Dave’s Monday Blast – October 28, 2024
“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1:1 – 3). Last week we experienced a Hunter Moon, the largest supermoon we’ll see all year. Where I live there is no light pollution so it was incredibly bright; stunning really. Men of INTENTION know that the moon was created by the very Word of God on the fourth day of creation. Looking at the moon is a not so subtle reminder of the handiwork of God (Psalm 19:1). His very existence is displayed by the wonders of His creation.
When studying Biblical Interpretation we discover that the Scriptures are “Christocentric”, which simply means that the word of God ultimately exists to lead us to the Word/Son of God. John 20:31 states that the Apostle wrote his gospel “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name”.
The Denison Forum comments: “If we read, teach, and preach the Bible as an end rather than as a means, we frustrate the Spirit’s purpose behind its inspiration, illumination, and application today. St. Ignatius, the second-century bishop of Antioch, wrote a letter in which he warned: ‘Be deaf when anyone preaches to you without mentioning Jesus Christ … Flee from these preachers, these wicked offshoots that bear deadly fruit, one taste of which is fatal.'”
If you do not experience Christ whenever you read the Bible, you have not fully read the Bible. My good friend Diana Berns has spent many years developing curriculums that make any Bible study about Him, and not about us. Many of these projects have been used at Auburn Grace (Life Groups, Women’s Studies, WNL Sessions, Conferences, Retreats), at other churches, and in a number of places around the world. The common theme throughout each program is the teaching of processes to “Discovering God”. Scripture becomes the means to a better understanding who God is and what He is about.
I encourage you to take some time to explore her website: Just google Diana Berns Derek Publishing or J616 Road Map Ministries, Inc; Diana comments: “Derek is the Hebrew word for path, journey, or way. In Jeremiah 6:16 “derek” is the word for crossroads, it is the place we stand when we are prepared with two options. We have a choice to make. God’s way is the ancient path, the narrow path, that has been traveled by many before us. When we ask for His way, the good way, and walk in it, we find rest for our souls.” Of course the other path is “wide and easily travelled but the end thereof is destruction” (Proverbs 14:12).
Over the next two weeks I want to unpack some thoughts from the Denison Forum and Derek Publishing to discover that a vital way to obey God’s word is by leading others to obey God’s word. It is our job to “make disciples” (Matthew 28:18 – 20). This is truly “Christocentric”.
