Goal for this message: To give a new perspective on God’s Word; So we will be wise, creative and discerning as believers.
I. Nature of LOGOS-Point of Origination Where it all came from.
I have been stuck in the 1st chapter of the gospel of John lately.
I’m not one to blast through chapters at a time. I like to take my time & hang
out with a verse for a while. John chap 1 has got a hold on me and I pray that
it captures your heart as well.
A. IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD
1. (John 1:1) In begining was the WORD and the WORD was God and with God.
2. (John 1:9-10) The true LIGHT that gives LIGHT to everyone was coming
into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world…
WAS MADE THROUGH HIM, the world did not recognize him.
3. (John 1:14) The WORD was made flesh and dwelt among us.
a. I get in many discussions about some of the stuff we just read.
HONESTLY - The whole concept of the Trinity (the Word that was with
God and is God) is amazing!
Do I REALLY understand it? NO!
If I DID figure out how to comprehend the nature of God, well, I
probably shrunk him to the point that He was no longer God at all.
b. I HAVE HEARD SO many attempts to illustrate the trinity.
Some are worse than others. I am sure y’all have heard some too.
Pie: different slices but all the same pie.. (not too bad actually) Key Lime?
Water: Gas, Liquid, Solid (but not all at the same time right?)
An Orange: Peeling,Seed & Fruit… (Lame)
Pizza: Toppings, Sauce, Crust (that’s a stretch haha! Get it, cheese is stretchy)
B. YOU SEE THE WORD “WORD” ISNT A WORD AT ALL:
The word used here in John 1 is Actually LOGOS (Not LEGGO’S )
1. Note: A Greek philosopher named Heracleetusfirst used the term
Logos about 600 B.C. to designate “the divine
reason or plan which coordinates a changing universe”.
Ya, we’ve been trying to land this concept for thousands of years.
2. We have interpreted Logos to mean WORD (Word up)
BUT not only does it NOT mean writtenword-it doesn’t mean word
as we understand it at all.
A better meaning according to its original intent is God in action"
“God in Action” was made flesh & dwelt among us. God isn’t a
passive observer .But. Active/Creative! Not removed or Distant.
C. ON TO MORE WORDS about WORDS: (II Tim 3:16)
“All scripture is given by ‘inspiration of God’, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”
1.) THIS POINT IS PRETTY SIMPLE. I AM PROBABLY NOT SHARING ANY HIDDEN MYSTERIES ON THIS. BUT. I AM GOING SOMEWHERE FUN. TRUST ME J
When Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, he actually didn’t write it in English. Hahaha! WOW! THAT IS DEEP!!!
a. Where we read Scripture, Paul used the term “Graphe” grrraf-ay'
Meaning “SACRED WRITINGS” Graffe rhymes with Sashe’ hahaha
According to Vines Bible Dictionary; this term refers to the Divine Author
with an indicator or indirect hint, that it remains eternally characterized as
the living voice of God. (REPEAT FOR EMPHASIS!!!)
b. Where we read inspiration of God, Paul used the term: theopneustos
Meaning divinely breathed in (Theos, "God," pneo, "to breathe"),
2. THE WORDS WE READ “IN WRITTEN FORM” ARE THE DIVINE
BREATH, THE ETERNAL LIVING VOICE – OF THE GOD IN ACTION.
BREATHING life into OUR MIND, WILL, EMOTIONS; BODY & SPIRIT.
3. The Same God Who Breathed Life Into A Pile Of Dust & Created Mankind
Desires To Breathe Creative Life Into Our Situation. OR. Struggle.
My conversation with guy deployed on aircraft carrier: “INVITE HIM IN!”
Whatever it may be. We can invite His Breath… RIGHT WHERE WE ARE.
4. My little girl Parker loves to cuddle. We snuggle so close I can feel her
breath on my neck. I can feel the beat of her heart. She knows who she is;
DADDIE’S GIRL. That Only Comes From Such Moments Of Closeness.
She knows she’s REMARKABLE. Because She Has Been That Close.
No matter what any kid at school may tell her. She knows she’s Beautiful
and She Is Loved. She lives everyday knowing she carries a piece of my heart.
There are some things that can only come from drawing close to our heavenly Father’s heart; close enough to feel His breath upon our soul.
It Builds Confidence & Brings Us To Our Final Word.
