Comments on: What Does It Mean “to Me”? http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/02/what-does-it-mean-to-me/ A Ministry of Shepherds' Fellowship Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:54:00 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Curtis Kellam http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/02/what-does-it-mean-to-me/comment-page-1/#comment-150328 Curtis Kellam Sun, 22 Jun 2008 13:56:03 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/02/what-does-it-mean-to-me/#comment-150328 As long as the Holy Spirit is in you and your desire is the sincere knowledge of the truth of God's word so you can live a life pleasing to God, you will never be led astray by mere mortals. The Holy Spirit is the one who convicted us of our sins and caused us to turn to Christ. This same Holy Spirit is the one who will keep us unto the day of redemption--the eminent return of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the one who teaches, leads, and guides us into all truth. 1 Co 2:1-16 explains: [1] And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. [2] For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. [3] And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. [4] And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: [5] That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. [6] Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: [7] But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: [8] Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. [9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. [10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. [11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. [13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. [14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. [15] But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. [16] For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. As long as the Holy Spirit is in you and your desire is the sincere knowledge of the truth of God’s word so you can live a life pleasing to God, you will never be led astray by mere mortals. The Holy Spirit is the one who convicted us of our sins and caused us to turn to Christ. This same Holy Spirit is the one who will keep us unto the day of redemption–the eminent return of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the one who teaches, leads, and guides us into all truth. 1 Co 2:1-16 explains:

[1] And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
[2] For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
[3] And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
[4] And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
[5] That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
[6] Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
[7] But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
[8] Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
[9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
[10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
[11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
[12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
[13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
[14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
[15] But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
[16] For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

]]> By: Harry http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/02/what-does-it-mean-to-me/comment-page-1/#comment-140184 Harry Sat, 07 Jun 2008 00:39:05 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/02/what-does-it-mean-to-me/#comment-140184 I like the way MacArthur puts it: "Practical insights, gimmicks, and illustrations don't mean much if they're not attached to divine principles (doctrine)." I am much more apt to apply a Christian perspective and resist temptation and fall prey to sin if, when I'm tempted, I think about the doctrinal reasons why my behavior should be godly as compared to un-godly. This, in short-order, is how I best am able to actually apply Scripture in a way that works itself out. I like the way MacArthur puts it: “Practical insights, gimmicks, and illustrations don’t mean much if they’re not attached to divine principles (doctrine).” I am much more apt to apply a Christian perspective and resist temptation and fall prey to sin if, when I’m tempted, I think about the doctrinal reasons why my behavior should be godly as compared to un-godly. This, in short-order, is how I best am able to actually apply Scripture in a way that works itself out.

]]> By: Kim in ON http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/02/what-does-it-mean-to-me/comment-page-1/#comment-138299 Kim in ON Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:25:02 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/02/what-does-it-mean-to-me/#comment-138299 I find tdhat so many "women's" bible studies focus more on the "practical" without uncovering the larger doctrinal foundation. The proliferation of psychology as opposed to doctrine in the pages of literature directed to women is truly alarming. The more my doctrinal foundations are secure, the more content I become in the will of God. I find tdhat so many “women’s” bible studies focus more on the “practical” without uncovering the larger doctrinal foundation. The proliferation of psychology as opposed to doctrine in the pages of literature directed to women is truly alarming.

The more my doctrinal foundations are secure, the more content I become in the will of God.

]]> By: Douglas K. Adu-Boahen http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/02/what-does-it-mean-to-me/comment-page-1/#comment-138071 Douglas K. Adu-Boahen Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:48:19 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/02/what-does-it-mean-to-me/#comment-138071 At 17, I should be prone to asking such a question, however the more one looks at it, the more absurd it shows itself to be. If this is a word of an inerrant God, then why should the meaning of that text be derived devoid of that God? Just some food for thought... At 17, I should be prone to asking such a question, however the more one looks at it, the more absurd it shows itself to be. If this is a word of an inerrant God, then why should the meaning of that text be derived devoid of that God?

Just some food for thought…

]]> By: James http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/02/what-does-it-mean-to-me/comment-page-1/#comment-138033 James Mon, 02 Jun 2008 22:33:31 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/02/what-does-it-mean-to-me/#comment-138033 "We don’t make the Bible relevant; it is inherently so, simply because it is God’s Word." AMEN! “We don’t make the Bible relevant; it is inherently so, simply because it is God’s Word.”

AMEN!

]]> By: Chris http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/02/what-does-it-mean-to-me/comment-page-1/#comment-137846 Chris Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:53:54 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/02/what-does-it-mean-to-me/#comment-137846 We recently had two expositional sermons preached at our church and the reactions were dramatic. I loved it and found my thoughts racing in many different directions, my middle son, 16, listened to the sermon for the first time in years. Several others were blessed by it. On the other hand, one lady in the nursery was glad that this preacher wasn't preaching anymore because he preached for almost an hour compared to the usual 35-40 minutes. Another complained about a little preaching desribing sodomy. Still others were upset about the preaching on the Biblical role of women. We're used to having sermons of a length of 30-40 minutes and up to 75% of it being application. Many in our church do not know the word at all even though they have been there many years. Our pastor considers himself an expositor and he does generally preach through a particular book. However, he is much like J. Vernon McGee and while he preaches book by book he does not dig much beyond the surface and his illustrations usually have nothing to do with the Bible. He is a Godly man and I love him but my heart aches for a true expositor. We recently had two expositional sermons preached at our church and the reactions were dramatic. I loved it and found my thoughts racing in many different directions, my middle son, 16, listened to the sermon for the first time in years. Several others were blessed by it. On the other hand, one lady in the nursery was glad that this preacher wasn’t preaching anymore because he preached for almost an hour compared to the usual 35-40 minutes. Another complained about a little preaching desribing sodomy. Still others were upset about the preaching on the Biblical role of women. We’re used to having sermons of a length of 30-40 minutes and up to 75% of it being application. Many in our church do not know the word at all even though they have been there many years. Our pastor considers himself an expositor and he does generally preach through a particular book. However, he is much like J. Vernon McGee and while he preaches book by book he does not dig much beyond the surface and his illustrations usually have nothing to do with the Bible. He is a Godly man and I love him but my heart aches for a true expositor.

]]> By: Steve Scott http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/02/what-does-it-mean-to-me/comment-page-1/#comment-137517 Steve Scott Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:42:30 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/02/what-does-it-mean-to-me/#comment-137517 I'm not as concerned with the people that add "to me" to the meaning of Scripture because they're simply adding their own red flag. I'm more concerned with people who throw out their own personal idea and add, "thus saith the Lord." As for doctrine being theoretical as opposed to practical, it isn't. You're right, sound doctrine is ultimately practical. The problem, I believe, is not with the doctrine, it's with the one presenting the doctrine. Doctrine needs to be applied by the preacher and teacher. The doctrine of the Trinity, for example, can be applied to a wide array of real world examples. Give me a preacher that can do this, anyday. I’m not as concerned with the people that add “to me” to the meaning of Scripture because they’re simply adding their own red flag. I’m more concerned with people who throw out their own personal idea and add, “thus saith the Lord.”

As for doctrine being theoretical as opposed to practical, it isn’t. You’re right, sound doctrine is ultimately practical. The problem, I believe, is not with the doctrine, it’s with the one presenting the doctrine. Doctrine needs to be applied by the preacher and teacher. The doctrine of the Trinity, for example, can be applied to a wide array of real world examples. Give me a preacher that can do this, anyday.

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