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The Clarity of Scripture

Sunday, January 14, 2024
Pastor Jojo Ma

Weekly Bulletin | Worship Lyrics

Deuteronomy 30:11-14

 

11 For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, “Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?” 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, “Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?” 14 But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.

The reality is, if we can’t communicate, if we can’t be clear, if we can’t understand one another, help can’t happen, relationships can’t happen, life can’t happen. Clear communication is vital for healthy living and relationships.

I.          What clarity does mean [Definition]
II.        What clarity does not mean [Clarification]
III.       What clarity means for us [Application] 

I.         What clarity does mean [Definition]
Definition: “The Bible is written such that all things necessary to become a Christian, live as a Christian, and grow as a Christian are clear.” Wayne Grudem

R.C. Sproul: “What kind of God would reveal His love and redemption in terms so technical and concepts so profound that only an elite corps of professional scholars could understand them?”

Ps 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

Ps 119:105 Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.“The Bible is written such that all things necessary to become a Christian, live as a Christian, and grow as a Christian are clear.”

Deut 30:11-14 11 For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, “Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?” 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, “Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?” 14 But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.

God has communicated to us with sufficient clarity such that we can become a Christian, live as a Christian, and grow as a Christian. We have no excuse because God’s Word is understandable.

II.        What clarity does not mean [Clarification]
First, not everyone will be able to understand Scripture.

1 Cor 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

Second, the clarity of Scripture does not mean that all Scripture is easy to understand.

2 Pet 3:16 There are some things in [Paul’s writings] that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.

Let’s remember what the clarity of Scripture means: that God has given His Word to us in such a manner that even a child can know God, love God, and grow in faith.

III.      What clarity means for us [Application]
First, the clarity of Scripture reminds us of who God really is.

Second, the clarity of Scripture encourages us to read with humility and anticipation.

The doctrine of the clarity of Scripture encourages us to read with great anticipation --- that we can really learn about God and come to know Him deeply and devotionally.

Ps 119:17-18 Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your Word. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law.