COMMITTED TO READING THE BIBLE

(S1)

Jesus, said, I have come to give you a rich and satisfying life.”

Committed to Christ is an INVITATION into that generous life Jesus offers.

— an opportunity to BEGIN, RENEW, or RE-ENGAGE in a positive, growing, and loving relationship with God

— to take a step up in faithful discipleship—continually asking, “what does the Lord expect of me?”

First…our commitment to CHRIST—our commitment to PRAYER—Today we consider the words of the Apostle Paul to his young protege

...to remain faithful to what he had been taught, the Holy Scriptures

What is or has been your experience reading the Bible?

I did the "Bible in a year" challenge and I afraid I would not be able to keep up with it...but I prayed about it and I never missed a day of reading for the whole year! God was with me every day encouraging me. I am so glad I did it. Judy I.

My Bible reading was sporadic prior to 2025.  I began reading the Bible daily January 2025.  I bought the Tyndale One-Year Chronological Bible in NLT and began reading it through. I completed my reading by  December 31st 2025.    It's been a great experience - and has greatly increased my knowledge of scripture...Jim C.

(S2) — READING IS FUNDAMENTAL

61% of children living at or below the poverty line in America had no books at home. In some of the lowest-income neighborhoods, there is just 1 book for every 833 children. 1966, Margaret McNamara-book mobiles-1968 her ten model program launched across the country - (RIF)

...reading the Bible is fundamental to the Christian life. It provides a spiritual foundation and practical steps for daily living—essential in a committed to Christ

BOB READING BIBLE

What is or has been your experience reading the Bible? How have you found hope, encouragement, or been inspired by reading the Bible?

After years of decline, something unexpected is happening: Americans are opening their Bibles again—U.S. adults reading has climbed to 42 percent. Young adults lead the way—Gen Z and Millennials; nearly half now engaging Scripture weekly

(S3) — READ ME

Committing to Christ, is an INVITATION into the generous life Jesus offers—will you take a step up in reading the Bible?

BIBLES/PRAYER

(S4) — {Acts 16:1-3}

On his first of three missionary journeys…Jesus Christ, Paul would have met Timothy; merely a boy (10-15 yrs)…an eyewitness of Paul’s persecution .

— It was a brutal trip; dragged out of the city and stoned by a mob, left for dead, only to miraculously get back up and go right on proclaiming Christ as Messiah

Later returning to the churches he had planted, he hears of Timothy who would had matured both in age (18-20 yrs), and as a believer…taking him in as his young protege

The Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Volume 5: Romans–Philemon 1. Paul’s Loyalty Involved Suffering (3:10–11)

The dynamic between them is one of the most powerful examples of mentorship and spiritual legacy. The manner in which Paul endured them may have been a strong factor in Timothy’s decision to heed God’s call and to follow Paul as his assistant in the work of the ministry

As a young apostle Timothy would soon be faced with some similar challenges. His preaching would infuriate those inside and outside the church. Taking a step in commitment to Christ would be dangerous and difficult—The reason for his first of two letters to Timothy?

2 Timothy 3:1 “You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.”

(S5)

“For Erik Weihenmayer, a mountain climber, each step he takes is a matter of life and death. He has climbed the “seven summits,” the highest mountain on each of the seven continents…but “There is something else about Erik; all of his climbs have been without sight.”

— When he was asked how a blind person could climb a mountain. He learned to trust his climbing partner, who shouts back instructions to him like, “drop off two feet to your right!” He would also listen to the sound of his pick jabbing the ice, so he knows whether his next step is secure or not.

For Erik his trusting in his system of protection was a matter of life and death; otherwise he would plummet thousands of feet to his death. For Timothy committing to Christ meant taking risky steps— Paul reminds him of his system of protection?

(S6) — {3:14}…sacred writings

For us, taking a step up in commitment to Christ is not without risk, nor should it be…

John 16:33 “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.”

Committing to Christ is walking by faith not by sight—not tethered to the world, but to the word of God...our system of protection

(S7) — {3:15)

15 “…and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.”

Early Methodists were often called ‘Bible Moths’ — For John Wesley...the Bible is the first and ultimate pillar of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral (Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience).

The goal is, in one word, salvation; the means to attain it, faith. These two little words, faith and salvation, include the substance of all the Bible, the marrow, as it were, of the whole Scripture “Scripture the way of Salvation” J. W

The wisdom of this book…provides all we need to a secure life in Christ

Three fundamental truths, and reasons to take a step up in our commitment to reading the Bible.

(S8)

16a “All Scripture is inspired by God…

For believers, the Bible is not just a historical record but the DIRECT REVELATION of GOD.

Its where we discover God’s Nature: attributes like mercy, justice, and holiness.

Jesus: his life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Christ.

Truth: Providing a standard to live by

INSPIRED (theopneustos) — ‘the very breath of God’

Luke 24:32 “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?””

The first fundamental truth and reasons to take a step up in our commitment to reading the Bible—it is…

(S9)

I. The POWER of God’s Word

Its powerful in three ways...

It’s TRANSFORMATIVE— It reveals the need for Salvation.

— It explains the Problem...God is holy and perfect, but humans have fallen short of that standard through sin (disobedience to God).

Romans 3:23 “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”

— The Consequence...the consequence of sin is spiritual death and separation from God.

Isaiah 59:2 “It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.”

