This past Sunday, we were introduced to a new study that will begin on April 8, 2018. This series, titled Created and Called, will be a tour through the narrative sections of the first five books of the Bible. This study will anchor us in everything that comes after these first five books of scripture. These books prepare us for the coming of Jesus. It is important for all believers to wrestle with and grasp the truth taught in these books.
In this study, we will examine the revelation of God about marriage, sexuality, gender, the identity and roles of man and woman, work, the origin and nature of sin, the character of God, rebellion and pride, God’s wrath, and forgiveness and salvation. As we go through this study, we will need to remind ourselves that we are the people of God who were made saints by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We serve a God who is sovereign, all powerful, and all loving. We will embrace this study by faith, trusting the word and character of God.
We looked at Hebrews 11:1-29 as a part of this introduction because this chapter, commonly referred to as the faith chapter of the new testament, address the book of Genesis. Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith it is impossible to please God. Jeff reminded us that it is by faith that we approach God and scripture.
There are four challenges for us to consider as we look at the overview because of what we consume in our culture where this teaching is concerned. First, speculation is endless and faith is needed. Just as Paul told Timothy (1 Timothy 1:3-4) to keep the main thing, the main thing, we need to do the same. There will be people who drift off to pursue speculations, but we need to remember these speculations are empty. Not only that, they do not reveal the plan of God which operates by faith.
Second, there is a very real possibility in our culture that even Christians can be led astray by false ideas. In 1 Timothy 6:20-21, Paul writes that Timothy needs to guard what has been entrusted to him, avoiding irreverent and empty speech and contradictions from what is falsely called knowledge because some people have departed from the faith when hearing it.
Third, there is a danger of cultural peer pressure. In Galatians 2:11, Peter and Paul went head to head because Peter caved to peer pressure. We are saved by grace so don’t cave into to cultural peer pressure. Believe what the word of God reveals and stand on grace. Last, we need to remember that the source of misleading ideas is Satan, just as in the garden of Eden.
If you haven’t listened to the message, go here so that you can hear for yourself a synopsis of each book, the authorship of these five books unpacked, and an explanation of how the Bible speaks of the events, people, and places of this portion of scripture in terms that clearly indicate that they were intended to be understood as real.
As we embark on this study, just like the apostles said to Jesus in Luke 17:5, we should pray that our faith would be increased. We should also watch how as our faith is increased, we are mobilized to trust and live a joyful life of obedience, sharing our faith with anyone who will listen.