June 4
2 Sam 22:1-23:23 | PS 122:1-9 | Prov 16:19-20 | Acts 2:1-47
How is your working knowledge of Scripture? This does not mean your ability to quote verses or sections, but have you spent so much time in the entirety of Scripture that when conversations arise, when confronted with problems, do portions come to mind to direct you personally or in conversation. Sadly, when anxious, or confronted with health issues, dealing with a difficult child, etc. many do a Google search and allow it to find relevant Scripture. Others might pick up a Christian book or self-help book about the issue. Many wonder why the overwhelming majority of Jewish people don't recognize Jesus as their Messiah. Realize that most in the Jewish faith are secular, as are most who profess to be Christians. Most Orthodox Jews study Talmud, which is written commentary of their oral law, not the Tanakh, which is the Old Testament. At synagogue, they have weekly readings from the Torah (first five books of the Old Testament), and Haftarah which is comprised primarily of the books of the prophets, which are repeated annually. Missing every year is Isaiah 53, Isaiah 61:1-2 (what Jesus read at the synagogue in Nazareth), Micah 5:2 (the Messiah being born in Bethlehem), Isaiah 7:14 (the Virgin birth), Zechariah 9:9 (the Palm Sunday road), Malachi 3:1 (the arrival of Messiah), the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34), etc. But lest we be too harsh on this seemingly purposeful attempt at keeping their people in the dark among the Jewish leaders, are most in Christianity that much different. Most churches barely touch the Old Testament, yet this portion makes up close to 75% of our Bible. Most keep their messages and sermons centered around the gospels and other familiar New Testament portions. Most center their talks on how to be a "good Christian". Is it any surprise that so many in Christian circles are anti-Semitic? Is it surprising that most professing Christians are anemic in their understanding of the things of faith? So many are comfortable remaining in willful ignorance.
Consider Peter's first large public message. This was a fisherman, not a trained scholar, who had spent the last three years of his life under the feet of Jesus. He wasn't told that in three weeks he would be giving a message. There was absolutely no preparation. We read in Acts 2:1-4, "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Notice the word, "suddenly" in verse 2. After the loud noise was heard, a massive crowd gathered and without notice Peter went before and shouted to the crowd the message about the Messiah, but in this message besides giving eyewitness accounts that he personally shared, he also backed up his discussion using the minor prophet, Joel, along with two portions of the Psalms of David. In all we read that 3000 were added to the church that day.
You don't have to worry about quoting Scripture exactly. But you should spend so much time in the entirety of Scripture that you can discuss, paraphrase, utilize familiar and obscure portions. We don't know what we will need when confronted. When the pandemic hit, and the vaccine was pushed, in prayer my wife used a portion of 2 Samuel 24 to confirm her decision not to take it, while I centered on a portion of Psalm 139 also to refuse to take it. This was not done by Google search or by seeking outside counsel, it was done under prayer and meditation upon our Lord. Daily we will be confronted with opportunities to share the gospel with the unknowing world. This is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Each human being is unique. Each encounter is unique. No one wants to hear the chapter and verse that you are speaking from. We simply need to be familiar and accurately paraphrase Scripture so that it can be used. As I have said many times and will say it again, the purpose of the One Year Bible Challenge is not the commentaries, prayers, quotes, messages, etc. These are hopefully helpful, but not essential. The purpose is to get each and every one of you to read through the entirety of God's Word, cover to cover, each and every year. This is not a chore, but a privilege. This is not an adjunct, but an essential, if we are to move forward in this world as ambassadors for Christ.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: