How to Make The Bible YOUR Feed: “Sheep Food:” (1/2)

Sheep Food: Part 1

1^st Peter 2:2; Jeremiah 15:16;

Introduction:

We read in Acts 20:28 that the elders are to feed the flock. In John 21:15-17, Jesus commanded Peter (three times) to “feed the flock. But God commanded the flock to “feed” itself as well…and that the Sheep food is specifically the Word of God. So, we need to consider how that feeding should happen, and when, and by whom, etc.

Supernatural Hunger

In 1^st Peter 2:2, Peter tells the newborn believers to hunger for the “milk” of God’s Word…to feed upon it and so, to Grow thereby. But in Hebrews 5:12-14, the writer complains that the believers to whom he was writing should have graduated from “milk.” They should now be consuming solid food…and it is still referring to the Word of God.

And notice: in 1^st Peter 2:2, it says that the result of feeding on God’s word is that we should “grow, thereby.” Are you growing? If not, ask yourself: “Am I feeding on God’s Word?”

In Jeremiah 15:16, the prophet says he ate (fed on) God’s Word, and that God’s Word was the joy and the rejoicing of his heart. Why? Because God had made him part of the family of God…and called him by God’s name.

This sort of passages lay out the normal life for believers: God calls us to feed on His Word. And it should become a joy to our hearts simply because, as believers, we are His children. God Calls us to Grow! He calls us to grow stronger in the Word, so that we move on from baby food. He calls us to joyfully feed on the tougher things of the Bible, while not forgetting the foundation He laid in the simple truths of the Gospel.

What Does “Feed on” God’s Word Mean?

Do we simply read it? Is hearing it on the radio enough? Do we have to attend Bible College? Do we have to memorize the Bible? What does it mean when the Psalmist says he “meditated” on God’s Word? Do you have to sit with your legs contorted, and your eyes closed while you think about the Bible?

I would like to suggest, as a starter, that there are at least five ways the Scripture tells us to feed upon the Word of God:

Hear
Read
Study
Memorize, and
Meditate

Probably that list actually is an ascending order, each attaining a deeper, stronger grasp of the Word. Let’s look at each of them and see how they apply to us as believers.

Hear the Word

Deuteronomy 6:4 begins with the words, “Hear O Israel…” This passage is well-known to all orthodox Jews…it is called “the Shamaah”, because the word “hear” is translated from the Hebrew word “shamaah”.

Over and over, Jesus said, “He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear.” The willing reception of the spoken Word of God is what is in view. Hearing it has an impact all by itself, without study, without comment, without further reflection, even: God’s Word does not return to Him void. It always has an effect.

The Effect of Hearing

Bear in mind that the sun, shining on potter’s clay, has the reverse effect of the same sunlight warming wax. One grows harder, while the other grows softer. The difference is in the character of the material. Jesus said, “He that hath an ear to hear” will change in a positive way by receiving God’s Word. One who only receives the Word because of a sense of social responsibility or, worse, to look good among his peers, may find that he gradually inoculated himself against the influence of the Word, because he has privately, habitually rejected its teaching. God gradually gives such a person over to a reprobate mind, so that he becomes blinded to the truth of God’s Word, and deaf to the pleading of God’s Spirit.

Luke 8:18 says, “Take heed therefore how ye hear….” Hearing the word is important, and how we hear it is important. We need to hear it with a willing heart, and look for ways to apply it to our lives…not dismiss it or critique it as if it were the writings of men. It is the Word of God. Take heed how you hear. Apply your heart to the Word as you hear it. Hunger for it. Allow it to cleanse you, and purge you.

Read the Word To Feed

It is interesting and instructive, to see that long before a king sat on a throne in Israel, God commanded (Deuteronomy 17:18-20) that that future king was to write for himself a copy of the Law of God, out of the scrolls possessed by the Levites, and that he was to read that copy all the days of his life! That means every day, as long as he lives!

