As you know we are trying to enlist people to attend one or more of the classes being brought to us by the "Harvesters For Christ" team next month.  And so far the response has not been good.  Only four people have signed up to attend one of the seven classes offered, and I'd like to talk about that.

          A pastor decided to call some of his faithful members and invite them to come to Sunday Bible class.  While a few responded by attending, a number of his phone calls went something like this:  "Hi Joe!  I'm calling to invite you to attend my Sunday morning Bible Class.  We meet in the church basement between the services.  Coffee is served and I'd surely love to have you attend."  After a few moments of silence Joe would say, "Thanks, Pastor, but Bible Class isn't for me.  I really don't understand the Bible.  I'll come to church, but not Bible Class."  The pastor said, "But that's what Bible class is for, Joe.  Let me help you understand the Bible."  "No, no," said Joe, "I'm not interested.  Pastor, it's your job to understand the Bible.  I'm fine just listening to your sermons."

          How many of us might have responded that way, or at least felt that way?  If you're really being honest, how many of us here today feel as Joe did?  Many Christians believe the Bible is reserved for pastors or Bible students and/or theologians.  Pastors study the Bible at seminary just like doctors study medicine at medical school and lawyers study law at law school.  Let each person know his own area.  If I have a problem or question, I'll go to that person.

          That may be logical for law and medicine, but when it comes to Christianity, it's missing the boat.  With this attitude, it's not strange that so many Christians run after quick-fix spiritual experiences, or put so much confidence in whacky spiritual leaders, or seek secular solutions to spiritual problems.  Or they read a book, instead of seeking answers in The Book.

          The Bible was not written for training theologians and clergymen, but for all people.  The words of the Bible are not so deep that most people cannot understand them.  God does not offer His promises of salvation in words that can't be understood.

          The Bible's content was inspired by the Holy Spirit.  St. Paul said to Timothy, "All Scripture is inspired by God." (2 Timothy 3:16)   And again, Peter said, "Holy men of God spoke as they were moved the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:21)   The Bible comes to us, courtesy of the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit works hard to convince us that Christ is our Savior.  The Bible is not merely a book of instructions, thoughts or stories.  It is God talking to us.  Thus, we shouldn't read the Bible the same way we read a novel or history book.  The Bible was written under direct influence of the Holy Spirit, so in it God is speaking to us.  Maybe that's why we are reluctant to read it.  We're not sure how close to God we really want to get.

          The Bible enlightens us to understanding God.  Do we want to know the will of God?  Then we must listen to Him speak.  A pastor's message during worship may help a little, but it cannot speak personally to us the way reading the Bible can.

          God's words are His power.  When God created the world, He did it by speaking His Word.  When Jesus healed people, He merely spoke the words.  In the same way, the words of the Bible are God's power at work.  St. Paul said in Romans 1:16, the Gospel is the "power of God."  The Greek word used there was "δυναμισ", the word for "dynamite."  God's Word is mighty.  It releases God's power.  It blows the lids off ignorance and fear.  It blasts its way into our lives so that we can do the impossible.  So when we stay away from the Word, or are afraid of it, or even ignore it, we will miss that mighty power of God in our lives.

          While most sermons inform people, few of them require a response.  But today I want a response from you.  Will you come to one of the classes being offered during May?  You need not attend all of them - just one.  Some are four sessions long, and some are just one.  But sign up, and then come.  Please, dear friends, find a way during May to learn from God's Word.

          Some of these classes will have more Bible study, some less.  But all will help our church, and all will help our faith.  The Witness Workshop on May 21 looks really interesting.  It's on a Saturday and it contains a ton of good things to learn.

          Some are probably thinking, "Pastor, I'm too old for Bible study."  To them I say, this is a class, not a college degree program.  Can a person be so old as to have nothing left to learn?  Others will say, "I haven't the time," and to them I say, make the time.  We rarely get trained people to come into our church to teach us at no cost.  This program won't be offered again in the fall.  It's a one time thing.  Please find some time to attend a class.

          Still others will say something like, "No thanks, I've studied the Bible before."  Okay, I can understand that.  You went to Confirmation, you go to church, you feel you don't need more learning.  Like we ate lunch and dinner last Sunday - Monday too.  That should keep us for the rest of the week.  We don't need more than a meal or two now and then to stay alive.

          What I'm talking about is getting closer to God.  His Holy Word is transforming.  It changes lives.  After the Resurrection, the Bible tells us Jesus opened the hearts of His disciples.  But why hadn't it happened before?  They'd been with him three years.  Didn't some of what He said stick with them?  The reason was that they weren't ready.  They didn't have the Holy Spirit to help them.

          Luke 24:45 says, "Then [Jesus] opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures."  Jesus opened their minds!  It was a miracle.  He enabled them to understand His Word, and it produced great results.  That's what happens when we get close to Jesus Christ through His Word.  We can only understand and comprehend when we are enlightened by the Holy Spirit.

          Marie greeted her pastor at the door and said, "Pastor, that was a great sermon!  It was eye-opening, fantastic.  I've never heard it that way before!  It's really great to know I am right with God."  The pastor was taken aback.  Marie had been a church member for 65 years.  For 65 years she'd been faithful at worship, helping feed and clothe people, teaching Sunday School.  The pastor's sermon wasn't very special.  He'd spoken often of being made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ.  After that Sunday Marie was a different person.  She joined a small group Bible study and admitted there she always thought she would get to heaven by following the Ten Commandments.  But she knew her sins, and she knew she wasn't good enough.  But that special Sunday morning she was enlightened.  The Holy Spirit opened her heart so she finally understood.  Jesus loved her no matter what.  She would be received into heaven by her faith, not by what she did.

          Marie's spiritual "light bulb" had come on.  She was suddenly tuned in.  The Spirit enlightened her to a truth of God she hadn't comprehended before.  That's what the Holy Spirit does.  He wants to help make our "light bulb" come on.

          But we have to be tuned in.  A radio receives signals that are transmissions of words and sounds into the air.  Some of it comes through AM, some of it through FM.  If you have a radio that's only AM, you cannot receive FM sounds.  The two are not compatible.  There are two dimensions in this world, a natural dimension and a spiritual dimension.  The natural dimension relates human life.  Science, math and history are natural truths, grasped by the human mind.

          But the Bible is a part of the spiritual dimension.  The benefits of the Bible must be received by the mind that's been enlightened by the Holy Spirit.  Without God's enlightenment, we can't understand the Bible.  But being enlightened, God's Word is opened, life is different.  What God tells us makes sense.

          I'm sorry if there isn't much Gospel in this message.  I just want us all to get closer to Jesus Christ.  In Him we live, and move, and have our being.  In Him we are saved.  May God grant that the eyes of our hearts will somehow be opened to His Word.  Sign up for one of those classes, and give them a chance.  May we all experience the joy of knowing God a little more clearly.  Amen

Copyright © 2005 by Pastor Bob Tasler.  All rights reserved.