"This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck." (1 Timothy 18:19)
Yesterday, I wrote about the inspiration of the Bible. I personally believe the Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God which reveals to us God's Will for mankind. I do not believe it "contains" the Word, rather I believe it "IS" God's Word. In 2015 that somehow seems to be a shocking statement to some in the church. No, not from the pew of the church, but from the pulpit of the church. Pseudo-intellectuals chip away at the Bible's authority on a regular basis. Here is an example: The preacher says, "now what the Bible really meant to say is..." My simple answer is this, "the Bible says EXACTLY what the Holy Spirit "breathed" into the chosen vessels to preserve the Word.
We were warned that in the last days such attitudes would exist. Here is how the Apostle Paul said it, "For I know this, that after my departing savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves." (Acts 20:29-30) Can there be any doubt that this prophecy was fulfilled after Paul's martyrdom, and continues to this day.
This Bible we preach is unlike any other book. Commentaries are wonderful tools, but they are simply another man's interpretations of the Bible. God can speak DIRECTLY to you, and He will when your heart is right with Him. The best sermon is not the one that gets you the most compliments, rather it is the one that God burns into your heart and soul so deeply that you MUST share it.
If you are one of those preachers, please reconsider the approach you are taking. We are involved in a SPIRITUAL WARFARE, not a physical one against each other, but rather battles that take place every single time we try to pray, study the Word or engage in acts of collective worship. If you are one of those preachers, find a place where you can be alone and CRY OUT TO GOD for forgiveness. Please don't be guilty of leading any of God's precious children astray. There is so much to gain...the eternal souls of people.
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