8 RULES FOR A SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN LIFE:
CRAM YOUR COPY OF HIS WORD
2 TIMOTHY 3:14-16
INTRODUCTION…
What does a successful Christian life look like? My desire as your pastor is that all of you experience success in your Christian life. I would define ‘success’ in the Christian life as being strong and knowledgeable in the faith, steady in prayer, and capable of sharing the Gospel with others. Sometimes we might wonder, how do we get there? Is there a process? Are there things we can do or cultivate to produce good fruit in our lives?
One of the most important aspects of any Christian’s life is Bible reading. If you want to be a successful Christian, then you will take time and study God’s Word. Plain and simple.
ILLUSTRATION… “Americans and the Bible” by Michael J Vlach
“The Christian Bible continues to be a revered book in the United States. In fact, no other book comes close to having been read and re-read as much as the “Good Book.” Every year, millions of Bibles are printed in this country. Researcher George Gallup points out that so many Bibles have been printed in the United States that even rough estimates of the total number published to date do not exist. Recent research has produced important information about Bible ownership, reading, study, and knowledge in the United States. Most Americans own a Bible. In fact, 92% of households in America own at least one copy. Of those households that own a Bible, the average number of Bibles is three. This includes not only the homes of practicing Christians but hundreds of thousands of atheists as well.”
“Although most Americans own a Bible, use of the Bible varies significantly. In a poll taken by the Gallup Organization in October 2000, 59% of Americans reported that they read the Bible at least occasionally. This is down from 73% in the 1980s. The percentage of Americans who read the Bible at least once a week is 37%. This is down slightly from 40% in 1990. According to the Barna Research Group, those who read the Bible regularly spend about 52 minutes a week in the scriptures.”
“When it comes to going beyond merely reading the Bible to actual study of the Bible, the numbers decline sharply. Only one in seven Americans report an involvement that goes beyond just reading the Bible. Fourteen percent of Americans currently belong to a Bible study group. This is down a full one-third from 1990 when 21% said they were involved in a Bible study group.”
What about our church? Last week 86 out of 148 stayed for Sunday School. That’s 58% of the congregation. Usually we run about ½ or less of the congregation for Sunday School. Wednesday Night Study, last week, had 2% of the congregation. Usually, we run about 5% of the congregation for Wednesday Night. The Christian education committee put out a plea to start new Bible Studies for our church. Guess how many people called up and wanted to either host a study or be part of one. 0.
My questions for you are these:
Where does the other half of our group go after church?
Where is everyone Wednesday Night?
Are you reading your Bible once a day, once a week, once a month?
Do you want to learn about the Bible and do you have a hunger for spiritual knowledge?
Have you been a Christian for years but have no more spiritual knowledge than when you started?
READ THESE SCRIPTURES:
JOHN 5:38-39: “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”
ACTS 17:10-12: “As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.”
ROMANS 15:3-5: “For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." For 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. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.”
2 TIMOTHY 3:14-16: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”
The study of God’s word is essential for the Christian. It is a must. It is a non-negotiable. John 5 tells us that it is the Scriptures that testify about who Jesus is. We as Christians, if we want to know Jesus personally and intimately, we must study God’s Word. It is the Bible that explains to us that Jesus is God’s Son and that He died on the cross for us. It is the Bible that has recorded His life and miracles that show Him to be the Savior of Humanity. You cannot get that anywhere but in the Holy Word of God! We have got to cram our brains with all the information contained on these holy pages. They are our life! Acts 17 records for us that the noble believers in Berea found Christ through the Scriptures and that their faith was strengthened because of their commitment to the Scriptures. They heard this man Paul preaching and got out their Bibles to see if what he was preaching about Jesus was true. How many of you bring your Bibles to church to check on what you hear? How many of you jot a few notes down and reread the passages we look at here in worship? The Bereans studied and knew what their faith was based on. Romans 15 tells us plainly that the Bible was written to teach us, encourage us, unify us, and to help us persevere in our faith. We cannot do any of these things apart from God’s Word.
2 Timothy 3:14-16 is probably the best-known Scripture about Scripture. Paul is speaking to his young apprentice Timothy and is encouraging him as mush as he can. Paul sees the end of his life coming quickly and he wants to encourage and empower this young minister. Paul commands (it was no suggestion) that Timothy continue to study God’s Word to make him “wise for salvation.” Timothy came from a home where his mother and grandmother taught him all about Abraham and Moses and David and the people of God. When these women heard the Gospel preached by Paul, they knew Jesus was the Messiah and taught Timothy the same. Yet, without the Word of God, none of this would have been possible. So Paul encourages Timothy to keep his nose in the book and to keep studying.
Paul then, in this one sentence summary about the Bible, describes its eternal value to us and for those around us. Why study the Bible? Here’s why:
1) It comes directly from God. If you ever want to know God’s opinion on something, pick up your Bible and read it. The Bible is God’s Word to us. The Bible contains with in it His commands, opinions, history, and thoughts on life. It is the only source you need in this life.
2) Teaches. The Bible teaches us so much about who God is and what He expects from us as His children. “God is everywhere. However, He does not want you to reach out for Him everywhere but only in the Word. Reach out for it and you will grasp Him aright. Otherwise you are tempting God and setting up idolatry. That is why He has established a certain method for us. This teaches us how and where we are to look for Him and find Him, namely, in the Word.” -- Martin Luther.
3) Rebuking and Correcting. We have got to realize that all of our questions about our problems are addressed in this one book. The Bible has the answer for parents, for teachers, for politicians, for leaders, for kids, and for you. “Within the covers of one single book, the Bible, are all the answers to all the problems that face us today--if only we would read and believe.” --Ronald Reagan
4) Training in righteousness. I think all of us would agree in this room that none of us are perfect and we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We all need Christ to make us righteous. We all need help in living the Christian life. That help and training comes from the Bible.
CONCLUSION… By Unknown Source
"This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers.
Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy.
It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s character.
Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.
Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end.
It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.
Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully.
It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.
Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity.”
