Hello and welcome to the Middletown Baptist Church podcast,
where we are proclaiming the truth to the world.
In this podcast series, we're going to be looking into biblical
words that have great significance to our faith.
The name of this series is called the word of the week, where
once a week we will dive deeper into these words that we are
familiar with in scripture.
So come along with me.
Let's study the word of the week.
Pastor Josh here.
The word of the week is application.
For the last few weeks, we've been looking at two different topics,
the interpretation of scripture and the inspiration of
scripture.
Now, it's important to start with the understanding of inspiration
of scripture.
What does that mean?
That means that the Bible is given to us directly from God.
It is his word.
Second, Timothy 316 says all scripture is given by inspiration
of God.
It means it's God breathed.
God directly revealed his word to us.
And so therefore, the Bible is not a book written by men.
And we're reminded about that in the New Testament, that this is
not a book come up by the wisdom of men, but the wisdom of
God.
This isn't something that can be changed or adjusted.
This is directly from God to us.
His teachings, his thoughts, his desires, his story.
And so when we look at that from the starting place, we understand
that there is no negotiation.
There is no twisting or adjusting needed to scripture.
But there is an important element of interpretation, right?
I can look at a passage and someone else can look at a passage
and interpret those two passages differently.
And so it's important to look into what the Bible actually says
about that.
The Bible says in two Timothy, chapter two, to rightly divide the
word of truth.
Okay?
So that means to rightly or properly dissect it, properly interpret
it.
And so, as a believer, as I'm reading the word of God, the Holy
Spirit is revealing to me the truth.
And that's the most important element of interpretation, is that
we have the Holy Spirit indwelling our hearts, the holy spirit
illuminating our minds.
And then the next step would be to understand the context.
A context is key.
We have to read the passages of scripture that come before.
We have to read the passages of scripture that come after.
Really, it does help to know all of scripture, to understand where
this truth falls into the line of the whole story of goddess.
Sometimes we think of the Bible as segmented passages that
are not related to each other.
But the Bible itself is one ultimate thought.
It is the story of God.
It was the story of the redemption of mankind and the gift
of the gospel.
So from Genesis to revelation.
It's important to know the whole story because we can get tricked
into thinking that there are contradictions.
We can get tricked into thinking that there are opportunities
for latitude when it comes to interpretation.
You know, for example, we could say, well, this new testament
passage, what it's plainly teaching is not for us today because
we know that their culture was different.
But if we take that line of thinking, we can get to a place in
our life where we can basically explain away any teaching
in scripture.
And so, yes, we do take into account the context, but the context
doesn't change the meaning.
It just helps us understand in a fuller way what the Lord is trying
to tell us.
And so we look at context.
We interpret scriptures biblically.
What does that mean?
Well, we use the Bible to critique itself.
We use the Bible to not critique it.
But let's say this way, we use the Bible to comment on itself.
And so we look at what this passage of scripture says, and then
we look at what other passages of scripture have to say about that.
And so there's an element of faith there.
There's an element of faith to say, you know what?
The word of God is the word of God, and I believe it and I trust
it.
So there is that understanding of inspiration.
There's that understanding of interpretation.
And I would say another element of interpretation is just
to read the passage plainly, to not over allegorize or over symbolize
a passage that doesn't need to be.
Now, we can tell by context that there are some passages of scripture
that are of symbolic, are allegorical, but usually through
context, we understand that.
And so I used the example last week when the Bible says, my God
is a rock.
God is not a literal rock.
But we know that that's speaking to the understanding of
symbolically.
God is strong.
He is the foundation.
And so we look at the interpretation and we believe in
that.
Then we take the next step of, of this process, and that would be
application.
So it goes, inspiration, interpretation, application.
Our application is based on what we interpret on the inspiration.
So we have to believe that it's inspired by God.
We have to believe that it's from him directly.
Then we have to interpret it properly, and then we can apply it
and live it out properly.
The verse that I think of, when I think of this concept is James
chapter one.
