Jump Start # 3211

Hebrews 4:12 “For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Solomon Stoddard was an early New England preacher who died in 1729. He preached for sixty years. Mostly forgotten these days, Stoddard is best known for training his grandson, the great Jonathan Edwards. Stoddard said about preachers, “We are not sent into the pulpit to shew our wit and eloquences, but to set the consciences of men on fire.” In our times, the wonderful Dee Bowman said of preachers, “We are to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”

God’s word is powerful, as our verse reveals. It is active. It works on our conscience. It has a way of bothering us and disturbing us. It has a way of staying with us. And, that is the thrust and the key of preaching. Paul told the Corinthians that “we persuade men.” Preaching is not a “feel good” moment. It’s not a college lecture, full of facts and information. It’s not a comedy skit as moderns like to make it. Preaching is thrusting that sharp sword of God’s word deep into our hearts. It ought to set our conscience on fire as Stoddard said many, many years ago.

Some things we must remember:

First, we preachers must preach. Dull, lifeless sermons won’t awaken a sleeping mouse in the church house, let alone the hearts of men. Sermons that don’t lead to any conclusions, changes, or actions on our part, will do just that, nothing. When Peter preached that first Gospel sermon the audience was pierced. When Stephen preached the audience was cut. We don’t need tricks, side show antics, cutting edge videos from the world to accomplish this. What we need is preaching that comes from the heart. We preachers need to pour our hearts onto the pulpit. Passionless preaching is like pumpkin pie without whip cream, it’s ok, but it’s sure missing something.

Second, we listeners need to encourage our preachers to bring the fire. Our toes need to be stepped on. We need to see how to live better and more holy lives. Tickling ears is not for us. We need to be told the truth and only the truth can save us. There will be Sundays when you leave realizing that there needs to be some changes in your life. There will be some Sundays when you feel convicted but that feeling will propel the changes that will lead to a more righteous life.

Third, our verse reminds us of how specific the Word of God can be within our hearts. It can judge our thoughts and our intentions. No one really knows our thoughts unless we share them. We can stand there smiling in a conversation with someone, all the while wishing we could get away from that person. How hurt that person would be if they knew our thoughts. God’s Word works right into those thoughts. This is why Jesus said it wasn’t just adultery and murder that were wrong, but the thoughts behind them. The lust and the hatred are also wrong.

Our intentions imply motives. Motives are the reason why we do things. In Matthew six, Jesus revealed the false and phony motives of those who gave alms, prayed and fasted, all to be seen by men. Their purpose in all of that was to draw attention to themselves. In Corinthians, Paul said that if love was not the basis of our deeds, then the good we did was not really good. Intentions. Purpose. Motive. Why do we attend worship? Why do we help others out? The Word of God gets behind the act and looks at the motive. And, through the preaching of God’s Word, our motives are examined and looked at. There are times we need adjustments because we are not aligned correctly with God. All we do ought to point to God. It’s the glory of God, not our glory, that we ought to seek.

Set the conscience of men on fire, is what Stoddard said years ago. That burning fire within us will lead to revival, change, compassion, and zeal for the Lord. We need to be awakened spiritually. We need to come alive spiritually.

What a treasure it is to have God’s word. It’s not kept in a museum. It’s not locked in some ancient church building. It’s stored deep within our hearts. It’s what governs us, drives us, directs us and leads us. Through that wonderful Word of God we have come to know Jesus. It shapes our character and has led us to ask for forgiveness and has allowed us to forgive those who have hurt us.

Bring the fire…

Roger

Jump Start # 2466

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of the soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Our wonderful verse today reveals the nature of the word of God. It’s alive. It’s active. It does something to us. The illustration used is of a sword. Swords were used in battle. They were weapons. They were used to kill. The word of God isn’t just going to give you a flesh wound. It’s not going to simply prick your finger. It’s going to be thrust deeply within you. It’s going to pierce you. The joints and the marrow are covered deeply within by skin, muscles and tendons. Separating the joint and marrow in a battle scene would be a very serious wound, nearly fatal. If the joints of your knee was separated, you wouldn’t be walking. If the blow was to your shoulder, you could no longer defend yourself. Powerful. Deep.

And, all of this leads to one of the grand principles about Biblical truth. It’s a principle that we often do not touch upon. Yes, as the Lord says, the truth shall make us free. And, yes the truth will open our eyes and enlighten us. But, first, truth often makes us miserable. To be thrust with a sword is a very painful experience. And, this is the powerful nature of truth.

