Psalm 19:8-11 “the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”
From the Preface to the English Standard Bible: "This Book [is] the most valuable thing that this world affords. Here is Wisdom; this is the royal Law; these are the lively Oracles of God." With these words the Moderator of the Church of Scotland hands a Bible to the new monarch in Britain's coronation service. These words echo the King James Bible translators, who wrote in 1611: "God's sacred Word . . . is that inestimable treasure that excelleth all the riches of the earth."
On this date in 1978, a copy of the Guttenberg Bible owned by the General Theological Seminary in Stuttgart, Germany sold for $2,000,000.00! Of course, the fact that it had been printed by Johannes Guttenberg was the cause of this fantastic price. As late as 1987, a Guttenberg Bible reportedly sold for 3.5 million.
On a recent radio talk show, a guest described the Bible as, “a book about God written by men.” Of course, that statement is true; but, from his point of view he meant that that is all that the Bible is. This is clearly the majority view in America today, but it could not be more wrong!
We pay about $2.00 for paperback Bibles that we give away at our Church. (And we give away lots of them!) A pretty good copy can be bought about anywhere for $10.00. Really nice ones go much higher. I recently purchased an English Standard Version Study Bible, Larger Print in a Leather Cover that retails for $125.00!
But, regardless of the financial investment involved, the question is, “What is the value of the Bible to us?” David said in Psalm 19, that the Words of God “are more to be desired than gold.” Some very wise person once said, “The Bible is the most often purchased and least often read book in the World.” Sadly, that is very likely true. I certainly need to spend much more time reading the Bible, and I suspect that most Christians do as well.
Since we do love the Bible, let us commit ourselves today to reading – and heeding – every word of it this year!
Prayer: “Dear Jesus, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Word. I thank You that I live in a place where it is so easily accessible and so affordable. May I always treasure it in my heart, and may I, and we, do all we can to get Your Word into the hands, and hearts, of others. Amen.”
Application: Do we faithfully read and heed the Bible?
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
A Desperate Lack of Discernment!
14 “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.” 1st Corinthians 2:14-15 (ESV)
Two events this week have reminded me again of the desperate lack of discernment among many of God’s people. The first was Joel Osteen’s unwillingness (or inability) to clearly articulate neither the Bible’s teaching about homosexuality nor the gospel, which is God’s solution to the problem of homosexuality! The second event was an unhappy reminder of the growing popularity of the, “health, wealth, and prosperity” non-gospel gospel.
In 1st Corinthians 2, Paul comments on the easily understandable lack of discernment on the part of unregenerate people. Of course, unsaved people cannot understand the things of the Spirit of God. What troubled him, and also troubles me, is the lack of discernment by those who are regenerate people!
“The spiritual person judges all things.” The word translated “discerned” in verse 14 and “judges” in verse 15 are from the same root word in the Greek, (anakrino) which means, “to examine, investigate, or question.” Therefore it is perfectly correct to say of verse 15 that it reminds us that the child of God is to, “examine, investigate, or question” all things!
We know that the world is being overwhelmed by false teachings. Some of them are minor disagreements over when the Lord will return, or which Bible version is best; but, some of them are over serious doctrinal matters! It is the sacred duty of God’s people to make “judgments” between differing understandings of what the Bible teaches.
These two issues: homosexuality and the health, wealth, and prosperity non-gospel gospel are issues that confront us today and will do so even more in the days and years ahead. Sadly, many truly regenerate people lack the knowledge and wisdom to deal with these matters in their lives.
The answer is simple! Paul writes in 2nd Timothy 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
Again, Jude writes in Jude verse 3, “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.”
We are commanded in these verses to both discover and defend what the Bible teaches on these matters! Let’s get at it! Take every opportunity to listen to sound Bible teaching; and dig, dig, dig to get solid answers to every odd teaching you hear.
Beloved ones, it is always right to question unfamiliar teachings. Let us determine to discern and rightly divide God’s Word! Amen.
