Clinging to the Eternal Word of God
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to reflect on the profound truth that God is always speaking to us through His Word. In the midst of life's challenges, it's essential to remember that God is our constant source of peace, joy, and encouragement. We are reminded that God's love for us is unwavering, regardless of our circumstances or past actions. This is a time to worship and pray, laying down our burdens and being honest with God about our feelings. We are encouraged to pray individually or with others, recognizing that God understands our hearts completely.
As we embark on a new series called "Formation," we are called to internalize and discern the values and vision of our church. The first value we explored is the conviction that "God is always speaking," primarily through His Word. The Word of God is not just an ancient text but a living, active, and eternal guide that is relevant and effective in our lives. It is through the Word that we grow spiritually, find correction, and receive guidance.
The Word of God is eternal, unchanging, and always accomplishes its purpose. It is a reliable guide in the darkness, providing direction and clarity. As preachers, we are mandated to preach the Word, not our opinions or cultural ideologies. The Word is Jesus, and Jesus is the Word. There is no discrepancy between the two, and through the Word, we come to know the life, love, and commands of Jesus.
In conclusion, we are called to cling to the Word, dive deeper into it, and never depart from it. The Word is our solid foundation, and through it, we find the power and guidance to live as followers of Jesus.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Unwavering Presence and Love: In the midst of life's darkest moments, God remains our source of peace, joy, and encouragement. His love for us is constant and unconditional, regardless of our circumstances or past actions. This truth invites us to lay down our burdens and be honest with God about our feelings, knowing that He understands our hearts completely. [16:24]
2. The Eternal and Unchanging Nature of God's Word: The Word of God is eternal and unchanging, standing firm through all generations. It is a reliable guide that provides direction and clarity in the midst of life's uncertainties. As the grass withers and flowers fade, the Word of God endures forever, offering us a solid foundation to stand on. [47:10]
3. Spiritual Growth Through the Word: The Word of God is essential for our spiritual growth. It corrects us, teaches us righteousness, and equips us for every good work. Engaging with the Word allows it to read us, revealing areas in our lives that need correction and growth. This process helps us become more like Jesus and prepares us for God's purposes. [49:49]
4. The Effectiveness and Relevance of God's Word: The Word of God is always effective and relevant. It never returns void but accomplishes its purpose. It is living and active, discerning the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. The Word speaks to our situations and circumstances, providing guidance, encouragement, and correction. [54:15]
5. The Word as a Guide and Mandate for Preaching: The Word of God serves as a faithful guide in our lives, lighting our path and directing our steps. As preachers, we are mandated to preach the Word, not our opinions or cultural ideologies. The Word is Jesus, and through it, we come to know the life, love, and commands of Jesus. This truth calls us to stand firm on the Word and never depart from it. [01:04:44]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [16:24] - God's Unwavering Love
3. [17:19] - Invitation to Pray
4. [22:07] - God's Sovereign Reminder
5. [22:47] - Joy in the Midst of Sorrow
6. [23:26] - Prayer for Peace
7. [24:06] - Encouragement to Share Peace
8. [24:55] - Need for God's Presence
9. [25:32] - Praise and Worship
10. [26:14] - Welcome and Announcements
11. [27:15] - New Series: Formation
12. [28:07] - Values and Vision
13. [29:31] - Introduction to Formation
14. [30:53] - God is Always Speaking
15. [32:32] - Why the Word?
16. [39:40] - The Source of the Word
17. [47:10] - The Eternal Nature of the Word
18. [49:49] - Spiritual Growth Through the Word
19. [54:15] - The Effectiveness of the Word
20. [56:54] - The Relevance of the Word
21. [01:01:23] - The Word as a Guide
22. [01:04:44] - The Mandate to Preach the Word
23. [01:08:56] - The Word is Jesus
24. [01:16:25] - Prayer and Commitment to the Word
25. [01:19:50] - Communion and Closing Remarks
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 2 Timothy 3:16-17: "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. Isaiah 40:8: "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."
3. Hebrews 4:12: "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
### Observation Questions
1. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, what are the four purposes of Scripture? How do these purposes contribute to making a person complete and equipped for every good work?
2. In Isaiah 40:8, what is contrasted with the enduring nature of God's word? What does this contrast teach us about the reliability of God's word?
