Why study the Bible? Let us examine some thoughts on that subject…..
**Study the Bible to learn who God is.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
1 Timothy 3:16-17
**Study the Bible to find spiritual guidance.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105
**Study the Bible to grow spiritually.
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
1 Peter 2:1-3
We will examine a few more thoughts next week. In the meantime, let us read and study our Bibles regularly.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58
As believers, we are commanded to be steadfast and immovable in what we believe. We are urged to trust in the Word of God and to be abundant in our service for God. Why are these commands given? Let’s think about this today.
We are commanded to be immovable in the Word and the work of the Lord because Jesus rose from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15 details the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ resurrection. His resurrection is grounded in history through these witnesses. His death, burial, and resurrection assures victory for all Christians. Therefore, we can continue to serve Him daily.
We are also commanded to be immovable because of the truth with which we have been entrusted. We understand that Scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and that is has God as its ultimate author (2 Peter 1:19-21). These precepts allow us to keep believing and trusting the Bible even when we don’t always understand.
Ultimately, we can remain immovable because of the faith of those who have come before us. There is indeed a “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) that accompany us on our journey. Down through the centuries, others have believed what we believe and have practiced what we seek to practice. It is comforting to know that others have struggled and suffered persecution and yet still kept the faith.
Their faith encourages us to go on today. Their example urges us forward in faith until we see Jesus. What about us? When our time on earth is done, may it be said of us that we were steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the word of the Lord!
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
Genesis 3:8-9
In the midst of human rebellion the Lord still calls out “Where are you?” to His creation. God’s mercy is on display even at the worst of times. Verses 8-9 reveal 4 things about the Lord’s love and grace……….
Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.
Genesis 40:23
Do you ever feel as if you have been forgotten? Perhaps you feel you even been unremembered by the Lord?
Joseph understood this emotion. He was forgotten for over two years and languished in prison. Yet, God was faithful all along and the story of Joseph ends with him as a ruler and not as a convict. God’s plan unfolded marvelously in Joseph’s life and it change the entire course of history.
If you feel abandoned today, I cannot promise you that God will make you a ruler in the end. I cannot guarantee that your life will be perfect or trouble-free. I can, however, remind you that Jesus has not forgotten you. He promised to be with you forever as you follow Him.
Think deeply about these Scriptures today and be blessed!
“And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:18
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:27
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Ephesians 4:4-6
Paul speaks here of the “ones” of the Christian faith. They are…
**One Body
**One Spirit
**One Hope
**One Lord
**One Faith
**One Baptism
**One Father
There are not many ways to heaven. Only one way leads to paradise. Jesus is the way. Christ is the one way. Christ is the only way.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
Ephesians 6:17
Let us take up the Word of God which is the sword of the Spirit. The Bible, God’s Holy Word, is our help and strength as we study it and apply it to our lives. Without it, we are left to wander and follow our own devices.
4 Facts About the Bible
**The Bible is God’s Truthful Word
**The Bible is God’s Total Word
**The Bible is God’s Timely Word
**The Bible is God’s Transforming Word
As Christians and as churches, let us not seek mere tradition, the past, or “that’s what we used to do” as our guiding light. Let us look to the light of God’s Word as He leads us into the future. Wield the Sword of the Spirit, Child of God. Take it up and fight against the schemes of the evil one.
17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:17
The helmet of salvation is necessary because……………………….
**Every human being is a sinner in need of rescue. (Romans 3:23)
**Every human being who refuses to repent and truth in Christ will be separated from God’s goodness and mercy forever. (Romans 6:23 & Revelation 20:15)
**Every human being who repents and trust’s Christ is saved eternally from their sin, their shame, and from their old self. (Romans 10:9-10, Ephesians 2:8-9)
**Every Believer is given the gift of the indwelling Spirit of God.
“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
This portion of Scripture was called the Shema by the Jewish rabbis. It was often quoted by Jewish worshipers in the synagogue meetings. The lessons it teaches are universal and important for Christian believers in our day. What are those lessons?
**There is only one God.
The great truth of this passage tells us that there is only one true, authentic God. In a society that trumpeted a multitude of gods and goddesses, Moses declares that the only true God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
We would do well to remember this truth in our time. Many idols still vie for our attention. Yet, for the Christian, there is only one God revealed in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
**We must pass the Christian faith on to the young.
The Hebrew people were commanded to continually teach the precepts and principles of the Law. They were to pass on their faith to the next generation. Failure to transfer these principles from God’s Word resulted in much pain and heartache for the nation of Israel. The people of God were to continue to faithfully teach the Word of God so that future generations would not forget the miracles, blessings, and provisions that God had provided for His people.
This principle still has great import for today’s Christian. If we don’t teach the truths of Scripture through word and deed to our children and young people, who will? The world system is contrary to the truths of the Scriptures. Therefore, we must teach the truth, preach it, and live it so that our children may grow in the faith.
**We must teach the truths of the Bible by utilizing every opportunity.
The Jewish people were commanded to teach the truths of the Law in the morning, throughout the day, and in the evening. The point was this; use every teachable moment to pass along the ways of God, the truth of God, and the greatness of God to the young.
As Christians today, our command and call is exactly the same. We should be taking advantage of every occasion we are given to teach the plain truths of Scripture. Let us point out God’s blessing and goodness. May we remind our children that God is with us at all times. Let us teach them of Christ’s died and rose again for the salvation of souls. Let us not hold onto our faith, let’s pass it on.
mrtonyfrench 