This Sunday at Likewise

Foundations - Scripture

Hebrews 4:12

One of the most important questions we can ask about the Bible is this: Why did God give it to us at all?

Scripture is not merely a collection of ancient writings, moral teachings, or theological facts. God did not give us the Bible simply to inform us about Him—He gave us His Word so that we might truly know Him. Nowhere is that purpose clearer than in Exodus 34:6, where God proclaims His own name to Moses:

“The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”

This is more than a description of God—it is God introducing Himself. From beginning to end, every page of Scripture supports this divine self-revelation. He is holy and merciful, just and forgiving, patient and faithful.

So when we open the Bible, we are not simply opening a book—we are stepping onto holy ground. The goal is not information alone, but encounter. The purpose of Scripture is this: that we would know who God truly is, and that in knowing Him, we would be transformed to live and love as He does.

See you this Sunday,

Pastor Josh

HEAD — What we’re invited to understand

Scripture is God’s living self-revelation.

In Hebrews 4:12, we are told that the Word of God is “living and active,” piercing to the division of soul and spirit and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. The Bible is not merely information about God—it is God speaking. As 2 Timothy 3:16–17 reminds us, “All Scripture is breathed out by God,” given to teach, correct, and train us so that we may be complete and equipped for every good work. When we open the Bible, we are encountering the God who reveals His name and character from Exodus onward.

Let Scripture shape your understanding of who God is, not merely your knowledge about Him.

HEART — What we’re invited to feel and receive

God’s Word is meant to draw us into relationship and transformation.

Jesus prayed in John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth,” showing us that Scripture does not only inform—it changes us. The same Word that reveals a merciful and gracious God also exposes what needs to be refined in us. As Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” guiding us personally and faithfully.

Allow God’s Word to search your heart and lead you into deeper trust and obedience.

HANDS— What we’re invited to live out

We do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

In Matthew 4:4, Jesus shows us that Scripture sustains real life, even in the wilderness. If God’s Word is living and active, then it is meant to be lived. We respond not only by reading it, but by building our lives upon it—allowing it to correct, guide, equip, and send us into the world reflecting His character.

Build your life on God’s Word this week, trusting it to sustain, guide, and transform you.

Likewise Sermons

Foundations - Scripture

Date: Feb 15, 2026

Category: God, The Church, Bible, Disciple

Speaker: Josh Burt

Passages: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

One of the most important questions we can ask about the Bible is why God gave it to us at all. Scripture is not merely a collection of ancient writings, moral lessons, or theological facts. God did not give us the Bible so we would simply know information about Him—He gave us Scripture so we would know Him. And nowhere is that purpose clearer than in Exodus 34:6 where God proclaims His own name to Moses:

“The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”

This is not just a description of God—it is God introducing Himself to us. Every page of the Bible is supports this self-revelation. God who is holy and merciful, just and forgiving, patient and truthful.

So when we open Scripture, we are not opening a textbook, we are stepping onto holy ground. The goal is not information alone, but encounter. Because the purpose of Scripture is this: that we would know who God truly is, and by knowing Him - we would live and love likewise.