found in the book of Psalm chapter 19 verses 1 through 11. The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor are there words whose voice is not heard. Their voices go out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. The rules of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold, sweeter also than the honey in the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warmed. In keeping them, there is great reward. This is the word of the Lord. Amen, you may be seated. Let's pray, shall we? Father in heaven, once again, we come into your presence asking for your blessing on the preaching and teaching of the word of God. Lord Jesus, this is your word. You speak to us as a prophet through it. And we'd ask our Father now that You would help us to push aside everything that would keep us from coming face to face with what You would have to say to us today through Your Word. Spirit of God, take Your Word and illuminate it to our hearts and lives. Change us, make us more like Jesus, we pray today in His name. Amen. You ever been taken to the woodshed? You know, today people have another saying called a come to Jesus moment. But it wasn't too long ago that my wife was telling me about some younger Christians that had somehow or another come to this faulty conclusion that the Word of God really doesn't speak to the situation today like it did back then because things have changed. And when I heard that, I'll be honest with you, I was grieved. And I was saying to myself, how could somebody grow up in a church where the Bible is sufficient and taught, come to the conclusion that God's word doesn't mean what it says? And I'll be honest with you, it bothered me all day long. It just bothered me. Why would somebody who loves Christ who was born again, make a statement like that. But then, later on in that evening, I was reading the scriptures, and I had that woodshed moment, that come to Jesus moment. And the Spirit of God spoke to me and said, you know, that's something, Bob. You're worried about someone saying that the Word doesn't speak, but you know the Word, and you say you believe every word of it, but you don't live it. The Scripture says you're to love your wife like Christ loved the Church, and I'm not always very good at doing that. The Scripture says that we're to take care of our family, because if a man don't take care of his family, he's worse than an infidel. He's worse than a non-believer. I don't always do that. The scripture says that we're to admonish one another with words and songs and spiritual hymns. And then when we speak to others, what we say should be uplifting. It should exalt, edify them. Then I began to think of my speech and I thought, not everything I said today edified everybody. I can tell you that. In fact, you ought to hear me talk to the TV sometimes. woodshed moment. It's easy to look at others and say, wow, what's wrong with them? Well, we need to look into our own hearts, don't we? We say we love the book. We say we believe the book, but do we live the book? That's what we want to talk about today. We're just about to finish up 2013. Boom, it's another year gone, right? We're about to come into 2014, and one of the things I would like us as a church to do in 2014 is be a people that comes back to the book. Because, ladies and gentlemen, our attitude towards this book in our treatment towards this book will regulate and determine every aspect of our lives. Every aspect of our lives. Theology, ladies and gentlemen, is where your world and life view comes from. You know, one of the great stories in the church history is Martin Luther. Remember? He was brought into the Diet of Worms, if I remember correctly. And he stood before the people of the Roman Catholic Church of that day, and through the Emperor of the people of Germany. And they asked him, Sir, do you believe these tracts that you have written? And if you do believe them, will you recant what you've said in these tracts? We know that he was given a day to pray about it, and then the second day, the question was again asked to him, wasn't it? And here's what Martin Luther said that day. He says, I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand. I can do no other. So help me God. Amen. Now folks, we know that God is most honored and we are most happy when we worship Him, serve one another, and take the gospel to the ends of the world. So what I'm asking is, is that in the year 2014, that we'll honor God and be more happy. But in order to do this, we must take advantage of Jesus' self-revelation in His Word. Now, with that said, I'm going to ask you to turn to a lot of passages today, but we're going to start off in the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 2. I want to start reading in verse 6. Verse 6 says, Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understand this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him. These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thought except the spirit of the person which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now, we have received not the Spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom, but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them, because he is spiritually discerned. Now what this passage scripture tells us is this, that no one can know the spirit of a man's heart but himself. And I'm sure you would agree with that today. There are some things that you've thought about and wrestled with and dwelt on that you don't even share with your spouse. But then we see in verse 11 that God turns this around and he says something very profound. He says, that's also true of myself. Look again at verse 11. For who knows a person's thought except the spirit of that person which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the spirit of God. So what this text is telling us, ladies and gentlemen, is this. That we can know nothing of God unless He reveals Himself to us. We