Speech does things. It can be used to tear a people down or it can be used to build them up. It can incite violence or it can motivate peace.
As we’ve worked our way through our liturgy, we come now to proclamation or the preaching of God’s word. It’s appropriate that we consider this after spending time together thinking about how Scripture alone is our perfect and sufficient authority.
Isaiah has confessed his sin to the Lord and had his sin expiated or atoned for. Now, he here’s the message of the Lord. In Isaiah 6, the message, mission, and response are all wrapped up together.
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” And he said, “Go, and say to this people:1
I recommend taking some time to read through the whole of the chapter to begin to understand the message from God that Isaiah is to proclaim.
What is important for us, today, is to remember that the message we have to give does not come from ourselves. The church isn’t called to preach about politics or relationships, or family, or work. The church is called to preach Christ as we find him in Scripture. We do not get to add to the message. Then, as we preach Christ and understand his message, we begin to see that his message has implications for our politics, families, work life, everything. We must get the order of things right.
Sincerely,
Pastor Dan
Some helpful resources
There was much that we were unable to cover during our teaching time this week, and so I thought it would be helpful to provide some resources for your own study on the subject of Scripture Alone and how we can know that it truly is God’s word.
A Peculiar Glory by John Piper
This book is very helpful for understanding the self-authenticating nature of Scripture. It is thorough, pastorally helpful, and can be accessed free of charge from Desiring God.
Michael Kruger on self-authentication of Scripture
If you’d rather listen to a resource, Michael Kruger provides a very helpful, non-technical lecture on the nature of Scripture.
Scripture: Our Inerrant and Infallible Authority
Stephen Nichols shares some of the historical context during the Reformation, including the correct relationship between tradition and Scripture.
Lastly, you can access a PDF of the slides from 28 September via the church’s Drive.
- The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (2016). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, p. Is 6:8–9. ↩