Why Read Your Bible? | Adult Sunday School

Good morning, bring all the sheep into the pen and close the door. It's better than I could have done. Glad you're here this morning. It all Sunday school. Kootenai Community Church. I am Substituting just for this Sunday only for David.

He's not able to be here. He'll be back next week as my understanding and continue in his series in first John. So you get a one-off of this morning? So, let's pray as we begin. Father, thank you for the opportunity to gather here in this place.

And to hear the Word of God. We pray your spirit would make that word effectual in our lives even now. Help us to put away the concerns of the week. The week that's passed in the week that's to come and to be fully present here in this time and place.

We might hear from you through your word and then we might put it into practice. We pray in Christ's name. Amen. Number years ago Carol and I were privileged to be able to go to Israel for a period of time and a study trip and Our lives are just filled with lots of memories and great big Stack of slides.

I guess slides is old technology pictures from our time in Israel. It tells you how long ago was we were there but one of the privileges of being there that we still think on fondly is we were introduced to a second generation Torah scribe.

Here's a man whose life and the life of his father before him has been completely devoted to hand copying the Word of God and what we would know as the Old Testament scriptures and it is quite a project to do to make a hand copy of the scriptures and He does it for various synagogues throughout the world.

They pay a lot of money for them. The whole process is really quite fascinating to watch and there's all kinds of Rituals associated with it and I'm not gonna spend the time talking about that. But one of the things that really stands out to us was just his love.

For the scriptures it was it was far more than just a meticulous man. Although he was certainly that but it was a love for the Word of God. Well here we are in the middle of August and if you haven't noticed the evenings are getting shorter the daylight we have.

You know, the long daylight is in the rearview mirror. Then the nights are coming quicker and quicker and some of the cool mornings. Let us know that winter is not far behind. And I know some of you are already feeling a little bit of that winter panic where you're saying I gotta get the firewood in and I got this to do that to Do and boy, I sure want to squeeze in a few more weekends at the lake and and on and on so I understand all that but let me just say this to you as as you wind down your summer and fall is is upon you and That is a fall is a really good time to think about new commitments and reaffirm old and Particular.

I want to talk to you this morning about your time spent reading the Word of God. If you do not have a habit of regular and by regular I mean daily Bible reading that I hope by the time we're done together this morning that you could be encouraged in that Way and provide you with some some helps to get you started.

Maybe that is your pattern of life and in that I would greatly praise God and if it's your pattern of life. But perhaps this morning would just reaffirm in your heart and mind your reasons for doing this.

About 40 years ago Carol and I were exposed to a missionary and We don't remember that much about him other than this at a at a at a lunch conversation together. He strongly urged us as a very young relatively newlywed couple To begin a pattern of reading the scriptures together as a couple on an annual basis.

So reading through the Bible together as a couple out loud. On an annual basis and by the grace of God. These these young Christians we heeded his advice and began that process and we have just finished 40 times through the scriptures together.

So God has enabled us to do it for 40 years in a row. And it has become such a part of our lives that it's not a negotiable anymore for us. It just is part of who we are.

But.

That the spiritual accelerant that comes by a regular and consistent reading of the scriptures cannot be Overestimated I Think again kind of a bit of a personal testimony for us. There is probably no greater spiritual discipline that we have been able to implement into our lives than that in terms of Building us together up in our in the likeness of Christ and drawing our hearts together Around a common understanding of the Word of God.

The Value of Bible Reading and a Lifetime Habit

Well in order to encourage you this morning in that endeavor I've made a list of ten reasons to read the Bible.

There's going to be.

Cookies on the bottom shelf. Ten reasons. To read the Bible along with some practical suggestions for how to sustain your reading throughout the year. So ten reasons to read the scriptures and then some practical ways to sustain that year in and year out.

So the reasons to read through the Bible each year. I've got ten of them and they are not in any particular order here. But here we go. There is reason number one. People gave their lives to make it available to you.

The year was 1536 and.

A.

Man Stood chained to a pole hundreds of miles from his English homeland with a rope about his neck wood gathered at his feet and smothered in gunpowder and was given opportunity to recant his what was called Lutheranism is Lutheranism and What the Catholic authorities meant by Lutheranism was his commitment to justification by grace alone through faith alone.

Of course he refused to recant the truth and so was offered to him an opportunity for a last prayer. His last recorded words are these. Lord open the king of England's eyes. At a nod from the magistrate the executioner strangled him.