need a revelation. So how does God do this? Well, it's interesting that God does this through two different ways. What some people call special revelation and general revelation. all right I'm a little more simpler than those and so what I like to say is he shows us through the big book and the little book all right what's the book well the book is the world around us his creation that's the big book little book special revelation is the Word of God and Jesus Christ himself And you know what? Both of these are seen in Psalm chapter 19. That's why we read that Psalm this morning. Look what that passage says. It says, The heavens declare the glory of God and the skies above proclaim His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor are there words whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth and the words to the ends of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving for his chamber, like a strong man runs his course with joy. Its rising is from the ends of the heavens and its circuit to the ends of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. And so what does the text say? Alright, he's saying this In general revelation you can know who God is If you just simply open your eyes and look around God created this world in six literal days And he created it with order You see? And how does somebody look at the Grand Canyon and not conclude that there's a great God? How does someone see how a plant can grow and then bear fruit and reproduce itself and not see God? In fact, ladies and gentlemen, the Bible tells us later on in the book of Romans that because of this big book, this general revelation, all men are guilty before God. No man, nowhere, no place is ever going to be able to stand before God and say, God, I didn't know you exist. Because God's going to say, no, I'm going to point you right back to the revelation that I've given you. I created the world. You say, does the Bible really teach that? Well, take your Bibles and go with me to the book of Romans, chapter 1, please. Romans, chapter 1. I want to start reading in verse 18. It says, "...For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made, so that they are without excuse." Now, I don't know how much plainer God can get than that. And so the point is, is that general revelation, the big book, is a true revelation. And because this self-revelation by God, man is accountable. Now, Paul goes a little farther than this in chapter 2, and he tells us that man is made with a conscience that makes him understand the difference between right and wrong. Look with me in chapter 2. I want to look at 2 passages, verses 14 and 15. The Bible says, For when the Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, They are a law to themselves, even though they did not have the law. They show that all the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. And so what's the text say? Even though He does not have the law, his conscience, which is written on his heart, because he was made in the image of God. He knows the difference between right and wrong. And it's interesting, in the day in which we live, people that are living in their sins, have you ever noticed they want you to agree that their sins are okay? Now, if it didn't matter, why would they want you to agree with them? Because down deep somewhere, they know what? What they're doing is wrong, because God gave them a conscience. God has given them a conscience. However, though, ladies and gentlemen, the big book is not enough to bring us to God. Therefore, we need something more, don't we? And that something more is the little book, the Word of God, or we could just say Christ Jesus the Incarnate Word Himself. But the big book, ladies and gentlemen, is sufficient to let us know that there is a God and that since there is a God and we're answerable to Him as Creator, we are without excuse. There are two takeaways that I want you to take from this first point. The necessity of the book. And the first one is this. God cannot be known unless he reveals himself. Just take that away, alright? Unless God chooses to reveal himself, there is no way we'll ever know God. And the second takeaway I want you to take from that is this. Man in his condition, because he's a transgressor of the law, remember Romans 1 and 2, because of sin, man in his condition needs God's authoritative word. So, whenever you find a people who acknowledge their sinfulness, they will treasure this book, won't they? Whenever you have a group of people, a body that says, we're sinners, in need of something. All right? They're going to treasure this book. And I'm going to tell you why next. The second main point I want to talk about is the nature of the book. This is how the Bible explains itself. Here's the question I want us to think about. When we hold this book in our hand, What are we reading? Just a collection of stories by over 40 men over a couple of thousand year period? Well, let's let the Bible speak for itself. Take your scriptures and turn with me to 2 Timothy chapter 3. I'm going to start reading in verse 14. Now, you know the context of this, all right? Verse 1, but understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty, for people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unpeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness but denying its power. He says, in those last days, this is what it's going to look like. But, Timothy, I have the antidote to that. And the antidote to that is what? The Word of God. So even though you live in that day, you've got something that's going to hold you, that's going to sustain you, that's going to keep you straight. And He says, starting in verse 14, But as for you, continue in what you have learned, and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, in how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness that the man of God may be completely equipped for every good work. Paul says to