Servants Of The Word

SERVANTS OF THE WORD

Luke 1:1-4

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR: PEOPLE THINK THEY KNOW THE BIBLE

1. Did you hear the story about the lady who was talking to her friend and brought up the Bible. Her friend said, “Oh don’t start trying to tell to me about the Bible; my parents had me read it every day. I’m practically an expert on it!”

2. “Oh, well then why don’t you come to church with me?

3. Her friend just shook her head. "I haven’t gone in a long time," she said. "Besides, it’s too late for me. I’ve probably already broken all seven commandments."

B. TEXT

1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the Word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. Luke 1:1-4 NIV.

C. THESIS

1. It’s interesting that the “eyewitnesses” of Jesus were also called “servants of the Word.” The word ‘servant’ is the Greek word hyperetes; it’s translated as “servant” in the KJV in Mark 14:54 & John 18:36, and the NIV translators thought this is what Luke meant.

2. This is quite different than the “Enlightenment” movement that entered the seminaries 200 years ago, which promoted the idea that scholarship should doubt the Bible until proven by an outside source. They believed we’re above the Bible and should criticize it. Unbelief was the product and the old line denominations were subverted by it, even while archaeology, new manuscripts, and historical finds ended up proving the Bible was right all along.

3. That’s why you see supposedly Christian “documentaries” that don’t believe what the Bible says – Creation, Noah’s flood, Red Sea crossing, Virgin Birth, miracles of Jesus, His resurrection, etc. They follow the same hissing voice of the serpent heard in the Garden of Eden – “Did God REALLY say…?”

4. BUT INSTEAD, BELIEVERS ARE TO “SERVE” THE WORD OF GOD! Servant defined: 1. a person who performs duties for another; attendant, domestic, steward, vassal. 2. a devoted follower or supporter.

5. WHY SHOULD WE BE “SERVANTS OF THE WORD?”

I. THE WORD OF GOD IS DIVINE/ ETERNAL

A. NOT OF HUMAN ORIGIN

1. It looks like any other book, but it’s not. In Barnes & Noble, it’s thrown in with other books, but it’s not at all like them.

2. The words of this book are ALIVE! “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” Heb. 4:12. Zoe = “alive, active, moving!” They are words with spiritual power behind them. Jesus said, “The words I speak to you, they are spirit and they are life!” (John 6:63).

3. Once spoken, these words race to bring about their fulfillment. “He sends out His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly,” Ps. 147:15. “Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave” 1 Kgs. 8:56. God’s words created the universe – this demonstrates their incredible power! (Heb. 11:3)

B. OF DIVINE ORIGIN

1. These are not the words of a man, a king, or a president, but the words of God. The voice that speaks to us from the Bible is the voice of God.

2. 2 Tim. 3:16 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” “Inspiration” = theopneustos, which means “God-breathed.”

3. In 2 Pet. 1:20-21, Peter says, “knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy NEVER CAME BY THE WILL OF MAN, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” David said, “The Spirit of the Lord spake by me and his words were on my tongue” 2 Sam. 23:2. Amos. 3:8; “The Lord God has spoken; who can but prophesy.”

4. God commands that no one add any words to Scripture, or take away any words from it, or divine judgment will fall on them (Rev.22:19; Prov. 30:6; Deut. 12:32).

5. THE BIBLE – THE ONLY WORD FROM GOD.

a. Many groups claim to have books of revelation from God – they are false! The Book of Mormon, the J.W.’s New World Translation, the none-canonical books, the apocrypha – all fail the tests of true inspiration from God. Nor are the Hindu Vedas or the Muslim Quran from the mouth of God.