3. Hebrews 4:12 describes the word of God as "living and active." What does this mean in the context of the verse? How does this description affect our understanding of Scripture's role in our lives?
4. The sermon emphasized that God's word is eternal and unchanging. How does this align with the message in Isaiah 40:8? [47:10]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that "all Scripture is breathed out by God" (2 Timothy 3:16) influence the way we approach reading the Bible? What implications does this have for our daily lives?
2. The sermon mentioned that the word of God is effective and never returns void (Isaiah 55:11). How can this assurance impact our faith and actions when we face challenges? [54:15]
3. Hebrews 4:12 states that the word of God discerns the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. How can this truth help us in our personal spiritual growth and self-examination?
4. The sermon highlighted that the word of God is a reliable guide in the darkness. How does Psalm 119:105 ("Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path") reinforce this idea? [01:01:23]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did you seek guidance? How might turning to Scripture have provided clarity or comfort in that situation? [47:10]
2. The sermon encouraged us to be honest with God about our feelings and burdens. How can you incorporate this practice into your daily prayer life? What specific burdens do you need to lay down before God this week? [16:24]
3. Think about a time when you felt spiritually stagnant. How might engaging more deeply with the word of God have helped you grow during that period? What steps can you take to ensure regular and meaningful engagement with Scripture? [49:49]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of preaching the word, not personal opinions or cultural ideologies. How can you discern whether the teachings you hear are rooted in Scripture? What actions can you take if you find they are not? [01:04:44]
5. Hebrews 4:12 describes the word of God as piercing and discerning. Can you recall a time when reading Scripture revealed something about your heart or intentions? How did you respond to that revelation, and what changes did you make as a result?
6. The sermon called us to internalize and discern the values and vision of our church. How can you actively participate in this process? What role do you feel God is calling you to play in your church community? [29:05]
7. The word of God is described as eternal and unchanging. How does this truth provide stability in your life? In what ways can you remind yourself of this stability during times of uncertainty or change? [47:10]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Unwavering Presence and Love
Description: In the midst of life's darkest moments, it is crucial to remember that God remains our source of peace, joy, and encouragement. His love for us is constant and unconditional, regardless of our circumstances or past actions. This truth invites us to lay down our burdens and be honest with God about our feelings, knowing that He understands our hearts completely. We are encouraged to pray individually or with others, recognizing that God understands our hearts completely. [16:24]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: Think of a specific burden or worry you are carrying right now. Can you take a moment to lay it down before God, trusting in His unwavering love and presence?
Day 2: The Eternal and Unchanging Nature of God's Word
Description: The Word of God is eternal and unchanging, standing firm through all generations. It is a reliable guide that provides direction and clarity in the midst of life's uncertainties. As the grass withers and flowers fade, the Word of God endures forever, offering us a solid foundation to stand on. This eternal nature of God's Word assures us that we can always rely on it, no matter the changing circumstances of our lives. [47:10]
Psalm 119:89-90 (ESV): "Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt lost or uncertain. How did turning to God's Word provide you with direction and clarity? How can you make engaging with the Word a daily habit?
Day 3: Spiritual Growth Through the Word
Description: The Word of God is essential for our spiritual growth. It corrects us, teaches us righteousness, and equips us for every good work. Engaging with the Word allows it to read us, revealing areas in our lives that need correction and growth. This process helps us become more like Jesus and prepares us for God's purposes. By immersing ourselves in the Word, we allow it to transform us from the inside out. [49:49]
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 in your life where you feel you need spiritual growth. How can you use specific passages from the Bible to address and grow in this area?
Day 4: The Effectiveness and Relevance of God's Word
Description: The Word of God is always effective and relevant. It never returns void but accomplishes its purpose. It is living and active, discerning the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. The Word speaks to our situations and circumstances, providing guidance, encouragement, and correction. This effectiveness and relevance mean that no matter what we face, God's Word has something to say to us. [54:15]
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Reflection: Think about a current situation or challenge you are facing. How can you seek guidance and encouragement from God's Word to navigate this situation?
Day 5: The Word as a Guide and Mandate for Preaching
Description: The Word of God serves as a faithful guide in our lives, lighting our path and directing our steps. As preachers, we are mandated to preach the Word, not our opinions or cultural ideologies. The Word is Jesus, and through it, we come to know the life, love, and commands of Jesus. This truth calls us to stand firm on the Word and never depart from it, ensuring that our lives and teachings are rooted in the eternal truth of Scripture. [01:04:44]
Psalm 119:105 (ESV): "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Reflection: Consider how you can ensure that your daily decisions and actions are guided by the Word of God. What steps can you take to deepen your understanding and application of Scripture in your life?