Timothy, Timothy this word is given by the inspiration of God. Literally breathed out from God. So God has made himself known. Now notice the emphasis falls on the activity of God. Not the activity of the one God uses to write. So the origin of scriptures then is God. And so the point there is what? That these absolutes are absolute from God. Scripture's for man. Now let's look at another major passage of Scripture that teaches this same thing. Turn with me, if you would, to 2 Peter. Chapter 1. to Peter chapter 1, starting in verse 16. He says, For we did not follow cleverly devised myths, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne by him to the majestic glory, This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased. We ourselves heard this very voice born from heaven, for we were with him on that holy mountain. And we have something more sure, the prophetic word to which you do well to pay attention as a lamp shining in the dark. 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 they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." Now, in this passage of Scripture, Peter gives us three lines of evidence. Number one, he says, we were testimonies by witnesses of his testimony. You know the incident that He's referring to, don't you? You remember when Jesus was transfigured before the three, the inner circle, James, Peter, John? And there they were, and as they stood there on that mount, Jesus stood, and there standing with Him, Moses and Elijah. And Jesus, His glory, all of a sudden was revealed. to the point where they said he shined like a light. We were eyewitnesses of that. We saw that with our own eyes. Not only that, but we also saw God. Because remember what Peter did after that took place? Peter always had to have something to say, right? I love Peter because I'm a lot like him. And on the way out, he said, Whoa, Lord, that was awesome! I'm paraphrasing this now, you know. That was wonderful! We ought to build three booths! One for Moses, and one for Elijah, and one for Jesus! And all of a sudden, the heavens cracked with the voice of God, and God came back and says, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye Him! And in the Greek, ladies and gentlemen, it's emphatic. God the Father thundered that down. And his point to Peter was what? Moses and Elijah, you don't worship them. They are there to point to Jesus. That's who you worship and bow down to. That's who you give adoration to. But then there's that third line. And that third line is this, the Word of Prophecy comes from God. But ladies and gentlemen, stop and think about what this passage says. This passage says, as good and cool as that was, to see God, Lord, and to hear God's voice, Peter says to you and I, that the Word of God, what we hold in our hands, is a better testimony than that. Isn't that something? This is better than what they got on the Mount! Now God help me to believe that and live that. The words of Peter are a product of God. What is given to us is the very Word of God. That's why, again, in 1 Corinthians 2, 13 it says, And we impart this in words, not taught by human wisdom, but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truth to those who are spiritual. Or you go way back to Deuteronomy where Moses said this, And I will raise up from thee a prophet like you from among the brothers, and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I have commanded. Of course, who is he speaking about? Jesus. What did Jesus constantly say throughout the Gospels? I say only what the Father has said for me to say. And then Jesus Himself, when He was being tempted by the devil in Matthew chapter 4, verse 4 says, But it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. What we hold in our hands is the God-breathed Word in our language. The only way we can know God is if He reveals Himself to us. And the two channels is the big book and the little book. And when we hold this little book in our hand, we're finding out exactly what God wants us to have. Now, what's the takeaways? Well, here they are. Number one, The absolute authority of the Word of God means that what Scripture says, God says. What Scripture says, God says. And ladies and gentlemen, listen. It doesn't matter what time you live. God's Word does not go out of void. It stays. And no matter when you live, no matter what's happening out there, it's still God's word. When God speaks, he speaks. It's for today. It's for today. Because ladies and gentlemen, some of these issues that we talk about, we act like they're brand new, like they didn't happen before. And if you study the history of mankind, the same sins that we're having problems with today are the same sins they had problems in Rome, the same sins they've always had problems with. And God's Word hasn't changed a bit on any of these things. All right. Spurgeon said this, reason that rest in God is Take away number one, the absolute authority of the Word of God means that what Scripture says, God says. And secondly, it's this. In inerrancy and infallibility, God cannot lie. He's omnipotent. In other words, if God couldn't give us an infallible Word that is preserved, He's not who He says He is. So the sum then of God's Word is what? Truth. infallible inerrant how do we know that 177 thy word is truth if I am through thy true thy word is true 1770 now that brings us to the third point of today's message what is the purpose of this book why did God give us this book Well, let's go back to our passage in 2 Timothy chapter 3 again. Verse 14, But as you continue in what you have learned, and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you have learned it, and how from a childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Number one, it's able to make us what? Wise on a salvation. Again, alright, the only way we can know God is because God revealed himself to us. If we're gonna be saved We're gonna have to know how to be saved. And what the Bible