Gtcotr/ss060417
Acts 17 NLT
11 And the people of Berea
were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to
Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and
Silas were teaching the truth.
12 As a result, many Jews
believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.
It is very important for every Believer to
choose a Bible translation which is both understandable and scholarly. Not all
Bibles are the same. Some Bibles are not intended to be translations of
manuscripts or early writings but are rather personal commentaries or at best doctrinally
slanted paraphrases of the Holy Scriptures.
This
may seem like a small thing but I assure you not every book contains the Word of
God as He intended just because it has “Bible” on the cover. Even when it comes
to accurately translated study Bibles, marginal notes can at times weigh
heavily and even sway the reader’s notion towards the beliefs of the one making
the notes. This is helpful and good when the notes are based on a scholarly
exegeting of the scripture but not always so helpful when the commentator has a
personal point or church doctrine to defend.
Without
going into any specifics which would only serve to tear down some other person’s
or denomination’s beliefs, allow me to simply encourage you to be studious in
your approach to the Word of God and check out your thoughts and beliefs with a
credible, tested, tried and true translation of the Bible. Don’t lay the
foundation of your faith on a paraphrase or a commentary or even on a good
sermon which you have not vetted by the good Word God. The Bible only tells one
story, the story of redemption. No one verse can be interpreted outside of that
one story.
That
being said, there are several ways which are openly available to check out any
scripture or principle you may wish to make certain. The internet holds a vast
supply of translations and study aids to insure the lay person gains access to
the truth of the Gospel. If you need help with your studies you can always
contact me or our office.
This
morning we begin a new theme for the month of June. June is a busy and a fruitful
month for our Church. We have in June 2017 at COTR:
·
Summer Camps
·
A Crawfish Boil
·
A Quarterly Fellowship
·
Vacation Bible School
·
Father’s Day
·
An Outreach to the Homeless
With
all that is ongoing at Church this summer I felt led by the Holy Spirit to make
this month’s theme a Focus on the Family. Each
Sunday at 9:30 a.m. we will have an adult Sunday School lesson aimed at
strengthening the family. Sunday School Topics for June
·
Marriage – Sunday June 11th
·
Parenting – Sunday June 18th
·
Money – Sunday June 25th
Today
we are going to read one verse in the Bible and draw a wealth of truth and
direction for our lives and families from that one verse. We will read it in
the Amplified Classic Edition of the Bible. (“The Amplified Bible uses a unique system of punctuation, italics,
references, and synonyms to unlock subtle shades of meaning as found in the
original languages.” Zondervan Publishing/Lockman Foundation)
So,
the Amplified version of the Bible attempts just what the name of the version
suggests … it amplifies. Key words in several scriptures are given amplified
reflection mainly through the use of synonyms. These shades of meanings supply greater
perspective and broadens the reader’s consideration on the subject contained in
that verse.
To
show the difference between the Amplified Bible and a strict translation, let’s
first read the verse from a universally trusted translation, the New King James
Version of the Bible:
Proverbs 28:14 ¶ Happy is
the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into
calamity.
That
little ¶ after the verse number 14 is a designator put there by the translators
to indicate that a new subject or thought begins right here.
A
simple reading of this verse teaches that a person will be happy if they are
always reverent, while a person who does not open his heart in respect to God
will fall into trouble. If we took the scripture apart we would find that the ancient
Hebrew word “ra’rah” for masculine or “ra’ah” for feminine was used by the original writer,
King Solomon in this case, and translated into our English word calamity. This ancient Hebrew word basically means to
be adversely disfavored and become grievously sad because of something you did
or didn’t do. In other words, it is the sadness that comes from not having done
something you know would have made you happy.
That’s all well and good if we have the time to take each
scripture apart and dote on every word and then put it back together into one
intended and complete thought. Either that or else we all must learn ancient
Hebrew and Ancient Greek … but that’s probably not going to happen – yet … God
wants us to all know what can make us enjoy a happier and more fruitful life.
Now,
let’s look at this same verse in the Amplified and conclude today’s message
with some things that you can do to make you have a happy and blessed family.
Proverbs 14 (AMPC – Amplified Classic)
14 Blessed (happy, fortunate,
and to be envied) is the man who reverently and worshipfully fears [the
Lord] at all times [regardless of circumstances], but he who hardens his heart
will fall into calamity.
Blessed,
happy, fortunate and to be envied is the: Man; Woman; Child; and/or Family. Whoever
reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord at all times regardless of the
circumstances, will be blessed, happy, fortunate and is to be envied. We must
realize that the converse is also reflected in this verse. Those who close
their hearts towards God will fall into calamity.
With
the busyness of summer and the demands that will be made on the family, I want
to encourage each of us to do our part for the family.
Men,
I have a question for you. Are you leading your family to reverently and
respectfully and worshipfully trust the Lord at all times regardless of what is
going on in their world or the world around you?
Women,
same question … Are you being the example you need to be to your family?
Remember, we are not raising children, we are raising adults!
Young
person … Perhaps you are the one chosen to turn your family from a sad family
to a happy family. Who knows but that God has chosen you and will give you the
opportunity to change your family or friends by being a better example. Trust
in the Lord at all times … especially when others don’t, won’t or even when
they think your respect for God is strange.
I’m
going to ask each one of you to personally check three things in your life
today and throughout this summer.
1. Your primary focus
a. Are you focused on
what God can do or what others are doing?
b. Are you looking for
the good or focusing on the bad?
2. Your choice of words
a. What are you saying
to yourself and to others about the circumstances and situations you face?
b. What can you say
that will help the situation?
3. Your witness under pressure
a. Check your attitude.
(under pressure)
b. Check your gratitude.
(under pressure)
c. Let the light of
Christ shine in and through your life especially under pressure.
This
is how we and our families can enjoy the summer:
·
Blessed
·
Happy
·
Fortunate
·
To
be Envied
