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| Pastor Timothy O.A. Yerokun, Ph.D |
Preacher - Pastor Timothy O.A. Yerokun, Ph.D
Zonal Superintendent, CAC Amazing Grace Zone, Akinyele Region, Ikorodu, Lagos State.
Text - Psalm 119:105
Introduction
All glory to God for the privilege given to all of us to witness this hour. Without Him we are nobody. Also, appreciation goes to the Authority of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas, led by our indefatigable and visionary leaders in person of Pastor Samuel O. Oladele (President), Pastor E.O Odejobi (General Superintendent) and in compliance with all entourages, that come up with watchword of this year, 2023 taken from Psalm 119:105, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. ”Highly tantalizing in prayer mood and perorate in establishing the true word of the Gospel for the lost sinner. It is from this watchword the topic of this sermon is coined out. Kudos to you sir.
Having said the above, it is better to establish that the Word of God is God Almighty Himself. In fact, it is Jesus Christ personified. There is so much power embedded in the Word of God, and if Christians will understand it in this dimension, battles of life will be easy.
The Word is the foundation of whatever exists in the world today because the world itself was made by a mere spoken word of God. The firmament was created to divide the waters on earth and heavens by the same Word of God. The productivity the world enjoys today came as a product of the Word. The power of the Word gave life to the earth and everything that exists in it. The man was also created by the Word. This shows the efficacy of the Word of God and the need to dwell in it continually.
The Inertia Background Behind God’s Word
By the word Inertia, it means a tendency to do something or to remain unchanged. It is the force that causes something moving and that causes something not moving to tend to continue not to move.
The above analysis opines that, the Word of God can never be changed. It has been established and remains forever. In another way round, it stands as sophisticated weapons to change life, moving sinners from presumptuous mud of dubiousness to light of Glory.
Apparently, the Word of God is the armour of a believer in spiritual warfare. It destroys the works of the devil and shatters the dark world. True riches are hidden in the Word of God. It is the strength of a believer that enables him to go through difficult terrains unhurt. No one can navigate the undulating terrain of this world without having a firm grip on the Word of God.
The Word of God nourishes the spiritual life of a believer. It helps him grow in the Lord. When it is not regularly read, it produces spiritual weakness. Failure in Christianity stems from abstinence from the Word of God. A disciplined believer, who desires to grow and overcome the devil and his onslaught, must read the Word always. Jesus Christ defeated the devil with the Word; it is the source of victory to believers.
In addition, there are other areas in the Bible where the Bible talks about itself and offers key insight into why reading God’s Word is vital for any Christian. These other passages from the Scriptures complement the message from Psalm 119. Upon reading, we can confirm that the Bible is intended to offer wisdom to believers, and help us live according to God’s commandments, not other ideas that we sometimes confuse with God.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
The Bible when followed or when ignored, reveals certain truths and emotions that lay in our hearts. If God’s word is meant to edify our behaviour, how we respond to His teachings will reveal characteristics about our beliefs, personality and more. For example, the Bible says we should forgive others just as we ask God for forgiveness (Matthew 6:15). If we find that exercising forgiveness is difficult, then God’s Word has revealed truth to us.
“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ (Matthew 4:4)”
Reading, interpreting, and living by God’s Word is as essential as our daily food and drink. Jesus himself indicates the significance of applying God’s word to our lives. Just as we instinctively know to eat and drink, and we make plans to do so, we should respond likewise to Scripture.
Some thoughtful Truth about God’s Word
As believers, having the conviction that the Scriptures are the very word of God, we know they are given to protect us from the godless theories of the world and false religion. The Bible is our only standard for things pertaining to faith and practice. It is by the Bible that everything must be judged.
Fact 1: It is the foundation for our lives
From early childhood Timothy was taught the Scriptures. The word “learned” in our text is derived from “disciple,” therefore, discipleship ought to begin as soon as possible. This learning process lays a firm foundation in a young child’s life. This is the way it was meant to be from the beginning, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). This is how Mary and Joseph brought up the Lord Jesus Christ and as a result He “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52).
