The Living Word: From Scripture To Spirit-Powered Witness Series

The Living Word: From Scripture to Spirit-Powered Witness

Introduction:

Today, we are diving into three powerful passages that reveal the true nature and purpose of God’s Word: John 5:39-40, Luke 24:27, and Acts 1:8. Each of these Scriptures offers profound insight into how we are to engage with the Bible, and ultimately, how we are to live out its truths in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus made it clear that the Scriptures are not just ancient texts to be studied for knowledge's sake—they point us to Him, the Living Word. The Bible is a transformative guide that leads us into a deeper relationship with God and empowers us to be His witnesses in the world. Let’s explore this more deeply through three key points: Seeking Christ in the Scriptures, Understanding the Fulfillment of Prophecy, and Living as Spirit-Empowered Witnesses.

I. Seeking Christ in the Scriptures

John 5:39-40 (NLT) records Jesus saying to the religious leaders: “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.”

These religious leaders diligently studied the Scriptures, yet missed the central message—the Scriptures point to Christ! The Greek word for “search” here is eraunao, meaning to examine or investigate thoroughly. They were meticulous in their study but failed to recognize that the purpose of the Scriptures was to lead them to Jesus.

Jesus addressed the Jewish leaders who prided themselves on their knowledge of the Torah, but their study had become disconnected from the heart of God’s revelation—His Son. They knew the letter of the law but missed the Spirit behind it. The Scriptures are a witness to Christ, the Living Word, and their ultimate purpose is to bring us into a relationship with Him.

In our own study of the Bible, we must be careful not to fall into the same trap. Our goal is not merely to accumulate knowledge but to encounter Jesus. When we open our Bibles, we should be seeking to know Him more deeply and to experience the life He offers.

2 Timothy 3:15 (NLT): “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 Jesus.”

Paul highlights that the Scriptures lead to salvation through faith in Christ, emphasizing the centrality of Jesus in the Bible.

Luke 24:44 (NLT): “Then he said, ‘When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.’”

Jesus explains that all of the Scriptures are ultimately about Him, affirming the need to seek Christ as the fulfilment of God’s Word.

Pastor John Piper emphasizes, “The Bible is not a book for the merely curious. It is a book for the desperately hungry for God.” Our study of the Bible should always be driven by a desire to encounter God, not just to satisfy intellectual curiosity.

II. Understanding the Fulfillment of Prophecy

Luke 24:27 (NLT) describes a moment after Jesus’ resurrection: “Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”

Here, we find the resurrected Christ walking with two disciples on the road to Emmaus, opening their eyes to how all of Scripture points to Him. The Greek word for "explaining" is diermeneuo, which means to interpret or expound thoroughly. Jesus took the time to show them that He was the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies.

This moment reveals how all of Scripture—both the Law and the Prophets—finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. From Genesis to Malachi, the Bible points forward to Jesus’ coming, His death, and His resurrection. The Old Testament isn’t just a collection of stories; it’s a narrative that builds toward the arrival of the Messiah.

Matthew 5:17 (NLT): “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.”

Jesus clarifies that His coming fulfills the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament, not to abolish but to complete them.

Isaiah 53:5 (NLT): “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.”

Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in Christ’s suffering, demonstrating how Old Testament prophecies point to Jesus.

As we read the Bible, we should be mindful of how the Old and New Testaments are connected. The entire Bible tells a unified story of redemption, with Jesus at its centre. This understanding deepens our appreciation of the Scriptures and strengthens our faith in God’s sovereign plan.