Be Intentional #5-Getting The Most Out Of Your Bible (Pt. 2) Series

Be Intentional

#5 – Getting the Most Out of Your Bible

(Part 2)

Introduction

Two weeks ago, I gave a message about getting the most out of your Bible, and I included some tools to help you do that. I am out of the 7 Minutes with God brochure, but can get more – or you can pick it up at Anchors of Faith downtown. I can also get you copies of the application steps sheet I included in that bulletin.

As I got to thinking and praying since then, I sensed God nudging me to give another message, not on how to get into the Bible, which is what I did last time, but rather, on what you should expect to find as you explore the Word of God for yourself.

You can get some of that by coming here and listening, but you will never really possess the joy of discovery unless you do it yourself, asking God’s Holy Spirit to open your heart and mind to His Word.

The purpose of today’s message is to tell you some of the wonderful riches of the Bible you will discover as you make it more a part of your life.

The basis for this message is a passage printed at the top of your bulletin. I would ask that you read this aloud with me, okay?

2 Peter 1:3-4 –

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

I want to show you just a few of the wonderful treasures we gain from the Bible. We could go on forever about any of these, but I want to just give you some highlights of what you can gain from making the Bible a part of your life.

Let’s get to it, shall we?

From the Bible…

1. We gain knowledge:

Verse three tells us that it is our knowledge of Him that is the key to a life of godliness.

We gain that knowledge in at least three areas:

 Of human life.

We learn that we are but a vapor and that we will spend way more time in eternity than we will on earth.

We learn that life is not always easy, because of the fall of man.

We learn that humans have inherited a sinful nature from Adam.

And we learn that we are God’s favorite and best creation, the objects of His love and concern.

Next, we learn…

 Of God.

Among the numerous things we can learn about God is that He is the awesome Creator, who while holding all of creation in His hand, still can move to wipe the tear from our eye and rejoice in our victories in life.

We learn that He is a jealous and angry God, yet is full of love and compassion for those who call on Him.

We learn that He loves you so much He would rather die than spend eternity without you.

The Bible is full of information about the glory, holiness, justice, love, discipline, and all sorts of things about God.

You’ll just have to read the Bible to find out about it, I guess.

And we also learn…

 Of eternity.

We learn that everyone will spend eternity in one of two places: heaven or hell.

Heaven is the home of those who call on Christ on earth, hell is for those who do not call on Christ on earth.

The Bible has many wonderful things to say about when we get to heaven. Read the New Testament letters and Revelation to get a glimpse of heaven. It’s awesome.

Just learning about human life, God, and eternity would take a lifetime. But remember what I’ve been saying lately:

The purpose of the Bible is not to inform, but to transform, and the knowledge you gain must be put into your life in such a way that the Holy Spirit can use it to make you more like Christ.

Well, let’s take a look at more of what the Bible has to offer. Not only do we gain knowledge, but…

2. We gain guidance:

The Bible is chock-full of practical, down to earth wisdom that anyone, anywhere can put into practice, and be better off than they are right now.

I want to discuss just three areas of guidance out of the multitudes of things we can find guidance on from the Scriptures. The first is…

 Human relationships

I have often joked that instead of Shakespeare, high school and college students should be required to read How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie.