Continuing in His Word

G. Thomas Sharp • February 22, 2017

The essential nature of the Word of the Lord that provides redemption and effective Christian life is far beyond our comprehension by many orders of magnitude. While the miraculous aspect of the Bible can be to some degree humanly observed, it can never be fully understood, dissected or substituted, without the revelatory influence of the Holy Ghost. Jesus often spoke of people having eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear; and on a particular occasion Jesus explained to His disciples in Luke 9 that they should be careful to let His words sink down into their ears—but they still did not understand what He meant, and many church goers today do not either.

I observe this phenomenon, or shortsightedness, all the time in churches that I visit. And I am convinced that the same life giving synthesis or effect, unique to God alone, that was attendant during the creation of space, time and mass – a supernatural effect over which man has no control – is a divine entity that cannot be feigned or replaced by any human religious system or technique.  But it is necessary for the Word of the Lord to communicate or disseminate its life giving qualities to people as they read it or hear it. It is at this point that religion devoid of His purpose and unction can no more quicken this eternal necessity in human listeners, than can a man by taking thought add a single cubit to his stature.

This is the reality that we learn from the divine acceptance of Abel’s offering in Genesis 4, and is a common fact of God’s dealing with man throughout the Scripture. God has a standard that He will honor, an approach that He will accept, and an attitude that He will receive… and He will not violate this standard! So all of the church growth theories, revival engagement efforts, and megachurch processes, fall to the ground empty and non-effective to add one human soul to the Kingdom, because the Scripture says, “except the Lord build the house they labor in vain.” Moreover, it is the Lord, and only the Lord, that can add to His church. Man can guide, teach, preach, play pretty music, use all sorts of influential gadgets (and all these behaviors and tools has some legitimacy I guess), but only the blood of Jesus has the power to remit sins! This is both a sovereign fact and action! The fact that the Creator God inculcated His divine mind into human language convention, by moving His men, the prophets and apostles, to record His ideas into a book is, without question, an unspeakably wondrous thing!

Jesus, furthermore, said that if we continue in His word, we will be His disciples indeed, because our continuance to read, study and obey His word will permit us to know the truth, and it is His truth that produces the Biblical worldview that will set us free. (John 8:31-32) It is this behavior of “continuing” that is the difference between the nominal “churchanity” and authentic Christianity. The Greek word here translated “truth” is ä·lā′thā·ä, meaning to open or unseal and speaks of a freedom to live free from the slavery of sin. A freedom (intellectually, morally and spiritually) that is only attainable…through the light of His Word (A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the NT, Vol. 5, pp.148-149). God bless you for your continued prayer and financial support to the ministry of Creation Truth Foundation…Thanks a million! (Isaiah 40:28-31)

Sincerely, GTS

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Summer of 2025 is two-thirds finished. We have taught at 7 different camp weeks along with 6 VBSes. Ryan and I have had a busy summer for the Kingdom. Our travels have stretched from Ohio to Colorado and all points in between. We have taught in churches and connected with many supporters and friends. This summer, as usual, ministry has taken us away from family for periods, but there has been great returns for the sacrifice - more than fifteen souls have been added to God’s eternal Kingdom and even more seeds planted with life-changing fruit produced, from the young to old. Again and again we encounter students that are fired up with a passion for knowledge of the Word of God. As these students have found answers to questions or faith-challenging issues, they are better equipped to share their faith. This summer we have had the opportunity to reconnect with many students whom we taught at a younger age. Now they are in their teens or heading to college. Their testimonies of strengthened faith because of the mission God has called us to is more than rewarding. It never gets old to meet grandparents, or even great-grandparents, during VBS that have lived their lives as followers of Christ yet have never seen the impact of Genesis to the Gospel. Just yesterday this happened with a grandmother who was overjoyed and appreciative of our teaching and message. Knowing more about dinosaurs Biblically allows for them to have new lines of communication with their cherished grandkids. Our ability to give these great warriors of the faith answers that can impact their families for eternity is priceless to us.  Please continue to lift us up in prayer as our summer is not over yet. As always, know that your support is making an impact for the Kingdom that we are eternally grateful for. If you are thinking about having us come next summer, don’t hesitate to contact us as summers fill quicker than the rest of the year. Summer has and will continue to be a crazy busy time for Kingdom work. Blessings.
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