Coffee With The Lord

Ever been given an assignment or sent on a mission for which you felt completely unprepared? I remember it happening to me… I protested, presented my argument, but the person hiring me (who happened to be the “boss”) told me, “don’t worry, I’ll teach you and train you how to do it!” And he did – and I’d have to say his preparation, training, and patience have borne fruit in everything I’ve had to do since then to fulfill God’s call upon my life!

I read a passage this morning during my time of “Coffee with the Lord” that brought that to mind… Who would have EVER GUESSED Apostle Paul was the guy to be selected and commissioned to be “apostle to the Gentiles?” I mean read this personal profile and think about it… Paul said, “I was circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness, under the law blameless.” But then he want on to say… “Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ!” (Philippians 3:5-7 ESV)

And the Lord knew what He was doing – and the Lord prepared him! … That’s right, surprising as it may seem based upon his resume and educational background – “APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES!”

So here’s what I read this morning… Paul’s testimony: “Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of His power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, TO PREACH TO THE GENTILES THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST!” (From Ephesians 3:7–8 ESV)

Hey, I’m a Gentile! I’ve got to tell you, I’m so glad Paul said “yes” to the Savior! And if you’re a Gentile (and not a Jew), you ought to be glad as well! [As an aside, Peter is called “Apostle to the Jews” cp. Galatians 2:7-8.] And the point? If God has redeemed you, and called you – even if you feel unworthy, incapable, and unprepared – He can prepare you, equip you and use you! Praise the Lord!!! Say “YES!” to Him!

12 Basic Presuppositions and Convictions About Scripture That I Embrace

1. The Bible is inspired… Its message is sourced in God – it comes from God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
2. The Bible is both a divine book (inspired by God) and a human book (written in human language by human writers).  Both aspects are essential and must be affirmed and held in tension.
3. The text of Scripture is completely trustworthy and true (“infallible” – true – “inerrant”)
4. The text of Scripture originally came to us in the languages of Hebrew, Aramaic and Koine Greek
5. The language of the biblical text should be taken seriously, examined carefully – Therefore a largely literal version of Scripture (a “standard version”) is best for serious study
6. Close examination / analysis of a passage of Scripture in foundational to quality Bible study and interpretation of Scripture (i.e. what does the passage say and how does it say it)
7. Quality Bible study requires consideration of the “then and there” of a text (i.e. the “situation” to, from or about which, a passage was written).  That should always precede consideration of the message to us “here and now.”.
8. Biblical writers had a purpose in what they were led to write – therefore consideration of the writer’s purpose in a biblical passage is critical.
9. An understanding of a complete literary unit of Scripture (i.e. a “book” of the Bible) provides the background for understanding the individual units within it (i.e. passages). 
10. Both the broader context and immediate context of Scripture must be taken into account in interpreting Scripture… context rules in interpretation!
11. The message of Scripture, although ancient and spoken to particular situations and for particular purposes in the past, is a timeless message and the truths) expressed therein apply to all humankind and cultures.
12. In Bible study and the task of interpretation, we come to the biblical text to examine what it says and by the time we have finished God has examined us!  The Holy Spirit makes the truth of Scripture real to us.  We encounter the Living God as we study and apply the message of Scripture.  Scripture points beyond itself to the Living God!!!

Expressed by LeRoy R. Bartel, DMin

“Studying the Bible is for Protestant Christians a ‘sacrament’ – it is a means by which God is directly encountered and by which people open themselves up to God’s transforming power” (Wilhoit, James C. and Leland Ryken in EFFECTIVE BIBLE TEACHING)