Ministry Of The Word: Truth, Understanding & Change

A. REVIEW

The Church of the Saviour at Myersville, Maryland was founded by a group of believers whose goal was to establish a New Testament church in this community, one fully engaged in the ministry of "equipping the saints for the work of the ministry."

We concluded our study last week by reminding ourselves that, in order for this communio sanctorum to effectively work toward that goal, two sets of commitments would be required.

1. C.O.S. leadership must be committed:

a. to proclaim the Gospel of the kingdom of God through p __ __ __ __ __ __ __ the Word and the ministration of the s __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ of Communion and Baptism;

b. to provide instruction through the t __ __ __ __ __ __ __ of sound doctrine;

c. to commit our resources to the meeting of people at the points of their n __ __ __ __;

d. to assemble regularly for corporate w __ __ __ __ __ __; and

e. to foster an atmosphere conducive to authentic f __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __.

2. All those who attend C.O.S. must be committed:

a. to l __ __ __ __;

b. to c __ __ __;

c. to w __ __ __ __ __ __;

d. to f __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ together; and

e. to the "one accord" u __ __ __ __ modeled by the first local church in Jerusalem.

Of course, these commitments must be:

1. undertaken by the p __ __ __ __ of the Holy Spirit;

2. exercised under the a __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ of God's Word;

3. strengthened through faithful, fervent p __ __ __ __ __; and

4. dedicated fully to the g __ __ __ __ of God.

B. TEXT

1. This morning we want to examine that which must form the essential core of the local church if it is to be, in fact, "A Community of Faith." That essence is, of course, the W __ __ __ of God.

a. "The word of God reveals the truth of God: His faithfulness, the genuineness and reality of His presence for people. The word of God actualizes salvation. When God comes in His word, then by that token He has turned in love toward people; then He has acted on behalf of people; then He has communicated with people. When God comes in His word, then by that token salvation is there; then people are being healed and situated in the peace, the righteousness, and the life of the Kingdom." -Jacob Firet: Dynamics in Pastoring

b. Hebrews 4:9-13 [ NKJV ]

There remains a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

c. John 17:14-17 [ NKJV ] (Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane:)

"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."

d. Psalm 119:11 [ NKJV ]

Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

e. Psalm 119:105 [ NKJV ]

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

f. 2 Timothy 3:14-17 [ NLT ]

You must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know that they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.