Make Time for Make Time for God’s WordGod’s Word

The Power of God’s WordThe Power of God’s Word

Heb 4:12 Heb 4:12 For the word of God For the word of God is living and active and is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of thoughts and intentions of the heart.the heart.

The Roman SoldierThe Roman Soldier

The two edged sword was used in close battle to stab and then rip the enemy in both directions.

The Japanese SamuraiThe Japanese Samurai

A Samurai was one with

his sword.

I. A few Books claim to be I. A few Books claim to be God’s Word but are not.God’s Word but are not.

Grasp hold of the Bible.Grasp hold of the Bible.

Main Idea: The Bible is God’s only written Main Idea: The Bible is God’s only written revelation to us, therefore we ought to revelation to us, therefore we ought to grasp hold of it so it can grasp hold of us.grasp hold of it so it can grasp hold of us.

II. The Bible is God’s II. The Bible is God’s Revelation to us.Revelation to us.

A. It A. It claimsclaims to be God’s to be God’s WordWord

Timothy 3:16-17 NASB Timothy 3:16-17 NASB All Scripture is All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; (17) so that training in righteousness; (17) so that the man of God may be adequate, the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.equipped for every good work.

2 Peter 1:20-21 NASB 2 Peter 1:20-21 NASB But know this first But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, (21) matter of one's own interpretation, (21) for no prophecy was ever made by an for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

B. The Bible is B. The Bible is uniqueunique..1. Written over 1. Written over 1,6001,600 years. years.2. Written over 2. Written over 6060 generations. generations.3. Written by over 3. Written by over 4040 authors. authors.4. Written in 4. Written in differentdifferent places. places.5. Written during 5. Written during warwar and and peacepeace..6. Written in different 6. Written in different moodsmoods..7. Written on 7. Written on threethree continents. continents.8. Written in 8. Written in threethree languages. languages.9. Contains hundreds of 9. Contains hundreds of controversialcontroversial subjects. subjects.10. The continuity of the Bible.10. The continuity of the Bible.

C. The Bible is reliable.C. The Bible is reliable.

1. 1. ScientificallyScientifically accurate. It may disagree accurate. It may disagree with scientific theory, but not scientific with scientific theory, but not scientific proof.proof.

2. 2. HistoricallyHistorically reliable. Archeology reliable. Archeology confirms it.confirms it.

3. Reliable in 3. Reliable in transmissiontransmission..

III. We need to grasp III. We need to grasp hold of God’s Word so hold of God’s Word so

it will grasp hold of us.it will grasp hold of us.

A.A. Hear Hear it. it.

Romans 10:17 Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.hearing by the word of Christ.

After 24 hours 5% is rememberedAfter 24 hours 5% is remembered

Israel heard, but …Israel heard, but …

B.B. Read Read it. it.

Revelation 1:3 Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, those who hear the words of the prophecy,

and heed the things which are written in it; for and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.the time is near.

After 24 hours 15% is remembered.After 24 hours 15% is remembered.

Reading plans and devotional guides promote Reading plans and devotional guides promote successful reading.successful reading.

C.C. Study Study it. it.

Acts 17:10-11 Acts 17:10-11 The brethren immediately sent Paul and The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. (11) Now they went into the synagogue of the Jews. (11) Now

these were more noble-minded than those in these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see

whether these things were so.whether these things were so.

After 24 hours 35% is remembered.After 24 hours 35% is remembered.

Involves writing down observations cross references and Involves writing down observations cross references and research.research.

D.D. Memorize Memorize it. it.

Psalms 119:9-11 Psalms 119:9-11 How can a young man keep How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. (10) With all my heart I have Your word. (10) With all my heart I have

sought You; Do not let me wander from Your sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. (11) Your word I have commandments. (11) Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin treasured in my heart, That I may not sin

against You.against You.

After 24 hours 100% is remembered.After 24 hours 100% is remembered.

Regular review is critical to prevent a “quick Regular review is critical to prevent a “quick learn/quick loss” syndrome.learn/quick loss” syndrome.

E. E. Meditate onMeditate on it. it. Psalms 1:2-3 Psalms 1:2-3 But his delight is in the law of the But his delight is in the law of the

LORD, And in His law he meditates day and LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. (3) He will be like a tree firmly planted night. (3) He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in

its season And its leaf does not wither; And in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.whatever he does, he prospers.

It’s through meditation that God’s Word It’s through meditation that God’s Word grasps hold of us.grasps hold of us.

F.F. Do Do the Word of God. the Word of God. James 1:22-25 James 1:22-25 But prove yourselves doers of the But prove yourselves doers of the

word, and not merely hearers who delude word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. (23) For if anyone is a hearer of themselves. (23) For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; (24) for looks at his natural face in a mirror; (24) for

once he has looked at himself and gone once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind away, he has immediately forgotten what kind

of person he was. (25) But one who looks of person he was. (25) But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty,

and abides by it, not having become a and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this

man will be blessed in what he does.man will be blessed in what he does.

ConclusionConclusion

Use the God’s sword to Use the God’s sword to become proficient with it. become proficient with it.

Make time for God’s Word.Make time for God’s Word.