7:1

7:2

Scripture Alone “WhenyoureceivedthewordofGod,whichyouheardfromus,youaccepteditnotasthewordofmenbutaswhatitreallyis,thewordofGod,whichisatworkinyoubelievers.”(1Thessalonians2:13)

TheScripturereadingandthesermonareGod’sWord.Godisspeakingtousandactingonusatthispointintheservice.TheScripturereadingsareGod’sWordspeakingtoGod’speopleinthepast,andGodspeakingtoustoday.

TheBibleistheauthoritativewitnesstoJesus,crucifiedandrisenforus.That’swhattheLutheranreformersmeantwhentheysaid,“ScriptureAlone.”ScriptureistheonlyauthoritativewitnesstoJesus,notmyreason,notmytradition,notevenmychurchormypastor.Scriptureisthefoundationonwhichmypastor,mychurch,myreason,myfaith,mywitnessallrest.

TheScripturestellsthestoryofsalvationbyGraceAlonethroughFaithAloneforChrist’sSakeAlone.Thesermoncontains,clarifies,andembodiesGod’sWord.Ofthegreat“Alone”statementsoftheReformation(theLatinfor“alone”is“Sola,”therefore“SolaGratia,SolaFide,SolaScriptura”),ofallthegreatSolas,thecentralandmostimportantoneisSolusChristus,ChristAlone.Andassoonasyouask,“WhoisthisJesus?WhatdidHedo,andhowdoyouknow?”thentheotherSolasimmediatelycomeintoplay.

WereceivewhatJesusalonecouldgive,throughfaithalone,apartfromanyotherworkonourpart.Jesusdidthisallforus,notbecausewedeserveditortriedhardenough,ortriedourbest,butbecauseofHisloveforus,thatis,bygracealone.ThisstoryofsalvationisattestedtoandgivenshapebyGod’sWord:Scripturealonecanshapeourfaithandourwitness,andanythingcontrarytoGod’sWordjustisn’tpartofourstory.

ButthatfoundationoftheScriptureisnotatomb;God’sWordisnotlockedawayinavaulttobeprotectedfromoutsideinfluence.Rather,God’sWordcontinuestobealiveandactive.Inworship,wecontinuetolistentotheScripturesaswereaddirectlyfromtheOldTestament,fromtheGospels,andfromrestoftheNewTestament.Thesermon,containingandshapedbyScripture,doesGod’sWordtoustoday.AndthatsameWordgoeswithusintotheweekaswediscussanddigest,prayandponderwithoneanotherinhomesandcoffeeshops,dinersanddives.

TheWordofGodisfirstandforemost,Jesus,theWordmadeflesh.Youcan’tconfineHimtothepagesofabookortoanhouronSunday.JesusispresentwheneverHisWordispresent,whetherthatWordissharedinaformalsermonoraninformalconversation,atahospitalbedoratoddlerbed.ThesameJesusispresentinHisWordhoweverthatWordisshared.AndifyouwanttoknowiftheWordsharedgetsthepersonandworkoftheWord-made-fleshright,thenScripturealonecanguideyouintherightdirection.

Isometimesthinkthechildren’ssonggetsitbackwards:wesingJesuslovesmethisIknow,fortheBibletellsmeso.AndwhiletheBiblefaithfullywitnessestoJesus,it’sJesusHimselfthatisprimary.BecauseIknow,believe,andtrustthatJesuslovesme,diedforme,roseandisreturningforme,ItrustthattheBibleistheWordofGod.ButbelievingthattheScripturesareGod’sWordisalreadyastatementoffaith,andfaithcomesfromhearingthestoryofJesus,notfromhearingthestoryoftheBible.

7:3

In the Beginning Was the Word ReadGenesis1:1-3andJohn1:1-18(below).

ThefirstthingweencounterintheBibleisGod’spowerful,creativeWord.Godspokeanditwas.God’sWordcarriesHiscreativepower.

WhenJohnbeginshisGospel,thefirstthingweencounterisGod’spowerful,creativeWordintheflesh.ThisJesus,saysJohn,isGod’sLogos,God’sWord,thephysicalmanifestationofGodHimself.Takeamomenttolettheenormityofthatstatementsinkin.

