Attitude to the Word
Into the Ancient Texts • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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1 Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel. 2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. 3 Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.
What we have learned abit more now is that the end goal of our bible study is “worship”.
Worship involves the true devotion of my life to God, and valuing him above all else. It begins with what God has done, and the response to that.
Paul captured this beautifully,
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. 2 And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
The NIV puts it beautifully;
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
28 If you cannot worship the Lord in the midst of your responsibilities on Monday, it is not very likely that you were worshiping on Sunday!
A. W. Tozer
Whatever Happened to Worship? (20th century)
A. W. Tozer
This is quite an important thing, that when we say “worship” it is not what we do on Sunday alone when we lift our voice and our hands, it is within everything we do in life, it is the offering of our lives, our work, our time and resources, it is a total devotion to God alone, and this comes from knowing God and all he himself has done.
You cannot worship God in a vacuum. You cannot worship God apart from his revelation.
John F. MacArthur
Hence, the act of the believer are “in view of God’s mercy”. They flow from a proper understanding of God’s mercy and act.
True worship is therefore both the acknowledgment and walking in the knowledge of God and what God has done. We can only give true worship “in view of God’s mercy”.
Hence, my bible study will seek to ground me in the truth of what God has done, and what my response to his act is.
Approaching the word
Approaching the word
It means that since in scripture, is the where I discover God, what he has done and my response to it, bible study cannot be done anyhow, it must come with a high view. “This is a quest to discover God, and all he has done, and our response to thesame”.
Hence, in reading Nehemiah we find two immediate attitude to the word that I will like to mention;
3 Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.
Attention to the word. There was always a careful way of paying attention to the word, whereby I am always careful with the word, I am not in a hurry, neither am I distracted. It is good to do away with distractions when it comes to God’s word, both the learning of it, and the reading of it.
It will reflect itself in giving time to the word, both in listening, reading and meditation on the word. (we will get to how it ties to revelation knowledge soon)
This leads us to HOW the word was approached.
8 So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.
They read distinctly and gave the sense…
That is, they made it free of ambiguity and got to the idea that was intended.
This also reflects attitude to the word. They didn’t try to make it say what they want or their own ideas, they carefully considered the word as it is.
Hence, our framework so far are also reflective of our attitude to the word.
What was the writer’s intent?
What did his audience understand?
They are evidence of a true attitude to the word. The attitude of paying attention to the word, treating it as ultimate and as true, and seeing it as the source of knowing God, what he has done and your response to it.
“MY FIRST ATTITUDE TO THE WORD, IS ATTENTION TO THE WORD”.
20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
The first attitude to the word, is attention to the word. It shows itself in the reading, and interpretation of the word and also, my treatment of where it is taught (that is the church). If my handling of the word of God is wrong, everything we are about to discuss today will not be beneficial to you. The word of God must have first place.
Do I still get excited to go to God’s house to learn his word?
Do I still daily have an attitude of listening to the word of God?
Do I still have an attitude of reading the scriptures?
Do I still have an attitude of meditating on the word of God.
Revelation Knowledge
Revelation Knowledge
Now, to what end is my attention to the word? Head knowledge? No. We started making this distinction last two weeks and we will go over it again today.
The distinction is that whilst we are diligent in reading the scriptures and getting to the intent of the writer and what his audience understood, we aren’t doing it for only head knowledge, we have a goal in mind, and our goal is worship, Jesus made this distinction;
1 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.
“For they say, and do not do”.
That means, knowing about something is not thesame as actually doing it. It is possible for me to have an idea about something, that doesn’t mean I am doing it. The question is why?
10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” 11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
It has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.
Know — γινώσκω (ginōskō): vb. to know, understand, acknowledge. Refers to having knowledge or understanding regarding a subject.
Notice it has been given to you to know… This speaks of a knowledge or understanding that is given, not the one in my mind.
Verse 12; notice, “Whoever has (THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN), more will be given to him”.
Whoever does not have (does not have the KNOWLEDGE OF THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN).
Verse 13;
“Seeing they do not see”, “Hearing they do not hear”, nor do they understand.
It is possible to see and not clearly be seeing what the word says, it is also possible to be hearing something but it doesn’t lead to understanding.
If it doesn’t lead to understanding, it is that I am “seeing” but not “seeing”, I am “hearing” and not “hearing”.
Whilst I cannot come to understanding without seeing and hearing, they become means to understand, the understanding is not “seeing” and “hearing” alone.
Now, the word Understand here is crucial, it is a word that often goes beyond “intellectual mindset”, it is that which happens in the heart.
Understand — Συνίημι (syniēmi) : vb. meaning to "set together" or "understand," but it signifies a deeper comprehension that involves spiritual insight and a willingness to act in accordance with that understanding.
Now this differs greatly from intellectual knowledge. A common word used for intellectual knowledge is;
νοέω (noeō). vb. to grasp, comprehend, understand. Expresses one’s ability to come to a presumably obvious conclusion based on presented data. It emphasizes the act of using one's mind to comprehend or reflect on something.
The difference is quite important, in that, I can come to a conclusion based on the information and data presented, and that is a good attitude to have to the word, but that is not alone.
The understanding Jesus was mentioning here, is one where God’s spirit reveals to us. “It has been given to you to know”.
