Category: Study

At the age of 18 years old, swimmer Kim Linehan held the world record in the women’s 1500 meter freestyle in 1981. A hard worker, Linehan had an extensive exercise regimen, and swam 7 to 12 miles every day. Once, when asked the hardest part of her workout, she said, “Getting in the water.” (as quoted in Reader’s Digest, June 1981).

There are many applications to draw from this illustration. For example, I find it to be true when writing. Either when writing for the bulletin, Watchman Magazine, or the newspaper, the most difficult part for me is getting started! In fact, I will often procrastinate, waiting for inspiration to strike, when I would be better served putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), and just start writing!

The same is true with regard to gaining a knowledge of God’s word. Most would like to become familiar with God’s will. They want the ability to quickly bring a passage to mind, or easily comprehend the writer’s intent in each book or epistle. But, the task seems daunting, unattainable.

But it is not! You may ask, what is the hardest part of gaining knowledge? The answer, “Opening the book!” Open it up, and begin reading. Pay attention, ask questions, be curious. It will take time, but once your Bible is open, you will never want to close it again. “When you read, you may understand…” (cf. Eph. 3:4).

We have the ability to understand God’s word when we read it.

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I have put on the back table in the foyer a very good daily Bible reading schedule that will help you read through the entire Bible in a year’s time. Best of all, you only read on the weekdays, so you aren’t behind! It starts tomorrow.

I do not know of a better habit to form than daily Bible reading. The commitment is no more than 30 minutes a day. Those who have a fast reading rate can finish the reading in 20 minutes or less each day.

Remember the words of the apostle Paul, written to his son in the faith, Timothy. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Read His word. God will bless you with wisdom in this New Year!

A simple sermon containing suggestions on how to live more zealously for God in 2010, beginning a new year, and a new decade.

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Just about every year at this time I ask you to consider a systematic Bible Reading schedule for the New Year.

There are many such schedules available, both online and in printed form. If you are interested, let me know and I will hook you up.

Perhaps the best schedule is a bit more challenging. Read the New Testament, once a month, every month, for a year. The simplest way to do this is to divide the New Testament into 28 or 29 sections. Take the total number of pages, divide it by 28 or 29, and read that many pages (to the nearest chapter) each day. You can miss a day or two, and still finish on time each month using this method.

This is a bit challenging, but doable. Maybe you will want to try it in 2010?

The sermon is introduced by the text of Isaiah 2:1-3, where it is said, “Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths” (vs. 3).

This indicates that in the Kingdom of God, invitations will be extended to others. We as Christians are responsible for extending that invitation. Practical applications include inviting people to worship services, inviting them to study the Bible, and inviting them to obey the gospel of Christ.

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The sermon discusses a number of practical suggestions regarding prayer, study and personal conviction that will benefit any Christian, but especially those who are young, and young in the faith.

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The Bible is the best selling book of all time. It is the divine mind of God revealed, and should be respected, revered and studied diligently by men. However, in a recent survey, 64% of all Americans said they do not read their Bible because they are too busy. What kind of attitude do you have, as a Christian, toward God’s word?

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Much of the religious world claims a “personal relationship with God.” They then attempt to self-define that relationship, rather than realizing such a relationship is dependent upon God recognizing their standing before Him. This sermon details what is necessary to have such an intimacy with the Almighty.

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Apathy, the distractions of sin, lack of study, discouragement, a lack of love… All of these things can be an impediment to spiritual growth.

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People often enjoying asking the question, “What If?” There are such questions we might ask regarding the spiritual life of God’s children. “What if God gave like you give?” What if God forgave like you forgive?” “What if every Christian studied like you study?” “What if every Christian grumbled and complained like you do?” “What if all Christians prayed like you pray?” This lesson considers those questions.

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In Philippians 2:12-13, the Apostle Paul exhorted Christians to “…as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” The text clearly shows that man has an obligation regarding his own standing before God. Though we are saved by grace, this does not excuse us from honest and diligent effort to obey God. He saves us, but we are sadly mistaken if we believe that He will save us without any effort on our part. Those who are unrepentant sinners will only suffer loss.

In the New Testament, there are two instances where a disciple is referred to as one who is “full of faith.” Stephen (Acts 6:5,8) and Barnabas (Acts 11:24) are the two men mentioned. The Holy Spirit chose two men who personify the apostle’s admonition to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Stephen suffered martyrdom because of his unflinching proclamation of the gospel of our Lord. In Acts 11, we are told that as a result of Barnabas’ preaching “a great many people were added to the Lord” (vs. 24). Barnabas continued steadfastly in his work, and was a great help and companion to Paul in his ministry.

Continue reading “Working Out Your Own Salvation” →

AOTS Number 59

God is the power that animates us as children of His. As a lightbulb out of a socket has no power, if we do not keep in daily touch with God, through study and prayer, we become ineffectual.

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Matthew 15:1-14 contains an exchange between the Pharisees and Jesus that led our Lord to categorize them as “Blind leaders of the blind.” There is danger in being led by those who themselves are blind to truth. Our personal responsibility is to study and equip ourselves to avoid such danger.

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Several years ago I signed up for a email discussion forum called “marslist.” I believe the name of the list referenced the text of Acts 17, where the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers are recorded as gathering daily at the Areopagus on “Mars” hill to discuss philosphies and doctrines.

While the intent of the individual who named the list was to indicate it would be a place for discussion of Biblical topics (as Paul did on that occasion), I find it a bit ironic that the sentiment Luke recorded about that place came to characterize the list as well. Luke wrote, “For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing” (vs. 21).

Continue reading “Proceed With Caution” →