Truth will cut, like a sword, through all the wrong opinions that we have held and believed for years. We’ve heard these things. We’ve read these things. We’ve heard others repeat these things. Everyone thinks these things are true. But a close examination of God’s word reveals that they are not true. And, it is at this moment, that the point of truth cuts us. The Bible or what we have always thought was right? The Bible or what our family has always said? Many, discount the Bible and without evidence, proof or facts, they continue to believe something that is false. But for the honest heart, there is that painful moment when truth has made us miserable. We realize that what we believed is not true. We see from Scriptures that we’ve held on to lies. We learn that we have been wrong. What a miserable feeling that leaves us with.

Truth will also cut through the empty excuses we’ve used for years to justify not doing what we ought to do. We’ve hid behind the way we were raised. We’ve used the excuse that we have been too busy. We’ve allowed our children to be excuses for not doing what we should. With those excuses we have found ways to remain comfortable and safe. But when we face the truth of God’s word, now we see that those excuses no longer work. Jesus told the young ruler to sell all that he had and follow Him. Jesus said let the dead bury the dead. Jesus said once you put your hand on the plow, there is no looking back. The truth of God’s word has opened up the reality that our excuses do not justify disobedience to God. The Lord won’t give us a pass for being lazy, worldly and uncommitted. Boy, the truth can hurt.

Truth will identify that we must change. And, change is hard. Few people like to change their lives. Truth will lead us to being a righteous person, which means putting aside things that are wrong. Truth has a way of redefining our priorities. The kingdom first changes the order of everything else. Truth will cause you to apologize rather than walking away. Truth will lead you to being helpful rather than inconsiderate. Truth will have you thinking about what you say and how you say it. Truth will make you sensitive to how you treat others. All of this can be very painful. All of this can make a person miserable.

And, because truth, like a sword, can hurt and cut, some, steer clear of it. Some would rather be happy and comfortable, than being right. Some would rather be wrong and stay the way they are than have to change. Some just don’t want to think about these kinds of things. They fill their days with thoughts about the here and now and have little depth to their thoughts, conversations or their goals. Many have the notion that “religion” ought to make you feel better. It will, much like a surgery. But that doesn’t happen at first. There is always some cutting, pain and recovery involved with surgery. After the healing, the person feels so much better, but the first few days can be tough. The truth is like that as well. Where many of us are now, we love what God’s word has done for us. But thinking back, there was those moments when we were scared, we knew we had to make some tough decisions and we need that this was going to change our lives.

We ought to remember this when we are teaching someone. There is a period when they may resist, feel uncomfortable and even be miserable. That’s the truth piercing deeply within them. Don’t apologize for what God’s word says. Don’t try to lessen the pain. Don’t soften the message. The audience that heard Peter was pieced to the heart. In battle terms, that’s a death blow. A sword to the heart was fatal. These folks weren’t just uncomfortable, they were stunned, shocked and rattled to the core. That’s the nature of truth.

The Gospel begins where we are. And, where we start, isn’t a good place. There is a lot of cutting that needs to be done. If one stays with it, the truth will turn him into a disciple of Jesus.

It’s been said of preaching, that it ought to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. It’s that afflicting part that some have trouble with. That truth will bring one to their senses. It will lead them home to God, just like it did for the prodigal.

God’s word is sharper than any two-edged sword. It’ll do it’s job. It will even work on you.

Roger

Jump Start # 2099

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Our verse today illustrates the power that is found within the word of God. It is able to do what nothing else can do. Let’s take a look at some of these expressions.

First, the word of God is living. God is living, and so is His word. It’s not dormant. It’s fresh. It is capable of doing things. I cut some dead branches out of a bush the other day. New growth is coming all around the dead branches. However, the dead branches remain dead. They do not have any leaves on them. There are no buds on them. They remain dead and useless. God’s word is not like this. As culture changes, God’s word remains relevant, practical, vital and useful. God’s word is capable of changing us. God’s word can turn us, shape us and mold us into what God wants. Don’t give up on the Bible. Don’t say, “Oh, it’s just the Bible.” It is the living word of God and when it connects to a heart that is honest and good, you will be amazed at what can happen. God’s word has always been the answer. Through tough times, through wars, through depressions, through dark nights, God’s word has touched hearts, opened eyes, and filled lives with hope, love and trust.

