1. Scripture, Appropriate
I heard a story about a friend of the bride who was not able to attend the wedding, so he sent a card of greeting which was read at the reception after the ceremony. It should have included the reference 1 John 4:18 -- "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear". However the "1" was accidentally omitted. So a Bible was fetched and the best man read out the verse on the card -- John 4:18, "The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband".
Scripture is meaningful, but only when it is appropriate. Satan used scripture while trying to tempt Jesus, but Jesus was able to recognize that the verses he used were quoted out of context.
a. When used properly, though, the Word of God "is useful for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
b. It is our “GPS” (God’s Positioning System) – shows us where we are and how to get to our destinations
2. The Bible is an unusual book with a supernatural element
John 6.63 (NLT)
63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
a. “When we read the bible, the bible reads us.”
b. Hebrews 4.12
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
3. The focus of the Bible is not the Bible but Jesus as the Living Word – John 1.14
4. Our challenge is to be excited about the bible; Tragedy to be bored with the Word of God
5. Bringing (applying) it to life Deuteronomy 17.18-20 (NLT)
18 “When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. 19 He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the LORD his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. 20 This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. And it will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel.
I. We Must Own the Scriptures (18)
A. Personal Copy (Kings had Priest approval)
B. Receive it as God’s Authority – 1 Thessalonians 2.13
13 Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.
1. To receive the word is to “take with the hand as one welcoming a stranger” – as in hospitality, bringing one into your home and treat with respect
2. When we accept the Bible as the Word of God it works in us. If it is not working in us, maybe we aren’t accepting it as God’s.
3. Suggestion – Buy a Hard Copy of the bible – studies are being done that seem to indicate we retain more from hard copies of books than from electronic copies; there is something about holding it in our hands and feeling our progress.
II. We Must Carry the Scriptures (19)
A. Can be literal (Ethiopian in Acts 8) also Spiritually (Psalm 119.11)
1. Reminders along the way – Teffilin and Tzitzit
2. For us – Manner of life; little reminders throughout the day – set alarms; receive devotionals; etc.
B. Read the Bible as a Meal – Nourishment – 1 Peter 2.2
1. Set aside time, make an appointment with God and keep it
2. Have a plan – 1 Year Bible (OT-NT-PS-PR)
• 1189 Chapters – can be read in 1 year by reading 3-4 chapters/day (10-15 minutes)
• Suggested Reading Plans http://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-reading-plan/
• Just do it!
C. Explore God’s Word with Others – Proverbs 27.17
III. We Must Live the Scriptures (20)
A. Assimilate it into Every Area of Life (not just Sunday AM)
1. Personal areas of Life (list on page 3 of the sermon outline)
2. Family
3. Jobs/School
4. Church
5. Government
B. The Proper Spirit
1. Humble
2. Persevering
3. Obedient – James 1.22
4. Doing leads to understanding – Exodus 19.8
1. The Bible is a Treasure for us Psalm 119.162 I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure.
2. Read/Hear it with the intent to do it – Luke 8.18
18 “So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.”
3. The Bible comes alive when
a. Faith Activates the Word – Hebrews 4.2
2 For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God.
b. Revelation Activates Faith – Romans 10.17
c. Meditation Activates Revelation – Joshua 1.7-8; Psalm 1.2
• Slow Down and Hear God
• Hagah – NOISE of lion or dove
• Brings those “Aha!” Moments
4. Make the effort to make it live – better, let it live in us
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Applying the Bible to Life
• Psalms 23 for fear
• Psalms 51 for repentance
• Proverbs 22:15 for disciplining a child
• Matthew 5:27-30 for understanding the depth and breadth of adultery/sexual lust
• Ephesians 5:22-33 for marriage roles and relationships
• Philippians 4:6 for anxiety
• Numbers 11 as a warning against grumbling and complaining
• Philippians 4:8 for training your mind against sexually lustful thoughts
• Joshua 1:9 as encouragement as you begin an evangelistic effort in your church
• Genesis 37 The story of Joseph as an encouragement amid harassment or persecution
• Isaiah 40 for Discouragement
• Matthew 11.28-30 When Burdened
• Romans 8 for Guidance and Assurance
• Matthew 6.19-34 for Business or Financial Worries
• Psalms 23; 31; 46; 91; 121 in times of Danger
• 2 Corinthians 4.16-5.10 for Aging Fears
• Colossians 3.12-17 for a Happiness Recipe
