Epiphany

Reformation, Media

Larry V. Smoose

This book – This book of books – is the most amazing, the most revolutionary, the most quoted book ever written.  It is the most published, the most translated and the most read book ever written.  This book.  And yet, perhaps surprisingly, it is not all that well known by most Christians.  We want to increase your biblical literacy.  We want you to know, first hand the value of the Bible for life today.  We want it to be a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path.  (Psalm 119:105)

(So what are some of your memories about reading (or not reading ) the Bible?  Turn to someone nearby and share for about a minute or so )

Okay, we’ve shared some memories, now let’s look at the Bible itself -- But I’m going to need some help – We are going to create a living Bible up here – I need the Old Testament Books (39 of you to come forward) – if you are not sure if your book is Old Testament, I’ll give you a hint (jagged edges).  Now I want you to see if you can put yourselves in order – (notice groups of  related books are color-coded) help each other (Genesis – over there at the organ side) 

Good.  We know some of these books better than others, don’t we?  Genesis – you’re a popular book – why do you think you are so well known?  (get answer)  Psalms – How many people here love the Psalms?  -- How’s it feel to be so well loved?  You must have a lot of good stuff in you.  Isaiah – We heard a lot from you during the Christmas season – and George Handel, a great composer used some of your best verses to write a wonderful Oratorio.  A lot of music has been written on verses of the Bible – more music has been inspired by the Bible than any other book in the world.

Some books are not as well known, and yet even some of the least known have gems worth discovering – take Micah for example – Micah, do you have a word for us? 

(read Micah 5:2-5a)

Micah 5:2-5a  But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.  Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel.  And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace.

Yes, that scripture will become important – about 800 years after it was written – 800 years.  Suddenly it pops up again as important – But we’ll get back to that in a bit.  First, I’ll ask the Old Testament to sit down and talk to a neighbor about how many Bibles you have and what versions you have.)  Now,  We need to get the rest of the Bible up here – the New Testament – How about if you Old Testament books follow Genesis there around to the organ side.  That’s it.  Now all of you New Testament books come on up and again, let’s try to get in order.  Good.

(Comment on some of books – skip Gospels – we all know them—BUT who wrote ACTS?                I Corinthians – you are another popular book – we read you at a lot of weddings – do you know why?                      Revelation – can you make a scary face?  You are a scary book – Dragons, beasts, huge battles – a lot of people don’t understand you, but you are fun to read and try to figure out.

But, it’s another little book that I want to hear from for our next lesson – II Timothy – (Read II Timothy 3:14-17) 

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

From childhood you have known the sacred writings – (Let me share some of my Bibles)  this is the first Bible I remember.  I know my parents read me Bible stories earlier, but I got this at my church – Hope Lutheran in 1955 – I was 8 years old.  Most of my early encounters with the Bible were at church – Sunday School, confirmation, worship.  This one I got from my Aunt Thelma in 1972 – she bought it in Jerusalem for me has an olive wood cover with a Jerusalem cross carved in it.  She was a woman of the book.

This Moffett translation Bible I got from a retired pastor who was giving away his library.  I had remembered how I had asked Dr. John Reumann, one of the best NT scholars in the world, about some good translations and he said one of the old ones he like a lot was the Moffett translation, so when I saw it in the library I asked if I might have it.  This one I got a little over a year ago, in Tanzania – English and Kiswahili side by side.  I wanted to read a lesson to the people of Pangani in their own language – they were gracious with my halting efforts to pronounce the words. 

Why is this book so important, why do we have multiple copies, different versions? 

All scripture is inspired by God – that’s what Paul said to Timothy.  And It is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

Inspired by God – That’s why it’s important.  We believe that God speaks to us through these words.  We believe God’s will is revealed to us in these words.  Of course, when Paul wrote this to Timothy – the only scriptures were – What?  (The Old Testament)  He was talking about how the Old Testament pointed towards and prepared us for Jesus. 

New Testament People, you can sit down now – and let’s find a new person to talk to about any concerns you have about the Bible – or What patterns and practices you have as you read the Bible now.

Remember that passage from Micah – 800 years later, a writer we call Matthew referred to that passage –  It became important to a number of people 800 years after it was written.   Listen to our Gospel lesson.  (Matthew 2:1-12)

Who did Herod call as consultants?  People who devoted themselves to God’s Word – people who would know not only the big and popular books, but also the little, less read books.  Where is the Messiah to be born?  In Bethlehem – Micah wrote about it! And at the end of our lessons, we say, “Word of God.  Word of Life.”    What’s this Word of God saying to us?  How can this Word of Life make my life better today?  And can words written 2000 years ago and more help us today?  That’s what we want to explore together with you in the coming years.  The Book of Faith initiative is designed to begin a renewed effort in the church to read the Bible, to study and discuss the Bible, to regain an appreciation for the book that is  the most quoted, the most translated, the most published book ever written.   

It’s a journey worth taking – and to begin the process, to talk together about our experiences with the Bible and how opportunities to study or discuss the Bible might be most helpful for you, we are asking you to stay for a while after the service – we have some lunch (refreshments and coffee) down in Creighton Hall, our elevator is working, (11 a.m. – we have child care and children’s activities) and we want you to interrupt your usual routine just this once, to help us launch the Book of Faith initiative and discover how it can make a difference in your life. 

For All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.  Word of God.  Word of Life.  (Thanks be to God.)

Amen.