God’sWordisfirstandforemosttheSecondPersonoftheTrinity—theIncarnateChrist,Godintheflesh,JesusofNazareth,bornofMary.Andthen,becauseGod’sWordcametoprophetsandapostles,God’sWordisalsothefaithfulwitnessoftheScriptures.Butyoucan’teverseparatetheBiblefromthepersonofJesus.

Genesis 1:1-3 InthebeginningGodcreatedtheheavensandtheearth.2Nowtheearthwasformlessandempty,darknesswasoverthesurfaceofthedeep,andtheSpiritofGodwashoveringoverthewaters.

3AndGodsaid,“Lettherebelight,”andtherewaslight.

John 1:1-14, 18 InthebeginningwastheWord,andtheWordwaswithGod,andtheWordwasGod.2HewaswithGodinthebeginning.3Throughhimallthingsweremade;withouthimnothingwasmadethathasbeenmade.4Inhimwaslife,andthatlifewasthelightofallmankind.5Thelightshinesinthedarkness,andthedarknesshasnotovercomeit.

6TherewasamansentfromGodwhosenamewasJohn.7Hecameasawitnesstotestifyconcerningthatlight,sothatthroughhimallmightbelieve.8Hehimselfwasnotthelight;hecameonlyasawitnesstothelight.

9Thetruelightthatgiveslighttoeveryonewascomingintotheworld.10Hewasintheworld,andthoughtheworldwasmadethroughhim,theworlddidnotrecognizehim.11Hecametothatwhichwashisown,buthisowndidnotreceivehim.12Yettoallwhodidreceivehim,tothosewhobelievedinhisname,hegavetherighttobecomechildrenofGod—13childrenbornnotofnaturaldescent,norofhumandecisionorahusband’swill,butbornofGod.

14TheWordbecamefleshandmadehisdwellingamongus.Wehaveseenhisglory,thegloryoftheoneandonlySon,whocamefromtheFather,fullofgraceandtruth.

18NoonehaseverseenGod,buttheoneandonlySon,whoishimselfGodandisinclosestrelationshipwiththeFather,hasmadehimknown.

7:4

Spirit-Breathed, Penned by PeopleAllScriptureisGod-breathedandisusefulforteaching,rebuking,correctingandtraininginrighteousness...

Read2Timothy3:14-17,and4:11-13,and2Peter1:16-21(below).

v WhatattitudesaredisplayedinthesepassagestowardtheWordofGod?

v HowdoweapproachtheBibleasbothdivineandhuman?v Whatkindsofthingsshouldwedo/notdowitha

divine/humanWord?

BecausetheSpiritwhobreathedScripturealsobreathesfaith,youcanpraybeforeyoureadGod’sWord:“SpiritofJesus,youinspiredthesewordstobewritten.NowopenmyheartandmindthatImayunderstandandapplywhatyouhaveformetoday.Amen.”

2 Timothy 3:14-17 14Butasforyou,continueinwhatyouhavelearnedandhavebecomeconvincedof,becauseyouknowthosefromwhomyoulearnedit,15andhowfrominfancyyouhaveknowntheHolyScriptures,whichareabletomakeyouwiseforsalvationthroughfaithinChristJesus.16AllScriptureisGod-breathedandisusefulforteaching,rebuking,correctingandtraininginrighteousness,17sothattheservantofGodmaybethoroughlyequippedforeverygoodwork.

2 Timothy 4:11-13 11OnlyLukeiswithme.GetMarkandbringhimwithyou,becauseheishelpfultomeinmyministry.12IsentTychicustoEphesus.13Whenyoucome,bringthecloakthatIleftwithCarpusatTroas,andmyscrolls,especiallytheparchments.

2 Peter 1:16-21 16ForwedidnotfollowcleverlydevisedstorieswhenwetoldyouaboutthecomingofourLordJesusChristinpower,butwewereeyewitnessesofhismajesty.17HereceivedhonorandgloryfromGodtheFatherwhenthevoicecametohimfromtheMajesticGlory,saying,“ThisismySon,whomIlove;withhimIamwellpleased.”18Weourselvesheardthisvoicethatcamefromheavenwhenwewerewithhimonthesacredmountain.

