Last night was the start of my ninth year of teaching college level Bible classes. \u00a0I truly love these classes, and the excitement that it brings to me to see 10-15 students a semester want to really dive in and challenge themselves to learn more about Scripture is more than I can really describe. I always begin each semester with the same disclaimer: take what you know about a traditional Bible study and throw it out of your mind, because this won’t be like anything you have ever taken. With that we get into our Bible study boat, push off the shore, and launch out into the deep waters of biblical theology. \u00a0Launching into the deep waters is a double-edged sword at times. \u00a0On the one side, you have the excitement and thrill of diving deeper into Scripture than you have ever gone, and learning even more of the glorious truths contained in Scripture. \u00a0On the other side of that however is the realization that the deep waters can be dark making it hard to navigate your way through. \u00a0And so I also always tell the students to make sure they have their life jacket of knowing the Gospel on. \u00a0Because at the end of the day, a clear understanding of some topics isn’t always going to be possible. \u00a0And if we aren’t anchored in our understanding and acceptance of the Gospel, we can find ourselves swept away by difficult doctrines or pushed down by the waves of difficult doctrines. \u00a0As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” \u00a0Paul emphasizes here that the Gospel is the most important thing we need to know, understand, and have a \u00a0firm belief in. \u00a0And though we may not want to admit this, sometimes I sinful, prideful nature gets in the way. \u00a0However, it can mask itself as spiritual curiosity or a desire to be “wise.” \u00a0This can happen when we get bogged down in searching for things in Scripture that may not have a clear answer, or that God has not fully revealed. \u00a0In an effort to show how “spiritually mature” we are we get into debates about the sovereignty of God versus man’s free-will. \u00a0Or we will get caught up in debates on questions such as, do angels have free will? \u00a0Where did the pride in satan come from? \u00a0Are we living in the last days? \u00a0And there are other countless questions like these.<\/p>\n
To be clear, those are all good questions and worthy of our time to prayerfully and humbly study the Scriptures to seek answers on. \u00a0However, they are not worth dividing believers over and they should not consume us so much that we neglect the studying and proclaiming of the Gospel. \u00a0When we anchor ourselves in the Gospel, then it is safe and good for us to launch into the deep. \u00a0Going into the deep waters of faith is where God will truly stretch our faith, and reveal just how truly dependent on Him we are. \u00a0Learning new truths about God strengthens our faith and helps us to fall in love and awe with God a little more. \u00a0And as long as we are studying to know God, obey Him, and make Him known; we will find no greater joy than time spent in His Word.<\/p>\n
I hope you have a great time in reading God’s Word. \u00a0Ask Him to stretch you and your knowledge of Him. \u00a0Share with others what God is showing you. \u00a0But make sure you always come back to the one thing we need the most, the Gospel. \u00a0For it is the power of God unto salvation!<\/p>\n
Pastor Justin<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Last night was the start of my ninth year of teaching college level Bible classes. \u00a0I truly love these classes, and the excitement that it brings to me to see 10-15 students a semester want to really dive in and … Read More