THE NEED OF AN INTERPRETER

MATTHEW 1:2

A. "AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME EMMANUEL; WHICH BEING INTERPRETED IS, GOD WITH US"
  1. The word "interpreter or interpretation" is most fascinating to one reading the Bible:
    1. We think of the Ethiopian reading Isaiah 53, and Philip's guidance - Acts 8:29-40
    2. We think of our Lord opening the scriptures unto His disciples - Luke 24:32
  2. Most all human beings are in need of an interpreter:
    1. Because the carnal mind does not perceive of the things of the Spirit - I Cor. 2:10-14
    2. Sin has blinded us to things spiritual - 2 Cor. 4:4-11 B. THE NEED FOR AN INTERPRETER
  3. All men need an interpreter of the biggest things in life:
    1. Among the biggest things in life, is life itself - life baffles people until they find an interpreter; Examples: do you recall the time when Joseph was overseer in prison and when Pharaoh's butler and baker were in need of an interpreter? - Gen. 40:1-21; the story of Nebuchadnezzar's dreams and their interpretation by Daniel is well known - Dan. 2:3
    2. The church of Rome maintains that its priesthood - represented in the person of the Pope is God's interpreter of life, past, present and future
  4. We sincerely believe that Christ and Christ alone is the authoritative interpreter of life, past, present and future:
    1. He is the voice or spokesman of God - "In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God" - John 1:1-3
    2. "For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" - Col. 2:9
    3. "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption" - I Cor. 1:30
  5. Christ has the key to all the secrets of life:
    1. He created life to begin with - John 1:4
    2. And He saith, "I am the way, the truth and the life" - John 14:6
    3. He is the Redeemer of life and knows life in all its ramifications - that includes mans thoughts and his actions - his past, his present, and his future C. WE NEED AN INTERPRETER
  6. Of God's holy will:
    1. The world is full of diverse interpretations of God's will - so much so that confusion is on every side - the lo here and the lo there fill the air
    2. A thousand agencies claim to be the interpreter of the will of God - one claiming the opposite of the other
  7. We know that the Bible is the written revelation of God's will:
    1. Writes Paul, "All scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" - 2 Tim. 3:15-17
    2. Jesus said to the Pharisees, "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God" - Matt. 22:29
  8. We know, also, that Jesus Christ came into this world:
    1. To explain the will of God as it is found in the Bible - Matt. 11:27; Luke 24:25-28; 4:16-18
    2. "If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him" - James 1:5
  9. We know further:
    1. That the Holy Sprit, the third person of the Godhead is Christ's representative on earth - John 14:26; 15:26
    2. He is the heavenly Guide that will lead us into all truth - John 16:12-13
  10. Then we know, also, that God has His church on earth, to whom he has given the commission:
    1. "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" - Mark 16:15-16; Matt. 28:18-20
    2. But, and this important note, the church is not to interpret the word or will or God, no, but it is to teach the word as it has been interpreted by the Divine teacher - the Son of God


Design © John Bryant 2011