August 11, 2019 PM
Dr. Michael Catt - 1914
#1 in series
The Living Bible
Why Study the Word?
2 Peter
OVERVIEW
2 Peter
Many people are scared of their Bibles. They aren't confident to read and study the Word on their own, and Scripture rarely comes alive in their hearts because, sadly, most of what they've learned about the Bible has come second-hand. In this series, we are going to dig into the Word and learn how to read it, study it, and apply it to our lives. You will gain practical and valuable tools to make the Word leap off the page and fill your life with the joy of discovering its living truth for yourself. Years ago, I noticed Lehman Strauss had a Bible with these words imprinted on the cover: God's Word for Lehman Strauss. As we look at this book that is so much more than black ink on white paper, we will discover God has a word for us. Bring your Bible, a pen or pencil, and a highlighter, and we'll provide practical note sheets for you. His Spirit will guide us into truth. Join the journey!
For further study, this series is available online at sherwoodbaptist.net/messages.
“A noble thing, the Bible, sprung from the very desert sands where the Sumerians tamed the date palm centuries before the Flood. Grown in the arid deserts where prophets fled persecution, marinated in the blood of the martyrs, penned and preserved through the ages. It rests in my hand as the gift of God through the dedication of His servants. From 'in the beginning’ to the final 'Amen' I can feast on its pages.” – Doug Jackson
I. THE BOOK OF ALL BOOKS
A) What We Have
B) Why It Matters
II. MANY BOOKS, ONE AUTHOR
A) When and Where It Was Written
B) Why It Is Unique
There were fundamental assertions of the Protestant reformers regarding the Scriptures:
C) Why Read and Study the Bible
Back in the 1970s I wrote a study for my students on 9 Things the Word Will Do For You:
1) It will make you a strong Christian. (1 John 2:14) A common thread in those who fail spiritually is they fail to read, study, and apply the Word.
2) It assures you of your salvation. (1 Corinthians 1:21; 1 John 5:13) The promises and guarantees of God are of little value between the covers. You must get them in your mind and heart.
3) It gives you confidence in prayer. (John 15:7; 1 John 5:14) As you study the Word, you know more about how to pray in the will of God.
4) It promises cleansing from sin. (Psalm 119:9; John 15:3; 17:17; 1 John 1:9)
5) It gives joy. (John 15:11) Regardless of circumstances, you have promises to stand on.
6) It provides peace. (John 16:33; Philippians 4; Colossian 3:15) Peace comes by filling your mind with promises.
7) It guides you in making decisions. (Psalm 119:105; Luke 11:28)
8) It helps you articulate your faith. (1 Peter 3:15) God’s Word convicts people of their need for Jesus.
9) It reveals God’s way to be spiritually successful. (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3)