God calls us, in the Church age, as believers, “kings and priests.” How does that Old Testament command apply to us? I doubt we are called to personally write out our own copy (the printing press and movable type seem to have freed us from that.) But I do think we might be admonished to be in the Word on a “steady-diet” basis, rather than a “once-in-a-while nibble.” The results God predicted for those kings are interesting, too.

Five results are listed:

That he may learn to fear the LORD his God, and
To keep all the words of this Law, and these statutes, to do them,
That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and
That he turn not aside from the commandments, to the right hand or to the left;
To the end (result) that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children, in the midst of Israel.

Now, I am not an earthly king, especially not a king of Israel, but I can see from the rest of the Word of God that those predicted results apply to all who apply God’s Word to their lives. The Psalm 119:105 states that the Word “is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:9 states that a man can only cleanse his way “by taking heed thereto according to God’s Word”. Simply reading the Word daily, as a steady diet, providing constant contact, will have eternal results.

Study the Word, to Feed

This one is a little harder, but the word “study” in Old English, and in Greek, means to “apply oneself diligently.” So, when Paul says (2^nd Timothy 2:15) “study to show thyself approved unto God…”, it means “make this a priority, and apply yourself diligently to that end.” But; the rest of the verse says “…a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” So, “applying oneself diligently” to “learning to rightly divide God’s Word” would be what we call “study,” today, would it not? Paul also exhorted Timothy (1^st Timothy 4:13) to give himself to reading, to exhortation, and to doctrine. This meant not only the public reading of the scriptures, but a constant ministry of encouraging others and teaching them (feed others) to understand and obey God’s Word. That requires study, too.

The Bereans were commended (in Acts 17:11) as being “more noble than those in Thessalonica”, because they “received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether these things were so.” That is study, folks! Searching the scriptures, comparing scripture with scripture, looking for understanding. That is study!

What About Conventional “Study” To Feed?

Could it mean going off to school “to feed” and applying yourself to nothing but study for a period of time? Certainly, it could, but that is by no means necessary. Bear in mind that Paul was trained by one of the most famous educators of his time, but considered that whole experience to be rubbish. Paul did not rest upon his credentials. He rested upon the credentials of Christ. He rested upon the truth of God’s Word.

But we are exhorted to apply ourselves to the goal of understanding the Word of God. As we feed on His Word, the result is to be the collective maturity and stability of the church. The result is that we believers will not be easily swept away by every novel doctrine that comes along. And finally, so that we will be well-equipped ministers of God’s Grace, and so that we are able to build up the body of Christ in the Love of God. (Ephesians 4:12-16) These are all the result of absorbing God’s Word, through hearing, reading and studying. What else can we do?

Next Week we will look at MemorizationLord Jesus, please create in each of us an abiding hunger for Your Word, and Your Person, so that Your Spirit can mature us in Your Grace. Teach us to feed upon Your Word with Joy.

May 20, 2017

Growing up into Christ

Hebrews 5:10-14; 6:1-3, Ephesians 1:1-14; 4:11-16

Introduction:

We’ve been studying through Hebrews…We spoke about the priesthood of Christ, and mentioned Melchisedec, in passing, because Jesus was said to be a “priest forever, after the order of Melchisedec.” We only briefly explored that connection, as there simply is not a lot said about Melchisedec. Let’s see what the writer of Hebrews has to say about why there isn’t much said.

¹⁰Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

¹¹Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

Backslidden Babies

The “of whom”, here, is in reference to Melchisedec, not Jesus. The writer will make some rather mind-boggling points about Melchisedec, later, but for the moment, he is only making the statement that his audience is not fit to hear it. They are dull of hearing. He says that they have become less mature, not more, since becoming believers. This is an important point, as it underscores an uncomfortable truth about the new birth: it is possible to be saved and still be in terrible condition. Your position in Christ is perfect and eternal. Your condition, however, can change daily, or even on a moment by moment basis.

