02.13.2023 | THE WORD OF GOD
THE WORD OF GOD
WE VALUE THE WORD, PREACHED, TAUGHT, APPLIED, AND LIVED.
2 Timothy 3:10-11 (NKJV)
But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra – what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.
2 Timothy 3:12-13
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
2 Timothy 3:14-15
But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Will you bring God’s Book to my tribe, so that we will know how to live again?
Our nation has lost the Book. We have rejected the Word of God and the God of the Word, and we don’t know how to live anymore.
HOLY SPIRIT, WILL YOU RESTORE GOD’S BOOK TO MY LIFE, TO OUR LIVES, TO YOUR PEOPLE, AND TO THIS NATION, THAT WE WILL KNOW HOW TO LIVE AGAIN.
“When a critical number of people have the Bible and apply what it teaches in their lives, a nation is transformed.” – Loren Cunningham
“When a critical number of people abandon the Bible, and stop applying it in their personal lives, that nation begins to destroy itself.” – Loren Cunningham
2 Timothy 3:14-15
But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:16a
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.
2 Timothy 3:16a (ESV)
All Scripture is breathed out by God.
“Scripture is God’s own utterance. It is the Word of God.” – Jack Hayford
“Every word of Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit of God.” – Jack Hayford
Psalm 119:160a (NKJV)
The entirety of Your Word is truth.
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable [useful] for doctrine [teaching], reproof [conviction], for correction [making something straight again], for instruction in righteousness [training children how to live right and get right with God].
2 Timothy 3:17
That the man of God [people of God] may be complete [fully qualified, fresh], thoroughly equipped for every good work.
If you have the Word without the Spirit, you dry up. If you have the Spirit without the Word, you blow up. If you have the Spirit and the Word, you grow up.
By the Word through the Spirit – faith comes. Romans 10:17
By the Word through the Spirit – the New Birth comes. 2 Timothy 3:15, James 1:21
By the Word through the Spirit – spiritual growth comes. 1 Peter 2:1-2
By the Word through the Spirit – healing comes. Proverbs 4:20-23
By the Word through the Spirit – a renewed mind comes. Romans 12:2
By the Word though the Spirit – cleansing comes. Ephesians 5:26
By the Word through the Spirit – victory over temptation comes. Matthew 4:1-11
By the Word through the Spirit – direction comes. Psalm 119:105
Psalm 119:105
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
How do we grow in the Word?
1. Read the Word
1 Timothy 4:12-13
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
2. Study the Word
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
Study to shew thyself approved, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.
3. Meditate on the Word
Psalm 1:1-2 (NKJV)
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:3
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper.
4. Memorize the Word
Psalm 119:11
Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
5. Obey the Word
James 1:22
But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
“One cannot submit to Christ’s Lordship without submitting to God and His Word as the ultimate authority.” – Full Life Bible
Discussion Questions:
1. Do you believe the Bible has become a “Lost Book” in American culture?
2. What are some of the results of our nation abandoning the Word of God?
3. How has the Word of God impacted your life?
4. Do you have a daily time with the Lord when you read His Word and talk with Him in prayer?
5. Does your family ever read and talk about the Word together?
6. What action step is the Holy Spirit calling you to take to go deeper in the Word?