The Bible is God’s word. The Bible is the way God speaks to us today. If the Bible is God’s word then we must adhere to every word and read it as if a letter from a dear friend. In fact the Bible is much more important to you than a personal letter from the president of the United States.

We must let the Bible change us. Instead many times we try to change the Bible. Have you heard someone say, “The Lord told me,” or “The Lord spoke to me and told me to tell you…” This is very dangerous for someone to say. Why? Doesn’t God speak today? Doesn’t God reveal to us things today?

When you say, “The Lord told me,” you are saying that God has given you a revelation. The problem is that your revelation is subjective. That means your revelation only means what you interpret it to mean. I can look at the stars and say, “Wow, God’s creation is wonderful.” Another person might say, “How can you possibly believe in God?” We see the same thing, but we interpret it in a different way.

How do you know that God spoke to you? How do you know it was God? How do you know you have interpreted it correctly? How do you know that someone else wouldn’t interpret it differently than you? We are told not to add to scripture and warned about it. If you say, “God told me,” you are actually making your revelation from God on par with scripture. Not only are you confused, but you may cause others to begin listening for God’s voice and stray from the scriptures.

Wait a minute. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice.” But what voice? Jesus is called the “word” in John 1:1 and 1:14. The “voice” of Jesus is the “word” of God—the Bible. Jesus’ sheep follow the word of God in all areas of life.

God’s word is objective. The object is God and He has plainly told us all we need to know about Him and how to live our lives in the Bible. The Bible is objective in that the object of the Bible is the redemption of man and how to follow Jesus Christ each day of our lives. There is no adding to it or extra revelation. God has revealed all He is going to reveal to us in the word of God. Hebrews 1:2: “In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.”

Didn’t the apostles and prophets hear from God? Of course. When God started a work among His people he always used signs and wonders through spokesmen. He called a people Israel, and God used miracles, signs, and wonders to display His power to the world and to reveal Himself through a people. When God was getting ready to save the world through a person, Jesus Christ, He displayed His power through signs, wonders and miracles through His Son and the apostles. Once Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to us and the church was established, there was no longer a need for signs and wonders. They have ceased because we have the word of God. 1 Corinthians 13:10: “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”

Missionaries have told stories of miraculous healings and other miracles. These poor people don’t have the word of God. They haven’t even heard of Jesus. But where the gospel has already been established, there is no need for this. We have the word of God. We have preachers and teachers.

Our problem is that we don’t let the word of God speak to us. We always want something more. If you want to talk to God, pray. If you want to hear from God, read the Bible. If you want to hear God’s voice, read the Bible out loud!

Watch sermons and read sermon texts and other articles online at www.tomahawkmbc.com. Listen to Pastor Jack Ward’s sermons on WSIP FM 98.9 every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Watch his sermons on Facebook by going to his page.