GETTING TO KNOW GOD:  DIGGING DEEPER IN THE WORD, Part 2

TEXT:  "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." - Psalm 119:18

Last week, we looked at important tools to use while studying the Scriptures.  This week, we are going to look at important steps to take while studying the Word.

If you are serious about knowing God better, studying the Bible is an important part of the process.  Here are some practical tips for studying the Bible:

1.              STUDY PRAYERFULLY

The Psalmist prayed, "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."  Obviously, the Author can give you the best insight into the Book He has written.  Seek God's guidance & help as you study the Word.

2.            STUDY IN CONTEXT

It is disappointing, even alarming, to hear people (even preachers) take a Bible verse out of context.  When you look at a specific verse, it is vital to read the surrounding verses to understand what the verse really means.  You can only begin to understand a verse once you read it in context.

3.         USE A PEN AND PAPER

Keeping Bible study notes is important.  Adrian Rogers once said that the weakest ink is better than the strongest memory.  Sometimes it is refreshing to pull out old Bible study notes and relive lessons from the past.

4.         USE A GOOD METHOD

When it comes to personal Bible study, there are several methods available.  You can study a book of the Bible, verse by verse.  You can study topically (choosing a topic and finding verses about that subject).  You can study types. For instance, a person may study how Joseph in the Old Testament was a type of Christ.  You can study biographically.  We can learn much from men and women of the Bible.  If you're just starting to study the Bible, begin with something small or simple, so you won't feel overwhelmed and get discouraged.

5.         GET INSIGHT FROM TRUSTED AUTHORS

Several great Bible teachers have written books to help Christians study the Bible.  "Living By The Book," by Howard Hendricks is a great resource.  An older resource is, "How To Study The Bible," by R. A. Torrey.  There are many other wonderful books out there.  Here's a word of caution:  reading books about Bible study is not a substitute for studying the Bible yourself.

6.         A FINAL RECOMMENDATION

Let me give you a simple, three-step method in study the Bible:

a.  Observation.  First of all, read the Scripture in context.  Make note of all that the passage teaches.  If you feel comfortable doing so, mark your Bible and highlight important verses. 

b.  Interpretation.  Based upon your observation, prayerfully discover the interpretation of the passage.  Here's something that bothers me about Biblical interpretation by Christians these days.  I sometimes hear statements like, "This is what the verse means to me..." or "This is what I feel the verse means..."  Even worse, someone may say, "That's what you think the verse means, but my interpretation is..."  May I be rather blunt?  There is only one interpretation to a verse (or passage) of Scripture.  God didn't have it written to mean one thing to one person, a second thing to a second person and so on.  He said what He meant and meant what He said.  We need to study the verse (or passage) to understand what He meant.  Also, don't study the Bible with a preconceived bias.  For instance, there are preachers who search the Scriptures to find a verse that seems to support what they already believe.  This is absurd.  Find out what the Bible really means and believe it!

c.  Application.  Finally, there must be application of the Word.  While there is only one interpretation of a verse (or passage), there may be many forms of application.  Sometimes people become Bible students, but never act upon what they learn.  They can fill up notebooks with Bible study notes, but never apply what they've studied.  They become spiritually obese.  Be a doer of the Word!

As we study the Scripture, we learn more about God, ourselves, and so much more.  Study the Bible.  Dig into the Word and let the Word dig into your heart. 

GETTING TO KNOW GOD:  DIGGING DEEPER IN HIS WORD

TEXT:  "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15

If a person intends to find gold, he must seek the right location and be prepared to work.  Typically, gold is embedded in the earth and must be mined.  In order to discover rich deposits of gold, a lot of digging is required.

I believe the Bible is a gold mine of spiritual truth.  Most Christians either avoid the Bible or merely skim through it.  The real wealth of God's Word can be discovered as you dig deeper in the Word.

Reading the Bible is great, but studying the Bible is even greater.   Reading the Bible is not the same as studying the Bible   Consider the difference between reading for fun and studying for a test.  They are not the same thing, are they?

