Untitled Sermon (42)
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I want to welcome you tonight as we continue our study on how to study and read the Bible.
Tonight we are going to continue to look at the third stage of Bible study, a stage I think many Christians struggle to engage with, because quite frankly, it’s a stage that requires something many of us are afraid of.
So, what’s the stage and why is it something we fear?
The stage is application, and we fear it because application typically requires change. And for most people, change is a near death experience.
But the fact of the matter is, if all we do is observe and interpret what the Bible says, but we don’t take any personal action as a result, then our study is really all for not.
You may recall last week we looked at why we tend to avoid the change that application requires, and it really boils down to 5 reasons:
For some, we resist change because we would rather learn than apply.
In other words, we would rather know than do. And it’s the knowledge that then makes us feel spiritual or in right standing with God in the way we are living our life.
The problem with that is, God isn’t interested so much in what we know, but what we do with what we know.
This was Jesus’s problem with the religious leaders of His day. They knew what the scriptures said, which they thought made them spiritual, but they weren’t living them out, which actually made them hypocrites.
For some, we resist the change because we’d rather Substitute Superficial Obedience for Substantive Life Change.
This is the person really good at applying Biblical truth where they are already applying it, but are unwilling to apply it to new areas where they are not applying it.
You could also call this “selective application”. The person that only applies scripture in areas they are comfortable applying it. Because to apply it in other areas may be painful, could require sacrifice, and may require substantial change.
For some, they avoid change because they’d rather Substitute Rationalization for Repentance.
This is the person that instead of applying change, rationalizes sinful or unhealthy behavior. For people like this, they like their sin too much to let it go, so instead they rationalize it. They try and justify it. Because to let it go would be too painful. It may even require them to admit they’ve been wrong.
For some, they substitute an Emotional Experience for Actual Change.
This is the person who emotionally feels the conviction in the moment or is emotionally moved by the content of a message, but it doesn’t lead to real or lasting change. Because change doesn’t often feel good. And for this person, they’d rather experience the goose bumps than make changes that could be painful.
For some, they Substitute Communication for Transformation.
This is the person who is really well versed in what the Bible says, and goes out of their way to let people know what they know. Which means, on the outside looking in, it appears this person is very spiritual. But the truth is, it’s all talk and no walk.
And for this person, change is something they fear because it would expose them for the fraud they’ve been.
So, those are some of the main reasons people avoid application.
The question then is, “How do we overcome the tendency to avoid application?”
Well, as we learned last week, it requires us to take a good look at ourselves in the mirror of God’s word and come to terms with the truth.
Truth that will lead to conviction. Conviction that will lead to a recognition for the need for change as we begin to recognize that the change is for our benefit. A change that will then lead to conversion. And by conversion we’re talking about a new way of living, thinking, or acting as a result of the impact of God’s Word on our life.
Sounds good, right?! So, how do we do it then? How do we get to that place where we are willing to look into the mirror of God’s Word and allow the change to take place.
That’s what I want to talk with you about tonight. And to do that I want to begin by giving you Four Steps Of Application. Four initial steps you need to be willing to take.
And then after that, I want to give you 9 Questions that you can begin to ask yourself as you study God’s Words. Questions that will lead you to specific areas of application in your life.
So, to get us started, let’s begin with the Four Steps:
Step #1 - Know
When I say know, I’m talking about what you need to know in order to apply God’s Word to your life. And for application, there are two things you need to know:
The first thing you need to know is what the text says. Which again is why observation and interpretation are so important. Because if you want to apply God’s Word, you have to know what it says first.
Which means, everything you’ve learned up to this point on observation and interpretation needs to remain a priority when you study God’s Word.
The second thing you need to know is yourself.
Here’s what I mean by that. The challenge for many Christians when it comes to applying God’s Word isn’t that they don’t know what the text says, but they don’t know themselves. Or, they may think they know themselves, but it’s a distorted or exaggerated opinion or view.
