Study the Bible
2 TIMOTHY 2:15
Study to [show] thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [KJV]
OPENING REMARKS
A. Bible Availability –
1. In the United States of America – approximately 82 | 83% identify themselves as Christians.*
2. Of all the household in America - approximately 92% own at least one copy of the Bible. Of those households the average number they own is three. **
3. Of these who own a Bible – approximately 41% read the Bible outside of church worship services in a typical week.*
4. In American homes the Bible has taken on the status of an icon with little practical value. When asked, “What book has most influenced your life?” in a recent Library of Congress survey, respondents awarded the Bible the top position … [however,] of that group only 13% claim to read it daily.***
Source:
* Brister, Timmy, “Survey Says” – 2007 Reports on American Christianity, (timmybrister.com/2007/05/24/survey, downloaded 08 June 2007)
** Viach, Michael J., American and the Bible: Bible Ownership, Reading, Study and Knowledge in the United States, (www.TheologicalStudies.org, downloaded 08 June 2007)
*** Widenhouse, Kathy, Back to the Bible, Christianity Today, March/April 2003, (www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies, downloaded 08 June 2007)
B. Bible Knowledge –
1. According to the Gallup Poll: “The Role of the Bible in American Society” –
50% – adults interviewed nationwide could name [some] of the four Gospels of the NT
37% – interviewed could name all four of the Gospels
42% – were able to name as many as five of the Ten Commandments correctly
70% – knew where Jesus was born
42% – knew who delivered the Sermon on the Mount
2. According to Barna Poll: “The Bible” –
38% – Americans believe the “entire” (OT | NT) were written several decades after Jesus’ death
12% – adults believe that Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife
49% – believe that the bible teaches that the “root of all evil” is money, instead of “the love of money”
75% – believe that the Bible teaches that God helps those who help themselves
Source:
** Viach, Michael J, Ibid.
NOTE: Surveys indicate –
George Gallup, Jr. (Pollster)
Americans [may] revere the Bible … but, by and large, they don’t read it.”***
C. Bible Reading –
1. Reading the Bible here in the United States | Indiana | Underwood is not an illegal act.
It does not lead to fines, arrest, or imprisonment. Yet the way the majority of Americans today interact with the Bible – they seem to regard its importance with much apathy.
2. Perhaps you are of the majority of Americans who do not read your Bible regularly.
If that is the case, then join the minority – don’t they always get all the benefits!
3. Perhaps you say:
I don’t have time to read – surely you can find 10 minutes and read a chapter a day or maybe one chapter from the OT in the morning | one chapter from the NT in the evening | visa-versa.
The Bible is dull, boring – try reading the Psalms | Proverbs
I just don’t get it or I don’t know where to start – start with the NT and then read the referrals to the OT when they referenced: this will get you familiar with the OT
I hear it read at church on Sunday: isn’t that enough? – Billy Graham says, “The Bible is the road map for life.” – the more familiar you become in finding your way around with a map, the easier it is to go to and fro
The Bible makes me fearful | uncomfortable – running into things in the dark cause us to fear – in the light of God’s truth we can see our way and move comfortably about any object
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
D. Bible Importance –
1. Trustworthy – The Word of God is our Rule of Faith and Practice –
Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the man who walks not --- nor stands --- nor sits - in ungodliness, but his delight is in the law of the Lord.
Inspired … Infallible/Inerrant … Absolute … Infinite
Inspired – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 --- All Scripture is inspired by God …
Infallible/Inerrant/Absolute – John 17:17 --- Sanctify them in your truth. Your Word is truth.
Infinite – Psalm 119:89 --- Forever, O LORD, Your Word is settled [lit. - stands firm] in heaven
2. Effective – Accomplishes God’s will – Isaiah 55:8-11 -- God’s Word accomplishes what He desires
Faith – Romans 10:17 --- Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God
Salvation – 1 Peter 1:22-25 --- born again … through the word of God which lives and abides forever
Sanctification – Hebrews 12-4 --- examines every aspect of our hearts and discerns our motives
3. Desirable – 1 Peter 2:2 --- Like newborn babies desire [crave – thirst for – earnestly long for – anticipate] the pure milk of the Word
NOTE: God’s word teaches us how to live as a Christian - what to do and not what to do.