James chapter one, verse 22.
James chapter one, verse 22, tells us that we can hear the word
and possibly even believe that it's true.
But we can get to a place in our life where we are not applying
that to our life.
So we hear it, but we don't live it.
We hear it, but we don't obey it.
So James 122 says, but be doers of the word and not hearers,
only deceiving your own selves.
So the Bible says here that we can actually deceive ourselves by
hearing the word and possibly even agreeing with it, understanding
that it's inspired by God, properly interpreting it but not
applying it.
And so the issue would be here is that we get a head knowledge of
the truth of God, but the heart knowledge isn't connected,
and therefore it's not applied.
And so it says here, if we are a hearer alone and not a doer, we
deceive ourselves.
Now, we're always very cautious about other people deceiving
us.
But what the Bible actually says here is that we can deceive
ourselves.
And he goes on to say in verse 23, for if any man, or, excuse me,
for if any, be a hearer of the word.
So if a person is a hearer of the word but not a doer, he is like
unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass or a mirror.
He likens someone reading the Bible to seeing their face in the
mirror.
And then it says, for he beholdeth himself and then goeth
his way and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he
was.
So he likens someone who hears the Bible preached, reads it for
themselves, and then just goes away and doesn't obey.
He looks at himself and goes away and forgets what he was like.
So I always had to explain to me this way, I could get in front
of the mirror and I could see all these things wrong with me.
I need to wipe this, I need to change this, I need to clean this.
But then I just see it and then I go the opposite direction.
I don't change anything.
He goes on to say in verse 25, but whosoever looketh into the perfect
law of liberty and continueth therein, he be not a forgetful hearer,
but a doer of the work.
This man shall be blessed in his deed.
And so the Bible actually says, the blessing comes from the
application.
The blessing comes from hearing and heeding the word of God
and applying the word of God.
And so we can see here that the Bible is highlighting here in
James chapter one, the issue of hypocrisy.
So let's put this to practicality.
Today in our world, you can sit inside of a building and hear
the preaching of the word and say amen, and agree and believe it
is the word of God.
And have it properly given to you and you properly understand it.
But yet there's a disconnect because there's no application.
It doesn't get ahold of your heart.
The Bible says that the word of God is a convicter.
And really, we know ultimately, through the word of God,
the conviction comes through the Holy SpirIt that's living within
you.
Remember, that's the first step, is having the Holy Spirit indwelling
you.
But to be a hearer of the word is a good thing, but it's not a complete
matter unless we get to the place where it says here that we
are a doer as well.
And so application matters.
And so I would encourage you, as you are studying the word of God,
as you are listening to podcasts, as you are listening to
YouTube videos, or actually sitting in church and listening to
preaching and teaching, first of all, I would encourage you to
believe, number one, that what is being taught from the word is
the literal word of God.
It is the literal commands from God, the literal teachings from
God.
But then also, I would have you inspect, be a berean and see
if the message that you are reading or that you are hearing from
a pastor or from a teacher is coming in context, interpreted properly.
Check it yourself.
If a teacher or a preacher does not encourage you to check it
for yourself, there is a warning there that's a red flag.
I always encourage you to check the word of God and see if
what I'm saying is matching up to everything else.
And so once you get past that first step and that second step,
that third step is sometimes the biggest challenge.
Actually, applying that second Timothy 215 reminded us that we need
to study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman.
Okay, so this takes work.
This takes diligence.
And so we are to apply this to our life.
Another passage of scripture in the book of proverbs that kind
of reminds us about this is proverbs 20 217.
You can cross reference this principle here in proverbs, chapter
22, verse 17.
And I think this is important for us to remember.
It says, bow down thine ear.
That's like, basically, listen and hear the words of the wise.
So we hear the wisdom of God.
We hear the preaching of the word of God.
And then it doesn't stop there, though.
It says, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
And so there's this understanding here of hearing and
applying.