¹²For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

¹³For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

¹⁴But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

The believers are the ones he is talking to, here: he says they have been believers long enough that they should have been teaching others by now: instead they require a teacher themselves. He does not say “you are still babies”, but that “you have become babies”—incapable of taking food more substantial than milk—incapable of chewing and digesting solid foods. They have regressed! The words translated “strong meat” in KJV (Greek “stereas” and “trophe”) simply mean “solid food”. Old English used the word “flesh” where we would use “meat”, today; “meat” simply meant “food.” It is not a mistranslation, just evidence that the English language has changed over time.

So he is sharply admonishing the Hebrew believers that they need to grow up. He says that he is limited as to what he can teach them because of their continuing immaturity. This is the passage we are referring to when we say, “I am tired of milk; I want the meat of the Word.” We mean, “I don’t want “baby-food” teaching. I want something age-appropriate.” Well, you do have to be able to chew and digest it. He says that a person “unskillful in the Word of Righteousness” is not able to handle serious teaching. They are still babies, spiritually. But these folks had regressed to babyhood.

The word used here for “unskillful” is the Greek word “apeiros”, which comes from the verb “peirao”, meaning to try, or, to “test.” One “untested” in the Word is someone who has never had to use the Word of God in a real struggle. They have never had to lean completely on God’s Word instead of their own understanding, as The Proverbs command. So they have limited their understanding to human reasoning, which God says is rudimentary at best. Colossians 2:8 warns against being “taken captive” through philosophy, empty deception, the traditions of men, and the elementary principles of the World instead the things which are according to Christ.

There are some choices to be made, regarding God’s Word: when there is a conflict between the written Word (at least as you understand it) and what the World is teaching as “truth,” do you vacillate, trying to decide which one is truth, or can you firmly, immediately affirm in your own heart, “God’s Word is true!” and then move to see if there is simply a misunderstanding? Sometimes the issue is simple: I can misunderstand something in the Bible, and find out later that I was wrong in my understanding, but that the Bible was right all along. But when there is a clear conflict between the Scripture and what the World believes, I need to be comfortable with that conflict, firmly take my stand with the Bible, and cheerfully accept whatever consequences there are to being “out of step” with the World. I don’t need to “pick a fight” over it. I just need to know where I stand, and not have to do a lot of soul-searching over it.

My faith—faith in God’s Word—not the consensus of human opinion, has to direct my steps. We do not determine right doctrine, nor right behavior, by popular opinion, consensus, or a vote. The Righteousness and Authority of God are declared and taught in the Bible, and, whether I like it or not is not the issue. Only whether I subject myself to it: either I obey or I do not.

So: these folks were already believers, as a group—there were some among them who were uncommitted, as we have seen in the several warnings so far, but, as a whole, most of them were believers, and the writer is not questioning their status in the body of Christ. He was complaining that they had regressed in their faith. They had gone backward! How is that possible?

It is important to recognize that we still have two natures. We can still feed our old nature (and we often do!) If we revert to feeding the old nature instead of the new, then the old nature will regain strength, and the new will become weak and sickly. All the positional truths that are ours by virtue of the new birth will still be ours, but will be relegated to a “back-burner” status. We are still saved, but will not be living in the obedient, victorious life God has called us to enjoy.

All the things of the believers’ birthright were still the possession of the believers in this account: So, what did that include? What is the foundation we have to work with?

(Turn to Ephesians 1:1-14)

What things does God say are already true about us?

Because we are in Christ, we are:

Already blessed with ALL spiritual blessings, (Ephesians 1:3)
1. in the heavenly places
2. in Christ. (This is the heart of “positional truth” (true because I am “in Christ.”)
Already chosen in Him (in Christ) (Ephesians 1:4)
Already predestined to be “adopted”; that is, recognized as full heirs with Christ. (Ephesians 1:5; Romans 8:23)
Already accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6)
Already Redeemed through His Blood (Ephesians 1:7)
Already Forgiven for our Sins (Ephesians 1:7)
We have already obtained an inheritance in Him. (Ephesians 1:11)
We are already sealed in Him by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13)
We already have the “earnest” of our inheritance, the Holy Spirit, who will stay with us until the redemption of the “purchased possession”—us! The Church! (Ephesians 1:14)
Further, according to Ephesians 2:6, we are already seated in the heavenlies with Christ.