Fact 2: The Bible is the infallible truth
When we say that the Scriptures are inspired of God, “God-breathed” in the Greek, we are stating that they were not the product of man’s mind, but that God is their author. We must notice that Paul uses the words “all scripture” to shows that as a whole, every book and chapter is inspired by God.
God chose to communicate His thoughts and instructions to man through the spoken and written word rather than by imagery. The words originated with God, but He used men, who themselves were inspired by Him to write the words down for others to read and learn for themselves. “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:20-21). Because God is the Author, we can rightly say that the Bible is the infallible word of God. Despite what Satan, science or religion may say God’s word is “truth” (John 17:17).
Fact 3: It is profitable to read and study it
God gave us His Word to benefit us. A believer profits when he reads and studies God’s Word, but spiritually suffers when he does not. Paul mentions four areas in which the Bible is profitable.
(1) For doctrine: doctrine is important for it is the basis for all we believe and do. Doctrine is truth, unchanging and unchangeable and absolute in a world that believes in relativism.
(2) For reproof: reproof is a warning. The Bible not only tells us what is true and beneficial, but what is false and harmful, so that we can know how to obey God and avoid sin. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11).
(3) For correction: the Bible not only tells us when we are wrong, but it shows us the way to make things right. The Bible is not a book of condemnation as some think, but of restoration. God shows us our sin in order to deliver us from it and lead us back to Himself.
(4) For instruction in righteousness: the Bible is a practical book. Like an owner’s manual, it provides detailed instructions on how to live a holy and blameless life.
Fact 4: It is essential for spiritual growth
The Word of God produces maturity in those who read and study its pages. The word “perfect” means complete, mature, prepared for the Lord’s use. Apart from the knowledge of and obedience to the Bible, a Christian can never reach spiritual maturity. It is impossible to say that we are yielded to God’s work and conformed to His will, if we do not open up the pages of the Scripture.
How can we be equipped for “every good work” if we do not allow the Lord to speak to us, guide and instruct us in the way of righteousness? How can we have knowledge of His will and purpose for us if we neglect His word? “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:9-10). God’s word is the source from where we find the provision of wisdom needed to perform the task He has called us to undertake.
Fact 5: God’s Word is Sweet And Bitter
The Bible (God’s Word) is referred to in Proverbs as sweet. It is also referred as bitter to the taste in the book of Revelation.
Proverbs 16:24, “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Proverbs 24:13-14, “My son, eat honey, for it is good, Yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste;
Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; If you find it, then there will be a future, And your hope will not be cut off.
Revelation 10:10, “And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter.”
Fact 6: God’s Word Offers Light
God's Word is called a lamp because it leads you to where you need to be and tries to deter you from making choices which are not good for the mind, body and soul. Here are some verses about God’s word being a lamp or a light.
Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Psalm 119:130, “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”
Psalm 18:28, “For it is you who lights my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness.”
Present Society Versus God’s Word
We live in a day when the Bible is rejected as being the inspired and infallible word of God. Because of this many do not feel that it can be relied upon as the only source of divine authority. If it has no authority then there is no need for anyone to follow its guidance. Therefore the Bible should be assigned a place on a dusty shelf in a museum.
Because of this attitude, evident both in the church as well as the world, mankind automatically takes on the characteristics mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” Man becomes his own god when he decides for himself what is right or wrong, but is unable to see that it is a result of spiritual deception, “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13).
It is absolutely unfortunate today that our society has lost its taste, sins are on the increase everywhere. Introduction of worldly dressing, dancing, just to mention few are on greater level. Fraudsters are multiplying both in the church and society. Ministers that ought to lift the lamps of righteousness are:
1. making grandiose promises
They are crafty, deceitful and full of fraud (Acts 13:10, Ephesians 4:14). They promote personal rights in exchange for God’s righteousness. They are full of thoughts, body, decision, feelings. They promise endless prosperity, but their promises are empty. They are “wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever,” (2 Peter 2:17). In following the trajectory of their course you will soon see it is bent toward destruction,” (2 Peter 2:1).
