Reading the Scriptures

Reading the Scriptures: ”
Mark 12:18 ¶ Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,
Mark 12:19 Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man’s brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
Mark 12:20 Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.
Mark 12:21 And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.
Mark 12:22 And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.
Mark 12:23 In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.
Mark 12:24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?

Grace and peace be unto you from God our Father, and from the LORD Jesus Christ. Beloved, today I would like to take a little time to talk about the Holy Habit of Bible Reading. The text that we are looking at is an interesting one to discuss this topic. Why is bible reading important? Well question 2 of the Westminster Catechism, asks ‘what rule has God given us to know how we may glorify and enjoy God?’ Now for those who have never read the catechism the first question asks basically what is our purpose. To this we get our chief end is to glorify and enjoy God. Now that we know our purpose is to glorify and enjoy him, the next question posed is what rule, or some would say canon, is there that teaches us how to do this properly? The answer returns, the only rule is the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament. That being said, reading the bible is important for no other reason than it is all we have to direct us in our pursuit to honor God, the way He wants to be honored. We learned in the scriptures that the bible is profitable for us to learn doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction unto righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16) From this passage in Paul’s epistle we learn that when we want to learn Christian Doctrine, reprove anyone, correct anyone, or instruct anyone, the bible is the only tool we can use.

In this passage we find some awesome facts by which we can make some powerful observations. The context is this, the sadducees came to Jesus, and began to ask a question. In the question they laid out a hypothetical context. The answer they expected for this question would have allowed the sadducees to mock him, maybe even call into question his scholarship in matters of doctrine. As a matter of fact the text tells us, the premise on which they proffer the question was on the resurrection. The resurrection is an idea they do not believe in. Many times people will literally challenge your fidelity to God and his word, by posing a position they do not believe in themselves. So by process of elimination, we know that the sadducees were not looking for clarification of the position. Jesus did not fall for it. He took the time to make them aware of their folly. What do I mean. He said to them ‘Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?’ The mistake we make beloved in forming opinions many times in our own lives is that we do not know the scriptures or the power of God. Why is this an issue? The sadducees were asking Jesus a question that they thought should be approached by logic. Of course logic would be necessary for them to reach a valid conclusion, because this issue of resurrection is one they did not believe in. Beloved what they did is take part of the scripture, and try to formulate a hypothesis from its logical conclusion. With God we must base any position from the word of God. Not an excerpt. Remember, 2 Tim 3:16. If we want instruction in righteousness, we need all scripture. Jesus said their lack of knowledge of the word, makes their question moot. Also they have no basis for understanding the answer, or arriving at the correct answer because they do not know the power of God. Either, familiarity with the word of God, or with the power of God will always answer your questions correctly. Paul said it this way, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
It would seem that the word of God,(the gospel) is the power of God. Jesus makes the point that knowledge of God’s word gives us answers that logic can not. The prophet Isaiah says it this way:
Is. 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
Is. 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

We need to read God’s word to get answers to our questions. Having questions are not a problem, not getting the right, the Godly answers lead to ruin. Why?
Hos. 4:6 ¶ My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Beloved, knowledge of God’s word leads to power, operating without it leads to destruction. I want power, the question is, what do you want? Read the scriptures. Make time for the power of God to operate in your life.

Remember, bring someone to church with you. Invite someone to church. Also the podcast of Sunday’s message is on the website.

Yours Because I’m His
Leo Colon
pastor@ihpfwc.org
http://www.ihpfwc.org

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(Via .)