2. It POINTS to Jesus Christ as the ONLY solution

— The Bible teaches that Jesus, being fully God and fully man, lived a sinless life and died on the cross to pay the penalty for human sin—substitutionary atonement

“Wesley viewed Christ’s death as a substitutionary act—the sinless Son of God dying in place of sinful humanity, thereby satisfying divine justice and propitiating God’s wrath while enabling human reconciliation with God.”

“That God’s grace works not only to convince us that sin’s problem has been solved through Christ, but also to restore us by pointing us to Jesus—viewing Christ’s sacrifice more as a purifying gift…”

— His defeat is our Victory: His resurrection from the dead proved His power over sin and death, opening the way to eternal life.

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" — John 14:6

3. It shows how to RECEIVE Salvation

The Bible clarifies that salvation cannot be earned by good deeds, rituals, or moral behavior. Instead, it is a free gift ("grace") received through a specific personal response:

— Faith/Belief: Trusting entirely in who Jesus is and what He did on the cross.

— Repentance: A willingness to turn away from sin and turn toward God.

— Confession: Verbally and outwardly acknowledging Jesus as Lord.

Romans 10:9 “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Reading the Bible has the POWER to TRANSFORM hearts and minds for Jesus!

C.S. Lewis was an atheist for much of his life. That changed at age 30. He describes the pivotal moment it this way:

(S10)

“You must picture me alone in that room, night after night, feeling, whenever my mind lifted even for a second from my work, the steady, unrelenting approach of Him whom I so earnestly desired not to meet. That which I greatly feared had at last come upon me. In 1929 I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England.”

How have you experienced the POWER of God’s Word?

(S11)

16 “… is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

It is INSTRUCTIONAL

Teaches us God's ways…provides wisdom for living

{MT. 5,6,7}

2. It CORRECTS

Confronts sin in our lives…guides us back to righteousness

John 17:17 “Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.”

Second fundamental truth and reason to take a step up in our commitment to reading the Bible. There is…

(S12)

II. The PURPOSE in God’s Word

Man driving down the road..a woman coming in the opposite direction. As they passed each other, the woman leaned out her car window and yelled, “PIG.” The man leaned out the window and yelled back at her…as he rounded the next curve, he crashed into a huge pig that was standing in the middle of the road.

The man didn’t understand or accept the purpose in the woman's message, even though the woman was looking out for his safety.

Psalm 32:8 “The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”

Dr. Ken Collins, on Wesley - Convincing Grace

“Awakening” refers to a person receiving grace so they begin to discern the things of God. This is the transition from the natural state where people where a person is dead to things of God, to being awakened to God and fearing him. Moving from a state of “sleep” to being “awakened” to an awareness of God.”

(S13)

17 “God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”

TRAINS…and prepares us in our commitment to Christ…

2. EQUIPS…us for GOOD works…

SPIRITUAL GIFTS: teaching, counseling, evangelism, hospitality, Mercy giving, shepherding, giving, serving, wisdom, discernment

Third fundamental truth and reason to take a step up in our commitment to reading the Bible.

(S14)

III. The PROMISE from God’s Word

John 14:12 ““I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.”

it means we will lack nothing essential for faith and that it not only trains and equips the beleiver....but the body of Christ

so his people will be equipped to do every good work— Equipping the Community for Mission

Don’t just read your Bible...but let the POWER, PURPOSE, and POWER of God’s word read you!

James 1:22 “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”

(S15) — REVIVE VISION

...is to be a GATHERED community that offers the hope of the Gospel, helping each other GROW in closeness to Christ, by GOING out to serve our neighbor and connecting people to Jesus.

For Erik his trusting in his system of protection was a matter of life and death; otherwise he would plummet thousands of feet to his death. For Timothy sharing the Good News of Jesus was dangerous...Paul reminds him of his system of protection...

14 “But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught...the holy Scriptures. They have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.”

Committing to Christ means taking risky steps, but its an INVITATION into that generous life Jesus offers.

— an opportunity to BEGIN, RENEW, or RE-ENGAGE in a positive, growing, and loving relationship with God

— to take a step up in faithful discipleship—continually asking, “what does the Lord expect of US?”

There is something we should be paying attention to...from Barna survey that READING OUTPACES BELIEF

While more Americans are reading the Bible (the highest rate seen since 2012), a smaller percentage strongly affirms its authority—revealing a gap between curiosity and conviction.

(S16) — Commitment Cards

More than reading...Its transforming...points to Jesus...shows us how to receive SALVATION...it INSTRUCTS and CORRECTS...TRAINS and EQUIPS… and UNITES us as the body of Christ around one mission.

“It reminds me, daily, of my responsibilities as a man and a Christian which helps to deepen/strengthen my relationship with the Lord- and it's yet another way to strengthen my commitment.  I also see how the great men of the Bible - the patriarchs, prophets, kings, and judges, failed in many ways and were highly flawed - I feel empathy and kinship with them - they were human like myself -  and I also take heart that holiness is both a destination and a journey, and that even with failures, and 'flat tires' along the road,  we need to keep trying, working to do better, and praying for God's sanctifying grace in our lives.  JC.

In a lightning storm, a lightning rod, steel poles, are engineered to protect the structure in the event of lightning strike. When lightning hits the structure, it will preferentially strike the rod and be conducted to ground through the wire, instead of passing through where it could start a fire or cause electrocution.

If prayer then is the conduit or our connection to God then the scriptures become for us our lightning rod—These Holy Scripture s are God’s manual of protection for the one who is committed to Christ!

—The POWER...PURPOSE...and the PROMISE of GOD