19Wealsohavethepropheticmessageassomethingcompletelyreliable,andyouwilldowelltopayattentiontoit,astoalightshininginadarkplace,untilthedaydawnsandthemorningstarrisesinyourhearts.20Aboveall,youmustunderstandthatnoprophecyofScripturecameaboutbytheprophet’sowninterpretationofthings.21Forprophecyneverhaditsorigininthehumanwill,butprophets,thoughhuman,spokefromGodastheywerecarriedalongbytheHolySpirit.

7:5

Jesus at the Center ReadJohn20:30-31;5:36-47(below)andLuke24:13-49(nextpage).

TheMarcioniteswereagroupofveryearlybelieverswhothoughtChristiansshouldgetridoftheOldTestament.TheysuggestedwefocusontheNewTestament,becausetheGodoftheOldTestamentseemedangryandarbitrary,whileJesusbringshopeandpromise.

v WhatclaimsdoesJesusmakeabouttheOldTestament?v DoweeveractlikeMarcionites?v WhydoweneedtheOldTestament?

LutheroncesaidthattheBibleis“theswaddlingclothesandmangerinwhichChristlies.”Hedoesn’tmeanthattheScripturesareunimportant,ornottobetrusted,orsomehowsecondary.Tothecontrary,LutherhasaveryhighviewofGod’sWordinwrittenform.That’sonereasonhetranslatedtheBibleintothelanguagespokenbythepeople,sothateveryonecouldhaveaccesstoGod’sWord.ButLutheralsounderstandsthattheScriptureshaveaveryspecificfunction:todeliverJesus.

v Whatkindsofsettings,cultures,contexts,andgenresareyouawareofinthelibraryofwritingswecalltheBible?

v WhyweretheScriptureswritten?v WhatdoesitmeanforJesustobethecenteroftheScriptures?v Howdoesthisaffecthowweuse(ordon’tuse)Scripture?

John 20:30-31 Jesusdidmanyothermiraculoussignsinthepresenceofhisdisciples,whicharenotrecordedinthisbook.ButthesearewrittenthatyoumaybelievethatJesusistheChrist,theSonofGod,andthatbybelievingyoumayhavelifeinhisname.

John 5:36-40, 45-47 36“IhavetestimonyweightierthanthatofJohn.FortheworksthattheFatherhasgivenmetofinish—theveryworksthatIamdoing—testifythattheFatherhassentme.37AndtheFatherwhosentmehashimselftestifiedconcerningme.Youhaveneverheardhisvoicenorseenhisform,38nordoeshisworddwellinyou,foryoudonotbelievetheonehesent.39YoustudytheScripturesdiligentlybecauseyouthinkthatinthemyouhaveeternallife.ThesearetheveryScripturesthattestifyaboutme,40yetyourefusetocometometohavelife.

45“ButdonotthinkIwillaccuseyoubeforetheFather.YouraccuserisMoses,onwhomyourhopesareset.46IfyoubelievedMoses,youwouldbelieveme,forhewroteaboutme.47Butsinceyoudonotbelievewhathewrote,howareyougoingtobelievewhatIsay?”

7:6

Luke 24:19-49 “AboutJesusofNazareth,”theyreplied.“Hewasaprophet,powerfulinwordanddeedbeforeGodandallthepeople.20Thechiefpriestsandourrulershandedhimovertobesentencedtodeath,andtheycrucifiedhim;21butwehadhopedthathewastheonewhowasgoingtoredeemIsrael.Andwhatismore,itisthethirddaysinceallthistookplace.22Inaddition,someofourwomenamazedus.Theywenttothetombearlythismorning23butdidn’tfindhisbody.Theycameandtoldusthattheyhadseenavisionofangels,whosaidhewasalive.24Thensomeofourcompanionswenttothetombandfounditjustasthewomenhadsaid,buttheydidnotseeJesus.”

25Hesaidtothem,“Howfoolishyouare,andhowslowtobelieveallthattheprophetshavespoken!26DidnottheMessiahhavetosufferthesethingsandthenenterhisglory?”27AndbeginningwithMosesandalltheProphets,heexplainedtothemwhatwassaidinalltheScripturesconcerninghimself.

