How many of you this morning ever heard of the phrases, “Your word is your bond?” “A man is only as good as his word?” How about “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!” While these are just a few examples, it is true that words are vitally important; some words are not worth listening to, and others are life changing! Would you agree? However, what is a very fascinating truth is mankind tends to only listen to what is important to that individual; what they hold to high esteem!
June 1992, Jim Davidson and Mike Price climbed Mt. Rainer, the highest point in Washington state at a whopping 14,411 ft. While climbing down the summit, both climbers fell over 80 feet through a snow bridge into a pitch-black ice-walled crevasse. Unfortunately, Mike died from the fall leaving Jim all alone. In Jim’s book titled ‘The Ledge’, he recalls as early as he could remember, how his father allowed him to work on some of the highest pitched roofs to paint, including at the age of 12 climbing on the top of electrical towers to help with maintenance. Through the years, Jim experienced a host of encouragement from his father in many ways as what Jim learned mostly was how if he pressed through adversity and kept going forward, he would become stronger and stronger both mentally and physically.
As Jim stood on the two-foot-wide ledge, bloodied and bruised, his partner dead from the fall, all Jim could now hear was the words of his father! It’s like an embodiment of positive ripples that flooded his thoughts. Battling pain, fatigue and the constant concern that at any moment, he could be buried alive beneath crumbling ice and snow. Jim ultimately survived to tell others of the miraculous event all the while always reflecting on the words that he heard so many years ago. Words that were motivating to him. Words that were designed to live by!
Knowing that many people did not have the luxury of an earthly parent or guardian to give such a wonderous example as Jim’s father did, it does raise the question, just how important are words in our lives, especially God’s words? In our Gospel reading today in John, we find Jesus declaring a proclamation to this very subject where without the words of God, we would have nothing. We will start with chapter 6, verse 57. “Just as the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, the one who eats Me, he also will live because of Me. This is the bread that came down out of heaven, not as the fathers ate and died; the one who eats this bread will live forever.”
Throughout scripture, we see a host of examples as well as the bible itself to demonstrate to us just how important God’s words is. I am reminded of an Old Testament example whereas Moses had died, and Joshua was chosen to be his successor. Those were some big shoes to fill! Listen to what God said to Joshua. “Moses My servant is dead; so now arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. Every place on which the sole of your foot steps, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.” Do you hear that? What God said to Moses, also applies to Joshua! God did NOT pull back His promises by way of His living word. God continues in verse 6, “…be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the Law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may achieve success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
God’s Holy Words friends. Words to live by! God told Joshua clearly, just as He declares today, listen and obey my words of life! My words will save you, if you obey them! We are promised, beyond exception, our reward in following God’s Holy words is and shall be eternal life! God’s words live! However, there is another side of the coin that many of us do not dwell well with. God’s words that divide—yes divide! Scripture calls it separating the wheat from the chaff! In a world where faith seems to have gone by the wayside; worldly views and visions have taken place of God; where mocking God is just as entertaining as watching a comedy show or action movie! To live for God, there needs to be a separation, a divide within us from the fallen world!
Jesus said to His disciples, “Is this offensive to you? What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh provides no benefit; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit, and are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus is using some very strong words. When a person gets the bit in their teeth, believes only what he or she wants to believe, no one can change their mind! Does this sound familiar? Scripture calls these people foolish! While it is necessary for us to deal with sin by way of Christ, there has to be a division, even in our own lives.
Listen to what Jesus tells us. “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Now the key word here, hate, is not the same hate you’re thinking of. In Greek the word ‘miseo’ is used here meaning esteem less, love less or detest. Simply put, No one, not even family or yourself, comes first! Only God! Anything that comes between us and God will separate us from God, but God wants us to be separated from the world, not Him!
In closing, there is a piece of my heart and I know yours as well, that absolutely detests where when God is not regarded by men and women of the earth; God has been declared a second class citizen; God has no room in the inn of our lives, this is where all Christians should be upset, Amen. In verse 66, As a result of this many of His disciples left [Jesus], and would no longer walk with Him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to leave also, do you?” Could you imagine? Hundreds of people didn’t like what Jesus said about life, truth and eternity! Jesus himself, knowing discouragement looked at his disciples and asked, do you want to leave me to? Can you imagine? This is where we have to be careful in terms of once saved always saved! What happened to those that walked away from Jesus? What we do know is they tasted the heavenly gift and walked away from it. Hebrews 6 tells us “For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.” Are we putting God to open shame this morning? It’s a sad day indeed if know or experience ourselves what Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Are you going to leave me too?’ Honestly, it is happening! Churches are becoming emptier of people not willing to be obedient servants. We are no longer HOT for God but luke warm or even cold! Are we truly hearing and living God’s words, or just going through the motions?
A Christian university student shared a room with a fellow student who was Muslim. As they became friends, their conversation turned to their beliefs. The believer asked the Muslim if he'd ever read the Bible. He answered no, but then asked if the Christian had ever read the Koran. The believer responded, "No, I haven't, but I'm sure it would be interesting. Why don't we read both together, once a week, alternating books?" They both accepted the challenge.
One evening, the muslim student burst into the room and shouted to the Christian believer, "You deceived me!"
"What are you talking about?" the believer asked.
The muslim student said, "I've been reading it like you told me, and discovered that the Word is living and active! You knew all along that the Bible contained God's power and that the Koran is a book like any other. I never had a chance!" So true a statement!
I would like to leave you with Peter’s response to Jesus when He asked, “are you going to leave me to!” “Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. And we have already believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” Just as the disciples knew, so should we! They discovered God by way of His only begotten son. Only God’s words of truth will set us free! Remembering always, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” Cherish them! Live by them! Honor them! Obey them! God’s words friends are who God is! As the Proverbs tells us, My son, do not forget my teaching, But have your heart comply with my commandments; For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and a good reputation In the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” Amen.