To Be A Christian #3, What Do We Do With the Bible?

To Be A Christian #3

What Do We Do With the Bible?

Joshua 1:7-9

By: Joseph Ball

22. 1.0: 06/16/2015

To be a Christian, we first must be saved, which means:

I. Confess  Your Sins.

II. Forsake  Your Sins.

III. Believing  In Christ and living for Him.

After becoming a Christian, we have to live like a Christian.  What does it mean to live like a Christian?

Christians have a book called the Bible.  What is the Bible?

I. Book  of Ages

II. Food for the Soul

III. Light for your Life

IV. Also: God’s Word

Devouring Flame

Saving Power

Our Defensive Weapon

So If the Bible is all of these things, and it is so important and precious, what are we to do with it?

7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

(Joshua 1:7-9)

What should we do with God’s Word?

I. Know it:

8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

A. Read The Bible.

It should be First

The first thing in your mind each day is the thing your mind focuses on most.

The enemy knows if he can get you to miss the Bible in the morning, he will have a better chance at making you fall.

When Ephesians says the Bible is our Sword in the fight against the enemy of our soul, it would seem we wouldn’t want to start our day without it.

It Should be Most

If other things get more time than the Bible, then there is no balance in your life and balance needs to be restored

It Should be the Measurement.

Against everything else you read and look at.

If things do not line up with Scriptural standards for purity and holiness, then they do not belong in your eyes or ears.

B. Study The Bible.

Reading a book once may be enjoyable, but if you want to really understand it you have to study it over and over again

Study the passages that you do not understand

Study the passages that interest you.

“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)

C. Memorize The Bible.

Memorize those favorite verses that are especially comforting and encouraging to you.

Memorize those important verses that you know matter.

Memorize the Scriptures that are useful when you find yourself tempted.

Memorize just to soak in the Word, and to expand your mind.

II. Use It:

A. For Encouragement

50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.

(Psalm 119:50)

B. For Self-Correction

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

C. For Instruction

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

D. For Fighting the Devil

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

(Ephesians 6:17)

III. Share It:

A. With Other Christians

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

(Ephesians 4:29)

B. With the World

15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

(Mark 16:15)

HomeWork:

• Read Psalm 119 this week.

Reading just 30 verses a day will get you done in 6 days.

• Memorize Psalm 119:1-3.

This is a very good passage, very encouraging, and a great place to start.

• Dig out a good devotional.

Read it each morning, without fail, before your first cup of coffee.

Report back in next Sunday how you did, and at least two things that blessed you from your devotions.

• Read the Bible each night, pick any book and start reading.