Sermon Sunday: The Word’s Place In Our Lives

Welcome to Sermon Sunday. What I’d like to discuss today is a topic that is near and dear to my heart: our experiences and the Word and where they each belong.

Let us turn now to 2 Timothy 3:16-17 to find out where the Word’s place should be in our lives.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NKJV).

I am going to stop right there. There are actually other Scriptures that we will look over, but I’d like to comment at this time. According to Paul, our experience is nothing compared with Scripture. Even this show that I’m sharing with you, The Chosen, although it is about the Scriptures, is nothing compared to the text it is trying to bring to life. Have you ever wondered how someone can read the same Bible and have a different and sometimes stupid (with all due respect) oppinion about something? It’s because so many, rather they be Pastors, Evangilists, Prophets, Apostles, Teachers, or just lay-people, take the Scriptures out of context. They look at what fits their experience and let their experience filter through the Scriptures, or perhaps, they give their teachers the benefit of the doubt and let what tradition says filter through the Scriptures they are reading. This may not be accurate, but this is just what I’m observing. Sure, everyone is created different so we’re bound to have difference of oppinions, but we cannot let this be the case at the expense of Scripture. Some believe that certain New Age practices are okay based on their interpretations of the Scriptures and experience. They let their experience dictate what the Word says instead of seeking the Spirit of Truth and letting Him filter their experience with His Word. Let’s continue.

And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:19-21, NKJV).

If you were to read a book by a modern preacher of today, they no doubt would be instructed by the Spirit in the way to write this book, however, it is by no means inerrant. The Scriptures are the only things in this world that have no error in them. The Scriptures say, “Let God be true and every man a liar,” (Romans 3:4). Even this blog is not exempt from being in error, not only that which I type now, but past and present blogs. This is why I always emphasize doing much prayer and research when you read what I write. Before we go on, I want to testify something to you right quick.

I once was reading books and listening to sermons by the Puritans and by those that follow their teachings. Another time, I was leaning extremely toward Word of Faith movement teachers. When someone would hear me preach under the phase of Word of Faith, that would be all they got. There would only be teachings on healing, affirmations of who we are in Christ–the soft stuff. Now, hear me preach under the puritan phase. You would only get what I call the “finger-knail-file,” or what some call the “Hellfire-and-brimstone,” preaching. Now, I strive to be more balanced. My point is found in Matthew 9:29, which was about healing, but really, it could be about anything–preaching, prophesying, teaching, etc. You name it. Now, let’s look at the Scripture at hand.

Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith, let it be to you.” (Matthew 9:29, NKJV).

Now, for the final Scripture of this message. It is found in the Psalms and indicates how important the Word of God really is to its author.

I will worship toward Your holy temple,

And praise Your name

For Your lovingkindness and Your truth;

For You have magnified Your word above Your name (Psalms 138:2, NKJV).

Question: Which one should we allow to dictate our lives? The Word of God our Creator? Or our experience, as flaw as it may be? Should we let our experience dictate the Word? Selah!