TEXT
Study to [show] thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [KJV]
A. Study –
John Phillips
Sometimes people who have heard a sermon or two, read their Bible some (usually in preparation for a Sunday school class), have read a few articles in a Christian magazine, or read a part of a commentary or a book on a popular Christian subject consider themselves to be authorities on the Scriptures. Yet often in reality their Biblical knowledge is mostly built upon what others have said or on what has been gleaned outside of the Bible. The Bible is about the only book on which people deem themselves to be [experts] when their acquaintance with its teachings is meager indeed. [Exploring the Pastoral Epistles: An Expository Commentary, 378 (adapted)]
Greek – [spoudazo] means: having zealous persistence (be a fanatic), make haste, be diligent.
Second person singular aorist active “imperative” verb | this is a command you are to actively study.
To set your heart upon [The Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible: Thessalonians …, 250]
John MacArthur
The Greek text carries the idea of having “zealous persistence” to accomplish a particular objective. I.e., in this case [You! “Study the word of God!”]
Do so with your maximum effort to understand God’s truth as completely, and as clearly, and as clearly as possible. [Studying diligently] gives unreserved commitment to excellence in examining, interpreting, explaining, and applying God’s Word. [The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: 2 Timothy, 75 (adapted)]
1. To show yourself approved
Approved – Gk. carries with it the “favorable passing of careful scrutiny” [MacArthur, 75].
John Phillips writes, “Here the idea is that of being in a position where one’s quality or worth as a diligent student of Scripture is displayed [379].
First – Unto God | Gk. dative (inflection = function): indirect object – receives action indirectly from the subject.
Psalm 119:11
Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
Second – [You] Workman [who labors and toils to the point of exhaustion] … not to be ashamed | Gk. accusative: - receives action directly from the subject.
1 Peter 3:15-16
[S]anctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
NOTE: There is no reason for biblical ignorance in our day. When 83% of Americans claim to be Christians and 92% of our homes have a Bible in them – availability bars any and all excuses.
Do not be ashamed to read God’s Word –
Pick it up | Open it up | Soak it up
B. Dividing –
1. The word of truth
How one views the Bible determines what one believes about the Bible.
Not Inspired – meaning tales from the past.
Inspired – God’s revelation of Himself to man. Then it is not old wives tales, but absolute truth.
a. Rightly
Gk. [orthotomeo] means:
John MacArthur
[Rightly] – Handling accurately – literally, “to cut straight.” The word was used of a craftsman cutting a straight line, of a farmer plowing a straight furrow, of a mason setting a straight line of bricks, or a workmen building a straight road. Metaphorically, it was used of carefully performing any task [76 (adapted)].
John Phillips
Making a proper division of the Scriptures. … [T]he need to hold a straight course when presenting God’s truth and not to deviate from it to suit one person or another. Doubtless, [Paul] meant that we must handle God’s truth honestly, fully, straightforwardly. We must plow a straight furrow in exploring and expounding the Scriptures.
We are not to mishandle the Word of God: [not] to twist it to fit what we think or want it to say; [not to] over-emphasize or underemphasize its teachings; [not to] add or to take away from it. Instead, we are to correctly analyze and accurately divide – rightly handle and skillfully teach – the Word of Truth [Amplified Bible (adapted)].
CONCLUSION
We are commanded to study God’s word.
We are to study to learn of God and His will for us.
We are to study God’s word not to prove our position – but to see what it actually says and then apply it to our lives.
Is this your testimony today concerning the Bible and your Christian walk?
INVITATION
A. W/O Christ: No personal relationship –
Perhaps something has been said today that has caused you to see that you are not a Christian. If that is the case I would like to at this time point you to Calvary’s cross. For here is where you will find the crucified Lord Jesus Christ – God’s answer for fallen man to find forgiveness of their sins.
I urge you today to repent of your sinful life before God and trust in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for salvation.
Then and only then can you begin to understand the meaning of “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth.”
B. Christ: Lord and Savior –
To all those who know Christ as their savior – I hope today you have seen the urgency of obeying God’s will for your life and you too – “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Always Open to All –
. Come to Christ
. Come if you need to pray
. Come be a part of us
. Come share with us what the Lord would have you to do
Bruce Allen
Underwood Baptist Church
bea0210@hotmail.com
June 10, 2007