Second, God’s word is active. Here is an interesting word. We miss this in our English Bibles. The Greek word for active is where our word energy comes from. God’s word is the power source, the energy that brings about change. In Romans, when Paul said the Gospel is God’s power unto salvation, the word for power is where we get dynamite. Energy. Dynamite. Living. Do you get the picture here? What causes a person to change? Why does a person submit to the will of God? It’s when God’s word works upon our heart. It’s the energy that drives a person to change. He becomes obedient to Christ. It’s not the pills that counselors provide. It’s not self help books. It’s not sitting around and sharing our sad story with others. It’s believing and obeying the word of God that changes us. This is why the Ephesians were told to let the word of Christ richly dwell within you. It’s the energy source to motivate us. It’s the power to change our attitudes. It can take a mean ole’ cuss and not simply smooth him out, but totally change him. It’s the power open his eyes to see as Jesus saw. It’s the energy to move those lazy bones and do something for someone else. How can a person read about the holy Jesus and remain unholy? How can a person see the goodness of God and not want to be like that? The active word of God, believed by us, will change us.

Third, God’s word pierces. The analogy is to a two-edged sword. Sharp. Cutting. Dividing. As a butcher would cut meat on a block of wood, so, the word of God cuts through us. It cuts out our weak and lame excuses. It cuts out worldliness and sinful thinking. It cuts out our desires to be like the world. Fame, fortune and power are cut out and replaced with righteousness, holiness and godliness. Our focus now is not upon making a name but in praising the Lord. It is in this way that the common man excels the rich and the famous. His value soars as he walks daily with the Lord. His heart reflects a character of kindness and goodness. Who he is to God is much more important than what others think of him. He has redefined words like happiness and success by seeing things God’s way. Piercing and cutting and dividing can be painful at times. We have allowed things to be attached to our hearts and minds that shouldn’t be there. God’s word will change that. Pour that word into our lives and wonderful things will happen.

Fourth, God’s word is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. God’s word gets down to the reasons, motives and purpose of what we are doing. It has a way of getting all the way through us to the foundation of our decisions, choices and will. Jesus shows us this in the Gospels. The superficial Pharisees made sure they looked good. Image was important to them. Jesus compared them to a dish that was washed on the outside, or a white tombstone. But inside, they were corrupt, immoral and impure. They were not what they appeared to be. They were more interested in what others thought than what God knew. God’s word gets down to that level. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus said it’s not enough that you do not kill, don’t hate. It’s not enough that you do not commit adultery, don’t lust in your heart. God’s word has a way of changing us from the inside out. God’s word is able to judge, determine, the thoughts of the heart. It rewires our heart. This is why we sometimes feel guilty. We think, “I shouldn’t have said that.” God’s word has judged the intentions of your heart. We feel bad for not helping when we could have. God’s word has judged our hearts. We know. We can hide behind, it’s been a busy week, but we know. We can say, “I wanted to,” but we really know. God’s word works that way. It judges our hearts. There is no hiding the truth. There have been times we went through an entire worship and we not focused. We day dreamed. We planned out the week. We thought about what needs to be done to the house. Our minds were everywhere except with God in Heaven. We smiled and talked to others afterwards. We enjoyed seeing others. But as for truly worshipping God, we know. God’s word judges our hearts. What it shows can be brutal, raw and something we don’t like to see. But because of this, we change. So many have not only deceived others, but they have deceived themselves. They have mastered looking good on the outside. But what they think. What they whisper under their breath. Not good. Once this living, energetic word gets into a heart that’s honest, those things change. Repentance takes place. Honesty takes over.

This may well be what Jesus intended when he said, Blessed are the pure in heart. We tend to think purity means sexually clean. Good and decent thoughts. More so, Jesus has in mind our motives, intentions and plans. Pure, not polluted. Pure, no agenda except God’s. Pure, meaning right, holy and singular in nature.

We need to allow God’s word to work on us. We need to allow God’s word to change us. We need to allow God’s word to motivate us, challenge us and move us. It is alive. It is energy. It is cutting. It will judge us.

All of this reminds us that we need to use to the Bible more. We need to know the Bible. We need to lower the nets in our study of God’s word. We need to rely less upon external things and more upon this living, energetic, cutting word of God. More good will come from time spent with the Bible than any thing else. We can spend a lot of time reading about the Bible. We can listen to dozens of sermons that are helpful but nothing beats the Bible itself.

Find a version that is readable both in translation, style and print. Become familiar with your Bible. Use it. Wear it out. Put notes in it. Underline things. Circle words. Fill the margins with other passages that come to mind. In so doing, that word will shape you and change you. A better you will come out. A kinder you. A more compassionate you. A stronger you. A more spiritual you. A more optimistic you. A more hopeful you. A more assured you. A more Heaven bound you.

Yes, it’s the Bible. But it’s more. It’s God’s way of connecting to you. It’s God’s way of you getting to know Him. It’s God’s way of changing you.

Give me the Bible…

Roger