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How do I know the word is living and active? How do I know that the word is true and stands the test of time? First, because the Lord said so. (Luke 16:17, Luke 21:33).
Also because the word proves itself over and over. When we have good preachers who rightly divide the word, it is a glorious thing! I started listening to Pastor Jim McClarty's preaching through the book of Hebrews yesterday. And because it is spring break from school and I have all the time in the world to bathe in the word and also because I am a raving fundamentalist geek who can't get enough of His truth, I listened to Pastor John MacArthur's treatment of the same book right after. MacArthur's sermon was delivered in 1972. McClarty's was delivered this year (no specific date is given).
Both men came to the same conclusions regarding the text. Two men, a continent apart, 4 decades apart, arriving at the same conclusion. That is because there is ONE Holy Spirit teacher who illuminates the word. (John 16:13). There is ONE Holy Spirit who gives wisdom in the knowledge and revelation of Him (Ephesians 1:17). There is ONE Holy Spirit who helps us compare the spiritual with the spiritual (1 Corinthians 2:12-13).
Topical preaching is OK, certainly. Sometimes it suits to listen to a sermon or a series for a short time on a subject that the Holy Spirit is impressing upon the preacher as a prophetic voice unique to his congregation. But a steady diet of that diminishes the higher truth that the Word properly explained verse by verse, book by book, is for all the saints for all time. That should be the main diet. We read in 2 Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,".
The word is timeless, and eternally plumb-able. We who have been saved by grace have the inexpressible
privilege of what the Apostles and the men from Emmaus experienced, personal teaching directly to us by Jesus. (Luke 24:27). His Holy Spirit is the teacher now and in glory we can approach our King and learn from Him in person. So what are you waiting for? Even though the word is timeless, the time is now to read it.
Also because the word proves itself over and over. When we have good preachers who rightly divide the word, it is a glorious thing! I started listening to Pastor Jim McClarty's preaching through the book of Hebrews yesterday. And because it is spring break from school and I have all the time in the world to bathe in the word and also because I am a raving fundamentalist geek who can't get enough of His truth, I listened to Pastor John MacArthur's treatment of the same book right after. MacArthur's sermon was delivered in 1972. McClarty's was delivered this year (no specific date is given).
Both men came to the same conclusions regarding the text. Two men, a continent apart, 4 decades apart, arriving at the same conclusion. That is because there is ONE Holy Spirit teacher who illuminates the word. (John 16:13). There is ONE Holy Spirit who gives wisdom in the knowledge and revelation of Him (Ephesians 1:17). There is ONE Holy Spirit who helps us compare the spiritual with the spiritual (1 Corinthians 2:12-13).
Topical preaching is OK, certainly. Sometimes it suits to listen to a sermon or a series for a short time on a subject that the Holy Spirit is impressing upon the preacher as a prophetic voice unique to his congregation. But a steady diet of that diminishes the higher truth that the Word properly explained verse by verse, book by book, is for all the saints for all time. That should be the main diet. We read in 2 Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,".The word is timeless, and eternally plumb-able. We who have been saved by grace have the inexpressible
privilege of what the Apostles and the men from Emmaus experienced, personal teaching directly to us by Jesus. (Luke 24:27). His Holy Spirit is the teacher now and in glory we can approach our King and learn from Him in person. So what are you waiting for? Even though the word is timeless, the time is now to read it.
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