More Precious Than Gold

09/01/24 • 26 min

In this sermon by Carolyn Wilson, the crux of her message is about the unparalleled value of the Bible, which she argues is "more precious than gold." Carolyn begins by engaging the audience with an imaginative scenario of finding a treasure chest filled with priceless items and contrasts it by presenting the Bible as an even greater treasure. She references Psalm 19:7-11 to illustrate the Bible’s unique worth and how it enriches the soul, provides wisdom, joy, light, and enduring righteousness.

Carolyn elaborates on several reasons why the Bible is invaluable:

Understanding God: The Bible is God's self-revelation, detailing His character, love, justice, mercy, and holiness. Without it, understanding God would be limited to general revelations found in nature.
Understanding Ourselves: The Bible reveals our true identity and worth in God’s eyes, not defined by our past or failures but by God's love and purpose for us.
God's Salvation Plan: The Bible shows the path to salvation through Jesus Christ, providing hope and redemption beyond human wisdom or political systems.
Essential for Discipleship: Jesus' teachings, which are essential for being His disciple, are found in the Bible, making it vital for spiritual sustenance and growth.
Cohesive Story: The Bible is a unified narrative of sin, redemption, and God’s pursuit of humanity, culminating in Jesus Christ.
Future Guidance: The Bible offers wisdom for living an abundant life and understanding the future, as God reveals the end from the beginning.
Truth and Direction: It serves as an unchanging standard of truth in a world of shifting morals and protects believers from false teachings.

Carolyn shares the impactful conversion story of Richard Wurmbrand, whose life was transformed by the Bible amid persecution, illustrating the Bible’s power to bring profound change and hope.

She concludes by emphasizing the eternal value of investing time in God's Word, which stands forever despite attempts to discredit or destroy it. Through prayer and engagement with scripture, believers can experience God’s unchanging love and guidance. The sermon ends with a prayer, expressing gratitude for the gift of the Bible and a plea for deeper love and commitment to God's Word.

Carolyn elaborates on several reasons why the Bible is invaluable:

Understanding God: The Bible is God's self-revelation, detailing His character, love, justice, mercy, and holiness. Without it, understanding God would be limited to general revelations found in nature.
Understanding Ourselves: The Bible reveals our true identity and worth in God’s eyes, not defined by our past or failures but by God's love and purpose for us.
God's Salvation Plan: The Bible shows the path to salvation through Jesus Christ, providing hope and redemption beyond human wisdom or political systems.
Essential for Discipleship: Jesus' teachings, which are essential for being His disciple, are found in the Bible, making it vital for spiritual sustenance and growth.
Cohesive Story: The Bible is a unified narrative of sin, redemption, and God’s pursuit of humanity, culminating in Jesus Christ.
Future Guidance: The Bible offers wisdom for living an abundant life and understanding the future, as God reveals the end from the beginning.
Truth and Direction: It serves as an unchanging standard of truth in a world of shifting morals and protects believers from false teachings.

Carolyn shares the impactful conversion story of Richard Wurmbrand, whose life was transformed by the Bible amid persecution, illustrating the Bible’s power to bring profound change and hope.

Previous Episode

Discovering Who He Really Is

In this sermon by Doug Pratt, the emphasis is on truly discovering who God is and the significant impact this knowledge can have on our lives. Pratt opens by expressing joy in being part of a spiritually active congregation and introduces the message by reading Psalm 111, which highlights God's faithfulness, righteousness, and graciousness.

He shares a story about a Maine coastal village in crisis that fails to recognize John D. Rockefeller, who could have aided them substantially. This story serves as an analogy for how people often overlook or fail to seek God's help, despite His willingness to provide.

Pratt discusses the contrast between modern advancements in science and a decline in theological understanding, asserting that while evidence of a Creator is evident in the universe, knowing God personally requires revelation through scripture and experience. He uses a C.S. Lewis "Narnia" illustration to convey that knowing God more deeply magnifies His greatness.

Revisiting Psalm 111, Pratt summarizes its insights into God's character and emphasizes that unlike some public figures, God's greatness only becomes clearer the more we learn about Him. He encourages the congregation to actively seek God, comparing spiritual discovery to an explorer following a spring leading to a vast ocean. Pratt ends with an appeal for deeper pursuit of God and a prayer for wisdom and spiritual growth.

Next Episode

The Science of Prayer

In this sermon by Doug Pratt, the transformative power of prayer is explored through the lens of James 5:13-16. Pratt examines various forms of Christian prayer, such as praise, thanksgiving, confession, surrender, petition, and particularly intercession. He contrasts prayer with scientific understanding, highlighting its spiritual essence beyond empirical detection.

Intercessory prayer is likened to advocacy in a courtroom, emphasizing its role in supporting others before God. Despite the mystery of unanswered prayers, Pratt discourages viewing prayer as transactional and promotes a faithful, humble approach. Sharing his personal prayer practices, he underscores the importance of both structured daily prayers and spontaneous "pop-up" prayers.

Pratt references "It's a Wonderful Life" to illustrate the cultural resonance of intercessory prayer, reinforcing its perceived impact. He encourages the congregation to commit to prayer, grounding their efforts in Biblical teachings.

The sermon concludes with a communal prayer, urging the congregation to become instruments of God's will through intercessory prayer, reaffirming its power and efficacy.