Sermon Reflections from Scripture Changes the Picture | Alex Hardt | March 16, 2025
Pastor Alex’s sermon is so close to my heart as he made the case for why scripture is important in our lives. Why do we study God’s Word? Unlike worldly books, scripture is inspired by God. 2 Timothy 16-17 “ All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” That is why God’s Word is not just a book of guidelines, a ‘rule’ book, a collection of witty sayings or a text filled with religious dogma. God’s Word will teach us God’s ways, correct us when we are headed in the wrong direction and train us in what God desires for His purposes. He is training us of the good work He intends for us to do in the world. His Word equips us to do this work.
Here are some of the things God is training us to do: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:5, To LOVE HIM Completely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12: 31, TO LOVE Others, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matthew 5:43-44, TO LOVE and pray for our Enemies, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”1 John 3:16 , TO LOVE Sacrificially, “So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.” Romans 9:13 TO DEPEND upon HIM. These are things God wants us to learn for confident living in Jesus and are contained in His Holy Word. He equips us and arms us to fight against the evil in our world. Ephesians 6:10 “ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
After coming to know Jesus, God instills in us a love and hunger for His Word. He wants to teach us. He wants us to see His ways and learn to be more and more like Jesus. You can listen to a lot of sermons, go to Bible study classes, converse with Christian friends but NOTHING can substitute for reading God’s Word. You need to spend time letting God’s Holy Spirit teach you as you seek to know and understand more about God’s character and Jesus.
Why should we do this?? The Bible tells us there is benefit from studying the scripture. It is God’s Word and has power and will transform our lives as we read, meditate and study about God. Psalm 119 is an entire psalm dedicated to explaining to us the value of God’s Word. Here are a few nuggets: Psalm 119:9 ‘How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word., PURITY, 119:11 “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.’,TO HELP US to NOT SIN, 119:33-35 “Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. 34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. 35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it., TO HAVE A HEART for God, 119:76-77 Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant. 77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight., TO BETTER DELIGHT IN HIS MERCY, 119: 98-99 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation, TO GAIN GODLY WISDOM, Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” TO GUIDE OUR WAY. God has provided this entire Psalm to show us the value of His Word in our lives!
What happens when we study God’s Word? What do we get besides a better understanding of who God is? God Word transforms our thinking. Remember Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” What that means is our human, worldly thought processes are not those of God. Our ways of acting and talking are not His either. So how can God ‘train and teach’ us His ways? We need to learn to think Biblically. That can only come by study of God’s Word. He is transforming our minds to be able to think and respond as Jesus would, biblically.
What are your next steps? Pastor Alex gave us several techniques for studying scripture: Lectio Divina, African bible Study and the Discovery method. I would also suggest groups like Bible Study Fellowship and Community Bible Study that use a 4 fold approach- self-study, group discussion, lecture and then commentary notes. These are international studies you can find online. There are many books for delving into scripture- devotions to help you take the scripture one bite at a time. Whichever method you choose, find a time-begin with prayer and dive in. You don’t have to study for hours- start with 10-15 minutes and see how hungry God makes you for His Word!
Linda
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