Sermon Tone Analysis

Spiritual Disciplines – 03

/Scripture Intake II/

MEMORIZATION

/Text: Psalm 119:11/

 

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (10~/02~/03)

 

Introduction:   

 

ILLUS: Two Brothers and the Fruit Tree.

ONE ate the fruit enjoyed it, and took some extra.

The OTHER brother did likewise, then came back and took the TREE.

Replanting it and nurturing it in his own yard, it supplied him for a lifetime.

That fruit tree is a picture of the Scriptures.

Merely eating, doesn’t compare to having your own tree.

The goal in scripture intake is to take Ownership of the Truth!!

There is something to be received, but there is also much to be given!!  “/more blessed to give than to receive/”.

(*Acts 20:35*)

 

Thus far we have discussed the sub-disciplines of HEARING, READING & STUDYING God’s Word.

Tonight we look at an Additional aspect of the Discipline of Scripture Intake.

! MEMORIZATION

 

We will look at both the Benefits and Methods.

This is one discipline that we are most likely to shrink back from, to associate with unpleasantness, and to look upon as “WORK”.

ILLUS: Suppose you were offered $1000 for every verse you memorized.

How many would you commit to memory?

Yet the Spiritual Benefits far outweigh the monetary reward.

! A. It’s Benefits

 

!! 1. Memorization supplies Spiritual Power

 

*Psalm 119:11* Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

*Ephesians 6:1717*And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

 

Scripture verses are brought to mind such as....

 

*Colossians 3:22*Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Eg.

Christ Overcame Temptation in Wilderness (Matt 4) by quoting Scripture.

!! 2. Memorization Strengthens your Faith

 

LOOK UP & READ *Prov.

22:17-19*

 

Eg.

We are trusting God for a Building therefore a verse like....

 

*1 Samuel 2:3030*Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed /that/ thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; /for them that honour me I will honour,/ and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

Trusting God in Trials – Ask for examples of verses...

 

!! 3. Memorization and Personal Work

 

I speak of Soulwinning & Counseling Situations

 

*Mark 13:11*  But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: */but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost./*

Until it is hidden in the heart, it is not available for use with the mouth!

!! 4. Memorization as a means of God’s Guidance

 

*Psalm 119:24* Thy testimonies also /are/ my delight /and/ my counsellors.

!! 5. Memorization Stimulates Meditation

 

Once memorized you take the verse with you to meditate on whenever and wherever you wish during the course of the day.

*Psalm 119:97* O how love I thy law! it /is/ my meditation all the day.

*Deuteronomy 6:6-7*  And these words, which I command thee this day, */shall be in thine heart/*:

7  And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Have a “Quiver” Full, not a limited arsenal.

! B. It’s Methods

 

YOU TOO CAN MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE!!!

 

We all have selective memories.

The problem is not that we can’t memorize, but rather what we choose to remember.

Eg.

Young Boy who memorizes Hockey or Baseball stats, but can’t remember the list of chores he was asked to complete.

ILLUS: Dawson Trotman (Founder of the Navigators) saved as a truck driver in 1926.

He memorized 1 verse a day for three years while driving truck.

Memorized 1,000 verses in 3 years.

/What are some helps to make us successful in Scripture memorization?/

!! 1. Have A Plan

 

You can subscribe to or purchase many pre-packaged plans, books etc.

 

SOME GOOD RESOURCES on INTERNET

 

1.

The Scripture Memory Connection  - www.memoryverses.org

Memory Plans~/Software

 

2.

www.memlok.com

 

3.

Lamplight – www.middlecross.com

Free software for Palm OS and Windows

 

4.

Scripture Memory Fellowship – www.scripturememory.com

Now you do not need a specific pre-plan, but you must make some plans or it will remain undone.

You can memorize by TOPIC or by PASSAGE.

Set a Goal

 

Have a meaningful purpose for what you memorize.

!! 2. Write Out the Verses

 

ON PC, PALM or PAPER – even Index Cards etc.

 

Have plenty, readily available, well organized

 

At some point you will want to write the verses out – Hard to replace this discipline on Computer.

!! 3. Draw Picture Reminders

 

Make the verse Visual....

 

Eg.

Psalm 1:1 – Draw stick figures Walking, Standing, Sitting

 

Have Class give examples for other verses of Psalm 1

 

Psalm 119:11 -  A Bible inside a heart

 

Or the first Letter of Every Word.

Psalm 1:1 BITMTWNITCOTU,NSITWOS,NSITSOTS

 

!! 4. Memorize Verses Word-For-Word Perfectly

 

Don’t settle for a lower standard!

Learn the reference also!!  Like a Street address.

!! 5. Memorize from KJV

 

Nothing else can compare.

Nothing else is so memorizeable.

!! 6. Find A Method of Accountability

 

Personal Accountability

 

Buddy System

 

!! 7. Review & Meditate Daily

 

There is no more important principle than review.

Otherwise you will eventually lose what you have learned.

Once you have it thoroughly learned...

 

*Review  *Once a Week ~/ Once a Month ~/ Once a Quarter ~/ Once a Year

 

 

Conclusion:     (Review)