25, May 2003
Dakota Community Church
Bible 101
Introduction:
- Is the Bible for ministers only?
- Is the Bible a crutch that the weak need to lean on?
- Is Bible reading a spiritual point gainer in God’s good book?
- Should believers bother to try to read it consistently at all?
2Timothy 2:15 (amp.)
15Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.
- The truth is that the Bible is God’s will for His people.
Five reasons every believer should work toward consistent Bible reading.
1. The Bible is the only eternal foundation.
Mathew 7:24
24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 24:35
35Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
1Peter 1:24-25
24For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.
Ill.
On November 25, 1895, a cornerstone of ice was laid in Leadville, Colorado -- the beginning of the largest ice palace ever built in America. In an effort to bolster the town’s sagging economy, the citizens staged a winter carnival. On New Year’s Day of 1896, the town turned out for the grand opening. The immense palace measured 450 x 320 feet. The towers that flanked the entrance were 90 feet high. Inside was a 16,000-square-foot skating rink. But by the end of March the palace was melting away, along with the hopes of Leadville. The thousands of visitors had spent very little.
How much time and effort we are willing to put into temporal things and how difficult we find it to invest in the eternal word.
The more you get into the Bible the more stable your faith will become.
2. The Bible is food for your spiritual self.
- We are 3-part beings created in Gods image.
Body - requires feeding daily
Soul - the mind, will, and emotions must be fed in order to stay sharp and function effectively.
Spirit - Is your spirit on a starvation diet?
1Peter 2:2
2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Jeremiah 15:16
16 When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty.
Luke 24:32
32They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
- Have you experience the flame of revealed knowledge?
Ill.
People who starve to death each year: 11 million
Overweight U.S. adults: 34 million
Money Americans spent eating out, 1980: $52 billion; 1990: $236 billion. U.S. expenditures for overseas food aid, 1980: $1.4 billion; 1990: $1.6 billion.
Average calories consumed daily, North Americans: 3500; Africans: 2100
People who are continually hungry; Ethiopia: 20%, Sudan: 20%, Mozambique: 30-40%, American adults currently on diets: 19%
U.S. News and World Report, October 21, 1991.
3. The Bible is our primary source for direction.
Ill.
A man on a flight across America in 1976 rose from his seat, drew a gun and took the stewardess hostage. "Take me to Detroit," he said. "We’re already going to Detroit," she replied. "Oh...good," he said and sat down again.
You have to know where you are going before you start making foolish statements. Where we are going as believers we will find in the bible.
Romans 15:4
4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Luke 24:44-47
44He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."
45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Psalm 19:8
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
Psalm 119:105
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
- Every major directional shift in my life has come from a new understanding of God’s word.
- Seeing Jesus with the non-believers.
- Having a reason for family rules,( My dad always said "Because I said so".) because I do not provoke my children to wrath but instead I bring them up in the training and the instruction of the Lord.
4. The Bible will give your prayers power.
John 15:7
7If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
- God’s word is His will.
- What if you are praying for the salvation of a loved one or family friend?
2Peter 3:9
9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Acts 16:30-31
30He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
31They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."
- The Key is letting His Words remain in you!
- His Words about your kids, your marriage, your finances, your health, your future, everything!
5. In the Bible you will discover who you really are.
Most of us have warped ideas about who we are because of bad information we recieved from parents, school mates, teachers, or coaches.
In the Word I discovered I was not shy but bold:
Proverbs 28:1
1 The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
Judges 6:12
12 When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior."
Ill.
Rabbi Zusya years ago said, "In the world to come I will not be asked, ’Why were you not Moses?’ I will be asked, ’Why were you not Zusya?’" The problem is how to be the person we were meant to be.
- Only the word has transformational power.
Conclusion:
- Not all are readers, don’t be condemned – find a way.
- Set achievable goals.
- Use tapes.
- Write down revelations and share them with someone.
Matthew 22:29
29Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.
