Summary: The Importance of Reading/Studying God’s Word

FINDING GOD’S WORD

INTRODUCTION:

This message does not apply to those of you who spend more time reading your bible than reading the newspaper, it does not apply to those of you who spend more time in Bible Study or Church than watching TV. But this message does apply to me, and I have a sneaky feeling it applies to some of you. Please turn to:

Jeremiah 15:16

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

I/ "THY WORDS" or God’s Words! I want to talk to you about:

a. Their Importance: John 14:23

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

b. Their Power: Jeremiah 23:28-29

The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD. {29} not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer breaketh the rock in pieces?

1. Fire Ignites - Moves cars, Jet Planes

2. Fire Illuminates - John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the [light of the world]: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 3:21 But he that [doeth truth] cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

3. Fire Purifies - Burns the rags of self

righteousness the refuse of unholy

thoughts, the leaves of an empty

profession.

c/ Their Purpose:

1. To Clean - John 15:3 Now ye are clean

through the word which I have spoken unto you.

2. To Guide - Psalms 119:105

Thy word a lamp unto my feet, and a

light unto my path.

3. To Save - 1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

II/ "WERE FOUND" - I don’t know about your memory, but mine needs refreshing from time to time.

a. First, we must have God’s Word in Hand.

b. Second, we must get it into our Head.

c. Finally, we must get it into our Heart. Psalms 119:11- Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

III/ "AND I DID EAT THEM" - Gods Word must become a part of us:

a. Our lives must be ordered by it -

Psalms 119:105 - Thy word a lamp unto my feet, and a [light unto my path].

b. Our strength must be drawn from it -

John 4:34 - Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

c Our hunger should be for it - Matthew 5:6

Blessed they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

IV/"THY WORD WAS UNTO ME THE JOY AND REJOICING OF MINE HEART"

a. Joy is the result of sharing it: Psalms 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed,shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves .

b.Fullness of Joy is the result of keeping God’s Word. John 15:7-11 - If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. {8} Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be

my disciples. {9} As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. {10} If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. {11} These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and your joy might be full.