For example, some people have a very low view of themselves. As a result, they lack self confidence and self worth. And so when they come to God’s Word, they have a tendency to downplay God’s ability to work in their life. They tend to dismiss promises that God has given them. And in the end their low view of themselves keeps them from applying the truth of God’s Word in their life.
And then there are some people who have too high a view of themselves. Their distortion goes to the opposite end of the spectrum. And the challenge they face when applying scripture is they think they’ve already arrived. And as a result they fail to see what sadly is lacking or needs to change in their life.
My point here is, if you want to apply God’s Word to your life, you need to be willing to take an honest assessment of who you are. Too honestly assess what your weaknesses are. To honestly assess what your strengths are.
So, how do you do that? I would suggest focusing on 5 specific areas of your life, and then ask yourself some honest questions about those areas. So, what are the areas? Here they are:
Area #1 - You Persona Life
What is the status of your spiritual disciplines?
What about your physical condition and habits of eating, exercise, sleep, and rest?
What behaviors do you especially desire to overcome: a temper, or deception, or maybe sexual lust?
What behaviors do you especially desire to establish: patience, hospitality, or maybe perseverance?
Area #2 - Your Family Life
Do you date your spouse regularly?
Do you disengage emotionally from work and chores in order to spend unimpeded time with your children?
Are you upholding your responsibilities to your parents? To your spouse’s parents? To other relatives?
Area #3 - Your Church Life
How often do you place yourself under the instruction of scripture?
Do you faithfully, generously, and joyfully tithe?
Are you praying regularly for your pastor and other church leaders?
Do you know what your spiritual gifs are, and are you using them?
Area #4 - In Your Work
Do you give an honest day’s labor to your employer?
Do you follow through on commitments to fellow employees and customers?
Do you live a Christ like example in front of the people you work with?
Do you have a family budget? Do you stick within it?
Area #5 - In Your Community
Do you obey local laws and ordinances?
Do you display a Christ like attitude and behavior that would lead others to Jesus?
Do you give or donate time to help your community become a better place to live?
Those would be just a few areas and some questions to ask yourself that might give you an honest assessment of yourself.
And what that will do is open the door to application as knowing yourself begins to lead to real change.
This leads us to a second step in application:
Step # 2- Relate
The idea here is once we understand what a passage is saying, we begin the process of relating it to our life in four specific ways.
First, we relate it in regards to our relationship with God. In other words, we ask the question, “How does this impact my relationship with God?” or “What new perspective about God does this give me?” or “What do I need to ask the Holy Spirit to do as a result of what I’e learned?”
Second, we relate it in regards to ourselves. I other words, we begin to ask questions like, “What does this mean for me? How should this affect the way I think or act?” or “What is this asking me to do?”
Third, we relate it to our relationship with other people. In other words, we ask questions like, “How does this affect my relationship with my co-workers?” or “What does this mean for my marriage?” or “How does this apply to my relationship with my kids?”
Finally, we relate it to our relationship to the enemy. In other words, we ask questions like, “How will the enemy respond if I make this change?” You might ask, “Why would we ever ask that question?”
We ask it because up until this point, you haven’t been applying a certain spiritual application to your life, and you can’t just think the enemy is going to stand by and do nothing now. Because the last thing he wants is for you to live according to God’s Word.
So, if its an application that could make your marriage better, get ready, because the enemy is going to combat that.
It it’s an application that leads you to tithing, then get ready, the enemy may try to discourage you financially.
See how that works?
This leads us to a third step.
Step #3 - Meditate
What I mean by meditate is our commitment to spend time reflecting on God’s Word. The Psalmist puts it like this:
1 Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
The challenge with this is that we live in a fast paced world that is more focused on fathering information than it is reflecting on information.
But the fact is, information is useless if it’s not processed through reflection. And in order to reflect, it requires time. Time away from distractions. Time to sit in God’s presence and reflect on what His Word says and the changes that need to take place in your life.
I know for me this is a real challenge, partly because I like to be busy all the time. Because for me, if I’m sitting still, I’m not getting anything done.
