8/14/2019 We Value Biblical Instruction - First Baptist Church
Hattiesburg
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IntroductionLets review for a moment. For the next few
weeks we are discussing the core values of ourchurch, as
discovered by the Strategic LeadershipTeam. There are ten of them.
The rst ve are thefoundational core practices of any biblical
church,not just ours. They are non-negotiables if youwant to have a
church that fullls its purpose. Theyare:
We value Fellowship. We value Biblical Instruction. We value
Service. We value Evangelism. We value Worship.
The next ve make up our core personality. While every church
should share the rst ve, thenext ve are what make us unique. They
describeour core personality, our DNA. They are:
We value Family. We value Cultural Relevance. We value Lost
People. We value Missions. We value Prayer.
These values work together to act as an
internal compass. They guide what we do, andwhat we dont do.
They are the foundational uponwhich our entire ministry rests.
Last week we talked about Fellowship.Fellowship is about
assimilation. It is aboutconnecting people to Jesus, and to each
other. It hasthree characteristics. It is:
Practical Real fellowship involves meeting the practical needs
of those around you.
Personal Real fellowship means being transparent, open, and
honest with each other.
Partnership Real fellowship means we work together to achieve a
common goal.
That was last week. This week we continueTalking to the Hand.
Lets move to the indexnger, which represents our next value
BiblicalInstruction.
Biblical Instruction Ask, What are some big decisions you had
to
make in 2007, or you will have to make in 2008?
Ask, What tools/techniques did you use tomake those decisions?
(Answers may include, Italked with my friends. I talked with my
pastor. Iwatched Dr. Phil. I read a book. I got in a chat roomon
the Internet. I researched the topic on theInternet. I drew a line
down the middle of a piece of paper, and compared the pros and
cons. I used amagic 8-ball. I consulted a psychic. I ipped acoin. I
put out a eece. I just hoped for the best.)
The decisions you make in 2008 are going to beimportant to you,
so you need to be careful how yougo about making them. Some of
these things wevementioned work better than others. Let me
suggestto you that the most reliable resource you have in
this new year is Gods Word.Read Psalm 119:105 out loud. Ask,
What is
implied about you and me in this verse? If Godsword is a lamp
and a light, it implies that Im in thedark!
Ask, Whats the darkest place youve ever beenin? For me, it was
Carlsbad Caverns in NewMexico. Halfway through the tour the guide
turnedout all the lights to show us what true darkness reallyis. It
was the blackest darkness I have everexperienced. When youre in
that type of darkness,what feelings tend to rise to the surface?
Fear,confusion, disorientation, etc
Do you ever feel that way when youre facing abig decision?
Fearful? Confused? Disoriented?
Heres the good news. Gods Word provideslight, and light always
conquers fear and confusion.
But to imply that the Bible is only a map orowners manual is to
sell it short.
Read Hebrews 4:12 out loud. Ask, What book have you read most
recently?
Was it living?Was it active?Was it sharper than a double-edged
sword?Did it divide your soul and spirit?
Did it judge the thoughts and attitudes of your heart?
The Bible is not your ordinary book. Read 2Timothy 3:16 out
loud. Ask, Dene inspired orGod-breathed. Often we say that a book
or apainting or a song was inspired. Is this the samething, or is
the Bible inspired in a different way?How?
The Bible is alive because God Himself hasbreathed His life into
it. These are His Words, to us,and Gods words are powerful.
Remember back to
Talk to the HandBiblical instructionBy Jeff Powell
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8/14/2019 We Value Biblical Instruction - First Baptist Church
Hattiesburg
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leave God out of the equation, I greatly limit theimpact my life
will have. Ask, What role did faithplay in the life of Abraham?
Joseph? Moses? David?Paul? Peter? Faith launched them
intoextraordinary experiences with God, and it will dothe same for
you. So how do I strengthen my faith?Read Romans 10:17. Theres a
formula here.Hearing Gods Word > Faith. Pretty simple, isntit.
But as I read the Bible its teachings on Gods
faithfulness to me; its examples of faith in the livesof godly
men and women something begins tohappen to me. That same faith
begins to grow inme! Ask, How has the Bible strengthened your
ownfaith? Share that with the class.
The Bible Renews My Mind - ReadRomans 12:2. What do you think
that phraserenewing of your mind means? Paul warns us of the danger
of being conformed to this world.
What do you think that means? Webster denes it asto make the
same or similar. The world isconstantly trying to conform us, to
make us likeitself. Give examples of how this happens.
(TV,politics, music, advertising, celebrity lifestyles) Ask,When I
am bombarded by messages from the worldliterally every minute of
every day, what can begin tohappen to me? I can begin to believe
them. I canbegin to accept them. It usually doesnt happen all
atonce. Its subtle. First, I disagree with the message.Then I
disagree, but not so much. Then Well,thats OK for you, but not for
me. Then I getcomfortable with the message. Then I agree withthe
message. Then I embrace the message.Then Im completely deceived!
And I never saw itcoming. Give me some examples of some of
these
messagesWhat will likely happen if I embracethese messages? With
all the inputs it receives, I ndthat my mind needs to be rebooted
often. It is likea rie scope that needs to be re-sighted. And
theonly thing that works is Gods Word. It is the Truthby which all
other truths are measured. It protectsme by adjusting my worldview
to match Gods. Andit is only God Truth which will set us free.
The Bible Makes Me Wise - Its obviousthat wisdom leads to good
things. So how do I get it?Do I have to wait until I am old? While
wisdom ismost often found in older adults, it is not
exclusivelyreserved for them. Its been said that there are twoways
to become wise one is to learn from your ownmistakes. Painful but
effective. The second is to learnfrom the mistakes of others. Not
quite so painful, butstill effective. Let me suggest a third way.
Spend largechunks of time in Gods Word. Read Psalm 1.Compare the
wise man and the wicked, both whatthey do, and what the result
is.
ClosingSo lets nish up by reviewing. Letting the Bible
instruct my life will affect me in at least two ways. Itwill
change me externally. It teaches me how to live;it rebukes me when
I get off track; it shows me howto get back on track; it equips me
to fulll Gods callon my life. And it changes me internally.
Itstrengthens my faith. It renews my mind. It makes
me wise.But theres one prerequisite.Read out loud Matthew
7:24-27. Ask, Whats
the lesson here? The Bible is alive; it istransforming. But only
if you read it! Study it!Memorize it! Meditate on it!
You will hear Gods Word preached and taughthere every week. It
is foundational to our ministry.But that will not be enough to
propel you new levelsof faith and life. You must make time to read
andstudy on your own.
Its the beginning of a brand new year. Would you join me
pledging to spend some time in theBible every day this year?
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