They ignited the the pyre underneath him and his body was Incinerated. He was 42 years old. William Tyndale was his name William Tyndale. He was educated at both Oxford and Cambridge. He was ordained to the priesthood at a time when England was completely Roman Catholic and There was no published English translation of the scriptures and that was the crime for which he was executed.

He translated the Bible from Greek and Hebrew. Hebrew he was a brilliant man. He spoke seven languages he translated the New Testament from Greek and the Pentateuch the first five books of the Old Testament from the Hebrew and for that crime he was executed.

His work was so good. So meticulous. And by the way, he spent 12 the last 12 years of his life basically on the run. Being chased by civil authorities operating under disguise and all kinds of adversities but his Translation was so good that 90 of it was imported into the King James Version when just a few years later in 1539 King Henry the eighth who earlier had separated from the Roman Catholic Church because of his libido.

And.

Granted the authority to have an English Bible translation made which eventuated a few years later 1611 in the new in the King James Bible of which 90 of Tyndale's original Greek or English translation was Essentially imported so that just gives you the an idea of the quality of his scholarship.

William Tyndale he died To make the Bible available in the English language. In fact earlier in his life. He said this If God spares my life I will cause a boy that drives the plow to know more of the scripture than you.

He spoke that to a fellow Catholic priest. Who weren't notorious for their ignorance of the Word of God? An amazing man. I I commend him to you if you've never read a biography on William Tyndale you ought to you ought to so.

First reason why you should read your Bible is people gave their lives To make it available to you. Secondly. We are privileged to have it in our heart. Language in our heart language. What does that mean?

That means the language that we have grown up learning to speak. For the vast majority of us. We have grown up in the American English-speaking world and we don't give second thoughts we're we're probably of all the peoples in the world the the most monolinguistic and.

So we really don't think of it. Our kind of our attitude is if you want to speak to me learn to speak American English and we'll listen perhaps. But for the rest of the world, they have been brought up in other languages and these are the languages they've learned at their mother's knee and it communicates to them and.

And so to bring the Word of God to people and to bring it in the language of their what's missionaries called the language of their heart is a very powerful and important way to communicate the Word of God.

You can see by the way for people who are bilingual in other words raised in a different language and now speak English. That there are times when they're searching for a word and they'll revert back to their mother tongue because it just conveys much better what they're.

Trying to communicate you know if you just think about this for a minute we we as a Evangelical conservative evangelical church. We spend a lot of money sending out Bible translators. Don't we because we think it's very very important to to bring the scriptures to the people in their heart language rather than to say Well, just learn the trade language.

Just learn the local trade language and you can read your Bible in the trade language. No, it communicates far closer far better for more powerfully if it reaches people in their heart language. And so we here's the material point you and I are privileged to have it in our heart language.

Third. The Spirit works through the word to save and sanctify us. The Spirit works through the word to save and sanctify us. Turn to John 17 we're gonna look at a bunch of scripture references here and we're gonna primarily just read them with minimal comment for the sake of time and.

But John 17 beginning in verse 13. Jesus high priestly prayer. He says beginning in verse 13. But now I come to you and these things I speak in the world. So that they may have my joy made full in themselves.

I have given them your word. He's speaking now to his father in prayer, of course. And the world has hated them because they are not of the world even as I am not of the world. I do not ask you to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.

They are not of the world. Even as I am NOT of the world sanctify them in the truth. Your word is Truth as you sent me into the world. Also, I have sent them into the world for their sakes. I sanctify myself that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.

I do not ask on behalf of these alone but for those also who believe in me through their word that they may all be one even as you father are in me and I In you that they may also be in us so that the world may believe that you sent me notice the connection between the Word of God and the process of redemption and sanctification that comes from Jesus to them and through their word which we have to you and I two millennia later.

Flip over to Acts chapter 20. Acts 20 verse 32. Paul here saying his farewell to the Ephesian elders. Verse 32. Acts chapter 20. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace. Which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified again see the connection between redemption sanctification and the Word of God.

Ephesians chapter 5 and verse 25. Ephesians chapter 5 and verse 25. Husbands love your wives just as Christ also loved the church and gave himself up for her so that he might sanctify Her having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word there.

It is again that he might present to himself the church in all her glory having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that she would be holy and.

Blameless.

More for you in 2nd Thessalonians chapter 2 beginning in verse 13. And by the way, if you want you can jot these down and and read them on your own. I encourage you to do that and ponder them. 2nd Thessalonians chapter 2 beginning in verse 13.

But we should always give thanks to God for you brethren beloved by the Lord because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification By the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this he called you through our gospel that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So then brethren stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught whether by word of mouth or by letter from us. See the connections. See the connections. The Spirit works through the word to save and to sanctify us and that is a reason to read your Bible.