tells us is, is that that's why it was given so we could have a relationship with God through Christ. And isn't it interesting how it says through faith in Christ Jesus there? There is no other name written among heaven where man, where thy man should be saved. It's only one way. And what is the gospel? The gospel is the story how God and His love and His grace and His mercy and His Son to take our place on the cross. Because all of us have sinned and are under the transgression of God or under the wrath of God, we're going to either have to pay for our sins or somebody else is going to do it for us. And in Psalm chapter 1, we read about the man who was blessed by God. And who is that talking about? Talk about Jesus, isn't it? God sent Jesus to do for us what we could never do for ourselves. We've transgressed the law. We are under God's condemnation. And God says, the only way to get right with me is through my Son. Put your faith and trust in what Jesus did on your behalf at the cross of Calvary. Tell God you're a sinner deserving of damnation, but also tell Him you believe He sent His Son, who is God, who died and was buried and rose victoriously from the grave, so you might have life everlasting. But folks, listen, the gospel just doesn't keep us out of hell. The gospel is what also gives us the strength and the power and the ability to continue to walk and work and serve the Lord Jesus, right? So that salvation isn't a one-time deal, then everything's done. No, salvation is an ongoing thing. You are saved. You are being saved, the Scripture teaches. So why did God give us this book? So we would know how to be right with God. So we might be saved. But there's another reason. Let's keep reading verse 16. He says there, All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. Now you know I always like to take this verse and make it simple. And any of you that ever studied with me know that I go to this verse and I tell you what that means. For doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction, and righteousness is what? What's right, what's not right, how to get right, how to stay right. It's pretty simple, isn't it? Doctrine, what's right? Reproof, what's not right? Correction, how to stay right? You see, it's simple. Doctrine of reproof, correction, instruction, and righteousness. How to get right, how to stay right. Why? It says, so the man of God, the woman of God, the teenage of God may be perfectly, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. So what's the second reason that God gave us this book? The second reason is, is to make us fit for service. To fit for service. Keep looking to the Christ. Keep looking to the Gospel. Keep staying in the Word and the Word from the inside will change you and you begin to do what God calls you to do. And then Luke chapter 24, verses 25 through 7 and 44, 45 and 46, when I bring our prayer, teaches us that this whole Bible is about Jesus from beginning to the end, isn't it? And when you know it's about Jesus, and when you're in the Psalms, you find them, don't you? And when you know it's about Jesus, and you're in the book of Genesis, you find them, don't you? And when you know it's about Jesus, and when you're in the Kings, and you think about David, what do you find? David is like Jesus. Now, if you're not looking for Jesus, what happens? We begin to read that Bible, and we begin to think, OK, here's the principles I should abstract from David, alright? If I'm going to be like David, then I'm going to have to Keep my heart clean and I'm gonna have to have the Holy Spirit of God on me and I have to go around doing good I'm gonna have to do all those things I've got to be willing to charge the giant if necessary But if the Bible is about Jesus Then all of a sudden I learned that Jesus is David It's not that I need to charge a giant, it is that there's a giant out there, it's sin, and God has sent a champion into the world whose name is Jesus to fight my battle. Oh man, all of a sudden everything changes, doesn't it? It's not about self-help, it's about what Christ has done for me. That's the gospel. That's the gospel. Why did God give us all of that? Well, listen to what He says in 1 Corinthians 10. Now, these things happen as examples, but they were written down for our instruction. Romans 15, 4. 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. Psalm 119, 105. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Now, ladies and gentlemen, what are the takeaways from that third point, the purpose of this book? Here they are. Number one, what we call the perspicuity of the scriptures. Oh, that's a big word. As simple as this. The scriptures are clear enough to accomplish their end. You see, a lot of times people look at the scripture and say, well, I don't know how to understand it. I don't know how to interpret it. Here's the bottom line. The problem is not the word of God. The problem is your sinful heart. That's the problem. The second takeaway is the sufficiency of the scriptures. Folks, we don't need a miracle. The scriptures are sufficient, aren't they? I remember when my brother had cancer. before he succumbed to it. He believed in his heart that God had healed him. And he never wanted you to talk to him about the fact that he might die. Because if you did, here's what he thought, then you're going against God's will and you're throwing a wet blanket on the whole deal. And if I just believe enough, God has healed me, I'll be okay. Now do you know what his logic was for that? His logic was this, that if God heals me of cancer, then my mom and dad will truly trust Christ as Savior. That's his logic. But the problem with that logic is, is he didn't believe in the sufficiency of Scripture, because the Bible and the Word of God by itself is sufficient to save. You don't need a miracle. You say, Pastor, how do you know that? Well, you remember that story, that parable about the rich man and Lazarus? The old rich