Much of the above is simply beyond my comprehension. I accept it by faith. But I don’t see these things…I don’t see myself as “seated in the heavenlies with Christ.” I see myself trudging along, day by day, muddling my way through life on earth. I need to understand that God’s viewpoint is eternal, and correct. I am seeing things from a viewpoint completely limited to time and space, besides being distorted by my sin nature, and my wrong thinking.

So, the question remains: how can we step beyond the usual “wrong-headed” experience in life, and see things from God’s perspective?

We walk by Faith, not by sight

The first step is to accept God’s point of view as correct, by faith in his character, not because it “makes sense” to us. I need to trust him because He is trustworthy, not because I can prove all the truths in His Word. (I can’t, by the way.)

God says we are already separated from our old sin nature, positionally, and that we are to live as those resurrected from the dead. Now, I don’t feel very dead…does that affect the truth in any way? Nope. God says it is true, and it is true. I am not required to “feel” anything. I am required to accept God’s truth by faith, and depend upon the fact that I am dead in Christ.

That death, reckoned as being mine, is what sets me free from sin. I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ liveth in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.

We Feed on the Word

The second thing is that God says we are to hunger for His Word, that we may grow thereby. (1^st Peter 2:1-3) The scripture is the food for our spirit, and the food by which our new nature can grow strong. If you keep feeding your old nature, it will stay strong, and torment you daily with the struggles of the flesh. If you feed your new nature regularly, it will grow strong, and you will stabilize in your walk with God.

We are also fed and taught by the shepherds God has assigned to the church.

Turn to Ephesians 4:11-16 (read it)

Here we see that Jesus gave certain people as gifts to the church. The shepherds and teachers, as well as the other office-gifts, are given for a specific purpose: the building up of the Body of Christ, for the work of the service of God…the work of the Ministry.

And, notice that a time clause is given, here. These gifts are given “until we all come into the unity of the faith”, with the result that we are mature, and no longer easily swayed by bad doctrine, among other things. He says we will grow up into Christ, the head of the Body, in all things. The end result will be the increase of the body, in terms of both numbers and strength.

Conclusion:

Hebrews 6:1-3 says that we are to press on, leaving baby food behind, and move toward maturity.

6: ¹Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

²Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

³And this will we do, if God permit.

The message is that we are to go ahead and leave childhood behind, and grow up. Settle the fundamentals in our minds, once for all, by faith, and move on to deeper truth. It is no longer appropriate to “wade”…we need to learn to swim, so to speak.

I recall, when I was about nine years old, going to swim with my Dad and younger brother, in the Santiam River, at Waterloo, somewhere near Lebanon, Oregon. I was able to swim, but was anxious about the depth of the water, because I was not yet a strong swimmer. So I kept asking my Dad, “How deep is the water, here?” He was finally exasperated, and said “It doesn’t matter how deep the water is! When you swim, you stay on top of the water!”

Dad was right! If you are only wading, then you are dependent upon being able to reach bottom. But if you are swimming, you are completely suspended in the water, and not concerned with touching bottom.

That is true in spiritual matters as well. If you intend to live in your own strength, then you are limited to what you can handle. If you are dependent upon God, and walking with Him, then the circumstances are immaterial. He is the one managing life’s struggles, not you!

Lord Jesus, help us to grow up into you, and to trust your Word more than we trust our own judgment, strength, and wisdom. We know that apart from you we can do nothing. Help us to feed upon your Word, and to grow thereby. Make us the Men and Women of God that you have called us to be.