SHOW THYSELF APPROVED II Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (1) Study = Strong's Greek Number 4704 Greek word: spoudazo spoo-dad'-zo KJV - endeavour 3 - do diligence 2 - be diligent 2 - give diligence 1 - be forward 1 - labour 1 - study 1 [Total Count: 11] 1) to hasten, make haste 2) to exert one's self, endeavour, give diligence (2) Study to show thyself approved of God, is the most important subject of human existence; especially yours (3) If one wants to know the Bible and be saved eternity (4) Study of the Word will take us through all the ages and dispensations; from eternity past to eternity future (5) The main reason for much confusion and misunderstanding of the Bible is that men do not understand the dispensational dealings of God with men (6) Jesus constantly invited and provoked study of the Scriptures and even rebuked men for their lack of knowledge of revealed truth (7) Jesus attributed all error to a lack of knowledge of the Scriptures (8) Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. (9) Jesus commanded men to search the Scriptures (10) John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. I. After more than three years of the most simple teaching by the greatest of all teachers, the disciples had to be rebuked for their unbelief and hardness of heart (1) This was not because they could not understand, but because they did not believe what Christ said (2) Luke 24:25-27 25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. (3) Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. (4) The words that Christ spoke were always simple enough to understand, to believe them was another thing (5) Hear the words of Isaiah Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? (6) Who hath believed our report? Not! Who understands our report? (7) I saw a sign the other day it gave the name of the Church, it said where faith makes sense II. Hearing and believing (1) Romans 10:11-21 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. 19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. 20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. 21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. (2) Nearly ninety times in the New Testament alone, an appeal is made to readers to believe what is written (3) Every thing is simple enough to believe, if men wants to believe and obey (4) Matthew 13:9-17 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. (5) 2 Peter 3:16-18 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (6) Pride, willfulness, and rebellion; against what "is written" are the causes of the Bible being hard to understand (7) The hard part is not to understand with the mind (8) The hard part is being willing to obey what one does not want to obey (9) Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (a) We have to agree with God (10) If one could not understand the truth, he could not reject it (11) The Bible is the final Court of Appeal (12) We must believe that God knows what he is talking about (13) That He knows how to express Himself in human language (14) That He did say what He meant, and meant what He said (15) What God says on a subject is more important than what any man may say about it (16) Do not try to make the Bible conform to your ideas (17) Always comfort your ideas to the Bible (18) Do not think that the Bible is the hardest book in the world to understand (19) If you will believe and obey, you will see the Word of God made clear; and how simple it really is (20) Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. (21) It is important, that you be simple and humble in your attitude (22) If you are teachable you are reachable (23) Accept what God says on a subject, whether or not it harmonizes with your theories or those of your former teacher (24) If you want truth just as it is in the Bible, just start believing what is written with child like faith, and see how God will open His book to you (25) Study with an open Bible, an open heart, and open mind to all God says, and be honest to lay aside old theories for the plain, literal, and simple Word |
Message from the Pastor |
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September 2003 |
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Bro. Lawrence Bradford |
