HOW TO SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

  1. INTRODUCTION:

    1. MANY PEOPLE HAVE NOT GIVEN A SINGLE THOUGHT OF HOW TO STUDY THE SCRIPTURES.
    2. STUDY WITH ME FOR A FEW MINUTES SIX THINGS THAT WILL HELP US IN OUR STUDY OF THE SCRIPTURES TO SEARCH FOR GOD’S TRUTH.

  2. DISCUSSION:

    1. SERIOUSLY:
      1. Paul wrote in II Timothy 2:15 "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
      2. Seriously denotes our disposition concerning the word and the manner in which it is used:
        1. It is the rule by which we will be judged [John 12:48-50].
        2. It has the power of salvation if heeded correctly [Romans 1:16].
        3. It is the message of God that we must not neglect it. [Hebrews 1:2; Hebrews 2:1-4].
      3. The approach should be with seriousness of purpose.

    2. EARNESTLY:
      1. Moses wrote in Joshua 1:8 "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."
      2. Earnest denotes that the approach to the study of God’s Word is done with an intense and serious state of mind. That what God has said is important and worthy of my respect.
      3. This Word of God [delivered by Christ] is the only way of approach to God. Jesus said "…I am he way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6.

    3. ANXIOUSLY:
      1. Earnestly desirous to know God’s Will to have eternal life.
      2. John 20:30-31, tells us "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."
      3. Anxious to know for fear losing the only opportunity of salvation. Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." ….. Philippians 2:12-13 "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always, obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

    4. REGULARLY:
      1. The habitual or steady routine, rule, or discipline of study.
      2. Luke wrote in Acts 17:11 "These [Bereans, JHB] were more noble than those in Thessaloniaca, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."
      3. It is only by a regular study of God’s Word that we are able to know God and keep His commandments.
        I John 2:3-6 "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."

    5. CAREFULLY:
      1. This denotes a painstaking effort of giving close attention to what God has said and in the execution or performance of it.
      2. This implies that we give careful consideration as to whether or not that word which we study is that inspired Word of God and not a perverted imitation put forth by man.
        1. The Holy Spirit was to see that the Lord’s apostles followed this word exactly after His death.
          [John 14:26; John 16:13].
        2. Paul wrote in II 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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
        3. Paul warned the Galatians about following a different gospel [Galatians 1:6-9].

    6. HUMBLY:
    7. Not pretentious, but ready to accept that which God has said without any changes or assertive modifications.

      Comment:       Christ set this idea before his disciples in His example of prayer, Luke 11:2 "…. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth." Because Christ knows that "Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven" Psalms 119:89.

      1. James 1:21-22 "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."

    Comment: "Receive with meekness the engrafted word". The one studying the Word of God should do so with the humble purpose of discovering what God has said and doing it. The disposition of one’s character in regards to study should be like that of a child as the Lord said in Matthew 18:3-5 "…Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And who so shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me."

      1. II Peter 1:20-21 "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost."
      2. David wrote in Psalms 143:10 "Teach me to do thy will: for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness."

  3. CONCLUSION:

    1. A CLOSER LOOK AT THE FIRST LETTER OF EACH OF THESE SIX THINGS TO HELP US STUDY CORRECTLY IN OUR SEARCH FOR TRUTH WILL SPELL OUT THE WORD:
      S E A R C H

    2. OUR STUDY OF GOD’S WORD WILL BE MORE REVEALING OF HIS DIVINE TRUTH WHEN OUR STUDY INVOLVES:
      1. How seriously we study God’s Word.
      2. How earnestly we are in desiring God’s Truth.
      3. How anxiously we desire the direction of God’s Word to receive salvation.
      4. How regularly we are in our study to gain this knowledge.
      5. How carefully we put into execution the performance of God’s Word.
      6. How humbly we are in submission to what God’s Word has said.

    3. HOW DO YOU S E A R C H THE SCRIPTURES?

 

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