Worshiping from Home | March 15, 2020
March 14th, 2020How does God speak to us as believers in our day and time? The answer we subscribe to is that God has spoken most clearly and powerfully in His Son, Jesus Christ, and that God still speaks to believers today through His sufficient and authoritative Word (Scripture), which gives us the true witness of the life and teaching of Jesus intended for His followers.
“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” (Heb. 1:1-2).
“And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place . . .” (2 Pet. 1:19).
Peter is speaking about the truth of Scripture given by God to the apostles and prophets to be taught to God’s people. He is saying that this Word of written testimony, all of it, is even more sure or confirmed for us to believe and to live by than what Peter, James, and John personally witnessed at Jesus’ transfiguration.
As powerful, convincing, and affirming as witnessing the transfiguration of Jesus was for these men, and while all of what they said about Jesus was the truth from their lips as eyewitnesses, “we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed”, or made even more sure for us. The “we” refers to believers. God’s Word is our sure foundation for life and godliness—going even beyond the reliability of the personal witness and experiences of the human authors of Scripture. The Bible is confirmed for us as God speaking to us today because it is just that—not Peter’s word, not James’ word, and not any other man’s word, but the very Word of God (see 2 Pet. 1:20-21).
“And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the work of men, but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers” (1 Thess. 2:13).
Will we believe the Word of God for what it is, so that it’s unique reality as God speaking to us is honored and protected? Where will we go for daily guidance in living a life pleasing to Him in all respects? This is what is at stake today (and throughout the history of God speaking) as we prayerfully seek the will and way of the Lord for our everyday lives.
“Walk as children of the light…and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord” (Eph. 5:8,10).
“. . . we pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him . . .” (Col. 1:9-10).
And consider this, as we are engaging our culture, dealing with life, and facing the issues of day-to-day circumstances where we are trying to please the Lord, we are urged to be transformed by the renewing of our minds to discern God’s will, and we are commanded to go about speaking the truth in love (Rom. 12:2 and Eph. 4:15, respectively). Thinking and speaking God’s Word are how we grow in Christlikeness together (spiritual maturity). Those spiritual activities are absolutely vital to a life of godliness. We are not free to speak our minds, we are free (saved and sanctified) to be able to speak the mind of Jesus (1 Cor. 2:16). We are to speak His truth in love and we can only do that as we are speaking what He has already spoken in Scripture.
God speaks to us today through the Bible. As you fill your heart and mind with the truth of God’s word, and as that word balms your soul in the love of and in love for Jesus, you are free to make decisions and to act on what is in your heart. That is how we come to make daily decisions about what to do, how to do it, when to do it, etc. God will put His desires in your mind/heart, and He will help you strive in a life of holiness (Ps. 37:3-4; Phil. 2:12-16).
With all of that said, here is the link to a conference presentation by evangelist Justin Peters. This is the video we request that you watch as a family in lieu of our corporate worship service on Sunday, March 15.
We recommend two things prior to watching his presentation: one, go to his home page and read the block quote which Justin has featured (picture of Spurgeon with it—I think each of you will appreciate it). Justin has adopted Spurgeon’s quote as his philosophy of ministry. And two, read or skim Justin’s personal testimony. (from Jeff: It’s a bit lengthy, but I read the entire thing and I appreciated knowing what he shares. It helped me understand the man and his ministry better, and his journey in the Lord is remarkable. It’s not necessary that you do either of these things, but I think you will be well-served if you do.)
Your elders prayerfully (we are praying for each of you) hope you are encouraged by the presentation, and that your discernment will increase as you take in the truth of the Lord, and as you become more aware of how you might speak the truth in love with others concerning the uniqueness, sufficiency, and authority of Scripture for hearing from God.
If you have questions arise as you watch, please plan to engage us with them. This is meant to help you grow in grace, and to inform, encourage, and safe-guard you about a very important reality within the Christian community.