Quotes
1. "Remind yourself that no matter how dark it may look difficult the circumstance may be That God makes a way out of nowhere That he's peace in the middle of the storm joy in the midst of sorrow encouragement in the midst of disappointment He's present when it feels like all others are absent He's love when your heart feels weighed down That's who our God is God is indeed good Our is indeed for us God indeed loves us Loves you beyond what you could ever know Loves you beyond what you've done." [16:24] (66 seconds)
2. "Listen, all year long You guys know that we've been leaning into this idea That God is for you, right? Everybody say God is for you Help me preach it to somebody There we go God is for you So we've been leaning into this idea all year long And so we tried to be clever And tag different series with that name for And what we came up with was Formation Around our series around value, amen?" [29:31] (26 seconds)
3. "Why the word? Because the word is from God. And it's eternal in nature. And that makes it relevant and effective and offers spiritual growth and guidance for our lives as Christ followers. That's the whole sermon. It's lofty, it's long, but that's my thesis. That's what I would want you guys to understand is, why the word? Because the word is from God. And it's eternal in nature. And that makes it relevant and effective in our lives. And it offers to us spiritual growth and guidance for our lives as Christ followers." [38:14] (37 seconds)
4. "Why the word? Because the word comes from God. I wish I had something deeper for you but why why trust the word why be led by the word when I feel like I don't know where to go why turn to the word when I feel discouraged why hear the word preached weekend after weekend why the word because the word comes from God the Bible is very clear that that all scripture is breathed out by God it's it points to this idea that it comes from the very breath of God." [39:40] (39 seconds)
5. "Why the word? Because it's eternal because of its eternality. I like what the writer does. He paints this picture of how the grass and day it withers. In fact, we're getting into fall and then eventually into with in winter and you will watch the grass wither. You'll watch those beautiful flowers that you planted there in March and April began to fade away to, to die. The grass withers and the flower fades and note what he likens. The grass and the flowers too. He likens it to you and I, he shows that you and I, we're like that grass. We're like those flowers. We wither, we are born, we live, but then eventually we die." [47:10] (40 seconds)
6. "Why the word? Because the word is the way that we grow spiritually. I wish I had time to really run through it and deal with all the ways that we grow spiritually some of the ways we like some of the ways we don't like note what it's going to say it's going to say that it's profitable for reproof and for good for correction that when we read the word of God it is not just us running to the word to find our favorite sentences and to be encouraged but as we read the word of God the word of God has a way of reading us." [50:25] (31 seconds)
7. "Why the word? Because the word is also effective. Isaiah chapter 55 verse 10 and 11 for as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but they instead water the earth making it bring forth and sprout giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater so shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth it shall not return to me empty but watch this it shall accomplish that which I purpose and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." [53:27] (51 seconds)
8. "Why the word? Because the word is what I'm called to preach. It's the mandate I have. If you want to know, as we talk about values and visions and this ideal about what are the things that matter to us as the church, I hope you've gotten it so far that the word matters to us as a church. That we stand on the word that we don't stand on our opinions, our own culture on even our political ideology. But no, we must stand on the word. I must deal with the burden that I have and confess to you that that every time I stand here, the burden I have is to preach the word." [01:03:47] (37 seconds)
9. "Why the word? Because the word is Jesus. John chapter one. John is going to tell us that he writes this gospel. So that we may believe everything found in John's gospel is trying to point to the divinity of Jesus Christ. It's trying to point us to the reality that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate, that he is, in fact, the savior of the world, that he is, in fact, the one in whom we should have our trust and put our redemption in or find our redemption in. Why the word? Because the word is Jesus. And Jesus is the word." [01:08:56] (43 seconds)
10. "Why the word? Because it's relevant. Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12 Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12 I memorized this is one of the first scriptures that I was ever taught to memorize for the word of God is living and active sharper than a two-edged sword it divides between soul and spirit joints and marrows it discerns the thoughts and the intentions of our heart said it before I'll say it again the word the amazing thing about it is that when you think you're reading the word the word is reading you that you think you're engaging it it's engaging you." [56:54] (55 seconds)
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