Rev. Kern's sermon titled "The Story of Canon" delves into the origins and development of the biblical canon, highlighting key theological and historical aspects related to the formation of the Scriptures. The sermon is structured around three main points: God's Divine Commission: The sermon begins by emphasizing God's role as the Divine Storyteller, highlighting that the Bible is fundamentally a narrative shaped by God's revelation and intervention in human history. It explores how God commissioned prophets and apostles to speak on His behalf, with Moses serving as a prime example. The narrative recounts Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush, where he was called to be God's mouthpiece and later went on to write the first five books of the Bible. Inspiration and Writing of Scripture: The sermon then transitions to discuss the inspiration and writing of Scripture by the prophets, apostles, and other biblical authors. It emphasizes the importance of preserving and transmitting the written Word of God, detailing how ancient scribes and priests played a crucial role in safeguarding the purity and accuracy of biblical manuscripts. Recognition of Authoritative Books: Finally, the sermon addresses the gradual recognition and acceptance of authoritative books within the biblical canon. It explains how early Christian communities discerned the divine qualities of Scripture, including its beauty, efficacy, and harmony, which led to the acceptance of the 66 books of the Bible as prophetic and apostolic in origin. The sermon also contrasts this view with the Roman Catholic perspective, asserting that the authority of the Bible precedes and shapes the authority of the Church. Throughout the sermon, there is a thematic focus on Jesus Christ as the central figure and ultimate revelation of God, with the Scriptures pointing towards Him and His redemptive work. The sermon concludes with an exhortation to cherish and heed the Holy Scriptures as the voice of truth and love, calling believers to find rest and salvation in Christ.