THE BIBLE
JOHN 5:39
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
Introduction:
To know more about the Lord is our greatest need. The Bible is the revelation of God. It is give to us in order that we might know the God of Heaven. Some parts are difficult and require diligent study to understand. Matthew Henry said about parables, “A parable is a shell that keeps good fruit for the diligent, but keeps it from the slothful.”
While studying I came across this quotation: “The Bible—know it in your head; stow it in your heart; show it in your life; sow it in the world.”
I. KNOW IT IN YOUR HEAD
A. Begin with Prayer, Psalm 119:18, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”
B. It is the Spirit of God who opens our eyes, 1 Corinthians 2:12-14, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
1. The Bible differs from other books in that the Holy Spirit alone can open our minds to understand it, John 16:13, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
2. When God opens your eyes don’t forget what you read, Psalm 119:15-16, “I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. 16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.”
II. STOW IT IN YOUR HEART
A. The Word of God is to be part of us, Jeremiah 15:16, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.”
B. The Word is to be in the heart, Deuteronomy 6:6, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:”
C. That I might not sin against the Lord, Psalm 119:11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
III. SHOW IT IN YOUR LIFE
A. Man is to live by the Word of God, Matthew 4:4, “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
B. The Word of God works itself out, James 2:18, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”
IV. SOW IT IN THE WORLD
A. The blessing of sowing, Psalm 126:5-6, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
1. Lord open my lips, Psalm 51:15, “O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.”
2. That we might speak boldly, Ephesians 6:19, “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,”
3. Pray for those who preach the Word, Colossians 4:3-4, “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.”
B. The success of sowing, Mark 4:8, “And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.”
C. Then the joy of serving the Lord comes…
1. In Heaven, Luke 15:7, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
2. In our lives, 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 20 For ye are our glory and joy.”