#3 Dare to read the Bible
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr.
Kyfingers@aol.com
Some of this is repetition or purpose.
Repetition is a literary tool to stress important points.
TEXT:
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they which LOVE (STUDY) thy law, and nothing shall offend them.
Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.
Psa. 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Matt 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, YE DO ERR, NOT KNOWING THE SCRIPTURES, NOR THE POWER OF GOD.
2 Tim. 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; BUT AFTER THEIR OWN LUST shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. 4. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables. Let’s not seek fables and stories,
Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15. And how shall they preach, except they be sent?...17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing the word of God.
Matthew 6:33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
WHICH IS YOUR GUIDE?
Author unknown
ON THE TABLE SIDE BY SIDE,
THE HOLY BIBLE AND THE TV GUIDE.
ONE IS WELL-WOREN
BUT CHERISHED WITH PRIDE---
NO, NOT THE BIBLE, BUT THE TV GUIDE.
ONE IS USED DAILY TO HELP FOLK DECIDE,
NO, IT IS NOT THE BIBLE,
IT’S THE TV GUIDE.
THE WORD OF GOD IS SELDOM READ,
MAYBE A VERSE, ERE THEY FALL IN BED,
EXHAUSTED AND SLEEPY AND TIRED AS CAN BE,
NO, NOT FROM READING THE BIBLE,
BUT FROM WATCHING THE TV.
SO BACK TO THE TABLE,
SIDE BY SIDE,
ARE THE HOLY BIBLE AND THE TV GUIDE.
NO TIME FOR PRAYER,
NO TIME FOR THE WORD.
THE PLAN OF SALVATION IS SELDOM HEARD.
FORGIVENESS FROM SIN,
SO FULL AND FREE,
IS FOUND IN THE BIBLE---
AND NOT ON TV.
THE BIBLE--- GOD’S HOLY WORD
Author unknown
The Bible contains the Mind of God
the state of man,
the Way of Salvation,
the doom of sinners,
the happiness of believers.
Its doctrines are Holy,
its precepts are binding,
its histories are true,
its decisions immutable.
Read it wisely,
believe it to be safe,
and practice it to be holy and pure before God.
It contains light to direct you,
food to sustain you,
and comfort to lift and cheer you.
It is a traveler’s map,
a pilgrim’s staff,
the pilot’s compass,
the soldiers sword,
and the Christian’s character.
Christ is its subject,
our good is its design,
the glory of God its end.
It should fill the memory,
rule the heart,
discipline the flesh,
and guide the feet.
Read it slowly,
Read it frequently,
read it prayerfully.
It is given life to you,
It will opened in the Judgment,
and forever remembered.
It involves the highest responsibility,
rewards the greatest effort and labor,
and condemns all who make light off its holy precepts.
This is part #3 Dare to read and study your Bible.
(Why should I study?)
We are actively pondering the Imperative Command in the Bible to STUDY. We must establishes we are commanded to study the Word of God.
Our text is 2 Timothy 2:15.
WHY SHOULD I GO BEYOND READING
AND STUDY THE BIBLE?
#1 THE BIBLE CLEARLY COMMANDS YOU TO STUDY....
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
I have told this story, but I use it again.
Many years ago, I was very young and attended the School of Ministry. A very wise old pastor was teaching us some powerful lessons. At the end of the class, we were allowed to ask questions.
One young man asked, "How many times have you read your Bible through?"
The minister of over 40 years, answered painfully honest, ...
he replied, "I don’t know if I have ever read it from cover to cover?"
He bowed his head. He promised this would change.
Many leaders fail to study the word of God, we rather listen to tapes and read current works? If the ministers of today gave the Bible equal time to the TV set revival would be loosed.
#2 GOOD BIBLE STUDY KEEPS YOU FROM SIN ...
Sin will keep you away from the word of God, and the word of God will keep you away from sin.
Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.
To study the word of God will sanctify and set God’s people apart.
The more you know and study God’s plan the faster you will flee from sin.
I am concerned that the 10 commandments are not in our schools, but I am more concerned that they are not posted in church rooms and bedrooms.
But great is my concern that God’s law is not in the heart.
#3 STUDY ESTABLISHES A FIRM FOUNDATION ...
Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered, Ye do err, not knowing the scripture, nor the power of God ...
Sickly oaks from sickly acorns grow.
Because we fail to be students of the word, we live far beneath our privileges.
To stand we must have a sure foundation.
We follow not signs, signs follow us?
#4 AS WE STUDY, THE HOLY SPIRIT BRINGS TO REMEMBRANCE ...
Acts 11:15 As I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell ....
16. Then remembered I the word of the Lord ....
You can never remember what you have not membered in the first place.
By studying, we open the doors to great ministry and effective usage of the power of God.
#5 STUDY BRINGS SUSTAINED GROWTH ...
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord...
James 1:5 If any lack wisdom, let him ask God...
Study prepares God’s people, heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.
If we are not growing, we are deteriorating, and will accomplish little fruit that will remain?
#6 STUDY RELEASES POWER ...
Luke 4:32 ... for His Word was with power.
36. ... With authority and power He speaks. If ever we needed a ministry full of God’s power it is today.
Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they which LOVE (STUDY) thy law, and nothing shall offend them.
Matthew 24:10 warns us in the last days many shall be offended ...
the difference in offense and death,
power and life and growth is the STUDY of the Word of God.
#7 STUDY BREEDS SOUL WINNERS ...
Prov. 11:30 ... He that winneth souls is wise.
You don’t have to push missions and evangelism where there is a deep knowledge of God’s precious word.
One deep in the word cries for the lost dying humanity.
The perpetual babyhood of believers doing nothing, murmuring, and complaining comes from shallowness in God’s word.
#8 STUDY KILLS CONTROLLING, MANIPULATIVE, KNOW IT ALL SPIRITS ...
The more you know of God, the more you will see the need to know more. There are no Bible scholars, just Bible students.
2 Timothy 2:25 KJV In the spirit of meekness instructing those that oppose themselves: if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.
26 That they may recover themselves out of the snares of the devil.
Living Bible: 2 Tim. 2:25 Be humble when you are trying to teach those who are mixed up, concerning the truth. For if you talk meekly and courteously to them, they are more likely, with God’s help, to turn away from their wrong ideas and believe the truth.
NAS: 2 Tim. 2:25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, .... Great study in humbleness will open the door for ministries to see how to bring freedom to the oppressed and the opposition could become team members.
In my opinion Jonah helped kill the revival and judgment will come because of his lack of teaching and studying to those he was called. Jonah was impatient with God’s people and thus God.
#9 THE WORD OF GOD DOES THE WORK OF GOD ...
Today, every where I look, seems people want to argue and debate endless questions that gender strife and hard feelings.
Everybody wants their rights, and put others down.
The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.
By the way, what is the main thing?
We have the wrong priorities established for the lack of knowing the word.
We owe ourselves to study.
We owe others to study.
We owe God to study.
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God ... a good tool to accomplish this is meaningful Bible study.
His servant,
Wade Martin Hughes, Sr.
Kyfingers@aol.com
Could you please enlarge my small hands and pass this to others?
