COLERAINE INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH
SUNDAY 3 NOVEMBER 2024 – MR PHILIP ROBINSON
2 TIMOTHY 2 VERSES 14 – 19 – READING THE BIBLE
A challenging subject that many
struggle with. Especially when we look
at the Old Testament books such as Numbers, Leviticus. Many can find it quite daunting. Some will push them to the side because they
are too hard to understand. We can see
though that they link in with other passages of scripture. John 14 refers to Numbers and the raising up
of the staff in the wilderness by Moses.
That is why it is important to read the bible as a whole. Some times pastors cannot deal with subjects
from the Old Testament because it is too hard.
We should be reading as though God iis sitting opposite us, getting a
deeper grasp of God’s love for us.
Reading should be a joy to us as Christians, learning about people in
the scriptures and be challenged by them.
Think of Angus Buchan who went out into the corn fields at 4 in the
morning to read and study God’s word. Some
times God will bring to our remembrance something we have read in his word
previously. It can be hard to study but
there is nothing more rewarding than sitting and having time with God before
the day starts and then spending time reflecting at the end of the day too.
Firstly, there is no book like the
bible. Alongside prayer and devotion it
is vital as a Christian. John said
"search the scriptures. 2 Timothy 2
verse 15. Studying the scriptures is
vital for us as believers, getting to know God and his will for our lives. Like a friend we need to spend time with them understanding God’s will for our lives. It also helps us when people challenge us
about the things of God, when people ask us “why do you believe this or that?” What does the bible say about it? Studying and reading God’s word can help us
as we witness to others. One of the
beauties of the scripture was the different people and living in different
situations but they all have one aim – to translate what God was saying. The authors from Genesis to Revelation is
different for each other. We can learn
from so many but they all have one goal – to bring out the glory of the
Lord. When we think of the bible it is
the most bought book in the world. Yet
people say it is not relevant to today.
People read it years ago because they were told to by their parents. It is the most up to date book we have in
front of us. Even today we can visit some
of the cities we read about in the scriptures.
Recently they found sulphur balls near where Sodom and Gomorrah
originally was – we read in scripture that this was where fire and brimstone
fell from heaven. Matthew 24 warns of
wars and rumours of wars that will happen before the Lord comes again. Yet people say it is not relevant today. The bible is more up to date than it ever
was.
Secondly, the bible is a book
that can bring knowledge of salvation.
That is one of the most important points of all. It can give us knowledge of Jesus, lead us to
salvation. Isaiah 55 verse 11. Hebrews 4 verse 12. God’s word can pierce the heart of the unbeliever. When we hold missions or gospel services, when
the pastor is preaching, it is not his word but the Lord’s word speaking
through them. Think of Martin Luther at
the Reformation. The Holy Spirit spoke
to him through the word of God.
Sometimes we can read God’s word and suddenly something hits us. That is the power of the bible. This word can bring knowledge of salvation.
The word that can pierce the heart is sharper than any double edged sword yet
so many leave it sitting on the shelf and never open it. The bible has great power. Think of many people across the world who
cannot have the bible in front of them yet we have many many bibles in our
country. Many people today cannot ever
have so many copies. The pages of
scripture rebuke and comfort us all in one verse. When we read of different people throughout history
we can be challenged by their walk with God.
Many have come to know salvation through reading God’s word. Martin Luther during the Reformation read the
scripture and his eyes were opened and he asked the Lord to save him.
Thirdly, the bible is a book that
continues an important mater. Throughout
the whole bible from Genesis to Revelation the bible points us to Christ. From the fall of man in Genesis 3 to Christ
dying on the cross and then returning again in Revelation we can see God’s plan
for salvation. We can read and see that
plan the whole way through the bible. We
can see how God had his hand on so many people throughout scripture. From Joseph cast into the pit by his brothers
and God raising him up to be second in command in the land. From Moses who had an impediment in his
speech to God helping him to bring the Children of Israel out of Egypt. From Paul being shipwrecked and in prison to
being the author of many of our New Testament letters. We read of Paul’s encouragement of Timothy
here in this book. Hebrews 11 the faith chapter
and nearly every verse has the words “by faith”. The writers of the bible were men who were
led by faith. When we spend time and
study each man we think of how powerful God is.
When we think of this book it contains the important matter of
salvation. We are challenged many times. God told people to repent of their sins. God still commands us to do that today, to
ask God for forgiveness, to repent and trust in Christ. As Christians when we see the power of God in
our lives we can limit him in our opinions who he will save. We can think God’s not going to help me to
see these ones saved. He is the good
shepherd and we should not limit him to what he can do. He can speak to us in many different
ways. Think of the people in prison –
God has saved many of them just by reading God’s word. Many people think God will not save but he
does and continues to do so. God can
save to the uttermost all that call on him.
Come as you are. We have only to
do this and God will accept us. When we
make the 180 degree turn and follow Christ we should not limit God. Salvation is something we cannot work for –
Ephesians 2 verse 8 and 9. Salvation is
a free gift not by works. Many think we
can get into heaven by our good works.
None of us would get in if it was about that.
Fourthly, a book that affects
mankind. Men and women have been
affected by this book. The Lord has
spoken to them through his word. Lives
have been transformed by his word. Many others
have been transformed by the word of God.
It can only have the effect of deep gratitude for what he has done for
us on Calvary. Christ died that we can
be free from our sins. Paul bound in
prison in Rome could have turned his back and said “I will not do that again”
but he continued to tell people of the gospel.
We could read of him in the bible but we are only scratching the surface
of all he did. Think of Paul in a prison
cell, bound in chains, in a cold dark atmosphere, Paul was continuing to praise
God. Acts 16 – I wonder what would
happen if we were in that situation. The
bible tells us of hope in a dark world.
If you listen to the news every day we see the world is in a dark place
because they have left the things of God.
Think of our own country – how much people have gone from the Lord. The Lord came into this world, died on the
cross and saved us from our sin. When we
think of all that we can only have gratitude for Christ. When we see the world wars going on we should
be praying for peace but the world does not want the peace which God gives. In many countries it is illegal to have a copy
of God’s word. We should not take God’s
word for granted. There is nothing more
rewarding than spending time with God in prayer and reading his word
daily. When we study God’s word it helps
us as we go throughout our day. When
challenged about our faith in Christ, when people question why we believe what
we do, the bible is the greatest book ever written in the history of the world,
is there for us to read but we don’t.
The bible is more up to date than any other. It speaks and challenges us. How is our reading of God’s word today? Why is it important to spend time reading God’s
word? Because it ill help us throughout
life. The times when we are in the
valley, we can find comfort. On the
mountain top we can be encouraged and challenged by God’s word. Read God’s word and ask God to speak through
it?
