IMPORTANCE OF THE BIBLE AND STUDYING HIS WORD
How you view the Word of God will determine the place that it holds in your life. The Bible should not be consigned as just “good literature,” or a “great read.” It is not simply a book of short stories or even a history book of sorts. The Bible is the unerring, infallible, unchanging, and ever living Word of God. It is the only book that has been written by the true and living God our Creator (through men, or course)- all others come from men. (I Peter 1:21)
REWARDS OF CONSISTENT BIBLE READING
Psalm 19:7-11 – “The law (Word; instruction; the Lord’s teachings; revelation of God ) of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is your servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward”.
Special note: It is hard to keep them, if the words of God are unknown. It is hard to be warned if you are unable to hear the warnings that need to be heeded. Notice in the above verses that God’s Word is the source of conversion; wisdom; righteousness and truth; joy; purity; enlightenment; cleansing; it is desirable; sweet; and important warning to help us avoid dangerous consequences if disobeyed. It doesn’t just say that keeping God’s Word brings reward, which is true — it clearly says that it brings GREAT REWARD!
GROWING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
2 Peter 3:18 – But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.
Acts 12:24 – …the Word of God grew and multiplied.
Acts 19:20 – …the Word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
HOW CAN WE GROW in the lord?
2 Peter 2:2 – As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby…
Matthew 4:4; (Luke 4:4) – Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Peter 1:3-10 – …His divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ...10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall…
Special note: Growth is a life producing Biblical principle! As in the natural, so in the spiritual. (I Corinthians 15:46)
Luke 12:27 – Consider the lilies how they grow...
Psalm 92:11 – The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Psalm 144:12-15 – That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth;… that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets: 15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.
I Corinthians 13:11 – (Paul’s example) — When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Ephesians 4:15 – …speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Ephesians 2:21 – In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto a holy temple in the Lord…
SOME WAYS TO GROW OUR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF GOD
1. Spending Time in Prayer — Prayer helps us to develop a relationship with God. We grow closer to God through prayer.
2. Spending Time in Worship – Worship is when we connect our spirit with God’s spirit in loving adoration, praise, and thanksgiving. In this place of worship our sense of awe, wonder, and appreciation of who God is and what He does grows. Worship is the catalyst that allows us to enter into God’s presence, and when we experience His presence we experience all that comes with it – His joy, His peace, and just how majestic He really is. He dwells in the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). In HIs presence is fulness of joy (Psalm 16:11). God is seeking true worshippers that worship Him in Spirit and in truth (John 8:23,24).
3, Spending Time in Fellowship, Learning from Others — When we find time to talk with those who have been walking with God, whether for a short while or over many years, and we hear their life stories, we can often discover new treasures of perspective about who God is, and how He works in people’s lives.
4. Spending Time in The Word of God – It is impossible for us to grow in the knowledge and understanding of God if we neglect His Word. If we really want to know more about who He is, it will require us spending time reading the Bible. Knowing God and reading His Word is inseparable.
THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING THE WORD OF GOD!
IT BRINGS abundant BLESSINGs AND SUCCESS
Joshua 1:8 – Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Psalm 1:1-3 – 1 Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly…2 But his delight is in the law (Word) of the Lord; and in his law (Word) does he meditate day and night.3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper.
James 1:22,25 – The Word of God will never be able to accomplish its desired effect in our lives unless we apply to our lives what we have received. By default, not doing so causes us to be the dreaded hearers of the Word, and not doers… But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—THEY WILL BE BLESSED in what they do”.
Special note: God’s Word will bless you abundantly when its principles are kept and applied in your life.
IT BRINGS LIFE and is a revelation of jesus, our life-giving creator
Matthew 4:4 – “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
John 1:14 – …the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:1-4 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
IT BRINGS GOD’S APPROVAL AND HELPS US TO DISCERN TRUTH
2 Timothy 2:15 – Study to show yourself approved unto God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (... who correctly handles the word of truth)”.
Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is quick (alive), and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Special note: “Discernment is not just knowing the difference between right and wrong, it is knowing the difference between right and almost right” – Charles Spurgeon (1).
IT BRINGS LIGHT, GUIDANCE, and direction
Psalm 119:105 – Your Word is lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:130 – The entrance of Your Word gives light, it gives understanding to the simple…
Psalm 119:30 – I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations.
Psalm 119:133 – Order my steps in your word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Psalm 48:14 – For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death.
John 16:13 – Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…
John 6:63 – It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
IT BRINGS CLEANSING, keeps from sin, and produces holiness
Psalm 119:9,11 – Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to your Word... 11 Your word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Ephesians 5:25-27 – …Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
John 15:3 – You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
It Helps to Guard Us Against False Teaching and Increases our Level of Discernment
2 Timothy 2:16-18 – Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.
I John 4:6 – Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
Psalm 119:11 – “I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you”.
THE WORD REVEALS OUR Salvation
2 Timothy 3:15 – And how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus”.
Special Note: There are many things in this world that we can choose to be wise to, but there is no greater wisdom to which we can attain to than the wisdom we receive through the earnest study of God’s Word. His Word helps us to know who we are in Christ, and how to live in a way that glorifies and pleases the Lord.
THE WORD IS ETERNAL
Matthew 24:35 – “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” (JESUS)
THE WORD OF GOD IS LIVING, POWERFUL AND NEEDFUL FOR VICTORY
Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is quick (alive), and powerful…
Ephesians 6:17 – (It is one of our spiritual weapons to use against the devil) 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…
Special note: Notice how Jesus overcame the devil – He continually referred to Scripture: “It is written…” (Matthew 4)
I Corinthians 15:57 – …thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
THE WORD OF GOD is LIKENED TO SEED
Mark 4:14 – The sower sows the word... (In Jesus’s parable of the sower).
