Remember the parable of the Sower and the Seed = the Word of God. The same seed is made available throughout the world. It maintains its integrity and its communication of God’s truth. However, there is a vast difference in the types of soils – representing the different heart attitudes and reactions to the Word of God. Only that good soil which treasures and values the Word of God will end up producing genuine fruit that will last.
We need to examine ourselves to see whether we are guilty of despising the Word of God or whether we truly treasure it and seek to obey it. What is our heart attitude and response to the Word of God?
OUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS GOD’S WORD DETERMINES OUR DESTINY
I. WAYS IN WHICH WE DESPISE THE WORD OF GOD AND SUBJECT OURSELVES TO HIS WRATH
A. (Is. 5:24) BY REJECTING THE LAW OF THE LORD OF HOSTS
“for they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.”
Cf. example of Esau despising his birthright and his inheritance
Or by ignoring God’s Word
B. (Mark 7:8) BY SUBSTITUTING MAN’S IDEAS AND TRADITIONS FOR THE WORD OF GOD
“Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.“
C. (Num. 15:31) BY BREAKING GOD’S COMMANDMENT
“Because he has despised the word of the Lord and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt will be on him.”
D. (2 Sam. 12:9) BY DOING EVIL
“Why have you despised the word of the Lord by doing evil in His sight?”
Message of Nathan condemning King David for his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband Uriah.
E. BY MAKING FUN OF GOD’S WORD
2 Pet. 3:3-4
Jude 18
F. (2 Chron. 36:16) BY MOCKING THOSE PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
“but they continually mocked the messenger of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, until there was no remedy.”
Cf. Neh. 2:19
Jeremiah 17:15-16
II. WAYS IN WHICH WE TREASURE THE WORD OF GOD AND ENJOY HIS BLESSING
A. (Proverbs 8) BY VALUING AND SEEKING AFTER THE WISDOM FOUND IN GOD’S WORD
Cf. example of Bereans who compared all teaching to the Word of God because they were concerned for its accuracy and valued truth
Acts 17:10-13
“Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds.”
Cf. revival under Nehemiah and Ezra where the Word was read and people gave it their full attention
Neh. 8:1-3
“And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the Lord had given to Israel. 2 Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month. 3 He read from it before the square which was in front of the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the book of the law.”
When you treasure something, you want more of it. You stockpile it. You guard it.
B. (2 Tim. 4:2-4) BY PREACHING THE WORD OF GOD ACCURATELY AND EXPOSITIONALLY
“Preach the Word”
C. (Job 23:12) BY PUTTING A HIGHER PRIORITY ON IT THAN ON OUR BASIC SUSTENANCE
“I have not departed from the command of His lips;I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.”
Cf. Jesus fighting the temptations of Satan – “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”
D. (Ps. 119:11) BY MEMORIZING AND MEDITATING ON GOD’S WORD WITH A VIEW TO OBEYING IT
“Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I might not sin against You.”
Luke 2:19 – example of Mary giving attention to teaching of Christ
E. BY BOASTING IN GOD’S WORD AND EXTOLLING ITS VIRTUES TO OTHERS
Ps. 119
F. BY HONORING THOSE WHO FAITHFULLY PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD
1 Timothy 5:17 ESV
“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.”
Hebrews 13:17 ESV
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
Galatians 6:6 ESV
“One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.”
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 ESV
“We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.”
1 Corinthians 9:11 ESV
“If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?”