Living & Active ~ Lent 2022

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
(Hebrews 4:12)

As a book, the Bible is unique. It’s uniquely popular–the Bible is consistently on the New York Times best seller list and has sold more copies than any other book ever published. The Bible is uniquely powerful–over the centuries it has changed countless lives and had a profound impact on the development of modern society. And the Bible is uniquely precious–in it people have found comfort, strength, hope, peace, and life.

Some people think the Bible is a book of rules– a manual for life that tells us what we should and shouldn’t do. Although the Bible does have rules in it that show us how life works best, the Bible isn’t primarily about us and what we should or shouldn’t be doing. It’s primarily about God and what He has already done. Others think the Bible is a book of heroes that we should emulate in our own lives. Although the Bible does have some heroes in it, most of the people in the Bible aren’t heroes at all. They are ordinary people like us–people who make mistakes; struggle with faith and fear; and run away from God. The Bible isn’t a book of rules or a book of heroes–in fact, the Bible is so much more than just a book–it’s a story–a story about God and His interactions with His people. And in all it’s complexities, the Bible is God’s love letter to us.

The Bible is also so much more than just words on a page. The above passage from the Letter to the Hebrews tells us that God’s Word is alive, not dead–it’s living and breathing. God’s Word is active–it has the strength and power to change us. It’s sharper than any double-edged sword–and like a scalpel, it’s able to cut right to the heart of the issue and do the fine work that needs to be done within us. In fact, Preacher D. L. Moody wrote; “The Bible wasn’t given to increase our knowledge. The Bible was given to change our lives.” The Bible is a tool for change; and the ultimate goal of reading, studying, and meditating on Scripture is application–hearing God speak to us and living that word out in our daily lives. As we read in James 1:22; “Be doers of the word, not hearers only who deceive themselves.”

In 2 Timothy 3:16, the Apostle Paul us that the Bible is divinely inspired or God-breathed; “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.” Yes the Bible is 100% the work of human beings and at the same time 100% inspired by God. Because of this, God’s Word is not meant just to inform us, but to transform us. As disciples of Jesus, feeding on God’s word must therefore be our first priority. As Jesus says in John 8:31; “If you abide in my word, then you are truly my disciples.”

Living & Active is a 6-week series designed to help individuals not only abide in the Word, but engage with it in a fresh new way so that we can become “doers of the word and not just hearers.” Join us Sunday morning’s in Lent as we seek to Love the Word; Learn the Word; and Live the Word together!

SERMONS

Sermon: “Why Can I Trust the Bible?”

Preacher: The Rev. Canon Christopher Doering

Date: Sunday, March 6, 2022 ~ Lent 1

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-17

Handout: Part1.HO