Audio transcription
Earlier within the week, in episode 1510, we talked about methods to lead somebody to Christ, and Pastor John took us by way of 4 treasure chests. We're speaking to new believers at this time and it's an electronic mail from an nameless listener, a brand new believer himself. “Pastor John, thanks for this podcast. I’m amazed at how a lot I don't know in regards to the Bible. I wish to have information of the scriptures in order that it will probably information me and that I can use it to information others sooner or later. However there’s a lot. I don't know the place to begin. If I had been finding out for a check at school, I’d begin with an inventory of important matters to be examined. However with the Bible I really feel just like the check is life and I don't know what I must know to be prepared if that is sensible. In different phrases, the place do I begin? What’s the first and most necessary factor I must know in an effort to observe Christ by studying his phrase?
Properly, my reply might be going to be just a little irritating as a result of he's asking for a particular reality within the Bible and I'm going to say, “Bible, Bible, Bible, Bible.”
Completely important
I’ve by no means met a mature, fruitful, sturdy, spiritually demanding Christian who is just not stuffed with Scripture, dedicated to common meditation on Scripture, and given to depositing it in his coronary heart by way of Bible memorization—and that’s no accident. So I wish to persuade our new believing good friend that it’s completely crucial, after coming to religion in Christ, to be radically, deeply, experientially dedicated—unwaveringly, unwaveringly satisfied—that we learn and meditate and perceive and memorize and the enjoyment of the Scriptures is totally important for the Christian life, which would come with being within the phrase each day with the intention of assembly God there and the glory of his reality step by step filling and reworking our lives.
And which will appear apparent to them or others, nevertheless it's not apparent as a result of I do know pretty well-known Christians who don't. They don't and so they've been Christians for years and so they don't care. They assume it's non-compulsory as a result of they already know a lot and browse so many different books. I don't assume it's a great behavior in any respect. I feel it's harmful.
Ten causes to learn each day
So I’ve ten the reason why I imagine this—ten causes to make Bible studying, Bible understanding, and Bible reminiscence important to the Christian life. Resist emotions of self-sufficiency that say, “I don't want Scripture each day.” Listed below are my ten causes.
1. Scripture saves.
Deal with your self and your research. Persevere in it, for by doing so you’ll save your self and your listeners. (1 Timothy 4:16)
“God saves us every day by way of the Scriptures.”
salvation grew to become To God's individuals, salvation Yippee – at present – taking place to God's individuals and salvation will occur fully within the resurrection of God's individuals, and it’s now finished by way of means. Paul says to carry quick the educating and thereby save your self. God saves us every day by way of the Scriptures.
2. Scripture frees from Devil.
You’ll know the reality and the reality will set you free. (John 8:32)
And the context is that Jesus is displaying the Jewish leaders that though they assume they aren’t slaves, “you might be of your father the satan, and your will is to do the wishes of your father” (John 8:44). Devil is your enemy, younger Christian. He’s a thousand instances stronger than you. And so John writes to younger believers,
I’m writing to you, younger males,
since you are sturdy
and the phrase of God dwells in you,
and also you defeated the evil one. (1 John 2:14)
That is our solely hope to defeat the supernatural enemy. Each time Jesus was tempted by the satan (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13), he struck again with “the sword of the Spirit, which is the phrase of God” (Ephesians 6:17) and had by coronary heart so he didn't have to hold the e book into the desert.
3. Scripture bestows grace and peace.
Might grace and peace be multiplied to you within the information of God and Jesus our Lord. (2 Peter 1:2)
The information of God obtained by way of the Scriptures is just not the identical as grace, however Peter says that it’s a technique of grace. If we wish to develop into peaceable and highly effective by way of God's grace, says Peter, it occurs “within the information of God and Jesus our Lord.” This information is present in one place: the Scriptures.
4. Scripture sanctifies.
Jesus prayed
Sanctity is in fact; your phrase is true (John 17:17)
“We’re all commissioned to some extent to deal with God's phrase.”
Sanctification is the method of turning into holy—that’s, turning into extra like Christ and God, who’s completely holy. This isn’t non-compulsory. Hebrews 12:14 says, “Attempt . . . for holiness, with out which nobody will see the Lord.”
On this life we don’t develop into good, however we develop into holy. God sanctifies his individuals. And Jesus prays to his Father: “Sanctify them within the reality; your phrase is reality.” It couldn't be clearer or extra necessary.
5. Scripture provides pleasure.
You acquired the phrase within the nice tribulation, with pleasure Holy Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 1:6)
His delight is within the legislation of the Lord,
and on his legislation he meditates day and night time. (Psalm 1:2)
A life with out pleasure is insufferable. The Christian life is a lifetime of many sufferings. However God retains pleasure in all, and He does it based on the Scriptures.
6. Scripture protects us from harmful error.
Till all of us attain the unity of religion and information of the Son of God. . . in order that we’re not youngsters, tossed back and forth by the waves and carried away by each wind of doctrine. (Ephesians 4:13-14)
How can younger Christians cease being blown about by cultural and theological winds and opinions? Reply: “the unity of religion and the information of the Son of God” – information that they don’t expertise because the opinion of man, however because the phrase of God. It’s present in one place: in Scripture.
7. Scripture is the hope of heaven.
And what I imply by that’s that the total understanding, the total enjoyment of the reality of Scripture will solely be skilled in heaven.
Now I partly know; then I’ll know absolutely, simply as I used to be absolutely recognized. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
The information of God—all of the fullness {that a} created being can rightly comprehend and luxuriate in—won’t be denied us indefinitely. Frustrations from our present limitations of understanding and pleasure can be eliminated. How becoming then that we now proceed to develop in what can be our last pleasure within the age to come back.
8. Some will resist the Scriptures.
The time is coming when males won’t endure sound instruction, however with itching ears will heap up academics based on their very own passions. (2 Timothy 4:3)
In different phrases, we have to know the Scriptures in order that we’re not shocked or thrown off steadiness or led away by false academics. We have to obtain the Scriptures commonly in order that we’re ready to fulfill those that refuse to obtain the Scriptures.
9. The suitable dealing with of Scripture is accredited by God.
Endeavor to current your self to God as accredited, a employee who doesn’t have to be ashamed and handles the phrase of reality rightly. (2 Timothy 2:15)
It's a uncommon factor while you're charged with an important activity after which discover a key employee who approves of what he's requested you to do. We’re all entrusted to some extent with the dealing with of God's Phrase. And what a terrific alternative it’s to please the Lord.
10. Scripture provides and sustains life.
Man shall not stay by bread alone,
however by each phrase that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
(Matthew 4:4)
Religious life—everlasting life—like bodily life, should be fed not by bread, however by the phrase of God. For those who assume that you’ve got everlasting life as a type of inoculation towards hell that wants no nourishment, you have no idea what non secular life is.
So there are ten the reason why younger believers ought to resolve with all their energy – with all of the energy that God provides them – that studying and meditating on the Scriptures, understanding and memorizing the Scriptures is important and indeniable to their Christian life.