THE WORD OF GOD IS FAITHFUL AND TRUE
Revelation 19:11-13 – …I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
THE WORD OF GOD BRINGS PEACE AND JOY
Psalm 119:165 – Great peace have they which love your law (Word): and nothing shall offend them.
I John 1:4 -…these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
Psalm 119:162 – I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure.
Jeremiah 15:16 – Your Words were found, and I did eat them; and your Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart…
THE WORD OF GOD IS VERY VALUABLE
Psalm 119:162 – I rejoice at Your WORD, As one who finds great treasure.
Job 23:12 – I have esteemed the Words of His mouth more than my necessary food…
Proverbs 2:1-6 – My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, 2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding; 3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
Proverbs 3:13-18 – Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding. 14For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things you can desire are not to be compared unto her…18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retains her.
Psalm 19:10 – More to be desired are they (His Words) than gold, yea, than much fine gold…
THE WORD OF GOD INCREASES FAITH
Romans 10:17 – …faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 – …we are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly…
Special note: The Word of God produces faith, which in turn pleases God… without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).
THE WORD OF GOD BRINGS ANSWERED PRAYERS
John 15:7 – If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
THE WORD OF GOD IS A WEAPON OF WARFARE
Ephesians 6:17 – …take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…
Revelation 12:11 – …they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
Special note: When our words declare God’s Words, it is a powerful weapon against Satan, and we can overcome him!
IT BRINGS STRENGTH
Psalm 119:28 – (prayer) …strengthen me according to your Word.
Isaiah 40:31 – …those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
I John 2:14 – I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.
Ephesians 6:10 – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
IT IS GIVEN TO US BY GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE
Psalm 68:11 – The Lord gave the word; great was the company of those who proclaimed it…
2 Timothy 3:16,17 – All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable…
IT EFFECTUALLY WORKS IN THOSE THAT BELIEVE
I Thessalonians 2:13 – when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
IT BRINGS HOPE
Psalm 130:5 – …wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.
IT BRINGS HEALING
Psalm 107:20 – He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
IT PRODUCES WISDOM, RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND TRUTH
Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom...
Psalm 33:4 – For the word of the Lord is right, and all His work is done in truth.
John 17:17 – Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
IT IS PRAISE-WORTHY
Psalm 56:10 – In God I will praise His word, In the Lord will praise His word...
Psalm 138:2 – I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name. I will worship toward Your holy temple,
Proverbs 13:13 – He who despises the word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
CONTINUING IN THE WORD BRINGS FREEDOM
John 6:31-32,36 – Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”… Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
SING THE WORD
Psalm 119:54 – Your statutes (Word) have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
Special note: Singing Scripture is a wonderful way to abide in the Word…
Ephesians 5:18-20 – …be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
THE WORD REVEALS GOD’S PURPOSES
What is God’s purpose for us, as His creation? We have been created for His purposes, not our own.
Revelation 4:11 – “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things,
And for your pleasure (by Your will) they exist and were created.”
Special note: It is very important that we be reminded of God’s purposes, and not our own self-centered human purposes, lest we fall short of the glory of God.
WHAT IS GOD’S VISION? (What are we to do?)
Proverbs 29:18 – Where there is no vision (revelation), the people perish (cast off restraint; are unrestrained), but happy is he who keeps the law (Word).
Special note: Without the direction that God’s vision provides, we are unrestrained, left to drift aimlessly along on our own. People are fulfilled as they fulfill their true purpose for existence. The Word of God reveals God’s true creative purpose for our existence.
3 IMPORTANT BASIC GOALS REVEALED IN THE WORD OF GOD
- KNOW GOD – We are to know God in an ever-deepening, personal relationship, and be conformed to the image of Jesus.
2. GROW IN LOVE – We are to grow in love toward all believers (along with others), working for the unity of the church.
3. SHARE THE GOSPEL – Take the message of God’s love and the message of salvation to all men.
THE WORD OF GOD PROVIDES THE FOUNDATION FOR FULFILLING HIS PURPOSES
(Once again, in conclusion) — 2 Timothy 3:16,17 – All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works
Special note: The Word of God shows us many things: How God feels about us; how we should live; what ‘priorities’ we should have; how we should relate to one another; how to relate to God; it reveals our destiny – where we should go; it produces character – who we are; etc.
How much of the Word do we need? We need ALL of it! – ALL Scripture is given by the inspiration of God…. (2 Timothy 3:16,17).
We need lots of it! Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… (Colossians 3:16)
FAMOUS QUOTES
“NOTHING PAYS GREATER DIVIDENDS FOR THE TIME INVESTED THAN WRITING GOD’S WORD ON THE TABLES OF THE HEART!” – Dawson Trotman (2)
“POWER IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE DEPENDS ON OUR CONNECTION TO THE SOURCE OF POWER!” – N. Nelson Bell (3)
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” – Jesus Christ (4)
Special note: A very special reward for having the God‘S WORD abiding in our heart… HE PROMISES TO ANSWER OUR PRAYERS! HALLELUJAH!
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- Appreciation and acknowledgement to Charles Spurgeon for quote.
- Appreciation and acknowledgement to Dawson Trotman – founder of ”Navigators’ for quote.
- Appreciation and acknowledgement to N. Nelson Bell for quote.
- Special thanks and appreciation to our Lord Jesus Christ for the promise, found in John 15:7.
- Special thanks and acknowledgement to Evelyn Asuncion for assistance in helping prepare part of this message, and for sharing some of this at our ‘Rewards Dinner’ in the Philippines, January 13, 2023 (with some of those who had reached goals in reading all the way through the Bible, or at least either through the Old Testament or New Testament in 2022).