If you want to know God better, dig deeper in His Word.  Here are a few suggestions:

1.            STUDY REQUIRES TIME

Whether you are studying for a test or studying the Bible, time must be reserved.  You may read a chapter of the Bible in five minutes, but you'll need more time than that if you intend to study a passage.  This is the reason many believers fail at Bible study.  It is difficult for many believers to set aside time for the study of God's Word.  However, if you are serious about getting to know God, time will be required.  Let me add that it will be time well spent.  I suggest that you set aside at least 15 to 30 minutes for studying the Bible.  Obviously, the more time you set aside, the more you'll glean from the Word.  While a person needs to read from the Bible daily, you may choose to study the Bible daily or a few times a week.

Let me caution you about something.  Too many depend upon others to do the studying for them.  It is good to receive good, sound teaching at church or a small group.  However, it is important to study the Bible yourself. 

2.         USE A GOOD BIBLE

When you read and study from the Word, use an easy-to-read Bible.  As I get older, I am glad to have a giant print Bible.  Additionally, I like an easy-to-use Bible.  One time I purchased a giant print Bible by mail & when it arrived it was too large to practically use.  I like a Bible that is easy to carry and use.

3.            MEDITATE ON THE WORD

Whether you are studying a verse, a paragraph or a chapter, meditation is a vital step in the study process.  When I mention meditation, I am not referring to sitting in the floor with your legs crossed and your eyes closed while you chant.  Instead, meditation is the act of concentrating and thinking about a passage.  Meditation is a mental and spiritual exercise that can yield great results.  Meditation is a slow, but vital step in the study process.

4.         USE A CONCORDANCE

Apart from a good Bible, a concordance should be the second study resource you should own.  Although most Bibles have a small concordance in the back, these concordances are very limited.  Purchase a good concordance.  You'll be glad you did.  A concordance contains many of the words of the Bible, along with their use in the Scriptures.  The words are listed alphabetically, with individual verses beneath each individual word.  For instance, if you wanted to research the word, "grace," you'd look up the word "grace" in the concordance.  Beneath the word, "grace," you'd find all the verses in the Bible that contain that word.  Even though the concordance does not show the entire verses, it does give a line of the verse that contains the word you've looked up, plus the location of the verse.  A concordance is especially useful if you want to find a Bible verse, but can only remember part of the verse.  A commentary is also useful in topical studies or when you wish to compare Scripture with Scripture.

5.            REFER TO STUDY BIBLES

When I read from the Bible, I like to use a text Bible instead of a study Bible.  However, when you study the Word, it is good to refer to study Bibles, if they are available.  It is wrong to use a study Bible as your sole source of study.  While there are many good study Bibles available, be aware that a man has written the notes.  Study notes are not divinely inspired.  Furthermore, refer to study Bibles after you've done plenty of work on your own.  Not all study Bibles are worth the extra price.  In fact, there are some famous preachers who think that because they've achieved notoriety, they should produce a study Bible.  There are study Bibles that I do not recommend.  I could easily recommend some study Bibles in this message, but I suggest that you speak with your pastor for suggestions.  Wisely choose and purchase study Bibles and use them primarily as reference tools.

6.            REFER TO COMMENTARIES

The suggestions I offered about study Bibles also applies to Bible commentaries.  Personally, I have just a few commentaries in my library.  I have the John MacArthur commentary, the Bible Exposition Library by Warren Wiersbe and the Jamieson, Fausset and Brown commentaries, among others.  You can spend a great deal of money on commentaries.  Again, wisdom is required before purchasing commentaries.  Your pastor may be able to steer you in the right direction with this.  Commentaries should be a resource to use further in the study process.

7.         USE BIBLE DICTIONARIES & BIBLE ENCYCLOPEDIAS

When you encounter a word that you don't understand, or if you want to study a word deeper, refer to a Bible dictionary or Bible encyclopedia.  For instance, the Bible refers to monetary values that we aren't acquainted with (such as shekels, talents, and denarius).  A Bible dictionary or a Bible encyclopedia can help you understand these monetary values & how they would equate to the times.