II.PIETY: This brings me to another frequently misunderstood word.
PIETY: Let’s talk about this shall we J What is it & Why we need it.
A. THE POWER OF PIETY (used to think this meant rigid/over religious BUT...)
1. While In college, I read a sermon The Pleasures of Piety by Dr. J.A.
Broadus. In this timeless message from 1889, he referred to Piety
as: “the quality of the soul that springs forth from continued fellowship with
God. It provides us with confidence to proclaim the gospel to any man”.
2. JESUS HIMSELF, PRAYED FOR US TO EXPERIENCE THIS.
a. Christ prayed that we would walk in the confidence that comes from
intimacy with Him. This is a time when a worldwide discontent is
present in so many lives. It’s purpose is to destroy intimacy with the
Father.
(We need to learn DIVINE CONTENTMENT )PAUL
SAID IT IS A LEARNED BEHAVIOR....Piety equips us with
contentment as we have faith in the Divine action of the Word within us
and with us...
b. John 17:20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will
believe in Me through their word; (21) “that they all may be one, as
You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in
Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
B. MOVE OVER POWER RANGERS! “THE PIETY RANGERS ARRIVED”
1. When we draw near to the heart of GOD IN ACTION. LOGOS
When we walk with the “Living Voice Of God” GRAPHE resonating in our soul...
** Our Mind, Will & Emotions***
When HIS “God Breathed” inspiration THEOPNEUSTOS fills OUR spirit...
The Evidence Is DISTINCT.
2. We Don’T Just Carry “GOOD VIBES” Positive Karma (Anyone Been Told That?)
i. According to John 1:4 There Is:
a. LIFE!!! Real and genuine, active vigorous, Full and Blessed!!!
We Are The Life Of This Worlds Party!
When We Walk In A Room – According To John 1:4
b. LIGHT!!! WE LIGHT IT UP!
Like, When Moses Rolled Down The Mountain with 2 stone tablets.
WALK THIS ONE OUT... DEMONSTRATE IT - LIGHT!!! LIGHT!!!
A heavenly light such as surrounds angels when they appear on earth.
We are the light of the world... When This Is IN Us... Its who we are.
c. BECAUSE THE WORD IS IN US – OUR WORDS CARRY POWER!
When HIS Words are in OUR words & His Spirit fills OUR spirit...
THINGS HAPPEN! We can speak to the chaos/emptiness
WE CAN SAY LET THERE BE!!!
Before there was anything, God said “Let There Be”.....
We were at the Butterfly Avery on Duval St. One of the workers pointed out a large moth and informed us that it had a life span of 5 days. This is because it has no mouth and no digestive tract. It is born and dies, having never eaten anything. If we don’t devour the word which is the Divine action within us, we will be powerless and without God’s intended purpose for our lives. We will die having never take in the life which flows from the Spirit of God.
Lets stop & think about the areas where we need to say
– LET THERE BE, through the Divine action of the Word within us!
*.....Closing Prayer..... Lord Jesus we receive the mind of Christ, and we receive the thoughts, the feelings, and the purposes of Your heart. We place our trust in You, that we may not lean on our own understanding, but in all our ways, acknowledge You, so that You are directing our paths. We place ourselves under the influence of Your Word so that our minds may be renewed and our emotions may be transformed. I desire to prove what is You good, and acceptable, and perfect will, for then I shall make my way prosperous and I shall have good success.
*.....Lord, I will not be anxious about anything, becauseYour peace which transcends all understanding is guarding my heart and my mind. I will think on these things that are worthy of praise and whatever I do, I am trusting you with my plans, hopes and desires. Help me to set my mind on things above and not keep records of wrongs as I walk in Your love and forgiveness. Lord, I commitment myself to live what I have heard and seen in Christ and model my way of living according to Your plan for me. Thank You, Lord that my life is the product of Your grace and I am the redeemed of the Lord, in Jesus' name.
*.....Now would you take a moment and speak the blessing of the Lord over those around you before you go today....Let's speak the blessing of Numbers 6:24-26....God said that if we would speak this blessing, His name would be upon us....
" The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace"…. And may the Lord bless you in your going out and yourcoming in, your rising up and your lying down, your labor and your leisure. The Lord bless all that you put forth your hand to do and cause you to abound and to prosper. May you be blessed in the name of the Lord….