Two events this week have reminded me again of the desperate lack of discernment among many of God’s people. The first was Joel Osteen’s unwillingness (or inability) to clearly articulate neither the Bible’s teaching about homosexuality nor the gospel, which is God’s solution to the problem of homosexuality! The second event was an unhappy reminder of the growing popularity of the, “health, wealth, and prosperity” non-gospel gospel.
In 1st Corinthians 2, Paul comments on the easily understandable lack of discernment on the part of unregenerate people. Of course, unsaved people cannot understand the things of the Spirit of God. What troubled him, and also troubles me, is the lack of discernment by those who are regenerate people!
“The spiritual person judges all things.” The word translated “discerned” in verse 14 and “judges” in verse 15 are from the same root word in the Greek, (anakrino) which means, “to examine, investigate, or question.” Therefore it is perfectly correct to say of verse 15 that it reminds us that the child of God is to, “examine, investigate, or question” all things!
We know that the world is being overwhelmed by false teachings. Some of them are minor disagreements over when the Lord will return, or which Bible version is best; but, some of them are over serious doctrinal matters! It is the sacred duty of God’s people to make “judgments” between differing understandings of what the Bible teaches.
These two issues: homosexuality and the health, wealth, and prosperity non-gospel gospel are issues that confront us today and will do so even more in the days and years ahead. Sadly, many truly regenerate people lack the knowledge and wisdom to deal with these matters in their lives.
The answer is simple! Paul writes in 2nd Timothy 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
Again, Jude writes in Jude verse 3, “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.”
We are commanded in these verses to both discover and defend what the Bible teaches on these matters! Let’s get at it! Take every opportunity to listen to sound Bible teaching; and dig, dig, dig to get solid answers to every odd teaching you hear.
Beloved ones, it is always right to question unfamiliar teachings. Let us determine to discern and rightly divide God’s Word! Amen.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Friday Night... but Sunday's Coming!
This coming Sunday Morning, January 23rd, we will have a great time of fellowship and Bible Study at 9am in our "Great Expectations Sunday School!" At 10am, we will sing and pray and give and study together.
I will be preaching from Acts 8:1-4 on the subject, "Acts 8:1 is Acts 1:8 THE HARD WAY!"
God had "Commissioned" and "Commanded" His people to take the gospel to all of the world... but, they were still hanging around Jerusalem.
God allowed real and terrible suffering to come into their lives to propel them out into His harvest fields! As an old song says, "He did not make them to go against their will, but He sure made them willing to go!"
Sunday Evening, I will be at Lovington teaching the January Bible Study, so Bob Eads will be leading and teaching at our Sunday Evening Prayer Meeting and Bible Study.
I hope you will not have to miss any of these blessed and happy opportunities to worship and serve the Lord this Sunday!
I will be preaching from Acts 8:1-4 on the subject, "Acts 8:1 is Acts 1:8 THE HARD WAY!"
God had "Commissioned" and "Commanded" His people to take the gospel to all of the world... but, they were still hanging around Jerusalem.
God allowed real and terrible suffering to come into their lives to propel them out into His harvest fields! As an old song says, "He did not make them to go against their will, but He sure made them willing to go!"
Sunday Evening, I will be at Lovington teaching the January Bible Study, so Bob Eads will be leading and teaching at our Sunday Evening Prayer Meeting and Bible Study.
I hope you will not have to miss any of these blessed and happy opportunities to worship and serve the Lord this Sunday!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Central Illinois Bible and Evangelism Conference!
On Sunday, May 15th, 2011 to Wednesday, May 18th, our Church along with the Tom Rains Evangelistic Association will host the 2011 CENTRAL ILLINOIS BIBLE AND EVANGELISM CONFERENCE!
Dr. Ron Meyer will be our Featured Speaker each day and we will also hear messages from Nate Adams, Steve Diehl, Wes Feltner, Adam Powers, Tom Rains, Tim Sadler, and Mike Wilder!