Let us look at more;
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
Notice something here;
The word understand here is νοέω (noeō) which means, what Paul got by revelation he wrote down so that we could understand (i.e. using our minds to comprehend or reflect on something), but that is not enough. Why?
As we read on, in thesame chapter, he went on to pray for them and in the content of his prayer was;
19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
To know the love of Christ which passes cognitive knowledge of something, it is beyond what I can know in my mind, and head. That is a knowledge that is beyond my mind, or what I could see on my own.
Look at this example;
9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
Notice, whilst we all know to love one another, notice the difference with this church “THEY ARE TAUGHT BY GOD” and therefore, it wasn’t strange that they INDEED loved the brethern in Macedonia.
The difference between the having an idea about something and indeed doing it or walking in it, is that you are “TAUGHT BY GOD”, this is revelation knowledge, this is the voice of God’s spirit from within the text.
“The Spirit of God is the immediate author of true spiritual light. He does not merely suggest new truths, but gives a new sense, opens the eyes of the heart, and enables the soul to see the beauty of those things already revealed in the Word.”
(A Divine and Supernatural Light) - Johnathan Edwards
I can try to know God but I cannot by my mind, I need to know it in my heart. That which God teaches himself, is HOW we do the law of God.
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end. 34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Notice, he said, TEACH ME, O LORD, GIVE ME UNDERSTANDING, and I shall keep your law.
So, why is it that doing the law of God doesn’t come to me naturally? It is because it is God who teaches me to do his law. He opens the eyes of my heart, and enable my soul to see the beauty of those things already revealed in the word.
Is God willing to give this knowledge to everyone?
Is God willing to give this knowledge to everyone?
The answer is yes! Hence it is important to establish this first.
14 For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.
The earth filled with the knowledge of the glory of Yahweh, like the waters covering the sea. God’s plan is for the entire earth to be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, that is God’s plan and God’s will.
Also, you could read Matthew 13:14-15;
This therefore brings us to something vital;
Receiving revelation knowledge
Receiving revelation knowledge
How do we receive revelation knowledge?
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.
Notice, hidden from the wise and prudent.
Who are the wise and prudent?
Who are the wise and prudent?
Let us study the context of this chapter,
16 “But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, 17 and saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not lament.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”
It describes those who rejected John and Jesus, and also their message, in their eyes, they were wise enough to judge John and Jesus, hence, God “hiding” from the wise and prudent shows an attitude they had to both the person and the message. It reflects not true wisdom, but wise and intelligent in your own eyes.
Now, they were contrasted with “babes” (vs 25)
Babes — νήπιος -ου, ὁ; (nēpios) : Can refer to a nursing baby or to an older child
It is a word that can be used both in the positive or negative way, but here it is used in the positive like.
This verse, was listed under the definition of;
simple one ⇔ infant — a person exhibiting childlike naivete and credulity; understood as someone characteristic of an infant.
That is, someone who exhibits the characteristics of an infant.
Now, what characteristics of an infact will be in contrast to the “wise and prudent”? Humble, Dependent, and receptive like a child. It is a simple one.
Meaning, the attitude to receive revelation from God is one of simplicity. God reveals to the humble.
See more on this;
130 The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.
Notice again, it gives understanding to the simple. Notice that again, there is a child-like attitude of humilty and receptiveness to have towards God’s word. That is how to receive revelation from God.
It shows itself in a few ways;
I will go to where the word of God is taught.
Notice the text we read, the word entrance there is the word that can also mean unfolding. That is, when and where it taught, I am there.
It means, God would work with the words of the preacher, and will use that means to impact his light into our heart.
“God makes use of preaching as His chief means of conveying Himself to the soul. The preacher speaks, but it is God that opens the heart; the words enter the ear, but it is God that gives them entrance into the soul.” — Johnathan Edwards
Hence, an attitude to receive which is one of humilty and simplicity, shows itself in that I am available to be taught God’s word. In the unfolding of the word, God is giving understanding to the simple.
Also, notice in Luke 24:44-45
44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
The opening of their understanding (nous — faculty for discerning spiritual truth), happened as he said to them.
Hence, this is something that comes as God’s word is taught. I have to find myself where it is taught, by that means, God is giving unto me revelation of his word.
I will pray to receive revelation knowledge
9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
Now, when you look at this, Paul knew very well that they could read, but here, he said, there is a consistent prayer (DO NOT CEASE) to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and insight that God’s spirit gives.
Hence, I will give myself to much prayer. An example of this is the man Epaphras;
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
He uses terms like, always, labouring, fervently. They show often, they reflect lengthy, they reflect something done with all of his being.
If you read the verse 13, great zeal for you, in another translation is “working hard” for you. The hard work is seen in labouring in prayer for them.
Prayer therefore also shows my child-like attitude of humility and simplicity to receive the word.
Conclusion
Conclusion
In receiving revelation knowledge, I must have a child-like attitude to the word. it begins with;
1. I pay attention to the word (this will be in my reading and also my meditation on the word).
2. I will go to where the word of God is taught. Why is that? In the cause of the teaching of scriptures, God is using that means to impact his word to the heart of the simple. In the cause of the unfolding of God’s word, understanding is coming to me.
3. I will be given to much prayer to receive revelation knowledge.
Now, in summary, it means, that I will use every opportunity available to me by God, to receive revelation from him.
This is how to receive, it is by my attitude to the word.
