Opening Scripture before the Message
Isaiah 55:11 ESV so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV All Scripture is breathed out 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 ESV And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shinning in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,

knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation.

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as the were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

How to hear and understand the Gospel

The LORD Answers Job

Job 38:1-2 ESV Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

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

The LORD Challenges Job

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

"Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.

Job 42:4-7 ESV 'Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you made it known to me.'

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

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

The LORD Rebukes Job's Friends

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

Romans 10:14-17 ESV How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him in whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the 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 hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Acts 26:17-18 ESV delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles--to whom I am sending you

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

Romans 15:4-7 ESV For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

May the God of endurance 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.

Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.