Is the Bible like a mirror or more
like a window to you? EXPLAIN
It is possible to make the bible
say what you want it to say - you can even use the bible to prove that God does
not exist. Take as an example the words from the bible: “there is no God.” Yes,
those four words are found in the Bible — but what the Bible really says is
that only a fool would believe them. The actual quotation is this: “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no
God.’ They are corrupt, and their ways are vile” Psalm 53:1. Instead of
saying God doesn’t exist, the Bible says the exact opposite! Allowing the Bible
to be a window, during our worship we see this:
THE GLORY OF THE BIBLE
HOLD BIBLE UP: This
Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of
sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts
are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it
to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort
to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s
compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s character. Here paradise is
restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand
subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the
memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently,
prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of
pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb,
to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity.
How easy is it to access a bible today in the United States? GIVE
EXAMPLES
Imagine a foreign power strong
enough to destroy our buildings, phone system, and internet and take many of us
out of the US to foreign soil to serve the people of another country. That is what
happened to the Jews - they were in exile. They lost ALL access to the
scriptures for many years. Eventually many were able to return and the first
thing they did under the leadership of Nehemiah was to rebuild the walls of
Jerusalem to be protected against foreign invaders. But building the walls only
took care of rebuilding and renewing their external life. They needed to renew
and rebuild their inner life with God.
Nehemiah 8:1-6
…all the people assembled as one man (unity)
in the square before the Water Gate
(water was brought into the temple - spacious area
in front of it). They told Ezra
the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had
commanded for Israel. (They had a hunger for
the word)
2 So on the first day of the seventh month (Yom Teruah (or the Day of
Shouting/Shofar Blasts) is the biblical name for the traditional Jewish holiday
of Rosh Hashanah) is on the first day of the seventh month (Lev 23:23–25).
This is a high holy sabbath day.) Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up
of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before
the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could
understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
(The people were “attentive - “all the people stood up”, - responsive
“Amen, Amen”, and demonstrative “lifting up their hands … bowed their heads”)
4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion.
(They took time to build a platform so the reading could be seen and
heard - sound system, lighting, etc. are important in that they remove distractions
and help us hear God’s word better.) Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah
and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum,
Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam. (The ministry of God’s Word has the
greatest effect when people can see others who stand with the pastor in support
of it and in obedience to it.)
5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was
standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. 6 Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and
all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then
they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. (There
are times in worship and in response to the word of God that we ought to raise
our hands in elation and other times we ought to bow our heads to the ground in
reverence and awe.)
SHARE SOME OF MY BIBLES
A MIRROR OR A WINDOW?
Suppose a young couple woke up in
the morning after a good night sleep and the husband looked in the mirror on
the dresser and became very angry at the reflection because of what he saw...
his hair was disheveled and he had a sleep wrinkle that ran down the one side
of his face, so he took his wife's hairbrush and began to beat the mirror
above the dresser in fierce anger, the wife in great astonishment ask her
husband "why are you doing this" and he told her that he could not
stand the reflection in the mirror. Now this would be quite ridiculous to judge
the mirror because of what it had revealed, but no more ridiculous than people
attacking the mirror of God's word because they don't like the reflection it gave
them about their character.
James 1:23-25
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like
someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself,
goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks
intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not
forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they
do.
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