This week Bob is out of town for Thanksgiving and I have been given the privilege of filling in for him. It was a difficult decision as to what to speak about when not having done so in a couple of years. But as I worked through various passages and looked at a number of possibilities I came back to one of my greatest passions and that is the ability of the Word of God to change lives as people are submitted to the work of the Holy Spirit. The primary passage of focus is 2 Timothy 3:16-17 which is absolutely packed in just a few small words with the power of the Word to change lives.
Sometimes I think I am more like a bee than a termite. What I mean by that is a termite is largely content to dig into one food source and stay there for a long time, taking that single source for every bit of nourishment it contains. A bee, however, enjoys digging deeply, but digging deeply in a number of places. In preparing for this message I found that I bounced around quite a bit, which may be hard to follow for some. But at the same time, since the subject it really about the totally profitable Word of God, I felt it appropriate to express some of that breadth as the picture was being knit together. For those like me who are note takers I have prepared a handout listing all of the references.
2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that all Scripture is “inspired” or “God-breathed.” The more accurate translation is the later one—“god-breathed.” This means that it is from God and not man, and as such is not subject to the tweaking of man to suit his own desires. It is the Word of God and this word is, we are told, “profitable.” I find that I am not much of a fiction reader because I don’t find in it something profitable to take out and use, but give me something to use and I am right there with paper, pencil and highlighter. God’s Word is profitable, and in that it is profitable in a way that no other written text can claim.
If is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. We see here a pattern of not only giving us information, but information that is useful in shaping us into the image of Christ as we have our minds renewed and consistently put off old behaviors and put on those that reflect who we are created to be—more and more becoming more and more mature. Then in verse 17 we read that the result of this is that we then become useful by God for His service—fully equipped by Him.
The theme of the message is that Jesus Christ is our Wonderful Counselor, His Word is the vital and living resource, and the Holy Spirit is the unlimited change agent. There are a lot of voices out there contending for our minds and giving us advice. The real question for all of us is which ones are we going to listen to. The Word of God tells us that there really is only one worthy of our trust.
Joe Burgess
ReDi Group Discussion: I have prepared a number of questions for people to consider when it comes to dealing with trials. It might be good for you in your group to talk about them and how doing similarly has helped in a recent struggle or might help in one you are going through right now.
Considerations for change
1. Have you said “yes” to Jesus and believed in Him alone for your salvation?
2. Are you listening to His leading in your life? How is your walk with God right now? Are you spending regular time praying, reading and meditating on His Word?
3. Are you regularly engaged with other believers in such a way that they can know what is going on in your life and encourage you in walking through it?
4. And, if necessary, have you given thought to seeking out some godly wise counsel?
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