28Astheyapproachedthevillagetowhichtheyweregoing,Jesuscontinuedonasifheweregoingfarther.29Buttheyurgedhimstrongly,“Staywithus,foritisnearlyevening;thedayisalmostover.”Sohewentintostaywiththem.

30Whenhewasatthetablewiththem,hetookbread,gavethanks,brokeitandbegantogiveittothem.31Thentheireyeswereopenedandtheyrecognizedhim,andhedisappearedfromtheirsight.32Theyaskedeachother,“WerenotourheartsburningwithinuswhilehetalkedwithusontheroadandopenedtheScripturestous?”

33TheygotupandreturnedatoncetoJerusalem.TheretheyfoundtheElevenandthosewiththem,assembledtogether34andsaying,“Itistrue!TheLordhasrisenandhasappearedtoSimon.”35Thenthetwotoldwhathadhappenedontheway,andhowJesuswasrecognizedbythemwhenhebrokethebread.

36Whiletheywerestilltalkingaboutthis,Jesushimselfstoodamongthemandsaidtothem,“Peacebewithyou.”

37Theywerestartledandfrightened,thinkingtheysawaghost.38Hesaidtothem,“Whyareyoutroubled,andwhydodoubtsriseinyourminds?39Lookatmyhandsandmyfeet.ItisImyself!Touchmeandsee;aghostdoesnothavefleshandbones,asyouseeIhave.”

40Whenhehadsaidthis,heshowedthemhishandsandfeet.41Andwhiletheystilldidnotbelieveitbecauseofjoyandamazement,heaskedthem,“Doyouhaveanythingheretoeat?”42Theygavehimapieceofbroiledfish,43andhetookitandateitintheirpresence.

44Hesaidtothem,“ThisiswhatItoldyouwhileIwasstillwithyou:EverythingmustbefulfilledthatiswrittenaboutmeintheLawofMoses,theProphetsandthePsalms.”

45ThenheopenedtheirmindssotheycouldunderstandtheScriptures.46Hetoldthem,“Thisiswhatiswritten:TheMessiahwillsufferandrisefromthedeadonthethirdday,47andrepentancefortheforgivenessofsinswillbepreachedinhisnametoallnations,beginningatJerusalem.48Youarewitnessesofthesethings.49IamgoingtosendyouwhatmyFatherhaspromised;butstayinthecityuntilyouhavebeenclothedwithpowerfromonhigh.”

7:7

Spiritus Gladius ForthewordofGodislivingandactive,sharperthananytwo-edgedsword,piercingtothedivisionofsoulandofspirit,ofjointsandofmarrow,anddiscerningthethoughtsandintentionsoftheheart.(Hebrews4:12)

ReadEphesians6:10-20andMatthew4:1-11(nextpage).

Aswordcanbebothadefensiveandanoffensiveweapon.PaulurgesustouseGod’sWordtofendoffSatan’scunningschemes,likeJesusHimselfdidatHistemptation:eachwordfromthedevilwasparriedbyJesuswith,“Itiswritten...”

Whileaswordcanbeusedtoprotectordefend,it’salsoaviolentweapon.Attimes,followersofJesusaretemptedtoturnGod’sWordintoaclub,orevensword,toattackpeoplewhodon’tbelievethewaytheydo.Evenphysicalviolenceisnostrangertoorganizedreligionofalltypes.

Jesus,bycontrast,isnotinterestedin“organizedreligion”somuchastheactivereignandruleofGod.AndGod’sreignisnotliketheviolentpoliticsoffallenhumanbeings.

AtHisarrest,JesusexplicitlytellsPetertoputawayhissword.ThatkindofviolentpersuasionhasnothingtodowiththeKingdomJesuscomestomakepresent.Later,thatsamePeterwillwrite:“Alwaysbepreparedtogiveananswertoeveryonewhoasksyoutogivethereasonforthehopethatyouhave.Butdothiswithgentlenessandrespect.”Thesword-wieldingPeterhasbecomeawitnesstothepowerofGod’sWord,awitnesswillingtodieforthetruth,butonewhowilldielovinghisenemiesallthewaytotheexecutionchamber.