Regularly.

Scripture as the Source of Truth in a World of Lies

Fourth.

The scriptures are the source of truth. Notice the the definitive article the source of truth in a world given over to lies. The scriptures are the source of truth in a world given over to lies. Psalm 36 on 36 and verse 9.

But with you is the fountain of life and here is the money statement in your light. We see light in your light. We see light in other words. We can see clearly when we see it as you see it as it really is.

Psalm 119 and verse 130. Psalm 19 verse 130. The unfolding of your words give light it gives understanding to the simple. The unfolding of your words gives light it gives understanding to the simple. Over to the New Testament in 2nd Corinthians chapter 10.

2nd Corinthians chapter 10 beginning verse 3. For though we walk in the flesh we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh. But divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses perhaps better translated prisons.

We are destroying Speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Paul was conducting spiritual warfare through The Word of God through the Word of God.

2nd Timothy 2 15. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed.

Accurately.

Handling the Word of Truth. The older one or verse, right? So the scriptures are the source of truth in a world given over to lies. Beloved a church or a Christian. Weakened by biblical. Illiteracy is in danger of allowing Christianity to be defined.

By those who have either selectively read the Bibles or have not read them at all which is the very essence of theological liberalism very essence of it the biblically illiterate are in danger of being tossed everywhere by the prevailing notions.

Culture. In fact this quote says it. Well, I think. We must define Christianity to the culture.

We.

Must define Christianity to the culture. Increasingly in these debates non-christians claim to know that Christianity does not condemn homosexual behavior and That Jesus was really open to all forms of erotic.

Love. Have anyone ever been Encountered someone who claims the name of Christ and advocates such nonsense. I Think you probably have you probably have a biblically illiterate church you could put in there or Christian because the church is just made up of Christians.

Finds it harder to prevent the separation of Christianity from historic Christian teaching. We saw this by the way during the whole kovat Fiasco, didn't we people defining what it meant to love as Jesus loved?

Telling you that you need to do this or you need to not do that because you have to you have to love your neighbor. We had seated to them The clear and true understanding of what the Word of God says and when we make that there's no place.

There's no place. They won't push us. There are no boundaries anymore. There's no firm firm lines so. The scriptures are the source of truth in a world given over to lies if We should read our Bible. Because it is the way it is the way God communicates with us.

It is the way God communicates with us. God does not whisper. God speaks through his word. And I don't know where the bumper sticker came from. But I did see it if you want to hear God speak out loud read your word out loud.

I think that was the kind of the gist of it. So God communicates to us through his.

Word.

Hebrews chapter 1. Hebrews chapter 1 and if you want a clear.

Detailed.

Compelling exposition of the first three verses. Then I know where you could find one. All you have to do is visit our website and it wouldn't be one. I realize that. But Hebrews chapter 1 beginning in verse 1.

God after he spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets In many portions and in many ways in these last days has spoken to us in son or in his son Whom he appointed heir of all things through whom also he made the world.

And he is the radiance of his glory in the exact representation of his nature and upholds all things by the word of his power. When he had made purification of sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

God communicates with us in these last days through his son but not by his appearing as he had to the author of Hebrews or those that had preceded him but through the Inerrant and written word of those eyewitness Testimonies, so we still have and as Peter would say we have a word made more sure don't we in the very Word of God itself?

So this is how God communicates to his people. It is how he has always.

Communicated to his people.

Second Peter chapter 1 verses 2. And following. Well, let's just where are we here. 2nd Peter chapter 1. Let's just begin in verse 1 Peter an apostle of Jesus Christ to those who reside as aliens scattered throughout Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia and Bithynia who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by the sanctifying work of the Spirit to obey Jesus Christ to be sprinkled with his blood.

May grace and Peace be yours in fullest measure. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who according to his great mercy has caused us to be born again to A living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to obtain an inheritance Which is imperishable and undefiled that will not fade away reserved in heaven for you who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation.

Ready to reveal and in the last time. Problem with this is that was first Peter.

I.

Thought it was a pretty good reading. I was reading and I was thinking it's not it's not saying what I thought it was supposed.

To say.

But it was pretty good, wasn't it? It was pretty good and I read it. All right. I read it. All right. So here we go again. Let's try this. This is what you call. I drop. I'm not the kind of you squeeze in the second Peter chapter 1.

Here we go. The universe to grace and peace be multiplied to you. And the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord here. We are seeing that his divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness through the true knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and excellence through the true knowledge of Him who has called us.