2. fabricating their messages
They deny Christ and pave their own way with religions, philosophies and pet doctrines. They may speak of Christ and profess to know God “…but in works [they will] deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate,” (Titus 1:16). Their religion is self-made and a collaboration of teachings that suit their own desires (2 Timothy 4:3).They will, in essence, reject the Messiah to create their own saviour. They are not ignorant of who God is, but they turn their back on God. Even so, they hate and are jealous of those who truly do know, serve and worship the Messiah, as Cain was jealous of Abel. Their ways are “a way that seems right to a man.” (Proverbs 14:12).
3. purposefully and skilfully twisting scriptures
It is not merely the general misapplication of biblical exegesis to justify sin and promote pet doctrines; no, I speak of a far more sinister person. They hold little regard for truth and only use it to underhandedly craft lies, then lead others down the same road to destruction because of it. They bear false witness against God, denying the truth and speaking perverse things. (Acts 20:28-30). They push agenda, redefine even the most fundamental truths, and make up stories that appeal to the human nature (II Peter 1: 16; 2:3).
4. tolerating sin and denying the order of God’s design
They have given in to the witchcraft of Jezebel, independent and unyielding. Yes, this sprit is most attracted to the female host, but it is also pervasive among male authorities and is prevalent in religious leadership. Their ways, as Jezebel’s, leads to forsaking the covenant and engaging in idolatry. They lust for power so that repentance is far from their mind. They are isolated from both real fellowship and meaningful accountability. They are master manipulators who do not need to use physical aggression to take down and destroy. They are like Balaam who betrayed the people of God by revealing to Israel’s enemies the Achilles heel of God’s people, advising the enemy to mix the worship of God with idols to seduce them away.
5. self-centred in their prayers
In point two, I included that the false teacher’s characteristic is of building a kingdom on earth rather than building toward the eternal kingdom; their prayers reflect this element. Rather than “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,” he subtly proclaims, “our kingdom has come and our will be done.” Their prayer was vague as many paths they promote and are not in agreement with the revealed word of God. In denying the sinful nature of mankind, their approach to God is profane.
6. seeking to throw people into confusion and discouragement
They promote confusion (Galatians 5:10). They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrel about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions. (1Timothy 6:4). They report falsely about spiritual leaders for the purpose of discrediting their message. Defamation of character with malicious intent was their goal in order to propagate their lies, they must first discredit the truth and those who champion it.
7. Compromising the truth
They appeal to human nature and provide direction toward compromise. The Nicolaitans are a biblical example of this characteristic of false teaching. There is strong support by many biblical scholars that the Nicolaitans descended from Nicolas of Antioch who was chosen as one of the first deacons of the church (Acts 6:5). He was a Gentile, who had been entrenched in paganism but converted to Judaism, then to Christianity. It seems, according to early church writings, that he sought to justify the doctrines contained in all three religions. God hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans (Revelations 2:6) and he hates compromise (Revelation 3:15-16).
Advice
Discipline yourself in the study of God’s word so that you will be able to guard against false prophets: “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3).
Conclusion
We are called to live a life that is well-pleasing to God. Everything we do, all that we say, wherever we go, and even our thoughts ought to bring glory and honour to the Lord. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him,” (Colossians 3:17). This is impossible unless we are dedicated to searching the Scriptures and applying them to our lives. The Bible contains everything necessary for a successful Christian life. Presently, we are dangling with “perilous times” mentioned by Paul in 2 Timothy 3:1 and most of the things mentioned has already overtaken us. We will have to know how to deal with our fears, trials and tribulations. Only God can give us the strength to face uncertain days, therefore it is foolish to abandon His word while we have relative and tentative peace now.