Sunday Services will be at 9 and 10am, and 6 and 7pm.
Monday and Tuesday Services will be at 10 and 11am, and 6:30pm.
Wednesday services will be at 9 and 10am.
Special Music for the Conference will be provided by "Power of Praise", Jim Hollis, and First Baptist Church.
A FREE Continental Breakfast will be provided at the Church on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings beginning at 9am.
I hope you will clear your calendar now to attend as many of these sessions as possible!
Dr. Ron Meyer will be our Featured Speaker each day and we will also hear messages from Nate Adams, Steve Diehl, Wes Feltner, Adam Powers, Tom Rains, Tim Sadler, and Mike Wilder!
Sunday Services will be at 9 and 10am, and 6 and 7pm.
Monday and Tuesday Services will be at 10 and 11am, and 6:30pm.
Wednesday services will be at 9 and 10am.
Special Music for the Conference will be provided by "Power of Praise", Jim Hollis, and First Baptist Church.
A FREE Continental Breakfast will be provided at the Church on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings beginning at 9am.
I hope you will clear your calendar now to attend as many of these sessions as possible!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Yesterday's Sermon - From Vision to Victory!
Next Saturday, January 1st 2011, marks the first day of the decade when we begin what we are calling, “The 2020 Vision!” As I shared with you on Sunday, August 29th, (the day you voted to call me as your Pastor full-time) I believe it is certainly possible to grow our church at a rate of 15% per year for the next ten years.
If the Lord allows us to reach this lofty goal, at the end of this coming decade we will have grown from 90 to 350 in Sunday School each week; from 140 to 570 in worship each week; and, we will have baptized 338 new believers and added another 338 people to our church by Letter or Statement!
This morning, as we stand at the threshold of this amazing journey, I want to provide you with biblical answers to the three most vitally important questions we face about the 2020 Vision: “Why”; “How”; and “Why Now?”
Why? Because of Four Relevant Realities:
The COMMANDS from Above!
Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 14:23;
John 15:16; John 20:21
The CRIES from Below!
Luke 16:19-28
The CONDITIONS Around Us!
Revelation 22:14-15
The COMPASSION Within Us!
Matthew 9:35-38
How? By Renewing Three Commitments:
Renewed Commitment to our Individual Spiritual Growth
TALK to God Luke 18:1
LISTEN to God 2nd Timothy 2:15
OBEY God James 1:22; 4:17
SERVE God Matthew 20:28
Renewed Commitment to our Corporate Spiritual Growth
MEET with One Another Acts 2:42-47
MINISTER to One Another Hebrews 10:23-25
MENTOR One Another Proverbs 27:17
MULTIPLY MEMBERS Who Meet with, Minister to, and Mentor one Another 2nd Timothy 2:2
Renewed Commitment to our Numerical and Financial Growth
BEGINNING Relationships with New People
BUILDING Relationships with New people
Bringing New People to CHRIST
Bringing New People to CHURCH
Why Now? At least three great reasons:
Why us? Because we’re the Right FOLK!
Why here? Because we have the Right FACILITIES!
Why now? Because we do not know the FUTURE!
God has given us a great vision of what we can accomplish for Him through the ministry of our Church. I hope you will join me in praying for this vision to become a reality; and participating in the thousands of things we will have to do to see this come to pass. God bless you!
If the Lord allows us to reach this lofty goal, at the end of this coming decade we will have grown from 90 to 350 in Sunday School each week; from 140 to 570 in worship each week; and, we will have baptized 338 new believers and added another 338 people to our church by Letter or Statement!
This morning, as we stand at the threshold of this amazing journey, I want to provide you with biblical answers to the three most vitally important questions we face about the 2020 Vision: “Why”; “How”; and “Why Now?”
Why? Because of Four Relevant Realities:
The COMMANDS from Above!
Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 14:23;
John 15:16; John 20:21
The CRIES from Below!
Luke 16:19-28
The CONDITIONS Around Us!
