One Word

Our church just wrapped up this awesome series called "One Word". Unfortunately we missed a lot of the series, but we were able to catch the last two sermons. Last week the sermon was just amazing! One of those sermons that just spoke to us and that really confirmed a lot of things that we have been praying about and have had to deal with.

You can view the sermon here if you so desire. However I will tell you a bit about the message because I am feeling bold and have this huge desire to share (doesn't happen too often--being bold that is)! :o)

The question the pastor asked was: What is your view of Scripture?

Think about that for a moment.....how do you view scripture. Do you believe in it? Do you think it is just a bunch of stories that have zero relevance for today's times? Is it a piece of history and that is it? Is it God breathed or a bunch of guys who decided to sit around and put together a book? Do you have a high opinion or a low opinion of the Bible? Do you read it, study it, revere it?

I have to be completely honest here, up until I met my wonderful husband and became a Christian, I didn't have a very high opinion of the Bible. It was just a book that made zero sense and that was so hard to read most times and it wasn't relevant, that is what I thought. When I became a Christian, I knew that I needed to start reading it and try and understand it.
My husband (boyfriend at the time I became a Christian) really stressed the importance of reading the Bible and really challenged me. He also really helped me to understand a lot of it and still does. I value his knowledge and I really value the times we have discussing scripture and of course trying to encourage and build one another up so that we can live by the Word (but we are not perfect and we do stumble and trip and fall a lot).

Anyways, the sermon spoke about how your view of Scripture will determine what you do with Scripture; study it, read it, revere it, obey it, spread it. The Bible College instructors that our pastor had, placed such a huge emphasis on the students' view of Scripture (this is not the case in MANY Christian Universities today unfortunately). The instructors taught that the quality of your personal walk with the Lord and the effectiveness of your ministry will be determined by your view of Scripture. WOW!!!

My husband has always quoted this Scripture and it was also a key verse for this series.

Hebrews 4:12

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

The Word is our Sword and our defense. Jesus quoted Scripture over and over again and even used it as his 'sword' when he was tempted by the devil. It was just really cool to see how important the WORD is at our church and how devoted as a church they are in seeing that everyone gets into the Word. The sermon today was amazing too and they taught us a method on how to read and reflect on the Word that I am soooo excited about and have never heard before.