Time In TheWord: Stack the Wood
James 1:19-25 (NIV) Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
Build your whole life on the Bible:
1. Receive it with your ears. (vs. 19-21)
Rom. 10:17 Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.
Accept the word by being:
*quiet- “be quick to listen and slow to speak…”
*calm- “and slow to become angry…”
*clean-“get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent…” *humble-“humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you…”
2. Read it with your eyes. (vs. 22-25)
God’s Word is a mirror that reflects what you look like on the inside. Don’t just glance at it, gaze on it intently, not forgetting what God is showing you, put his instructions into action immediately so you can become the person God wants you to be.
3. Research it with your hands and mouth. (vs. 25)
Bible Study requires: writing down what you learn and talking about what you learn (small groups)
Acts 17:11 (NLT) The people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to check up on Paul and Silas, to see if they were really teaching the truth.
4. Review and remember it with your mind. (vs. 25)
Josh. 1:8 (NIV) Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; 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.
5. Respond to it with your actions. (vs. 22)
Matthew 7:24-27 (the wise man did what Jesus said and his house withstood the storm; the fool didn’t apply the teaching of Jesus to his life and his house was demolished.)
Why Can I Trust the Bible?
2 Tim. 3:16 (NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Ps. 119:86 (NIV) All your commands are trustworthy…
I can trust the Bible because:
1. It’s historically accurate.
Heb. 6:18 (NIV) …it is impossible for God to lie…
Ps. 33:4 (NIV) The Word of the Lord is right and true…
2. It’s scientifically accurate.
Ps. 148:5-6 (NLT) Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for He issued His command, and they came into being. He established them forever and forever. His orders will never be revoked.
-For 1000’s of years everyone believed:
• The earth was flat.
Isa. 40:22 (NIV) God is enthroned above the circle of the earth.
• The earth had to be held up.
Job. 26:7 (NLT) God stretches the sky over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing.
- The earth had to be held up.
Job. 26:7 (NLT) God stretches the sky over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing.
• The number of stars could be counted.
Jer. 33:22 (KJV) As the host of heaven cannot be numbered…
• Too much blood made you sick.
Lev. 17:11 (NLT) The life of every creature is in it’s blood.
- 25% of all Europe died in bubonic plague in the Middle ages .. Lev. 13:4 (NLT) .put aninfected person in quarantine for seven days.
Prov. 30:5 (NIV) Every word of God is flawless.
3. It’s prophetically accurate.
2 Peter 1:21 (GW) No prophecy ever originated from humans. Instead, it was given by the Holy Spirit as humans spoke under God’s direction.
Rev. 22:6 (NLT) Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God…has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon.”
4. It’s thematically unified.
Luke 24:27 (NLT) Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
John 5:39 (NLT) You search the Scripture because you believe they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me.
5. It’s confirmed by Jesus.
Mt. 5:18 (NIV) I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
6. It has survived all attacks.
Mat. 24:35 (NIV) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
7. It has transforming power.
John 8:31,32 (NLT) Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Rom. 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Memory Verse: Col. 3:16 (KJV) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
Seeing What God Wants You to See
ILLUMINATION:
Letting the Holy Spirit show me the meaning of God’s Word and how it applies to my life.
The Holy Spirit’s role:
JN. 14:26 (NIV) The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
JN. 14:17 (NIV) He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.
JN. 16:15 (NIV) ...the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
EPH. 1:17 (NIV) I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God.”
EPH. 1:18-19 (NIV) I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be ENLIGHTENED in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
When God opens your eyes:
1. You can see the solution to your problems.
STORY: Sarah gets jealous and throws Hagar & her son out of the house. GEN. 21:14-18
GEN 21:19 (NIV) Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.
2. You can see the barriers to your progress.
STORY: God’s prophet, Balaam, agrees to help some bad guys. NUM. 22:22-27
NUM. 22:31 (NIV) Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.
3. You can see the defense for what’s attacking you.
STORY: God continues to warn Elisha of the Aramean’s battle plans! 2 KINGS 6:10-23
2 KINGS 6:17 (NIV) Then Elisha prayed, ‘O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha!
4. You can see how God is walking with you.
STORY: The day Jesus was resurrected, 2 discouraged disciples were walking
down the road to Emmaus talking about what had happened. LK. 24:15-29
LK. 24:31 (NIV) Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. Prepare yourself to see what God wants you to see…
- Begin a relationship with Jesus.
1 COR. 2:14 (NIV) The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
2 Cor. 4:4 (NCV) The devil who rules this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe. They cannot see the light of the Good News…
JN. 3:3 (NIV)Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
2. Ask God in faith to open your eyes.
PS. 119:18 (NIV) Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your Law!
JAMES 1:5-6 (NIV) If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt.
MATT. 7:7 (NIV) Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
3. Come with a humble attitude.
PS. 25:9 (NIV) He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
PROV. 3:5-6 (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
4. Cleanse your heart of sin and conflict.
MATT. 5:8 (NIV) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
1 JN 2:11 (NIV) Whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.
5. Commit in advance to do whatever God says.
PS. 119:33-34 (NIV) Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
MEMORY VERSE
Psalm 119:11 (NIV) I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.