Opening Scriptures before the Message

Isaiah 55:11 RSV Guideposts Parallel 1981 so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

that the man of God may be complete equipped for every good work.

2 Peter 1:19-21 And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

First of all you must understand this, that no prophesy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation,

because no prophesy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

How to hear and understand the Gospel

The LORD speaks out of the whirlwind

Job 38:1-3 THEN THE LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind:

"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me.

Job 40:6-7 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind:

"Gird up your loins like a man; I will question you, and you declare to me.

Job 42:4-7 'Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you declare to me.'

I had heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees thee;

therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes."

The Burnt Offering for Job

After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite: "My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends; for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.

The necessity of a Preacher

Romans 10:14-17 But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?

And how can men preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!"

But they have not all obeyed the gospel; for Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?"

So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ.

Acts 26:17-18 delivering you from the people and from the Gentiles--to whom I send you

to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

Romans 15:4-7 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.

May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,

that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.