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Phone: (312) 626 6799
Meeting ID: 824 3854 1089
Announcements
- Sunday Night Prayer – 5:00 PM.
- Thursday Night – Open Table – 5:00 PM.
- Friday Meetup – Hybrid @ 6:00 PM.
Giving
(10) “Bring the full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this way,” says the LORD of Armies. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure. (11) “I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not ruin the produce of your land and your vine in your field will not fail to produce fruit,” says the LORD of Armies.
– Malachi 3:10-11 CSB
The Benefits of the Word
What is the payoff for paying attention to God’s word and living our lives according to it? We are going to take a look at the benefits that Scripture provides us. The word makes a promise, affects our personality, is profitable, helps set our priorities, and more…
We previously looked at the Authority and Power of the Word. It showed us how we should live, the mission that we are on, the foundation on which to build our lives to be transformed, and how we are judged by that very same word.
Let’s take a look at how God’s word benefits us.
Proclamation and Promise
As Joshua was taking over the journey to lead Israel into the promised land the Lord spoke to him. He gave him instruction to be strong and courageous and promised to be with Joshua and the people wherever they went.
God gave specific instruction for the book of the law or instruction.
(8) “This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.
– Joshua 1:8 CSB
God commanded Joshua to meditate on the book of instruction day and night. Don’t forget about it but remember to talk about it. And even more than think on and talk about it, actually observe and obey it.
If you do this then whatever you do, you will prosper and succeed.
I want to take just a moment to revisit Acts 2. We saw four things that the early disciples devoted themselves to.
- apostles’ teaching
- fellowship
- breaking of bread
- prayer
As I mentioned these, were you checking them off in your head? Yep, I do that and that. Been there done that. But we need to read a little further.
(42) They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. (43) Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. (44) Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. (45) They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. (46) Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, (47) praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
– Acts 2:42-47 CSB
We look and can easily check these off our list, but are we doing them daily? We like the results the early church had (minus the martyrdom). But do we like what they were really doing? They were living life on life, life in community, and life on mission.
Every day they devoted themselves to their private spiritual disciplines… Is that what it says? No! Everyday they devoted themselves to watching their favorite shows, social media, YouTube channels… No! Everyday they devoted themselves to family activities and sports… No!
“Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.” They were living as the family of God, every day.
What results are you getting? What are you devoted to? Don’t say amen, just say ouch!
You are not alone… Father lead us to repentance…
