1. Proclaiming the Word
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Review
Review
Last week we discussed the the Great Commission
The Great Commission
The Great Commission
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Definition of “Commission”
Definition of “Commission”
an instruction, command, or duty given to a person or group of people.
The What?
Make Disciples
The Who?
Every believer
The Where?
Everywhere you go
Of all nations
The How?
Baptizing
Teaching to observe all of Christ’s Commands
The Why?
Because we Love People, people are perishing, we have the message of salvation.
Because we Love God, we obey his command to make disciples.
Because it is the purpose of everything - to worship and glorify Christ. We want to participate in the greatest cause of the universe - to gather worshipers of Christ.
“This is why we want to make more and more disciples of Jesus Christ: because God’s goal for the whole world and the whole of human history is to glorify his beloved Son in the midst of the people he has rescued and transformed.”
~ Payne, Tony; Marshall, Colin. The Vine Project: Shaping your ministry culture around disciple-making . Matthias Media. Kindle Edition.
The 9 Essential Activities of Discipleship
The 9 Essential Activities of Discipleship
Proclaiming the Word Accurately
Singing Truth Joyfully
Praying Dependently
Cultivating Edifying Relationships Constantly
Exemplifying Christ-like Leadership Consistently
Training New Leaders Intentionally
Serving Sacrificially
Reaching Out Courageously
Holding Each Other Accountable Gently
These are the 9 Essential activities that we must consistently do to faithfully carry out the Great Commission
Let’s start with the first Essential Activity of Discipleship.
#1 - Proclaiming The Word Accurately
#1 - Proclaiming The Word Accurately
Of first importance in this project of discipleship is the Word of God
Everything Rides on What you do with the Word
Luke 8:4-21
4 When a large crowd was coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable: 5 “The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled under foot and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 “Other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 “Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out. 8 “Other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great.” As He said these things, He would call out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 9 His disciples began questioning Him as to what this parable meant. 10 And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. 11 “Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God. 12 “Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. 13 “Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 “The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 “But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. 16 “Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. 17 “For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. 18 “So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.” 19 And His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd. 20 And it was reported to Him, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You.” 21 But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”
Mary Listened Intently to His Word
Luke 10:38-42
38 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
John 8:30-52
John 8:30–52 (NASB95)
30 As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him. 31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 “The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. 37 “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants; yet you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. 38 “I speak the things which I have seen with My Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father.” 39 They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. 40 “But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. 41 “You are doing the deeds of your father.” They said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. 43 “Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. 44 “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 “But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 “Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 “He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.” 48 The Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. 50 “But I do not seek My glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 51 “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death.” 52 The Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets also; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word, he will never taste of death.’
John 12:41-50
John 12:41–50 (NASB95)
41 These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him. 42 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God. 44 And Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45 “He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. 46 “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. 47 “If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. 49 “For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. 50 “I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”
John 14:20-26
John 14:20–26 (NASB95)
20 “In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, what then has happened that You are going to disclose Yourself to us and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. 24 “He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me. 25 “These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. 26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
Love for Jesus is tested by what you do with his Word
John 15:1-21
John 15:1–21 (NASB95)
1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9 “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. 12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14 “You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17 “This I command you, that you love one another. 18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. 20 “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 “But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.
To Abide Means to Remain, Stay, Continue, Reside.
μένω (menō). vb. remain, stay (i.e., lodge) with. Among its wide breadth of uses, menō can refer to dwelling, living, or lodging.
Similar to English “stay,” menō is sometimes used as a simple expression for dwelling in an abode or sharing quarters (e.g., John 1:39; 8:35; 10:40; 11:54; Acts 28:16). To the extent that such quarters are the home of another, the one “staying” is the recipient of hospitality (e.g., Mark 6:10; Luke 24:29; John 4:40; Acts 9:43). The word is particularly common in the writings of the Apostle John, who exploits the metaphorical dimension of dwelling and of hospitality to describe the relationship of the believer to Christ (John 6:56; 15:4–7; see also John 1:38–39) and to the Spirit (John 14:17), as well as the Son’s relationship to the Father (John 14:10; 15:10).
