Stewarding the Truth of God's Word
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Daily Gospel Truth. Today, we delve into the importance of stewarding the truth of God's Word in our lives. God speaks to us primarily through His Word, and it is essential to understand that He will never contradict His Word. The Holy Spirit guides us individually, but always in alignment with the Scriptures. This week, we've been focusing on the concept of stewardship, which means to protect and take care of what God has given us so that it can benefit us to the maximum.
In Matthew 13, Jesus teaches us through a parable about the importance of understanding the Word of God. When we hear the Word but do not understand it, the devil can easily steal it from our hearts. Therefore, it is crucial to study and understand the Word deeply. The truth that we do not understand cannot benefit us, and it is easily snatched away by the enemy.
One way to steward the truth is by aligning our thoughts with the Word of God. Wrong thinking can come from both external and internal sources, but we must quickly catch these thoughts and make them submit to the truth we know. This is how we protect and water the truth, ensuring it bears fruit in our lives.
Many Christians struggle because they have not made the Word of God the final authority in their lives. Times are changing, and challenges are increasing, but the truth of God's Word remains timeless and powerful. We have a choice: to let the times defeat us or to steward the truth and walk in victory. Jesus said that knowing the truth shall make us free, and this truth is powerful enough to give us victory in any era.
As we conclude, let's remember to steward and water the truth God has given us so that we can experience the abundant life He has prepared for us. Let us pray and thank God for the fruitful life He has in store for us.
### Key Takeaways
1. God Speaks Through His Word: God communicates with us primarily through His Word, and it is essential to understand that He will never contradict His Scriptures. The Holy Spirit guides us individually but always in alignment with the Bible. This foundational truth helps us discern God's voice in our lives. [01:41]
2. Understanding the Word is Crucial: Jesus' parable in Matthew 13 teaches us that merely hearing the Word is not enough; we must understand it deeply. Without understanding, the enemy can easily steal the truth from our hearts, rendering it ineffective in our lives. Therefore, continuous study and comprehension of the Word are vital. [04:52]
3. Aligning Thoughts with God's Word: Part of stewarding the truth involves aligning our thoughts with God's Word. Wrong thinking can come from various sources, but we must quickly catch these thoughts and make them submit to the truth we know. This practice helps us protect and nurture the truth, allowing it to bear fruit in our lives. [08:40]
4. Valuing the Word of God: Many Christians struggle because they have not made the Word of God the final authority in their lives. In a world full of changing opinions and challenges, it is crucial to hold the Bible as the ultimate truth. This commitment helps us navigate life's difficulties with a firm foundation. [10:06]
5. The Timeless Power of God's Truth: Despite the increasing challenges in the world, the truth of God's Word remains timeless and powerful. We have a choice to either let the times defeat us or to steward the truth and walk in victory. Knowing the truth shall make us free, and this freedom is available in any era. [11:12]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:41] - God Speaks Through His Word
[04:52] - Understanding the Word is Crucial
[08:40] - Aligning Thoughts with God's Word
[10:06] - Valuing the Word of God
[11:12] - The Timeless Power of God's Truth
[13:27] - Closing Prayer
[14:45] - Road to Emmaus: Eyes Opened and Hearts Burning
[15:52] - Invitation to Emmaus Bible Course
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 13:18-23 - The Parable of the Sower
2. John 8:31-32 - The Truth Shall Make You Free
3. 2 Corinthians 10:5 - Taking Every Thought Captive
#### Observation Questions
1. In Matthew 13, what happens to the seed that falls by the wayside, and what does this represent? [04:52]
2. According to the sermon, how does God primarily speak to us, and what is the role of the Holy Spirit in this process? [01:41]
3. What does it mean to "steward" the truth of God's Word, as explained in the sermon? [03:27]
4. How does wrong thinking affect our ability to steward the truth, and what should we do about it? [08:40]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it crucial to understand the Word of God deeply, rather than just hearing it? How does this understanding protect us from the enemy? [06:05]
2. What does it mean to make the Word of God the final authority in our lives, and why do many Christians struggle with this? [10:06]
3. How can aligning our thoughts with God's Word help us steward the truth and bear fruit in our lives? [08:40]
4. In what ways does the timeless power of God's truth provide us with victory, regardless of the changing times and increasing challenges? [11:12]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God speaking to you through His Word. How did you respond, and what impact did it have on your life? [01:41]
2. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure you understand the Word of God deeply, rather than just hearing it? How can you incorporate these steps into your daily routine? [06:05]
3. Identify a specific thought or belief that does not align with God's Word. How can you take this thought captive and make it obedient to Christ this week? [08:40]
4. In what areas of your life have you struggled to make the Word of God the final authority? What changes can you make to prioritize God's Word in these areas? [10:06]
5. Think about a current challenge you are facing. How can the timeless truth of God's Word provide you with guidance and victory in this situation? [11:12]
6. How can you actively steward and water the truth of God's Word in your life to experience the abundant life He has prepared for you? [12:27]
7. Consider the influence of external opinions and information on your beliefs. How can you guard against these influences and stay rooted in the truth of God's Word? [10:06]
Devotional
### Day 1: God Speaks Through His Word
God communicates with us primarily through His Word, and it is essential to understand that He will never contradict His Scriptures. The Holy Spirit guides us individually but always in alignment with the Bible. This foundational truth helps us discern God's voice in our lives. [01:41]
Bible Passage:
"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." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)
Reflection:
Think about a recent decision you made. Did you seek guidance from God's Word? How can you make the Bible a more integral part of your decision-making process?
