UNpacking God's Word

Just 2 days ago..thats on the 7th of feb 2009, Mike G. spoke for the Methodist Youth Fellowship in Trinity Methodist Church. The title was as mentioned-Unpacking God's Word=)

This is thus the summary of it.

God's Word- Reading/ Getting into it

ok , picture a box...where someone give it to you and says
" This is my gift to you"
1. we try and open it up without using a hammer and other tools
2. some will be walking around, not knowing what to do
3. and some sitting down, waiting for others to open it.

IT IS THE SAME WITH THE BIBLE
Some also treat as a lucky charm
"My bible is at the back of my car because my car won't be stolen as the word is at the back of my car"

Conclusion?
Some ppl like youth group's, cgs abuse the word of GOD
-A gift that is not open is USELESS
-some may not have the right TOOLS to open it

So.....what are the tools?
1. Learn some Jewish History, Culture & Geography
Book of Jonah 1:1-4
" One day, the Lord spoke to Jonah son of Amittai. He said, " Go to Nineveh, that great city, and speak out against it; I am aware how wicked its people are." Jonah, however, set out in the opposite direction in order to get away from the Lord. He went to Joppa, he found a ship about to go to Spain. He paid his fare and went aboard with the crew to sail to Spain, where he would be away from the Lord. But the Lord sent a strong wind on the sea, and the storm was so violent that the ship was in danger of breaking up."

Jonah ran away because Nineveh was not a comfy place.
* Nineveh hated the Israelites and he may loose his own life.
Isaiah spoke to the comfort of his own people-Israelites. Not Jonah..
Jonah was RICH because he could afford a fair far away (Opposite site of Nineveh)
$ = choices
We dont need to follow God because we got a degree, $ etc.


2. Look up, Look down
Read the verse above and below (the context)
1 verse changes the situation so look at the verse before and after.

3. Irony
What you expect doesnt quiet happen the way it is.
Jonah reminds us of Jesus.

Jonah 1:5b says Meanwhile, Jonah had gone below and was lying in the ship's hold, sound asleep.
Matthew 8 :24 says Suddenly a fierce storm hit the lake, and the boat was in danger of sinking. But Jesus was asleep
Jonah doesnt wanna preach to pagans but pagans are the oes that tried to safe him (Row offshore not throw him)
IRONY!
Jonah sacrificed-jumped off the boat
Jesus sacrificed- died on the cross

Matthew 16 : 23,24
" Jesus turned around and said to Peter," Get away from me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my way, because there thoughts of yours don't come from God but from man." Then Jesus said to his disciples, " If anyone wants tocome with me, he must forget self, carry his cross, and follow me.
Crucifixion -painfull ( take up your cross -something weird)

Matthew 27 :27-43
Irony = Jesus is still the King of the Jews
Should be dress in scarlet from day 1
He rebuild the temple
He is the Son of God
He was delivered
If he came down from the cross -there would be no salvation
nails did not keep him on the cross, its his LOVE
You got the gift of eternal life when you unpacked God's word
You may not know what he's doing but he does =)



**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**