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Simplest and Best. November 30

Dt 6:1–4

INTRO:

Opening Thanks and humility. When Brother David Called me into his office and asked me to preach this Sunday, the first thing that popped I my head was, “man, I need a new shirt!” I went to Old Navy and bought a new shirt. So I’m ready. Personal Investment in a vision

We spent hundreds of hours preparing this. This is important!!

Love God & Pray - worn knees Read God's Word - New Mind Love your neighbor - Have open arms to do this Have readied feet - Share the good news with others

Why? Because we felt it was a message from God. Worth writing down. Worth making plain. Worth sharing. Text: Habakkuk 2:2, "And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.”

“WRITE IT DOWN” - God’s Message is worth writing down

The prophet, who sees the vision, writes it down, runs with it, and reads it out. You would only etch something worth keeping around a while, down the line. What was being written down was the answer to Habakkuk’s frustration and complaint, in the form of a vision or word from God. Habakuk’s complaint was that God’s people were living without consequences. God said he would use the Chaldeans to punish Israel. Then Habakuk didn’t like that plan, and asked how that’s just. And God said he would eventually remove the Chaldeans, too. Outline

Habakkuk 1-2 - Habakkuk questions God about what he sees as injustice and violence, and questions why God allows it Habakkuk 2:4 - God promises to work and declares that the righteous shall live by his faith… Habakuk 3 - Will tell ya later. Write it down (Katab (כְּת֣וֹב)) because its important, because its worht keeping, because some things are worth writing down

1917 Message - Some messages are worth writing down.

In the film “1917”, In the British trenches, with field telephone lines cut, two young British lance corporals, William Schofield, a veteran of the Somme, and Tom Blake, are ordered by General Erinmore to carry a message to Colonel Mackenzie of the 2nd Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment, calling off a scheduled attack the next morning … It was an important message that needed to be passed on. If it hadn’t people died. If they changed it, people were left confused. If they failed to carry it, the message would stop short. “ Don’t deviate from this”

Word used 226 times in 212 verses in the Old Testament

283 direct quotations from the Hebrew Bible in the New Testament 10 commandments (by the finger of God) Kings were told to have a copy of the law written, on hand and close by, Deuteronomy 17:18 “It is written” at least 80 times in the New Testament - Jesus reverted to what was written when tempted Brief: the Word of God itself has been preserved. 5,400 Early Greek New Testament Manuscripts, from all around the area (multiple continents), with 99% overlap, the variance is commas and maybe a typo between “in” and “through” on nonessential matters. Not a single significant theological content is in that 1%. What you have is reliable. Alot of work done on this. It’s not true that it’s been passed along like telephone. If there’s a way to make this more saucy. As I talked through it, it seems like it is a great thing to say I am taking too long to say it. What is my point? Is it that is important to write some things down. Just giving him random facts. Have a clear point on this port. Everything needs to go back to the purpose of the sermon. Habakuk needed to write something down that depended not just on him, but for those who would come before him.

Optional illustration: Like a tree. Planting a tree under whose shade you will never sit! Why write it down?

Because then it would be accurate Because God wants his Plan made plain Because it’s Easy to get lost So that it gets transferred down the line - This connects with Psalm 102, on why write down God’s Word or make sure it’s tramitted accurately? So that “the next generation” will know (Psalm 102:18)

Historical: “Inscribed” in the Bible Habakkuk had a message so important that He was told to write it down. And God’s Word is written down Are you quotable? Only if you’re quoting Jesus God’s Message to Habakuk and God’s Message to us today must be preserved carefully.

Authority of Scripture: God’s Word are his authority - to disobey them is to disobey God. No other voice. Optional: Brookwood Bible Reading Plan Application (commitment / rhythm)

"MAKE IT PLAIN" - God’s Message is worth Making Plain

God wants His message is worth making loud and clear (2:2, “make it plain”) בָאֵ֖ר ḇā·ʾērʹ - explain Habakuk’s job was not to add to the message. His job was not to take away from the message. It was good enough and stands on its own.

2,600 years later… We still have a sufficient message. Sufficiency of Scripture: God’s Word has everything God intended it to have, enough for salvation, and walking with Him faithfully. There’s nothing missing. 2,600 years later for us..Clarity of Scripture: The Word of God is clear enough to be understood by all who seek Him and read it. Even the simplist of people. No special experts needed.