TosayGod’sWordisaswordisbynomeanstocondoneviolenceofanykindasanevangelismtool.Andtheswordisstillaviolentweapon.Ifwelookalittlecloser,weseethattheviolenteffectsofGod’sWordarepointednotagainstourenemies,butagainstus.TheWordofGodcutsthroughourexcusesandself-delusionsandconfrontsuswiththeTruth.ThosewhoheardPeterpreachatPentecost,forexample,“werecuttotheheart”(Acts2:37).God’sWordpiercedtheirdefensesandledthemtorepentanceandfaith.

God’sWordisapowerfulanddangerousthing.Itbothkillsandmakesalive.Itcondemnsanditpromises.ItshowsusourcrushingsinanddeliverstheverypresenceofourSavior.

v HoworwhereinyourlifedoyoutypicallyhearwordsofLawandGospel?v WheredoesGodwanttocutyoutotheheart?v HowcanyouuseGod’sWordtorepulsetemptation?v WhatwordofcomfortdoyouneedtohearfromJesusthisweek?

7:8

Ephesians 6:10-17 10Finally,bestrongintheLordandinhismightypower.11PutonthefullarmorofGod,sothatyoucantakeyourstandagainstthedevil’sschemes.12Forourstruggleisnotagainstfleshandblood,butagainsttherulers,againsttheauthorities,againstthepowersofthisdarkworldandagainstthespiritualforcesofevilintheheavenlyrealms.

13ThereforeputonthefullarmorofGod,sothatwhenthedayofevilcomes,youmaybeabletostandyourground,andafteryouhavedoneeverything,tostand.14Standfirmthen,withthebeltoftruthbuckledaroundyourwaist,withthebreastplateofrighteousnessinplace,15andwithyourfeetfittedwiththereadinessthatcomesfromthegospelofpeace.

16Inadditiontoallthis,takeuptheshieldoffaith,withwhichyoucanextinguishalltheflamingarrowsoftheevilone.17TakethehelmetofsalvationandtheswordoftheSpirit,whichisthewordofGod.

Matthew 4:1-11 4ThenJesuswasledbytheSpiritintothewildernesstobetemptedbythedevil.2Afterfastingfortydaysandfortynights,hewashungry.3Thetemptercametohimandsaid,“IfyouaretheSonofGod,tellthesestonestobecomebread.”

4Jesusanswered,“Itiswritten:‘Manshallnotliveonbreadalone,butoneverywordthatcomesfromthemouthofGod.’”

5Thenthedeviltookhimtotheholycityandhadhimstandonthehighestpointofthetemple.6“IfyouaretheSonofGod,”hesaid,“throwyourselfdown.Foritiswritten:

“‘Hewillcommandhisangelsconcerningyou,andtheywillliftyouupintheirhands,sothatyouwillnotstrikeyourfootagainstastone.’”

7Jesusansweredhim,“Itisalsowritten:‘DonotputtheLordyourGodtothetest.’”

8Again,thedeviltookhimtoaveryhighmountainandshowedhimallthekingdomsoftheworldandtheirsplendor.9“AllthisIwillgiveyou,”hesaid,“ifyouwillbowdownandworshipme.”

10Jesussaidtohim,“Awayfromme,Satan!Foritiswritten:‘WorshiptheLordyourGod,andservehimonly.’”

11Thenthedevillefthim,andangelscameandattendedhim.

7:9

The Sower and the Seed ReadIsaiah55:10-11and1Peter1:18-25(nextpage),andLuke8:4-15(below).

Thereareacoupleoflessonstobelearnedfromthesower.First,thesamegoodseedwillseeavarietyofresults;anydeficiencydoesn’tlieintheseed!Inotherwords,God’sWordisnevernotGod’sWord,evenwhenitisnotreceived.Butawordofcaution:wearen’tinvitedtojudgethesoilourselves.ThesowercaststheseedintoallkindsofsituationsandletsGodtakecareoftherest!

Second,theprocessofplanting,growth,development,andharvestisamysteriousprocess,outsideofourcontrolandcompletelydependentonGod.