Where do we receive that true knowledge? It is nowhere but the Word of God the Word of God. That's how God communicates. And finally. 2nd Timothy. 2nd Timothy chapter 3 beginning in verse 15. 2nd Timothy chapter 3 beginning in verse 15.

And from childhood Timothy you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction for training in righteousness.

So that the man of God may be adequate equipped for every good work.

I.

Solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus Who is to judge the living and the dead and by his appearing in his kingdom to preach the word. Be ready in season and out.

Of season.

Reprove.

Review exhorts with great patience and instruction for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine But wanting to have their ears tickled They will accumulate for themselves teachers according to their own desires and will turn away their ears from the truth and Will turn aside to miss.

To turn from the Word of God is to turn aside from the truth and to turn to myths turn the myths God communicates with us through the scriptures. That's the answer. You should develop or Reaffirm a regular consistent and faithful Bible reading because the scripture recalled to mind Helps us in our fight against temptation.

The scripture recalled to mind Helps us in our fight against temptation.

It is.

The sword of the Spirit right. So psalm 119 again. Psalm 119 and verse 9. Psalm 119 in verse 9. How can a young man keep his way pure? How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to your word.

With all my heart I have sought you do not let me wander from your commandments.

Verse 11.

Your word I have treasured in my heart that I may not sin against you. Word, I've treasured in my heart that I may not sin against you. Blessed are you O Lord? Teach me your statutes. With my lips I have told of all the ordinances of your mouth.

I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies as much as in all riches. I Will meditate on your precepts and regard your ways. I shall delight in your statutes. I Shall not forget your word. How can a young man keep his way pure or how can a young woman keep her way pure?

By keeping it according to his word. Keeping it according to his word the scripture recalled to mind. Helps us in our fight against temptation. The better we know the scripture the better armed we are.

To face the various temptations that come at us not just simply text sexual temptations But all of the temptations of life. Seven we should establish a regular faithful consistent reading of the Word of God.

Because Jesus was steeped in the scriptures. Because Jesus was steeped in the scriptures. The very son of man himself. Go to mark.

Chapter 6.

Verse 2.

That's become verse 1 mark chapter 6 beginning in verse 1. Jesus went out from there and came into his hometown and his disciples followed him. When the Sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue and the many listeners were astonished Seeing where did this man get these things?

And what is this wisdom given to him and such miracles as these performed by his hands. Is not this the carpenter? The son of Mary the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon are not these his sisters here with us.

And they took offense at him. Where did this man get this wisdom? Where did it come from. Did God just God the Father just supernaturally zap him. Any kind of a faithful reading of the Accounts of the Gospels would say no.

No, where did he get this wisdom? He got it by becoming a psalm one man. He was steeped in the Word of God from childhood from his mother's knee. He applied himself to the Word of God until it became such a part of him and Transformed him as a man in such a way that this carpenter this this uneducated man Could speak with such power.

You remember at 12 years old in the in the temple and how he was confounding the leaders of Judaism. If you turn to your left to Matthew chapter 4, we see just a an illustration of this Reality that Jesus was steeped in the scriptures and this by the way is an encouragement to me and I hope to you too because I Would suggest to you that Jesus had available to him.

No more spiritual resources than you and I do in his ability to stand firm here in the temptation is a Result of his heart and mind being so washed by the Word of God. That he was able to respond with wisdom.

Faith.

Verse 4 or chapter 4 in verse 1. Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And After he had fasted 40 days and 40 nights he then became hungry. That by the way is a serious understatement.

And The tempter came and said to him if you are the Son of God command that these stones become bread. What are you wrong for him to have done that? But he answered and said it is written Man shall not live on bread alone.

But on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God, is that how you would have answered? Is that the passage you would have gone to. Is that what would have occurred to your mind? There's five. Then the devil took him into the holy city And had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple said to him If you are the Son of God throw yourself down for it is written He will command his angels concerning you and on their hands.

They will bear you up so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

Now.

Satan's using the scripture. Jesus said to him on the other hand it is written You shall not put the Lord your God to the test. You shall not put the Lord your God to test by the way. That works for you and I too.

Again the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their glory. And he said to him all these things. I will give you if you fall down and worship me. And Jesus said to him go Satan for it is written.

You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him only. When the devil left him behold the angels came and began ministering to him. It is written. It is written. It is written. This is how Jesus Responded to the temptation.

After 40 days of fasting in which physically he would have been weakened to the point of death. Yet responded with a heart and mind so washed in the Word of God that he was able to recall in his moments of weakness Exactly what he needed.

