Category: Study
Subject: Study
Sermon: Dealing with Distractions
In our distraction filled society, the Christian needs to be sure not to be distracted from serving God. Four items are discussed: Morality, Attendance, Worship and Study.
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Daily Bible Reading
“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word” (Psalms 119:9).
Our encouragements to read and study God’s word are constant. That is because they are important. It only takes a few minutes to consider why:
- God is in control.
- God requires us to do His will in order to please Him.
- His will is wholly contained in scripture which is readily available to all, and we are encouraged to use it!
It is like being able to take an open book test in school. Even the smart kids are going to take advantage of the open book. However, religiously many feel free to guess, to assume, to opine, to invent—all when God’s word is easily opened, and God’s will is easily found.
So, consider these truths while thinking about whether you are interested in reading the Bible through in this next year. It only take a few moments a day. It shouldn’t be the sum total of your Bible study in the new year, but it is a good place to start.
Jethro Was A Smart Man
If you were to read the title, and not realize this was an article dealing with a Bible subject, you might think that Jethro had reference to the Jethro of the Beverly Hillbillies. That guy was not smart at all.
But, the Jethro that was Moses’ father-in-law was a smart man. He was a priest of Midian and well respected by Moses. While there is no revelation given as to whether Jethro ever fully rejected idolatry, he certainly came to realize the preeminence of the God of the Hebrews. He was a just man, kind and generous to his son-in-law. Continue reading “Jethro Was A Smart Man”
Bring in the New Year with God’s Word!
One of the easiest ways to improve your spiritual health in the New Year is to begin a daily Bible reading. Remember, this is different from Bible study, but reading your Bible daily is very important and beneficial to you.
It is easy because all you need is a Bible and a book mark. At its base, just start reading each day, and read for as long as you have time for, as long as you are retaining what you read. If your mind begins to wander, it is time to put your Bible down for a while, and pick it up later.
If, however, you want some structure or some goal to attain here are a couple of suggestions you may want to try…
- Divide the total number of pages in your New Testament by 30, and read that many pages per day. This is a fairly large commitment, but it is a wonderful accomplishment to read the New Testament through in a month. If you do that every month for a year, it will do wonders for your familiarity with the New Covenant.
- Read the Bible through in a year, using a different translation than the one you presently use. Might I suggestion the ESV, NASB, or one of the trusted oldies, like the KJV, ASV or RSV?
- Use a Bible reading schedule that breaks up the readings in the Old and New Testaments. There are plenty you can choose from, just a google search away. Or, if you wish, take the schedule in the back that has been printed out for your convenience!
Bring in the New Year with God’s Word!
Sermon: Teach Me, O Lord (Psalm 25)
The Psalmist asked God to “show me Your ways”, “teach me Your paths”, “lead me in Your truth.” Jesus has done all of these things for us!
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Sermon: Hindrances to Understanding the Scriptures
A discussion (borrowed from Jeremiah Cox’s sermon of the same name) of men’s self-imposed impediments to understanding God’s word.
Proper Attitudes Toward Knowledge
It is right to emphasize the importance of gaining knowledge of God’s word. The Psalmist expressed the proper attitude toward seeking such knowledge when he wrote, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2). However, it must be recognized that gaining knowledge is the means to an end in its impact on the Christian’s faith. It is not an end in itself. Our standing with God is not dependent upon of our knowledge of truth per se, but upon our acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord.
One might object that knowledge of Christ is necessary for that acceptance, and that is entirely true. Jesus affirmed this very thing when he said to a group of Jews who expressed their faith in Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). We are to be disciples of Christ. To be His disciples, we must know and adopt His teachings. However, it is important to remember that the newborn babe in Christ is as accepted of God as the most mature Christian. Immediately upon being washed in the blood of the Lamb, we receive the forgiveness of our sins, and can claim the right to an eternal inheritance. The Ethiopian Eunuch who “went on his way rejoicing” (cf. Acts 8:39) immediately following his baptism, had equal claim to the heavenly Father as the aged Paul, who had “fought the good fight” (cf. 2 Timothy 4:7) as a learned and mature apostle of the Lord. Continue reading “Proper Attitudes Toward Knowledge”
Devoted Disciples
The Lord’s church today needs devoted disciples! Webster’s New World Dictionary, in describing the nuances of the term “devote”, states, “Devote suggests the giving up or applying of oneself or something with the seriousness or earnestness evoked by a formal vow (to devote one’s life to a cause).” Consider the Apostle Paul’s sentiment as recorded in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” It must be stated that the only true disciple of Christ is the devoted disciple of Christ.
Sermon: Desiring to Know the Will of God
In spiritual matters, we must be moved by faith’s constant desire to know God’s will. We must be true disciples (learners) of Jesus Christ.
Depending Upon the Word of God
There are consequences to men who do not understand their place in relation to God. Too often men seek their own counsel, and pay no respect to the One who made them. “Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the Lord, and their works are in the dark; they say, ‘Who sees us?’ and, ‘Who knows us?’ Surely you have things turned around! Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay; for shall the thing made say of him who made it, ‘He did not make me’? Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, ‘He has no understanding’?” (Isaiah, 29:15-16).
The Patternists: Ignorance is Dangerous!
I read an opinion piece recently that sought to explain Donald Trump’s popularity with Evangelicals. It seems peculiar since his lifestyle and morals are so alien to Bible teaching. The article posited that many identify as Evangelicals even though they seldom go to church, and have little familiarity with what the Bible actually teaches. In other words those who self-identify as evangelical consider it more a political identity than a religious one. Perhaps this is true.
Why is it that there are so few who claim to be disciples of Christ that are familiar with, or even interested in studying the Bible? Scripture teaches the importance of knowing God’s will, and that such knowledge is attained solely through the study of His word. Peter wrote, “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as new born babes, desire the pure mild of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Peter 2:1-3). This is what being a disciple is all about. A disciple is one who learns and adopts the ethics of his teacher.
You can’t successfully claim to be a disciple of Christ unless you know and submit to His will!
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Sermon: A Self-Imposed Famine
God imposed upon Israel a peculiar famine in His judgment against them. They would not have access to “hearing the words of the Lord” (Amos 8:11). Today, some voluntarily refrain from the nourishment God’s word supplies.
From the Preacher’s Pen: The Works of the Lord
The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 11:2-3:
“The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them. His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever.”
God’s works are indeed great, honorable, glorious and enduring. This is seen in His creation (cf. Genesis 1; Ecclesiastes 1:4-7), and especially in His redemptive work. He determined to redeem men before His creative work was even begun (cf. Ephesians 1:3-6). Later in his epistle to the Ephesians, Paul indicated that God’s eternal purpose to redeem men was accomplished in the sending of His son. “according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him” (3:11-12).
The question is, do you have pleasure in God’s work? The Psalmist notes that if you do, you will study them! As always, our true view of things is found in our priorities. Too often claims of devotion and interest are made, when the actions reveal apathy and disinterest.
The Psalmist wrote, “The works of His hands are verity and justice; all His precepts are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever; Holy and awesome is His name” (11:7-9)
It is worth our time and effort to examine His works. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments” (111:10).
