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(Guidelines) Illumination I
J. Vernon McGee

John Vernon McGee (1904 - 1988). American Presbyterian pastor, radio teacher, and author born in Hillsboro, Texas. Converted at 14, he earned a bachelor’s from Southwestern University, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a D.D. from Columbia Seminary. Ordained in 1933, he pastored in Georgia, Tennessee, and California, notably at Church of the Open Door in Los Angeles from 1949 to 1970, growing it to 3,000 members. In 1967, he launched Thru the Bible, a radio program teaching the entire Bible verse-by-verse over five years, now airing in 100 languages across 160 countries. McGee authored over 200 books, including Genesis to Revelation commentaries. Known for his folksy, Southern style, he reached millions with dispensationalist teachings. Married to Ruth Inez Jordan in 1936, they had one daughter. Despite throat cancer limiting his later years, he recorded thousands of broadcasts. His program and writings continue to shape evangelical Bible study globally.
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Sermon Summary
In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of studying and listening to the word of God. They mention going through the Bible multiple times in different programs, and each time, they discover something new with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The speaker highlights the need for the Spirit of God to be our teacher and the only one who can truly illuminate the meaning of Scripture. They reference Bishop Hadley's statement that there is more meaning in every word of Holy writ than we can ever comprehend. The sermon concludes with a reminder from Dr. Robinson to be open to receiving new truths from the written word of God.
Sermon Transcription
And may I say that it follows from that in illumination that only the Spirit of God is the one that can teach us today. That's what Bishop Hadley meant when he said, there's more meaning in every word of Holy Writ than we shall ever get out of it. And it was Dr. Robinson, pastor in Leyden, who reminded the pilgrims when they set out from Holland, he said this to them, "...the Lord has more truth yet to break forth from his holy word. Luther and Calvin were great shining lights in their times, yet they penetrated not the whole counsel of God. Be ready to receive whatever truth shall be made known to you from the written word of God." And that, my friend, is the thrill of going through the Bible like this. You know what? I've never been through it, and I've been through it now a dozen times, teaching it like this, one-year program, one-and-a-half-year program, two-year program, two-and-a-half-year program, and now a five-year program of going through the Bible. And very candidly, every time something new breaks forth from the page because the Spirit of God must be our teacher, we're in for a wonderful treat if we'll just listen to that still, small voice of the Word of God as He speaks to us from the page of Scripture, and He's wanting to speak to us.
(Guidelines) Illumination I
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John Vernon McGee (1904 - 1988). American Presbyterian pastor, radio teacher, and author born in Hillsboro, Texas. Converted at 14, he earned a bachelor’s from Southwestern University, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a D.D. from Columbia Seminary. Ordained in 1933, he pastored in Georgia, Tennessee, and California, notably at Church of the Open Door in Los Angeles from 1949 to 1970, growing it to 3,000 members. In 1967, he launched Thru the Bible, a radio program teaching the entire Bible verse-by-verse over five years, now airing in 100 languages across 160 countries. McGee authored over 200 books, including Genesis to Revelation commentaries. Known for his folksy, Southern style, he reached millions with dispensationalist teachings. Married to Ruth Inez Jordan in 1936, they had one daughter. Despite throat cancer limiting his later years, he recorded thousands of broadcasts. His program and writings continue to shape evangelical Bible study globally.