Ourgoal,then,isnottoself-tillorself-fertilize,buttoturntoGodtoplanttheseeddeepinourheartsandbringittofruitinourlives.AndwhenGodcallsustosow,wesowwhereverwecan,trustingHismysteriousprocessandprovidence.

v WhatisyourrelationshipwithGod’sWordlikerightnow?v HowmightGodbegrowingyou?v Wherecanyousow?

Luke 8:4-15 4WhilealargecrowdwasgatheringandpeoplewerecomingtoJesusfromtownaftertown,hetoldthisparable:5“Afarmerwentouttosowhisseed.Ashewasscatteringtheseed,somefellalongthepath;itwastrampledon,andthebirdsateitup.6Somefellonrockyground,andwhenitcameup,theplantswitheredbecausetheyhadnomoisture.7Otherseedfellamongthorns,whichgrewupwithitandchokedtheplants.8Stillotherseedfellongoodsoil.Itcameupandyieldedacrop,ahundredtimesmorethanwassown.”

Whenhesaidthis,hecalledout,“Whoeverhasearstohear,letthemhear.”

9Hisdisciplesaskedhimwhatthisparablemeant.10Hesaid,“TheknowledgeofthesecretsofthekingdomofGodhasbeengiventoyou,buttoothersIspeakinparables,sothat,

“‘thoughseeing,theymaynotsee;thoughhearing,theymaynotunderstand.’

11“Thisisthemeaningoftheparable:TheseedisthewordofGod.12Thosealongthepatharetheoneswhohear,andthenthedevilcomesandtakesawaythewordfromtheirhearts,sothattheymaynotbelieveandbesaved.13Thoseontherockygroundaretheoneswhoreceivethewordwithjoywhentheyhearit,buttheyhavenoroot.Theybelieveforawhile,butinthetimeoftestingtheyfallaway.14Theseedthatfellamongthornsstandsforthosewhohear,butastheygoontheirwaytheyarechokedbylife’sworries,richesandpleasures,andtheydonotmature.15Buttheseedongoodsoilstandsforthosewithanobleandgoodheart,whoheartheword,retainit,andbyperseveringproduceacrop.

7:10

Isaiah 55:10-11 10Astherainandthesnowcomedownfromheaven,anddonotreturntoitwithoutwateringtheearthandmakingitbudandflourish,sothatityieldsseedforthesowerandbreadfortheeater,11soismywordthatgoesoutfrommymouth:Itwillnotreturntomeempty,butwillaccomplishwhatIdesireandachievethepurposeforwhichIsentit.

1 Peter 1:18-25 18Foryouknowthatitwasnotwithperishablethingssuchassilverorgoldthatyouwereredeemedfromtheemptywayoflifehandeddowntoyoufromyourancestors,19butwiththepreciousbloodofChrist,alambwithoutblemishordefect.20Hewaschosenbeforethecreationoftheworld,butwasrevealedintheselasttimesforyoursake.21ThroughhimyoubelieveinGod,whoraisedhimfromthedeadandglorifiedhim,andsoyourfaithandhopeareinGod.

22Nowthatyouhavepurifiedyourselvesbyobeyingthetruthsothatyouhavesincereloveforeachother,loveoneanotherdeeply,fromtheheart.23Foryouhavebeenbornagain,notofperishableseed,butofimperishable,throughthelivingandenduringwordofGod.24For,

“Allpeoplearelikegrass,andalltheirgloryisliketheflowersofthefield;thegrasswithersandtheflowersfall,25butthewordoftheLordenduresforever.”

Andthisisthewordthatwaspreachedtoyou.

7:11

The Word Proclaimed Faithcomesfromhearing,andhearingthroughthewordofChrist.(Romans10:17)LetthewordofChristdwellinyourichlyasyouteachandadmonishoneanother.(Colossians3:16)

ReadRomans10:10-17andColossians3:12-17(nextpage).

TheWordofGodislivingandactive;itcreates,itburns,itkills,itmakesalive,itbringsustheveryWordofGodHimself.TheBibleistheauthoritativewitnesstoJesus,andallourpreachingandteachingisshapedandcorrectedbyit.God’sWordisnotmerelylettersinabookcollectingdustonashelf.God’sWordisaliveandactive!