8.         USE BIBLE SOFTWARE

There are many wonderful software tools available for Christians to use.  However, many of them are costly.  Let me recommend that you download E-sword, which is a free Bible resource.  Also, there are web sites that offer free Bible study resources, such as Bible Gateway (www.biblegateway.com). 

Charles Spurgeon once said, "Visit many good books, but live in the Bible."  Spurgeon also advised Christians to be, "Walking Bibles."  The Bible has the power to transform lives, but we must spend time in the Bible for this to occur.  I've found that the more I dig into God's Word, the more it digs into me. 

Lord willing, we'll examine this topic further next week.

We know God better as we study His Word.  Dig into the Bible and discover the vast richness of God & His Word.

GETTING TO KNOW GOD:  LISTENING TO GOD

TEXT:  "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."

- John 10:27

Last week, I wrote about the importance of personal devotions.  We looked at the importance of prayer, reading the Bible, and using devotionals.  This week, we are going to look at a specific aspect of Christian living:  listening to God.

I hesitate to write about this subject because of the abuses that go on in Christianity.  So often I hear TV preachers say, "The Lord told me...."  Perhaps that doesn't bother you, but it troubles me.  The reason is simple.  Most of these individuals claim to have a clear word from God ... and at times this "word from God" is unbiblical and manipulative.  When I hear a TV minister say, "God has told me...", I know that often a plea for money follows. 

In this little message, we are going to address the subject of hearing from God.  I realize that many will disagree with what I have to say, but I must share my convictions about this subject.

Here are a few things you need to know about listening to God:

1.         GOD SPEAKS THROUGH HIS WORD

I know that many claim to hear from God through dreams and visions.  I want to emphatically state that God speaks through His Word, the Bible.  In fact, He has already spoken.  Many people seek an extra-biblical word from God when they fail to read or believe what God has already said in His Word.  Why seek an extra-biblical word from God when you are not obeying the Word He has already given? 

When you read the Bible, do you treat it like God's Word?  It is God's Word.  The Bible is more than a religious book.  It is more than a book we should take to church.  The Bible is God's inspired Word.  He has given you a message.  It is found in the pages of the Bible. 

The reason the Bible is neglected by many Christians is because most have lost sight of the fact that God speaks through His Word.  Have you read from the Bible today?  Why not?  If you knew that God was going to send you a message today, would you be looking for it?  God has given you a message today.  Open your Bible and read God's message to you.

2.         GOD NEVER CONTRADICTS HIS WORD

Sometimes people invoke the Name of God to condone their sinful actions.  However, God never contradicts His Word.  God will never tell a man to do anything that violates the Scriptures.  For instance, some claim, "God told me to divorce my wife and marry another woman."  That is adultery.  God hates divorce (Malachi 2:15-16).  They are wrongly using God to condone their sinful behavior.  In fact, they are lying.

God NEVER contradicts His Word.  When a preacher or church member claims to have a "spiritual experience" that is not condoned by Scripture, it is best to avoid such people.  Some will say, "I don't care what the Bible says, I just know how I feel..."  Friend, we don't determine truth by an experience; we judge an experience by truth.  We distinguish truth from error by the Word of God.  In fact, God's Word is truth (John 17:17).

So many look for a "new experience," an "inside word from God," or a "fresh, divine word."  They are seeking an emotional high instead of walking with God in humility.

Voddie Baucham once said, "'God told me,' is not a substitute for 'The Bible says.'"  While it is true that God spoke to people verbally in the Bible, it was a rare event.  Unlike them, we have the full canon of Scripture.  The canon of Scripture has been closed.  We have God's Word.  Why do you need an extra-Biblical word?  Adrian Rogers was right when he said, "An extra-biblical word often leads to an anti-biblical word.  Stay with the Book!"  His words have proven prophetic.  These days, "a word from God" often leads people down a path that becomes heretical. 

Some think that a new word or unexplained experience is needed to "reach people."  However, when the rich man was in hell, he asked for messengers to be sent from the dead to warn his brothers.  Instead, the rich man was told, "They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them."  God speaks through His Word --- and He never, ever contradicts His Word.  It is only the Word of God that truly changes lives.  People get saved, not because of an extra-biblical word, but because they hear the Word of God (Romans 10:17). 

