Reading the Bible

 

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?