A United Methodist Pastor's Theological Reflections

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory (nikos) through our Lord Jesus Christ." - I Corinthians 15:57


Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Sunday Worship Scripture Commentary - September 29


September 29 Sermon – “Have You Read It for Yourself?”

II Timothy 3:10-17
Unlike the other letters of the Apostle Paul which are addressed to whole churches, the Pastoral Letters were written to specific individuals including Timothy and Titus. In our
II Timothy reading for today, Paul reminds young Timothy that all scripture is inspired by God.

The key word in this passage is “inspired.” It literally means, “God breathed.” The scriptures are alive because God has breathed life into them. The word, “inspired” is probably not the best word to use since it doesn’t convey the deeper meaning that God has breathed life into the scriptures.

What can the scriptures do for us?
1) V. 15 – It can make us wise not merely in terms of factual knowledge but living according to God’s purposes.
2) V. 16 – It can teach and rebuke us. Rebuke is a negative word but the scriptures do help us to live the way God wants us to live.
3) V. 16 – For correction (improvement)
4) V. 16 – Train you in righteousness. Righteousness is a combination of God’s goodness and justice.

The result of all of the above is to make us complete (V. 17.) This means that we will live out who God created us to be.

Matthew 7:24-29
In today's Gospel reading from Matthew, Jesus concludes his teachings on the Sermon on the Mount with a short parable about a storm where one house is able to remain standing and the other house falls down. By obeying God's Word, we will be able to stand against any storm.

Matthew’s Gospel is divided into five sections reminding us of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament to show that Jesus is the new Moses and even greater than Moses!

The Sermon on the Mount reminds us of Moses on Mt. Sinai.

The parable of the two houses are a warning that we need to obey God’s Word so that we can withstand the storms of life.

“Built on a rock” was referring to the Temple which had been built on a rock. Instead of the rock being the Temple, Jesus will build his church on the confession of faith (Peter.)

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