Whereby When Ye Read

Ephesians 3:4

• “whereby when you read, you may understand my knowledge of the mystery of Christ.”

• 2 Tim. 2:15- “study to show yourselves approved unto God…rightly dividing the word of truth.”

• Bible study with an idea of application is perhaps the most lacking area in all lives.

Bible Study• 1. Is required of God. Neh. 8:8- “so they read the

book in the law of God distinctly and gave the sense and cause them to understand the reading.”

A. You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free- Jn. 8:32. In order to know the truth we must study to understand it.

B. We must have the right attitude to accompany our Bible study. We must study God’s word with a view to letting the Word change our lives. Not simply an intellectual exercise.

What Does It Mean To Truly Study?• It means to make diligent effort to know what is

right. We must make a diligent effort to learn the will of God. Bible study is well worth the effort.

• We put effort into anything we enjoy: finding right place to fish; hunt; camp; the right food; the right mate.

• How much effort do we put in finding out what the Bible says? It requires work and effort on our part. Too many want someone to keep their attention and we should- but a true search for what the Bible says will be exciting and keep our attention every time- regardless of the teacher. The power is in the Word- not men (thankfully).

Reasons To Seriously Study The Bible

• 2 Pet. 3:18- “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

• 1 Pet. 2:2- “as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.

• We must study the word in order to grow. • It is not a suggestion it is a command for us all

to grow.

It Is Unnatural To Not Grow

Heb 5:12-14- For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Study Of God’s Word• 2.Is Profitable- 2 Tim. 3:14-17- “But as for you, continue

in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped thoroughly for every good work.

• It gives unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness ( 1 Pet. 1:3). We do not need miracles, or added revelation today.

Study Of The Bible Because• Many false teachers are in the world 1 Jn. 4:1. • The devil even quotes Scripture (Matt. 4). False

doctrines always have a little truth in them and this is what makes them deceptive. We must be wise enough through study of God’s word, to discern what is right and what is error.

• 1 Jn. 4:1- “beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they be of God: but many false prophets are gone out into the world. Gal. 1:6-8- “ I marvel that you are so soon removed…unto another gospel…some will pervert the gospel of Christ…though we or an angel…”

• The Bereans were more noble than Thessalonians because they “searched the scriptures daily to see if what was being said was true” (Acts 17:11).

We Must Study What We Will Be Judged By

John 12:48-50- The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me."

• Romans 2:16- “on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.”

Why Do We Fail To Study?

• Too Busy?- More time-saving mechanisms- less time??? We are clock-oriented and seem to want to hurry up our bible study time (together and privately). Still seem to have same time to visit afterwards?? Time to do whatever we are interested in. Eph. 5:16- “redeem the time, because the days are evil.”

• We don’t like to study. We must develop a love for truth. God is speaking to us- we are bound to listen. Think of the Bible as God’s handwritten letter to us. Don’t you want to know the treasures that are contained in it?

Psalm 19:7-11Ps 19:7-11- The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving

the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts 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 rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward

Eph 5:17-Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. We are commanded to understand it. Not an option.

Rules For Proper Bible Study

• Consider who is speaking. It is from God but the devil has some speeches in it (Gen. 2:16-17; 3:4).

• Job 2:9- it says, ‘curse God and die’- context tells us we should not do that.

• Matt. 11:19- Jesus is called a glutton and winebibber – was He? No

• Understand who is being spoken to- Jn. 16:13- Jesus does not promise the baptism of the HS to all.

Rules For Proper Bibl Study• What was writer trying to accomplish? What was

Paul addressing when he said he was glad he has not baptized many (1 Cor. 1:14)? Party spirit of Corinthians. He was not opposed to baptism.

• Consider the words themselves (define them); then go to immediate context; then to broad context. All of what God has said on the subject.

• Most religious error is a result of believing part of a passage (Mk. 16:16) or part of what has been said on the subject. Some read Rom. 5:1 and conclude we are saved by faith only. Read James 2:24 also. God did not contradict Himself not was He confused somehow.

Respect The Silence Of God• Where God has not spoken we have no right to speak or act

(2 Jn. 9-11)- if we go on and do not abide in doctrine of Christ- we have not God.

• Must recognize figurative language. This is the process of “expressing one thing in terms normally denoting another meaning.” Rev. 5:8- 4 beasts and 24 elders fall before the Lamb. John is using figurative language, not literal beasts.

• Study with a desire to obey what it says- Jn. 7:17- if any will to do his will, he will know the doctrine...is of God or if I speak only of myself. When our hearts are determined to do God’s will our bible study will not be in vain.

• Remember that authority is derived from God speaking in direct command, approved example, necessary inference.

The Precious Book• The book you hold in your hands today is God’s book

of wonderful secrets for all mankind. • It is a personal diary and account of His purposes for

Mankind.• It is His guidebook for you and I so we can find our way

to heaven and shun hell.• 1 Thess. 2:13- “Thank God without ceasing, because

when you received the Word, which ye heard of us, you received it not as men’s words, but as it is in truth, the Word of God which effectively works also in you that believe.”

• If you need help as the eunuch did (Acts 8) we are here to help you find out what God says.