Habakuk has a complaint to give to God. Scott and I one time debated if that’s a negative thing or positive thing. In the nursing world they stopped using “complaint” for documentation as much because it has a negative tone. Here, it is simply Habakuk complaining. That’s the tone. This is a book centering on a man who complained before God. Why are you slow to act. In your life, you are called to make the message loud In your life, you are called to make the message clear In your life, do you make Jesus Plain to others, plain as day? Plain as writing?

Does our social media page reflect a heart to persuade others towards Christ?

some of my goals. Some things are worth writing down, making clear, and sharing with the world.

Big idea: God has a Word of hope He wants declared faithfully to the whole world through his people.

SHARE IT WITH THE WORLD - God’s Message is worth sharing with the world

God wants his message shared with the world (2:2, “so that he may run who reads ”) “Who reads it” ק֥וֹרֵא qôʹ·rē(ʾ) - call, shout; name, appoint, proclaim, announce; recite, read It means “spread the news!”

Instructions for salvation: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…” (2 Timothy 3:15-17) Necessity of Scripture: God’s Word is necessary for knowing The Gospel and walking with him fully (not for knowing him generally). There’s no other source. God has called you to leave a mark with your life on your neighbor and the nation. You have a message to share with your neighbor and with the nations. We have a message that could echo through all eternity. Illustration: An echo comes back off an original sound… Grand Canyon illustration… tying in with ultimate meaning and value and purpose, comes from old. Attitude: If it seems slow, wait for it” (2:3)

Habakuk is still to share the Word of God to those around him - even if it’s not the word he would’ve written.

Mark my word. My justice will happen. My word is true. If I say Optional:

The love of God has been inscribed into the universe for all to see. He put a mark in Jesus’ side; Love was etched into flesh.

Application

“Mark it down”: We Need To Leave An Accurate Impression of God’s Word

God wants replication of His Word more than he wants new ideas

“Make it plain”: We need to leave a clear impression of His Word and words

"Do It My Way” - Clear Instructions (Lego example… I need a master doc)

"THIS ISN’T THE MESSAGE I WOULD’VE SHARED.” It’s not your message, it’s God message. It’s not your message to change or alter. You are the messenger. Share God’s Message and make it plain to others. “If it seems slow, wait for it”

Example: told clearly to make disciples “Make disciples”. Well that seems slow! Wait for it. Other examples in scripture. Optional: The coming of the lord Jesus. Don’t let people forget about this. Don’t think that because it’s taking a while, he’s sleeping. at times the revelation of the command takes longer than the command itself. It doesn’t seem fair (1:13)

The major theme of Habakkuk is trying to grow from a faith of perplexity and doubt to the height of absolute trust in God. I don’t understand. BUT I WILL TRUST YOUR WORD. I don’t always see it. THIS ISN’T THE MESSAGE I WOULD’VE SHARED. From God - your complaints and your messages are at times short sighted. But it is the purposes of the lord that stand, etched into his Word (vs your own opinions)

“So that he may run who reads it” : We need to leave a lasting impression, only by His Word

Move from complaint to compliance. Habakuk does. He gives his complaint and listens to God. Both. Possible Application: Sharing Scripture with other Do we write evangelistic letters to the lost or the broken? God has called you to leave a mark with your life on your neighbor and the nation. You have a message to share with your neighbor and with the nations. We have a message that could echo through all eternity.

A Messenger and a Message

A Messenger, a Message, and

A Marking, a Message, and a Messenger: God’s call on Habakuk

Habakuk,

CLOSING

Tone: Trust and faith

In the final chapter of Habakuk, he responds with a prayer, and a hymn, saying

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,     and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails,     and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields,     and the cattle barns are empty, 18  yet I will rejoice in the Lord!     I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 19  The Sovereign Lord is my strength!     He makes me as surefooted as a deer,[f]     able to tread upon the heights.

The greatest message you can share is the message about Christ in you… To Whom are You, in Your Life,

- Writing Down God’s Message

- Making Plain God’s Message

- Getting God’s Message out to the Whole World

Servants share the message they’ve been given (Matthew 28:19-20). May that be a challenge we do together for 2024.