Sowhenwecometoworshipandit’stimefortheScripturereadingsandthesermon,weactuallylookforGodtospeaktous.Wewanttobecuttotheheart,broughttorepentance,strengthenedbyapromise,comfortedwithHistouch.

WewanttohearwhatGodspeakstous.Andifthepreacherishavingaparticularlybadday,wewillworkevenhardertocatchwhatGod’sWordhasforusthisweek.Godpromisestobeatwork,thereforeweareonthelookoutforwhatGodisdoing.WecomeexpectingtohearwhatJesusisspeakingintoourlives.

Andthenwhenweleaveworshiptoreturntoourregularroutine,anamazingthinghappens.Aswecontinuetothinkabout,prayabout,andsharewitheachotherGod’sWord,GodHimselfstillpromisestoshowup.Inofficecubiclesandparksidebenches,inschoolhallwaysandhospitalrooms,aroundkitchentablesandincheckoutlines—whereverGod’sWordinfiltratesthelanguageofoureverydaylife,JesusHimselfispresentdoingeverythingHepromised.

Luthercalledthis“themutualconversationandconsolationofthesaints.”Likethesermon,theseChristianconversationsareshapedandcorrectedbytheScriptures.And,likethesermon,theseChristianconversationscountasGodHimselfspeakingtousandgivingusHisgifts.

v Howwillyouhearthesermondifferently?v WhereelsemightyouhearJesusduringtheweek?v InwhatcontextdoyoumakepromisesonbehalfofJesus?Dothesepromisescount?v IsJesusinvitingyoutodomorelistening,ormorespeakingwhenitcomestoHisWord?Both?How?

v BrainstormwithsomeotherfollowersofJesusavarietyofwaysinwhichwecouldencounterGod’sWord

duringtheweek.Makeanintentionalefforttopayattentiontothoseplaces.Tryimplementingapracticeyoudon’ttypicallydo,ortryreturningtoahabitthatworkedinthepast.MakealistofwaysinwhichGod’sWordshowedupinyourweek.ThenwonderwithafriendaboutwhatJesusissayingtoyou.WhereisHeshaping?WhereisHeguiding?WhatisHepromising?WhatisJesusuptoinyourlife?

7:12

Romans 10:10-17 10Foritiswithyourheartthatyoubelieveandarejustified,anditiswithyourmouththatyouprofessyourfaithandaresaved.11AsScripturesays,“Anyonewhobelievesinhimwillneverbeputtoshame.”12ForthereisnodifferencebetweenJewandGentile—thesameLordisLordofallandrichlyblessesallwhocallonhim,13for,“EveryonewhocallsonthenameoftheLordwillbesaved.”

14How,then,cantheycallontheonetheyhavenotbelievedin?Andhowcantheybelieveintheoneofwhomtheyhavenotheard?Andhowcantheyhearwithoutsomeonepreachingtothem?15Andhowcananyonepreachunlesstheyaresent?Asitiswritten:“Howbeautifularethefeetofthosewhobringgoodnews!”

16ButnotalltheIsraelitesacceptedthegoodnews.ForIsaiahsays,“Lord,whohasbelievedourmessage?”17Consequently,faithcomesfromhearingthemessage,andthemessageisheardthroughthewordaboutChrist.

Colossians 3:12-17 12Therefore,asGod’schosenpeople,holyanddearlyloved,clotheyourselveswithcompassion,kindness,humility,gentlenessandpatience.13Bearwitheachotherandforgiveoneanotherifanyofyouhasagrievanceagainstsomeone.ForgiveastheLordforgaveyou.14Andoverallthesevirtuesputonlove,whichbindsthemalltogetherinperfectunity.

15LetthepeaceofChristruleinyourhearts,sinceasmembersofonebodyyouwerecalledtopeace.Andbethankful.16LetthemessageofChristdwellamongyourichlyasyouteachandadmonishoneanotherwithallwisdomthroughpsalms,hymns,andsongsfromtheSpirit,singingtoGodwithgratitudeinyourhearts.17Andwhateveryoudo,whetherinwordordeed,doitallinthenameoftheLordJesus,givingthankstoGodtheFatherthroughhim.