Sermon Central
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Studying For Divine Approval
Contributed by James Awosina on Jul 5, 2019 (message contributor)
Summary: The apostolic charge to every preacher and teacher of the word is "study". Our ministry will lack the substance of divine approval and saving, sanctifying power without the diligent study of the Word of God on daily basis.
STUDYING FOR DIVINE APPROVAL
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”
Paul was Timothy’s mentor, pastor and leader. He understood perfectly Timothy’s shortcomings as a young pastor under his tutelage. To conquer the obstacles that stood against the realisation of his purpose for living and God-ordained destiny for him, among others, he recommended “study”. To lazy young pastors under his overseeing authority who were wary of toilsome study, John Wesley’s reprimand is “get out of the ministry!”.
To be saved from the power and perils of sin, to be sanctified in heart, to be sound in faith, to be sent of God, to stir up the gifts of God in us, to be strong in the grace of God, to serve the Lord faithfully as a Christian soldier and to strive for masteries in order to obtain the incorruptible crown, we must study the Word of God diligently. This is the requirement for divine approval.
If we are approved by men but not approved by God, our approval is inconsequential in the light of eternity.
In the exposition of the second chapter, the fifteenth verse of Paul’s Second Epistle to Timothy, we find:
* our credible obligation - “Study”
* our Christ-like aspiration - “Show thyself approved unto God”
* our certified qualification - “A workman that needeth not to be ashamed”
* our conscientious application - “Rightly dividing the Word of truth”
1. OUR CREDIBLE OBLIGATION:
“Study”
The Scripture reveals that our first primary obligation is to know God.
In 1Chronicles 28:9, the most fitting counsel of David to Solomon is: “Know thou the God of thy father”.
In Hosea 13:4, the firm instruction of God to Israel is: “Know no god but Me”.
In Jeremiah 9:3, the lamentation of God over Israel is that: “They know not me”
In Jeremiah 9:24, the singular reason for glory is: “that he understandeth and knoweth Me”
In Isaiah 5:13 and Hosea 4:6, the reason why Israel went into captivity and suffered greatly was because: “They have no knowledge”
The most sacred and profitable obligation of a believer is to study and search the Scripture in order to know God more perfectly.
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me”
The path to nobility and stability in the faith is the studying and searching of the Scripture on daily basis
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so”
In James 1:21, we have the apostolic injunction to newborn babes in Christ:
“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls”
Knowing God experientially and progressively is virtually impossible without commitment to the study of His Word.
To have “good success” - success without sorrow and prosperity without pain, we must study, meditate and obey the precept of God’s Word.
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success”
2. OUR CHRISTLIKE ASPIRATION:
“Show thyself approved unto God”
Jesus Christ has set us an example as “a man approved of God” by His pleasing life and productive labour among men. The Holy Spirit concludes that “He hath done all things well”. God the Father attested to His divine approval by saying:
“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” Matthew 3:17.
It is a sanctified aspiration to seek the approval of God. We cannot know what pleases God and commends His approval without diligent and dedicated study of His Word. We cannot experience God’s goodness without acquaintance with Him through His Word, so says the Bible.
“Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace:
thereby good shall come unto thee”
Our loftiest and highest aspiration is to “show thyself approved unto God” through the disciplined study of His Word.
3. OUR CERTIFIED QUALIFICATION:
“A workman that needeth not to be ashamed”
Educational qualifications from seminaries and ordination by men for service are grossly inadequate for the sacred service of a pastor-teacher. Unless we have proved ourselves to be “a workman that needeth not to be ashamed” through devotional and dedicated study of His inspired infallible Word, we are not qualified to shepherd the flock of God that the Lamb of God died for! The conviction and confidence gained through searching the Scripture are what furnish us with skills necessary for the teaching, preaching and ministering of God’s Word among men. The knowledge of the Word builds faith, strengthens the heart and dispels shame and timidity in ministering among men. We are not worthy of God’s high and holy calling if we are not abandoned to the ministry of the Word, says the Bible:
