understanding. How can you take steps this week to study Scripture personally in that area?
Day 3: Understanding the Role of Feelings
Feelings are an important part of our human experience, but they should not dictate our faith. The Holy Spirit's work in our lives is not always accompanied by emotional experiences. Instead, it often involves conviction and transformation, which may not always feel emotionally uplifting. We must base our faith on God's promises, not our emotions. This means trusting in God's Word and His character, even when our feelings may suggest otherwise. By doing so, we can develop a faith that is steadfast and resilient, grounded in the truth of God's promises rather than the shifting sands of our emotions. [29:54]
Jeremiah 17:9-10 (ESV): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when your feelings led you away from God's truth. How can you remind yourself to rely on God's promises instead of your emotions in similar situations?
Day 4: The Importance of Personal Study
American Christianity often relies on pastors to interpret the Bible, leading to a passive faith. However, each believer is called to study Scripture personally, allowing it to shape their beliefs and actions. This personal engagement with the Bible is crucial in preventing false teachings from taking root and ensuring that our faith is active and alive. By studying Scripture ourselves, we can develop a deeper understanding of God's Word and its application to our lives. This not only strengthens our faith but also equips us to share the truth with others, fostering a community of believers who are grounded in Scripture. [35:38]
Acts 17:11 (ESV): "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so."
Reflection: What is one specific step you can take this week to engage more deeply with Scripture on your own? Consider setting aside a dedicated time each day for personal Bible study.
Day 5: Old and New Testaments
Both the Old and New Testaments are vital to understanding God's redemptive work, but they serve different purposes. The Old Testament reveals God's character and plan, while the New Testament fulfills that plan through Jesus Christ. Understanding their distinct roles helps us appreciate the full narrative of God's redemptive work. By reading both Testaments in context, we can gain a deeper understanding of God's overarching narrative and how it applies to our lives. This holistic approach to Scripture allows us to see the continuity of God's plan and His faithfulness throughout history, strengthening our faith and trust in Him. [44:52]
Hebrews 1:1-2 (ESV): "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world."
Reflection: How can you incorporate both the Old and New Testaments into your regular Bible reading to gain a fuller understanding of God's redemptive plan? Consider starting a reading plan that includes passages from both Testaments.
Quotes
It's a personal way of considering something. So you have your own perspective of everything. So everything, it can be consistent, but your perspective is what changes. And that's really what most people, you know, count on is perspectives changing and figuring it out. So really, your perspective, not reality, is what really guides your decisions. [00:14:56] (24 seconds)
And the reason is they were focused on the law, right? They just saw God's word as just law. Just law, law. Law instead of God's like, I gave you prophecies telling you about the coming, the coming of the Messiah. And they missed it because the perspective was focused on the law. And so they missed it. [00:18:59] (21 seconds)
Most of America is not. I'm talking about Christians. Most of American Christians do not see the Bible as their number one guide. Or how about this one? Is it for me to study or do I demand, do I depend on someone else to explain it to me? And actually this right here, and we're going to talk about it in a minute, is Christian. [00:21:56] (24 seconds)
You don't need someone to explain God's Word to you. I had, I was witnessing, I like when Mormons come by my house. I have so much fun. I mean, Angie, she'll be driving. She'll be like, Hey, there's some Mormons in the neighborhood. And I mean, I'll go out and start raking the yard, you know, middle of the summer, you know. [00:27:55] (24 seconds)
Because I really don't want to base something as powerful as my eternity on a feeling. I need a promise. I need to base it on a promise. And that is what I've got. God's Word is a promise. Whether I feel good, feel bad, feel. All I know is I've got the promise of the Holy Spirit. I've got the promise of the Word of God. [00:34:20] (20 seconds)
The gospel is for every man, not just theologians. This drives me crazy. This is what people are doing. They're sitting there in churches while pastors are trying to impress them with all of their knowledge and theology. Instead, while the world is dying, going to hell because we're impressing one another. That's our call. [00:39:23] (24 seconds)
But I do not treat them equally. Okay? Let me explain to you what I mean there. I read the Old Testament because it tells me about the character of God. It tells me about the truth of God. It tells me the plan of God. God always had the plan of Jesus. I read the Old Testament because it shows me the faithfulness of God. [00:42:20] (21 seconds)
I'm going to heal that's what's going to happen and he fulfilled this he did exactly what his promise he did it but you can't and then he later on talks about what's going to happen to the people but you can't just take that out and just yank it and go use it for something different you have to read it in the context that was written [00:47:52] (20 seconds)
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