I fear that many seek "a new word" from the Lord because they think that the written Word is insufficient.  I believe that if they would actually read, believe and obey the written Word, they would find it to be sufficient for all things. 

I think Justin Peters is credited for this final quote:  "If you want to hear a word from God, read your Bible.  If you want to hear a verbal word from God, read your Bible audibly."  Makes sense, doesn't it?

GETTING TO KNOW GOD:  MAINTAINING A DEVOTIONAL LIFE

Text:  "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." - James 4:8

I must begin with an admission:  I don't consider myself to be the poster-boy for personal devotions.  I've tried to maintain a daily devotional time for several years, yet I still feel that I need to grow in this area.

As a young Christian, I really struggled to maintain a personal devotional time.  I was undisciplined and couldn't get it right.  I've learned a few things that have helped me in this area, but I still have a long way to go.

I feel the need to state the obvious.  If you are serious about getting closer to God, a regular devotional life is vital.  There is a challenge in our text:  "Draw night to God, and he will draw nigh to you."  You may be expecting God to make the first step in this process.  He has already made a series of steps to make fellowship possible.  He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross so that fellowship could be possible.  He gloriously saved your soul, removing the barrier of sin that had kept you from Him.  Now, the next step is yours.  Our text tells us that if we draw near to Him, THEN He will draw near to us.  

There needs to be a deliberate attempt on our part to get close to God.  This requires two important things:  desire and discipline.  First of all, there must be desire.  We must want Him near.  So many talk about getting close to God, but it is obvious that few have a desire for Him.  The Bible states, "Delight thyself also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart."  We must have desire.

Secondly, there must be discipline.  That is what we are going to focus on in this message.  I must admit that this message is more practical than doctrinal.  I don't apologize for this because there are times people need practical instruction.  Maintaining a devotional life requires spiritual discipline.  Spiritual discipline really includes three things:  planning, practice and persistence.

First of all, there must be planning.  If you intend to get physically fit, a plan is required.  It does not occur automatically.  The same is true for spiritual discipline.  Most of this message is about the planning aspect of personal devotions.

Secondly, there must be practice. It is not enough to plan; you must implement the plan.  I can't tell you the number of times I planned to diet ... and then never implemented the plan.  Implementation is vital to spiritual growth.

Finally, there must be persistence.  Personal devotions yield fruit when it is conducted on a regular basis.

With that in mind, let me give you a few things I've learned.

1.         READ THE BIBLE

If you want to get close to God, the Bible is a vital part of personal devotions.  When we read the Scripture, we should seek to learn from the Lord.  Also, when we read the Word, we should seek to listen to the Lord. 

Personally, I don't use a study Bible.  Study Bibles have notes and commentaries, usually at the bottom of the page.  These notes are not divinely inspired & sometimes have questionable content.  I use a simple Bible.  While I appreciate and respect many Bible commentators, I do not want to rely on them, but God Himself.  I want to hear from the Lord, not just someone's opinions, especially during my devotional time.  Also, study Bibles tend to make me a little lazy.  By looking in the notes, I tend to look for answers from others instead of seeking them from God myself.  I am not criticizing those who use study Bibles, just be aware that the most important part of the Bible is the Scriptural text itself.

Also, I use a large print Bible.  As I get older, I need the words to be easier to read.  I love the larger print! 

Additionally, I mark my Bible.  At times, I feel the need to mark words or entire verses.  Sometimes, I use a Bible marker.  At other times, I underline or circle words in a verse using an ink pen.  If you don't feel comfortable marking your Bible, that is fine too.

I plan to read from the Bible every day, without fail.  I need God's Word desperately. 

2.         PRAY

Have a time for prayer.  Talk with the Lord.  Worship Him.  Thank Him.  Offer petitions and pray for others.  It has taken me a long time to learn that prayer is not an attempt to change God, but a means for Him to change me.

