People of the Book

As I begin this new chapter in my ministry (leaving bivocational for full time ministry), I prayed and contemplated what new ministries would be most useful to our church and the community in general. Over the past few weeks I had developed a list of new ministries I would be engaging in to proclaim the gospel and declare His Word. This "blogging" ministry is the first on that list. Initially, my thoughts were filled with the plethora of blogging ministries found in the electronic world. Anything from current events to leadership advice, so many pastors have so much to say. This however, is not one of those ministries. I pray that this ministry that begins today is an extension of our pulpit, at First Baptist, which is solidly committed to the expositional preaching of God's Word. In other words, this blog is not about life improvement, current events, or the state of America but devoted to explaining and teaching what God's Word proclaims. I hope and pray to have at least one post a week. Please read and share, coming along beside this pastor to declare, "Thus says the Lord." With that in mind, here we go . . .

Background
One of the major themes of 2 Peter is the warning of the coming of false teachers.  This promise is found in almost every book in the New Testament.  Before Peter begins to address this issue, he needs to make sure that Christians he is writing to are steadfast in their faith.  In verses 16-18, he declared the eye witness account that he, James, and John had experienced on the mount in which Jesus was transfigured.  For most of us, an eyewitness account would be the most solid piece of evidence of anything else.  If you saw something happen, then you would be convinced.  However,  this is not the case with Peter.  He proclaims that there is something even more sure than experience . . . the Word of God.

  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, 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 Peter 1:19-21 (ESV)

Do you hear the words of scripture?  Scripture is more trustworthy than experience. Peter warns us to pay attention to scripture and then gives us three reasons why.

1. Scripture is Our Source of Light -  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
 
 If one was lost in the dark woods, a flashlight would have tremendous value.  We live not in dark woods but a dark world.  Scripture allows us to see the world as it really is through the eyes of God.  For this reason, the center piece of the church should not be entertainment (disguised as worship), programs, activities, or even good works.  Scripture is what we feast on because scripture is our light. Good things proceed from the Christian that is filled with the Word of God.  Consider this . . . if you were trapped in a burning building, would you prefer a well fed fireman to attempt to rescue you or someone who has not eaten for a week.  The answer is obvious.  Dear church, let us recognize our need for the lamp of God's Word.

2. Scripture is not Determined by Man - knowing this first of all that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 

In other words, these are not the ideas or thoughts of a man.  Unfortunately, we live in time were so many want to twist the scripture to mean what they desire.  Have you ever heard statements like this:

"what this verse says to me is  . . . "
"well you might see that scripture one way but I see it this way . . "
"God showed me a new revelation"

It is actually pretty common to hear those statements in churches today. But, THEY ARE ALL WRONG.  Peter is teaching us here that scripture did not come from man, therefore, man does not get to determine what scripture means.  Think of it this way.  If I wrote a book, the book says what I wrote and means what I wrote.  Seems obvious, right?  The goal of scripture is not to figure out what it means to us but to determine what God is saying.  And this lead us to the final point . . .

3. Scripture is the very Word of God - 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.

This declaration is very clear.  The Bible is from God.  He worked through man but it is most certainly from God.  If we truly believe this, our attitude towards the Bible should be one of reverence, fear, diligence, and devotion.  God has chosen to speak to us through His Word.  Therefore, let us evaluate everything we see and hear through the Scripture we so often ignore.