So if we go back to James chapter one, verses 22 on there,
we see that there is this challenge to not be hypocritical
in what we say, by, you know what?
I agree.
But actually prove that, demonstrate that by how we act.
So what we believe about God matters, what we believe about his
word matters, but also how we respond to his word matters.
So I would encourage you to think about that when you are studying
the word.
And I encourage you to study the word that's so, so important.
The word of God is swift.
It's alive, as the Bible says.
And I'll actually take you to that passage, because I think this
is so important for us to see as well.
It's in the book of Hebrews, and it's describing the power of
the word.
Hebrews, chapter four, verse twelve.
It says, for the word of God is quick.
And that doesn't mean that it's fast.
It means that it's alive.
The word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two
edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul
and spirit and of the joints and marrow.
It is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
So the Bible here tells us that the word of God is alive.
It's a convicter.
It's something that challenges us.
And we saw that in two Timothy, chapter three.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction and righteousness.
So we see that there is this challenge from scripture.
It's not just there for us to agree with.
It's there for us to change.
It's there for us to be confirmed.
It's there for us to be to a place where we are challenged and
convicted in where we are at.
We're not supposed to stay where we are.
We're supposed to move to a more Christ like path in our life.
So I would encourage you to apply the truths that you are learning,
and we're not going to be perfect in that.
And God has patience and grace and forgiveness in our lives.
But that doesn't give us an excuse to just avoid the word.
It actually is all the more reason why we should strive in the
power of God to read his word, study his word, meditate upon his
word, and then get to a place in our life where we actually live
out his word, living it boldly before the world.
Matthew, chapter five, tells us to let our light so shine before
Menta, that they may say our good works and glorify our Father,
which is in heaven.
So it's not to live for ourselves so that we can have people
tell us that we're really spiritual and that we are good christians.
No, it's so that people can see Jesus in us, and so we are, as
christians, the light that people can see in the truth of Jesus
Christ.
And so Jesus is the source of that light.
We reflect that light, but how we live our life matters.
And so I would encourage you to think about that idea of applications.
Don't just be a hearer of the word.
That's the first step.
You can't be a doer unless you're a hearer.
So.
So I'm not preaching against or teaching against listening to
the word of God.
That's actually something that you need to do more and more.
Fill your life with the word.
Listen to different preachers and make sure that the ones you're
listening to are aligning with the truth of God.
Okay?
Make sure you find good, solid, biblically based, contextual
pastors and teachers that are performing the hermeneutic task of
exegesis, pulling the truth out of the text and not putting in
a truth into the text.
But when you get to that place where you're hearing good, solid
teaching and you're studying the word for yourself and you're
gaining that knowledge, take it on that next step of applying
that knowledge to wisdom.
And that wisdom is the application of that knowledge.
And so heed the word of God, believe the word of God, trust in
the word of God.
Then I would say, lastly, live the word of God.
And so that will conclude our three part series on looking at the
inspiration of scripture, the interpretation of scripture, and
the application of scripture.
I hope this study has been beneficial for you.
We'll come back next week with another word of the week, and we
are looking forward to continuing to grow in our understanding
of what God's word has to say about our everyday lives and ultimately
our eternal hope with him in heaven one day.
Well, we look forward to hearing from you.
If you have any questions or thoughts or suggestions about what
we should study next, please contact us at our website, nbcpodcast.org.
or you can email me at joshmissaro middletownbaptistchurch.org
dot.
Well, God bless you.
Have a wonderful week.
We will talk to you soon.
Hey, I really appreciate that you listened to the word of the week
podcast.
If you have any questions about the podcast or about our church,
Middleton Baptist Church, you can find more information about us
on Facebook or YouTube, or you can find the podcast on nbcpodcast.org
dot.
You can contact me directly@joshmissaroittletownbaptistchurch.org dot.
Stay tuned for future word of the week episodes where we dive deeper
into words that impact our life according to scripture.
Thank you so much.
God bless.
We'll talk to you soon.