A Disciple Abides in the Word
Abiding in Jesus
In His Love, and In His Word
Keeping His Commandments
Love One another
If you love one another, you are abiding in His Word.
Results
You are clean
You Prove to Be His Disciple
God will give what you ask
The World will hate and persecute you
Those who love Jesus keep his Words
New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 4
23 When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O 1Lord, it is You who aMADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM,
25 who aby the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,
‘bWHY DID THE 1GENTILES RAGE,
AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS?
26 ‘aTHE KINGS OF THE EARTH 1TOOK THEIR STAND,
AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER
AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS 2bCHRIST.’
27 “For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy 1aservant Jesus, whom You anointed, both bHerod and cPontius Pilate, along with dthe 2Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,
28 to do whatever Your hand and aYour purpose predestined to occur.
29 “And 1now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may aspeak Your word with all bconfidence,
30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and 1asigns and wonders take place through the name of Your holy 2bservant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, the aplace where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all bfilled with the Holy Spirit and began to cspeak the word of God with dboldness.
The Proclamation of the Word is the most important function of the Church
Acts 6:2; 4 (NASB95)
2So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables......
4“But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
This is why the first deacons were appointed. To protect the proclamation of the Word from being drowned out by administrative tasks
The spreading of the Word is how people get saved
The spreading of the Word is how people get saved
7 The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
4 Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.
This is the job of every believer
1 Now the apostles and the brethren who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.
24 But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.
7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.
It begins and ends with the Word of God.
The importance of the Word of God cannot be overstated. From the very beginning, all of creation is dependent upon the Word of God. It was by God’s Word that everything was made, and it continues to be upheld by the Word of His power. So we are complete dependent upon God’s word for our very existence. In the garden of Eden, when everything was perfect, Adam and Eve were dependent upon the Word of God for direction and understanding of the World. They could make observations but they didn’t know who they were or what their purpose was until God revealed hims.
Of Course, it was through doubting God’s word and disobedience to that word that man fell into sin and judgment, separation from God - and we became dependent on God’s word to know how to be made right with him and how to please him in this fallen world.
In some cases God spoke directly to men, sometime in dreams, sometimes in visions, sometime he visited them in human form, sometime he sent angels. Other times, he spoke through prophets - holy men of God who he gave messages to deliver to various people and groups of people. Not all of God’s revelation was preserved, but that which God determined should be preserved for future generations has been written down and copied and now makes up our Bible.
Eventually, God himself came through the Virgin Mary, to be one of us - to Teach us, to show us what righteousness looks like in human flesh, to live a perfect life on our behalf and to die on a cross to take the wrath of God in our place so that we could be made righteous - he was raised agains so that all who believe the Word of God in the Gospel will be forgiven, cleansed, set free from sin, made right with God and eventually would be made blameless in the new heavens and earth.
It will also be the Word of God that judges those who reject him.
The Word of God is massively important.
- Now, let’s talk about some Characteristics of the Word of God
Let’s break this down. First, let’s talk about the Word of God.
“The Word”
“The Word”
Characteristics of the 66 Books of the Bible
What exactly do we mean when we say that the Bible is the Word of God.
Definition of Inspiration
Definition of Inspiration
Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth The Biblical View: Verbal, Plenary Inspiration
The Biblical View: Verbal, Plenary Inspiration. God through his Spirit inspired every word penned by the human authors in each of the sixty-six books of the Bible in the original documents (i.e., the autographs). Inspiration describes the process of divine causation behind the authorship of Scripture. It refers to the direct act of God on the human author that resulted in the creation of perfectly written revelation. It conveys the mysterious work of the Holy Spirit whereby he used the individual personality, language, style, and historical context of each writer to produce divinely authoritative writings. These works were truly the product of both the human author and the Holy Spirit. This fits the word Paul used in 2 Timothy 3:16 (theopneustos). This Greek word itself carries the sense of “God breathing out” the Scriptures through the biblical writers. “All Scripture is breathed out by God” (ESV) may even be the most accurate way to translate 2 Timothy 3:16. What is most important here is to recognize that the biblical claim of inspiration is one of divine superintendence. God produced the Scriptures by influencing the human author’s own thoughts. This resulted in divinely authoritative and inerrant words written in the autographs.
