Stick to the Word

"Just give them the Word of God. They can argue with your opinion, but they cannot argue with the Word of God. The Word of God will speak for itself."

Dr. Beth Grant

I have a word for the Oregon Ministry Network pastors and churches in these unusual times. It’s simply this, stick to the Word. These are the words that I heard through the night and early this morning, "stick to the Word." All of us are being inundated with questions regarding various social issues of the day. It may feel a little overwhelming. People are asking you to take a position or to make a statement on this group or that party or a current social issue. There are all kinds of pressure to respond to every social media prediction or prophecy made by a minister or a politician, advocate, or commentator. And frankly, it's exhausting. I feel that exhaustion.

I've got a simple word for you: stick to the Word. You know, when Paul wrote his second letter to young Timothy known as Second Timothy, he gave him this charge: preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season. Then he went on to say, correct, rebuke, encourage with great patience and careful instruction. So why did he do all of that? He was there to help. He stuck to the word. He said, Timothy, you're going to be pulled in all kinds of directions but stick to the Word.

A friend of mine, who grew up in another time, told me that in his home church as a young boy, it was the custom for all the elders of the church to sit on the front row of the church during services. When a guest preacher, or a young preacher like himself would speak, if the elders thought that you deviated from biblical truth or scriptural theology; or even if the presenter or the preacher got caught up in a personal illustration, the elders would shout out, "Stick to the Word, stick to the Word!"

Can you imagine that happening today? Well, in this current climate of cancel culture and people declaring what is to be embraced and who is really important in life, I want to encourage you to not get caught up in all of that, but to simply stick to the Word. Nehemiah 8:8 says, “They read from the book of God, making it clear and giving the meaning.” Why? “So that the people understood what was being read.” That's our assignment. That's our calling. And although you have personal opinions and I do about a variety of things that are happening socially in our communities, I want to encourage you, stick to the Word.

It's the Word of God. That amazing book called the Bible that you and I have been teaching and preaching from that is alive and active and sharper than any double-edged sword. It judges the very thought and the intent of the heart. It's the Word of God that brings comfort to those that are grieving. And we have a lot of people grieving. So, stick to the Word.

It's the Word of God that provides direction for those that are uncertain. And there are a lot of people who are uncertain about their future, stick to the Word. It's the Word of God that brings correction to the arrogant and to the prideful. And there are a lot of people who live that way this day. A generation that feels entitled. Stick to the Word.

There are many people who are struggling with physical health and issues. It's the Word of God that provides healing for the afflicted, stick to the Word. And for those that are hopeless, there's hope from God's Word. So, stick to the Word. Don't try to answer everybody's questions or persuade them to your political position. I want to encourage you to stick to the Word. Let's see what the Bible says about life. Let's stick to the Word.

My dear friend, Dr. Beth Grant, in a recent meeting that I was in speaking to national leaders, discussing the precious present issues and our response to them said, "just give them the Word of God. They can argue with your opinion, but they cannot argue with the Word of God. The Word of God will speak for itself."

So, I encourage you, in these troubled times declare the Word of God. Stick to the Word.