To stand firm.

That should encourage us. That should inspire us. That should motivate us. Jesus was steeped in the scriptures. Steeped in the scriptures. You remember when he would say to the Pharisees have you not read?

Have you not read. Might be amazing to have that kind of command of the Word of God. Reason number eight. For a faithful consistent regular Bible reading. Because the New Testament depends upon an understanding of the Old Testament.

Because the New Testament depends upon an understanding of the Old Testament. In other words.

The the.

Word of God the revelation of God Recorded on the pages of the Old Testament set the stage for the revelation of the New Testament to vault in to the New Testament with a at best cursory understanding of the Old Testament puts us at a significant disadvantage a significant disadvantage.

The Old Testament was written for us. For us to to spend the time thinking pondering. Do we live under the law? No, we do not. Does that mean it can all be thrown away and there's nothing of value there.

No, there is great value there. As we begin to understand what are the eternal principles that stand behind the the time-bound applications of the Mosaic law. Because all of that understanding flows into the New Testament it undergirds the New Testament.

When Paul says to Timothy that all scriptures and inspired right and profitable is he speaking about the New Testament? Well, yeah by by derivative but primarily he's speaking about the Old Testament because it was the Old Testament.

That was the book of the first generation. The Septuagint the Greek translation of that Old Testament. So to spend all our time in the New Testament and little to none in the old. It's like it's like going into a you know, a boxing ring with one arm tied behind our back.

We might be a good boxer, but that's a significant disadvantage. Spend the time in the Old Testament. Learn the themes the arc of history. Where is God going? It's all there. It's all there. It's a quote for you here.

The influence of the Old Testament is seen throughout the New Testament. The New Testament writers included approximately 250 express Old Testament quotations, why would they do that by the way, the reason they would do that is because if the if the Revelation the claimed revelation of the New Testament cannot be tied directly into the received revelation of the Old Testament.

Then it is not true. This by the way is why the book of Romans which contains that long and systematic Paul's longest and most systematic presentation of the gospel of grace is so laced with Old Testament quotations.

It has to be. It has to be because if salvation is. Of some other way. In other words, it's it's a different way in the Old Testament than it is in the new week. Paul's got a problem. We got a problem the New Testament writers included approximately 250 express Old Testament quotations and if one includes indirect or partial quotations the number jumps to more than a thousand more than a thousand.

A.

Question for you when you're reading in your New Testament and you see that it's a it cut. You know, there's a Old Testament quotation and it's normally your your translation sets it aside by putting it all in caps or something like that.

It's got some way to designate it for you. Do you ever bother to go back and read it in its context? In the Testament depends upon the understanding of the old number nine. Because the scriptures are the path of wisdom the scriptures are the path of.

Wisdom.

Someone how blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked. Nor stand in the path of sinners nor sit in the seat of scoffers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law.

He meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water which yields fruit in its season. And it's leaf does not wither and then whatever he does he prospers. As I said just a little bit ago Jesus is the prototypical psalm one man.

What does a psalm one man look like? He looks like Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus of Nazareth the scriptures are the path of wisdom. Proverbs chapter 1. And beginning in verse 1 the Proverbs of Solomon the son of David a king of Israel.

To know wisdom and instruction. To discern the sayings of understanding. To receive instruction in wise behavior righteousness justice and equity. To give prudence to the naive. To the youth knowledge and.

Discretion a.

Wise man will hear an increase in learning and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel. To understand a proverb and a figure if he translated a satire. The words of the wise and their riddles or enigmas The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.

Fools despise wisdom and instruction. So all noon is telling us why? He accumulated these together in this book. It is because it is the source of wisdom. It is a source of wisdom. Young men it is in particular written to you and You would gain much By becoming very familiar with it very familiar with it.

Old men like me Can gain much? from the Proverbs as well much. Psalm 119 in verse 5 says your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. A Lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

The Word of God.

Reading for Wisdom, Temptation, and the Old Testament’s Place in the New

10th and finally Because we are instructed in times of suffering To be able to provide a reason for the hope that lies within us Which we cannot do if we are ignorant of the scriptures. We're called upon to provide a reason for the hope that lies within us, which we cannot do if we're ignorant of the scriptures.

So for that we do want first Peter chapter 3. Beginning in verse 13. Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness you are blessed and Do not fear their intimidation and do not be troubled.

Old Testament citation.

But.

Sanctify or set apart Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you yet with gentleness and reverence. And keep a good conscience so that in the things in which you are slandered those who revile your good behavior in Christ Will be put to shame.