3.         USE A DEVOTIONAL

I read from a devotional every day.  A devotional should never take the place of God's Word or prayer, but a good devotional can be a blessing and help in your walk with God.  This year, I am reading, "My Utmost For His Highest," by Oswald Chambers, which is considered a classic.  Another great devotional is, "Morning and Evening," by Charles Spurgeon. 

4.         KEEP A JOURNAL

If you are comfortable with keeping a journal, I suggest that you do so.  I keep just a rough diary.  A journal is different from a diary.  A diary is a record of what occurs every day.  A journal is a record of your thoughts and feelings.  Some keep a prayer journal, where they write out prayers to the Lord.  I've heard some criticize prayer journaling as being unbiblical.  However, many of the Psalms are written prayers.  Whether you journal or not is up to you.  It can be a positive tool in your spiritual development, but it can be a hindrance if you are not comfortable writing or if it becomes a legalistic ritual.

Getting to know God is a personal matter.  It requires something from you.  Attending church two or three times a week is great, but it is still not a substitute for a personal encounter with God during the private time of devotions. 

Set an appointment to meet with God every day.  Personal devotions are an important part of getting to know God.

GETTING TO KNOW GOD:  TRUSTING HIM

TEXT:  "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." - Hebrews 11:6

Trusting an unknown future to an unseen God is difficult for many people.  We have a visually oriented culture.  We feel comfortable with the things we see.  However, our mortal eyes do not see God.  He can only be seen through eyes of faith. 

For the past several weeks, we've examined many attributes of God.  While it is important to understand the nature of God, it is also important to know Him experientially.  It is one thing to know doctrine, it is another thing to know and walk with God. 

Trust is a fundamental component of any healthy relationship.  Superficial relationships may continue without trust, but lasting, meaningful relationships require trust.

Even though God cannot be seen with our eyes, He can be trusted.  Over and over again, God has proven Himself trustworthy.  God keeps every promise He makes.  He has never failed any of His children.  He can be trusted with the smallest of matters as well as the overwhelming issues of life.

If you can trust God with your eternal future, why can't you trust Him with smaller challenges?  Quite honestly, if God can't handle the tiny problems of life, how can He be trusted with our eternal future?

God can be trusted.  The real issue is not whether God can be trusted, but whether you will trust Him.

The writer of the book of Hebrews wrote, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."  Let's examine this a little closer.

1.         FAITH IS REQUIRED

First of all, we learn that faith is required to please God.  We tend to think that God is pleased with Bible knowledge or great acts of heroism.  However, it is possible to learn facts about the Bible without exercising faith.  Many do heroic acts without implementing faith in the Lord.  God is pleased with faith.  When a person trusts God, their Bible reading will take on new meaning.  When a person relies on God, he ventures beyond his comfort zone & obeys God explicitly.   This pleases the Lord.

God is not pleased with abstract faith.  Many have an intellectual belief that God exists.  This is not the kind of faith our text is referring to.  Instead, God is pleased with personal, active faith in Him.  God is pleased when someone takes Him at His Word.  That is faith.

Are you taking God at His Word?  Do you trust Him with every aspect of your life?  Are you living with confidence in God's ability to meet your needs?

Faith is required to please God.

2.         FAITH IS REWARDED

Secondly, our text teaches us that faith is rewarded.  We must believe that God is, and that "... he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."  Part of our trust must include the belief that God rewards everyone who diligently seeks Him.  Faith pleases God and God rewards faith. 

Do you diligently seek Him?  Do you seek God every morning?  Do you seek His guidance and wisdom?  Do you seek His help?  Do you seek His will? 

Sadly, many only seek God when the problems of life overwhelm them.  Although God is certainly available to help with the overwhelming issues we face, it is sad to only seek Him at those times.  We should seek Him at all times.  When we seek Him, we have confidence that He will reward us.  He is pleased with such faith.

When we trust Him, our fellowship with God deepens.  Trust enables us to enjoy sweet communion with Him. 

Trust Him with every aspect of your life.  God is pleased with faith.  God rewards those who live by faith.

Will you trust Him today?