Each week, let’s reflect upon Sunday’s teaching through further exploration…
Once upon a time…
“Text or Treasure?” (Growing in the Word Sermon Series)
Did you know the Bible and its principles guided the establishment of our nation? That the Bible used to be the foundation of early education? That it was the primer used for colonial education and even of paramount importance in higher ed? That Harvard University rules once stated Jesus Christ as “the only foundation of all knowledge and learning” (Dunham Bible Museum)?
The book that previously was the guide for the governing of our country… that once was opened by teachers and read from daily to the students… that formerly was a study requirement for university students… it’s not been quietly slid to an obscure place in the library shelves. It has been uproariously ripped from most areas of the public sphere and hurled into the dark abyss of hedonism.
Is that description a bit dramatic? Possibly. Is it true? Unfortunately.
Dismal as the times seem, particularly for those who are Scripture engaged, we’re not the first to be living among corruption that stems from direct disobedience of God’s word. Let’s be honest… that’s been occurring since Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. It was certainly something with which the apostle Paul was well familiar. We have his letters to various churches throughout Asia Minor and the Roman Empire as proof. In these letters, he addressed issues such as sexual sin, idolatry, false teachings, and division. While his words were direct and often stinging, they came from a heart of love and included Scripture. Galatians 5:13-15 is an example:
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Paul would write the letters led by the Holy Spirit, and the letters would be delivered to the different churches. They would be read aloud, and then his words would be passed from one person to another. Even though the vast majority of people didn’t have Paul’s letters in hand, they recited what they’d heard and shared truth with others in their homes, places of business, and community. The gospel was spread!
In today’s culture, many people do own or at least have access to the Bible, yet infrequently is that found in their hands. Statistics like the ones included in Sunday’s message show that an overwhelming percent of our society is not reading and studying God’s word. But they can still hear/see God’s word throughout the daily interactions they have with those of us who do pour over the Scriptures. Speak the word of God to them. Post His word on your streams. Exemplify His truth through the way you live your life – the love you display, the decisions you make, the actions you take.
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)