Revelation 22:14-15
The COMPASSION Within Us!
Matthew 9:35-38
How? By Renewing Three Commitments:
Renewed Commitment to our Individual Spiritual Growth
TALK to God Luke 18:1
LISTEN to God 2nd Timothy 2:15
OBEY God James 1:22; 4:17
SERVE God Matthew 20:28
Renewed Commitment to our Corporate Spiritual Growth
MEET with One Another Acts 2:42-47
MINISTER to One Another Hebrews 10:23-25
MENTOR One Another Proverbs 27:17
MULTIPLY MEMBERS Who Meet with, Minister to, and Mentor one Another 2nd Timothy 2:2
Renewed Commitment to our Numerical and Financial Growth
BEGINNING Relationships with New People
BUILDING Relationships with New people
Bringing New People to CHRIST
Bringing New People to CHURCH
Why Now? At least three great reasons:
Why us? Because we’re the Right FOLK!
Why here? Because we have the Right FACILITIES!
Why now? Because we do not know the FUTURE!
God has given us a great vision of what we can accomplish for Him through the ministry of our Church. I hope you will join me in praying for this vision to become a reality; and participating in the thousands of things we will have to do to see this come to pass. God bless you!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
It's Wednesday, but Sunday's Coming!
On this cool December Wednesday, I am thinking about Sunday! No surprise there! Hopefully, every Lord’s Day and Sunday Sermon is important to your life; but, there are a few things that I believe will make this one special:
First, as it is the last Sunday of December, we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper together! This is always a beautiful and deeply spiritual time for believers as we examine ourselves, repent of sins, and come to the Lord’s Table with a renewed and refreshed walk with Him.
Second, I will be preaching an, “end of year” sermon about how we are currently doing in light of the vision God has given us for ministry in our area. I believe all of us will need to consider carefully this biblical message on what the Lord is calling us to be and to do as we serve Him.
Finally, we are in for a musical treat, (as usual)! Bill Fleming is feeling much better and he and his family will be worshipping the Lord and serving us through the songs that they had prepared for last week’s Christmas Musical.
I hope to see you Sunday with a smile on your face, your Bible in your hand, and family and friends by your side!
First, as it is the last Sunday of December, we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper together! This is always a beautiful and deeply spiritual time for believers as we examine ourselves, repent of sins, and come to the Lord’s Table with a renewed and refreshed walk with Him.
Second, I will be preaching an, “end of year” sermon about how we are currently doing in light of the vision God has given us for ministry in our area. I believe all of us will need to consider carefully this biblical message on what the Lord is calling us to be and to do as we serve Him.
Finally, we are in for a musical treat, (as usual)! Bill Fleming is feeling much better and he and his family will be worshipping the Lord and serving us through the songs that they had prepared for last week’s Christmas Musical.
I hope to see you Sunday with a smile on your face, your Bible in your hand, and family and friends by your side!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Pastor Lanny's Schedule Changes!
Beloved Ones,
I am sorry for any confusion these changes may cause, but the “Second Shift” Schedule I have worked for the last two months is not working well.
Starting today, (12-1) I will be on the field on Tuesdays through Fridays from 9am to 5pm, and I will be available at other times as needed. I will be taking Monday as my day off. I will be present each week at AWANA to help as needed.
I will be making Member and Prospect visits on two Saturdays each month during daylight hours!
Hopefully, this will be more convenient for you and more efficient for me. I am available at any time for emergencies. God bless you.
I am sorry for any confusion these changes may cause, but the “Second Shift” Schedule I have worked for the last two months is not working well.
Starting today, (12-1) I will be on the field on Tuesdays through Fridays from 9am to 5pm, and I will be available at other times as needed. I will be taking Monday as my day off. I will be present each week at AWANA to help as needed.
I will be making Member and Prospect visits on two Saturdays each month during daylight hours!
Hopefully, this will be more convenient for you and more efficient for me. I am available at any time for emergencies. God bless you.
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