Attributes of the Bible
Attributes of the Bible
Inspired by God (2 Tim 3:16-17)
Inerrant (Ps 119:160; John 17:17)
Authoritative (Titus 2:15; Ps 24:1; Ps 62:11; 2 Chron 20:6; Matt 28:18)
Sufficient (2 Peter 1:1-3; 2 Tim 3:16; Psalm 19:7-14)
Effectual (Hebrews 4:12; Isaiah 55:11)
Valuable (More Important than food - (Deut 8:3; Ps 19:7-14)
Eternal (Is 40:8)
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. 10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. 13 Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be blameless, And I shall be acquitted of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
What is to Be Our Response?
What is to Be Our Response?
Listen, Believe, Obey, Proclaim
1. Listen
1. Listen
Listen Closely
2 Pet 1:19—2:1
19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.
Long for it
1 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
2. Believe
2. Believe
It must be believed
It must be believed
2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.
To Reject the Word is to be a Fool
To Reject the Word is to be a Fool
9 “The wise men are put to shame, They are dismayed and caught; Behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord, And what kind of wisdom do they have?
3. Obey
3. Obey
Obedience to His Word is more important than service or sacrifice
Obedience to His Word is more important than service or sacrifice
1 Thus says the Lord, “Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? 2 “For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,” declares the Lord. “But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.
Obeyed
21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;
5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:
3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
4. Proclaim
4. Proclaim
Proclaim it to the Lost!
Proclaim it to the Lost!
9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” 16 However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Point out the Truth of the Word
Point out the Truth of the Word
1 Tim 4:1-6
1 Timothy 4:1–6 (NASB95)
1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, 3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; 5 for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. 6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.
Preach the Word!
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
Elders Must be able to teach and defend it
Elders Must be able to teach and defend it
Titus 1:7–9 (NASB95)
7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, ....9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
Our Conduct Must bring back up our proclamation!
Our Conduct Must bring back up our proclamation!
5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.
We help support those who devote themselves to faithfully teaching the Word.
We help support those who devote themselves to faithfully teaching the Word.
Gal 6:6-9
6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
3 John 5-8
5 Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; 6 and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.
Heb 13:7
7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
Let it richly dwell among us
16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
It cannot be stopped
It cannot be stopped
9 for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.
“Accurately”
“Accurately”
“Rightly Dividing the Word” (2 Tim 2:15)
Correct Doctrine (2 Tim 4:1-2)
“What Accords with Sound Doctrine” (Titus 2:1; Deut 29:29)
Many religions, churches, and people will say they are biblical.
But we must be careful to get it right
The Need for Biblical Discernment
The Need for Biblical Discernment
Guard What has been entrusted
There are many deceivers
1 John 4:1ff
2 Pet 2:1ff
2 Tim 4:1ff
Evaluate Everything by Scripture
11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
Conclusion
The Word of God is to have our undivided attention so that we may understand and believe it, obeying Christ’s commands, and proclaiming it accurately. We do this individually, from house to house, and Publicly so that people will be saved and sound in their faith.
Self-Evaluation
Are you entrusting yourself to the accurate proclamation of God’s Word?
Do you strive to accurately understand the Word? Or do you avoid study? Are you accepting of just any preacher?
Do you practice what “accords with sound doctrine”?
Do you speak the Word to other people? Do you examine scripture with others?
Do you speak the gospel to unsaved people? Or do you argue based on your own experiences?
When you evaluate your own ministry or the ministries of the church, is the Word of God your standard? Or do you rely on preferences, opinions, personal experience?
If you are a leader, how can you make the Word of God more central in your ministry?