man was in hell, and he said to Abraham, he says, send old Lazarus and let him drop some water on my tongue. And send him to my brothers, so they might hear. So they don't have to spend eternity in this place. You remember what Abraham said? They got Moses and the prophets. They don't need to hear from Lazarus. The scriptures are sufficient. Sufficient. And then the third takeaway is this. We need to be Christocentric. I'd like you to take your Bibles and turn with me to the book of the Revelation, chapter 19. I want to draw your attention to verse 10. Now remember, John is hearing from an angel here, right? And in verse 9 it says, And the angel said to me, Write this, Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me, These are the true words of God. Now notice what John does. Then I fell down at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, you must not do that! Exclamation point. Remember there's only about 20 some of those in the entire Bible. Emphatically, do not worship me. I don't deserve worship. There's only one who does. But then listen to what he says. I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Ladies and gentlemen, we need to become Christocentric. We need to read our Bibles so Jesus will become precious to us. So we might know Him more. So we might love Him more. So we might serve Him more. So we might trust Him more. It's not about becoming smart. It's about coming to know Christ better. Use the Word of God to drive you to Jesus. And to my shame, for years, I used the word of God so I could become martyr. Instead, I used it for the purpose it was given, so it would drive me to Christ and his And then lastly, what should be the proper attitude towards this book? What should be our proper attitude towards this book? Well, ladies and gentlemen, if you really want to answer that question, you go home this afternoon and pull out your Bible and read Psalm 119. All 165 verses. And do you know what? All but two of them are going to talk about the word of God. But here's where I want to close. I want to close with this passage of scripture that always grasped my heart in the book of Isaiah chapter 66. If you would take your Bibles and turn with me there, Isaiah chapter 66. I want to start reading in verse 1. The Bible says, Thus saith the Lord, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool, and what is the house that you have built for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. Now Israel wanted to go back and show that temple and say, whoo, this is where it's all at, ladies and gentlemen, it's right here. That's where God meets with his people. But what God is saying is, is you know what? I made that. That's mine. But then listen to what he says next. But this is the one to whom I will look to. He who is humble, and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. That's who we got to look to. He who is contrite in spirit, broken because of their sin, and trembles at the living word of God. Can I ask you a question? When's the last time that you thanked God for the Scriptures? Isn't it amazing how you can go a day or two days or three days or four days or five days or six days or a week or two weeks and not even hear from God? Ladies and gentlemen, listen, God is most honored and we are most happy when we worship him, serve one another and take the gospel to the nations. You want to have a happy year? Have a contrite heart and tremble at the word of God. And then guess God through his grace through His strength and power, because of the gospel, because of the cross of Calvary, to learn this book. And as you read this book, get to know Jesus. Become a lover of Jesus. Become someone who trusts in Him. And then become someone who will serve Him. Well, folks, listen. It's not going to be because you say, well, you know what? 2014, I'm going to pull up my bootstrap and I'm going to do a thing for Jesus. It ain't going to happen. The only way it's going to happen is you're going to have to get into His Word and let Jesus sanctify you through the Scriptures. and by His grace and for His glory transform you into the image of His Son, the Lord Jesus, and be used in a great and mighty way for King Jesus and for His Kingdom to come. God took me to the woodshed last week. And this message was for me. This message was for me. I believe this is God's infallible and errant word. And that's how he speaks. This is how he reveals himself today. And so I need his word. And I hope maybe, just maybe, that you got a little taste of what I learned in the woodshed. God helped me to become a lover of you through this book. God help you folks to become a lover, a server, a truster, and a servant of Christ because of this book. Let's pray. Our God and Father, we thank you for the scriptures. How we praise you that they speak to us of Jesus. This Jesus who has all that he is to save sinners The Bible tells us that he's a perfect prophet, a perfect priest, a perfect king. Why do we need a prophet? Because our heart's black. Without a prophet, we would never look to God. Why do we need a king? Because we want to do things our own way. We need someone to come down and conquer us. Why do we need a priest? Because we're guilty before a holy God. But God has made Jesus. to be prophet, priest, and king, to be all that He is so He can save us from our sin. Father, we thank You that the Bible reveals us this Jesus that is Savior, but this Jesus that also will help us to do what You call us to do, to know Christ better, to love Christ better, to trust Christ more, to serve Christ and His people. Father, we believe with all our heart that God, You are most honored and we are most happy when we do what You've asked us to do. Without faith it is impossible to please You, but he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is the rewarder of them that diligently through your strength, through your power, through the gospel. Help us to seek you. Help us to honor you.