Let me see, now where were we? Ah that’s it the final post on why we should count on Scripture alone to hear God voice. I had some reasons but I seem to have trouble getting to the first one. Now what was that reason? It was right on the tip of my tongue and edge of my mind. Don’t you hate that. I mean you have a really good point and for some reason it just slips out of your mind like water through your fingers. Let’s see. . . let’s see why should we hold to the word of God? Oh there it is.
We should rely on Scripture to hear God speak because IT.. IS.. THE .. WORD.. OF.. GOD.!!! Unlike my dreams, impressions and what not the Scriptures are indeed and in fact the true, authoritative, sufficient, clear, relevant, life-giving, inerrant, infallible, inspired word of the living God. The only wise God, maker of heaven and earth who alone is absolutely holy, infinite, eternal, sovereign, self-existent and self-sustaining has communicated to His creation in general and people in particular. He has spoken to us in language that we can understand and by His most wise and holy providence preserved accurate translations of His message to His people for thousands of years. The Scriptures don’t claim to be the private inspirations of godly men, but the Spirit-driven expiration of God Most High. In Scripture God is saying just what He wanted to say to His people the exact way He wanted to say it.
And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Pet. 1:19-21.
Along with that we should rely on Scripture because it is useful and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training so that God’s people in general and His ministers in particular can be thoroughly equipped to carry out the calling and ministry He’s given to us. The Scriptures are wholly sufficient to equip the people of God for ministry in a complex, technologically sophisticated, 21st century, pluralistic, multi-cultural, post-modern, post-Christian and hyper-urban society. Trust me, God Most High is neither behind the times, asleep at the wheel or dazed and confused. He knows exactly what He’s doing and exactly how to tell His people to carry out His eternal plan to glorify His Son, save His people and restore His world.
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 competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
More you say? Well since you asked Scripture and Scripture alone accurately reveals the character, nature, ways, will, plan and redemptive activity of the our Covenant Lord. Though creation can tell something of His power, order, goodness and beauty, Scripture reveals God’s person. I ask you, why in the world would you want to wait until you go to sleep, have some strange dream, wake up and try to piece it together even as it flees from your memory all in hopes that God might have said something about Himself to you in that dream? Need to learn something of God’s character? Try this on for size:
For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord, a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him? O Lord God of hosts, who is mighty as you are, O Lord, with your faithfulness all around you? You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them. You crushed Rahab like a carcass; you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm. The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them. The north and the south, you have created them; Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name. You have a mighty arm; strong is your hand, high your right hand. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you. Psalm 89:6-14. NOW THAT’S A WORD FROM GOD.
Still not convinced? Alright, Scripture alone claims to be God’s word that speaks to our nourishment, refreshment and revival. Are you suffering from the spiritual blues and blahs? Listen to the soul refreshing word of God from Psalm 19:7-10: The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
At a loss in a relationship, life decision, or in need of direction? Have no fear, for the Scripture provides sound wisdom for life so that we may walk in godliness in whatever relationship, church, work, community or situation God places us in.
The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Prov. 1:1-7.
I can see that you’re rounding the bend and coming into the home stretch. Let me seal the deal. Scripture alone tells of the wonderful works of the Covenant Lord which culminates in our rich, vibrant, and great salvation. Think of the torrent of blessings relating to our salvation God has revealed in Scripture. Let this rest on your mind for a moment: Scripture says that both the holy prophets of old as well as the angels of heaven long to look into and inspect the things regarding our great salvation.
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. 1Pet. 1:10-12.
And what is salvation without the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, eternal Son of God, good shepherd, great high priest, last prophet, Lamb of God and soon returning King is the point, substance, subject, main theme, plot and culmination of life, history, salvation and Scripture. To read Scripture is to read of our wonderful Lord, Creator, Savior, Shepherd and King Jesus Christ. Why should you soak your mind and heart in the word of God? Because the word of God speaks of Jesus Christ.
Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Luke 24:44-47.
Look, here’s the bottom line. Your dreams will fade and your impressions will fool you. Placing faith in them to hear from God is much like frittering your money away on the state lotto. Dearly loved ones in Christ. Your Covenant Lord loves you. He does not want you in the dark or a continued quandary concerning His Person, will, agenda, ways, salvation and Savior. He has graciously provided His true, trustworthy, authoritative, clear, sufficient, life-giving word that gives us all we need for life and godliness. Dreams fade and impressions fool, but the word of God stands now and forever.
A voice says, "Cry!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Isa. 40:6-8.
Amen and Amen
To Him Who Loves Us…
Pastor Lance
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