January 5, 2020

So Much More: A Walk in the Word
January 5, 2020
Charles Billingsley

How many times have you been ready to assemble a DIY item, and cast aside the instruction sheet? Did you end up with parts left over? Can you share a memory?

Open:

Today we begin our new series, So Much More. We know the scriptures tell us that God is able to do so much more than we can ask or think, but do we step out in faith to explore the truth of that statement? Study with us as we start at the beginning: using all the resources in God’s Word as our “instruction book,” knowing it will be a lamp and light as we travel through life!

Key Verse: Ephesians 3:20: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…”

The Importance of God’s Word

You can TRUST THE WORD OF GOD

  • Read 2 Timothy 3:16a. Why is it important to read the Bible?
  • If you thought of an illustration in the opening, did you end up needing the  instruction sheet? How is that like ignoring the instructions in the Bible as you try to navigate life?
  • Read 2 Sam. 22:31. Why can you trust God’s word?

It NEVER CHANGES

  • Read verse 16b, and Malachi 3:6a. Do you believe God when He says that He does not change? Why or why not?
  • Read John 10:30 and John 14:6. How can a person believe that God’s word is true? Has it changed over the past 4,000 years? What does this tell you?

It will always CHANGE YOU

  • Read verses 16b-17. There are six verbs in these verses that tell what God’s word will do for you; list each and explain how it can change you. (For instance, “Teach us”).

The Power of God’s Word

It is our WEAPON AGAINST SATAN’S ATTACKS AND LIES

  • Read Eph. 6:12. How do we come against Satan’s attacks with God’s word?
  • Matthew 4:1-11: can someone tell what happened between Jesus and Satan in the Wilderness experience?

It FEEDS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST

  • Read Matt. 5:6. What is the promise in this verse? How is this true?
  • Read Psalm 34:1, 8, 10, and Psalm 37:3. How is our relationship with God strengthened when we are “feeding” on God’s word?

It keeps us FOCUSED ON ETERNITY

  • Read Colossians 3:1-4. Where are our thoughts often directed as we read the Bible? Is this true for you?
  • Read Eph. 2:6. If we are “seated in the heavenly places” with Christ, where will our thoughts be during the day?

The Integrity of God’s Word

           Jesus Christ IS THE WORD                                                                     

  • Read John 1:1-3. What was the role of Jesus Christ in Creation? What is He called in these verses?
  • Read Col. 1:12-19. How does this verse confirm the truth that Jesus was active at creation? What does consist mean (we had this word recently)?

The Word is LIVING AND ACTIVE

  • Read Hebrews 4:12-13. If something is designated as “living,” name some qualities it possesses. Is that true of the word of God?
  • Is it possible the Bible, being “alive,” has a life that will keep it living no matter how men try to eradicate it?

The Word is the ROADMAP OF THE WAY

  • Read John 14:6 again. If Jesus is the “Way,” how can the Bible also be the Way? How does it point people to Jesus?

Our Commitment to God’s Word

We need to HEAR GOD’S WORD

  • Read Matt. 7:24 and Mark 4:20. What did Jesus say about our listening with attentive ears to the preaching of His word?

We need to READ GOD’S WORD

  • Read Acts 17:11. What made the Bereans different from most of the people the apostles preached to?
  • How can a person learn to discern truth from error in teaching or preaching?

We need to STUDY GOD’S WORD

  • Read Joshua 1:8, in NLT if possible. What was God telling Joshua? Why is it applicable to us as well?
  • Read 2 Tim. 2:15, in NLT if possible. How much importance does God place on studying the scriptures?

We need to MEMORIZE GOD’S WORD

  • Read Psalm 119:11. What is the best reason for memorizing scripture?
  • Read Psalm 119:148. What is a reason we might lie awake in the night?

We need to OBEY GOD’S WORD

  • Read James 1:22. What are we doing to ourselves if we listen to preaching on Sundays, but do not obey God during the week?
  • Read Deut. 11:13-14. What does God promise to the persons who obey and love Him with all their heart?

Close:

In the past several years, a new diet has been sweeping the country, with thousands of people anxious to give a review about the amazing results that can be achieved for those who are faithful to the plan. There are not such great results when the diet is not followed wholeheartedly, which is now called “Dirty” dieting.

What an apt analogy to walking in the light of the Greatest Book ever written! The Bible has sold billions of copies, changing people beyond what anyone could ever hope to imagine, and transforming worthless, meaningless lives into vibrant, healthy persons. People who have been changed by the relationship with Jesus Christ are eager to give Him the credit for a new life—born again by the Holy Spirit.

On the opposite side are the millions who want an escape from hell and its burning fires, but don’t desire to have Jesus become the King in their lives! Many of the books of the Bible offer dire warnings to these who play at their Christian walk. They sit in church on Sundays, piety in their expressions, while their minds are busy concocting wicked plans that they can hardly wait to put into action. Fooling the others in the congregation, they are not fooling God, who knows the thoughts and intents of each heart. What a sorrowful thing that they believe they are getting away with their sin, when all the while the price for their redemption has been paid, if they but repent, turn from their sin and pride, and accept the free gift of God.

Only a life whose heart is sold out to God will find its way to an eternity with Jesus Christ and other believers. For those whose lives have been transformed, there is but one option. Is that the way you have chosen?

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