### Day 2: Understanding the Word is Crucial
Jesus' parable in Matthew 13 teaches us that merely hearing the Word is not enough; we must understand it deeply. Without understanding, the enemy can easily steal the truth from our hearts, rendering it ineffective in our lives. Therefore, continuous study and comprehension of the Word are vital. [04:52]
Bible Passage:
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules." (Psalm 119:105-106, ESV)
Reflection:
What steps can you take this week to deepen your understanding of a specific Bible passage? How can you ensure that this understanding translates into action?
### Day 3: Aligning Thoughts with God's Word
Part of stewarding the truth involves aligning our thoughts with God's Word. Wrong thinking can come from various sources, but we must quickly catch these thoughts and make them submit to the truth we know. This practice helps us protect and nurture the truth, allowing it to bear fruit in our lives. [08:40]
Bible Passage:
"We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5, ESV)
Reflection:
Identify a recurring negative thought you struggle with. How can you replace it with a truth from God's Word today?
### Day 4: Valuing the Word of God
Many Christians struggle because they have not made the Word of God the final authority in their lives. In a world full of changing opinions and challenges, it is crucial to hold the Bible as the ultimate truth. This commitment helps us navigate life's difficulties with a firm foundation. [10:06]
Bible Passage:
"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 3:16-17, ESV)
Reflection:
Reflect on an area of your life where you have relied more on worldly wisdom than on God's Word. How can you begin to shift your reliance to the Bible?
### Day 5: The Timeless Power of God's Truth
Despite the increasing challenges in the world, the truth of God's Word remains timeless and powerful. We have a choice to either let the times defeat us or to steward the truth and walk in victory. Knowing the truth shall make us free, and this freedom is available in any era. [11:12]
Bible Passage:
"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." (Isaiah 40:8, ESV)
Reflection:
Consider a current challenge you are facing. How can the timeless truth of God's Word provide you with the strength and guidance to overcome it?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "As I've always said before, our God speaks to us. And He speaks to us primarily through His Word. You know, there are some traditional Christians who say, well, God does not speak to us anymore. Well, we know that the Bible is the perfect Word of God. You know, but think about this. When we have a relationship with the Heavenly Father, of course He speaks to us. And He speaks to us as we study the Word of God. As we hear the teaching of God's Word. You know, He individually speaks into our situation in a clear way." [01:41] (66 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The word of God is timeless truth no matter what time it is in the world. Nothing can change the truth of God. So we have a choice to make. Are we going to let the times we live in defeat us? Or are we going to steward the truth God has given us and walk in victory? It's a choice. It's a mindset we have to develop. Jesus said the truth shall make you free. Or rather, knowing the truth shall make you free. Even in these times. Means the truth is powerful enough at any time." [12:27] (65 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The Bible says their eyes were opened and their hearts were burning. I believe that this is what true Bible study causes in our lives. Our eyes see who Jesus is and what He has done for us. And our hearts see who He is. Our heart is lit on fire by faith. This is what we want you to experience at Emmaus Bible Course. See the finished work of Jesus Christ. And have a burning heart on the inside of you. We invite you to come join us." [14:45] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "You know, you hear the application of the truth for your personal issue. You know, something that I hear often is this, Pastor Nathan, how did you know I was going through that? Because what you taught today, what you shared today, was exactly what I needed to hear. Well, I don't know. Every week we are teaching hundreds of people. We don't know who is going through what. That's the power of the Word of God. The Word of God, the written Word of God, turns into a rhema, a personal revelation for us. That's God speaking to us." [03:27] (74 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And Jesus is saying, it must be the word of God that is sown in our heart. And the devil also knows this. That if the word of God is sown in the heart, and it takes root in the heart, it will bear fruit. So he comes and steals or takes it away before it takes root. This is the reason when we learn the truth of God's word, we must steward it and guard it. Did you know that one way we can steward the truth in our lives, is always by keeping our thinking in line with the word." [06:59] (64 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You know, sometimes I wonder, you know, why is it so easy for Christians to leave the truth? And believe some opinions on the internet or some opinions they hear on the outside. One of the reasons is because we have not really valued the word of God. We have not really made the word of God the final authority in our lives. You know, and I'm not saying this to condemn you. But we must learn how to do this. How to steward the truth. Because we know that the truth can set us free." [10:06] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "This whole week we have learned, I believe we have learned something so important. Whatever God has given us, steward it, water it, so that we can experience the abundant life. Let's pray. Father, we thank you for all that you revealed to us. We receive the seed of your word. And we thank you for the fruitful life you have prepared for us. In Jesus' name. God bless you. Have a wonderful week." [13:27] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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