But what we have to understand, is that sitting still in God’s presence as we process what His Word says and means in our life is accomplishing more in our life that we can possibly imagine. That it’s not a waste of time, but the greatest investment of your time in the day.
For example, imagine if you took 30 minutes a day to reflect on a passage of scripture and what it means in your life. 30 minutes where you allow the HS to speak to you, instruct you, and challenge you to change. Do you think that would make a difference?
I do! In fact, I know it would.
But for that to happen, you have to take the time.
Another way to improve your reflection time is to commit yourself to memorizing scripture. Scripture that you can then meditate on at different points of the day. Scripture that will encourage you, inspire you, and produce change in your life.
I know for me, when I memorize scripture it helps me better dissect what it is saying. It forces me to really think about it in a way that reading it never will.
This leads to a fourth step:
Step #4 - Practice
Obviously the ultimate goal of Bible Study is to practice the truth.
Now, the reality is, you aren’t going to be able to apply every truth you read and learn to your life that day. But you can consistently apply something.
In other words, to each day ask yourself, “Is there some area of my life for which this truth is needed?”
And then go a step further and prayerfully reflect on what you’ve read and ask the HS, “HS, is there something specific you want me to work on or change today?”
And then as you go about your day, to look for opportunity to implement the change. So, if the change is to be more generous, to look for opportunities to be more generous. If the change is to put others first, then to look for opportunities to put others first.
The goal being, that whatever truth you discovered or truth the HS highlighted, for you to now implement the practice of that into your life.
And it can all become a reality for you. But for that to happen you have to be committed to know, to relate, to meditate, and to practice what God has shown you in His Word.
This now leads us to some practical questions that you can begin to ask yourself as you study God’s Word. Questions that will help you implement these four steps:
Question #1 - Is there an example for me to follow?
One of the things I love about the Bible, is that so much of it is made up of stories. Stories about real people with real problems that God was working in and through.
As a result, anytime I read one of these stories, one of the questions I ask myself is, “Is there an example from this story for me to follow?”
For example, In Genesis 18 we read the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. A tragic story of two cities who refused to turn away from their wicked ways. Two cities that were so wicked that God decided to destroy them.
Listen to how the writer of Genesis puts it.
20 Then the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, 21 I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.”
In this passage God sends three angels who appear as men down to Sodom in order to assess the level of their wickedness, with the intent to destroy the city for the wickedness. What’s interesting though is how Abraham responds to what God is about to do. Look at what the writer says:
22 So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. 23 Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” 26 And the Lord said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”
The writer says as Abraham considers what the Lord is about to do, it bothers him. So he challenges the Lord and asks Him if there are at least 50 righteous people within the city, will he spare the city. And probably to Abraham’s surprise, the Lord says yes.
And so Abraham takes it a step further and he says, “Ok God, but what if there are 45, would you spare it then?” And God says, “Yes, for 45 I would spare it”.
Which then leads Abraham to lower the number again, so he says, “Okay God, but what if there are 30 righteous. Would you spare it for 30?” And the Lord says, “Yes, for 30 I would spare it.”
And it’s at that point that Abraham walks out on the branch, and he says, “Ok God, but what if there are 10 righteous. Would you spare the city for 10?” And God says, “Yes, for 10 I would spare it.”
So, based on that, what is this passage telling us?
Well, for one, it demonstrates the mercy of God who was willing to spare the city even if there were only 10 righteous people.
But it also tells us something about Abraham. It tells us that Abraham cared about people and demonstrated compassion for a city that in the end, won’t have but 1 righteous person in it.
So, let me ask you this, “Is that an example for us to follow?” In other words, do you have that kind of compassion for lost people? Would you get on your knees and beg God to spare people from judgment if there was a chance they would believe?
Do you think that’s an example to follow? I think it is. Because imagine what might happen if we started crying out for the wicked. Crying out for God to reach them. Crying out for God to spare them until they believe.
Question #2 - Is there a sin to avoid?
The idea here is that as we read scripture, we identify sin that we weren’t aware of in our life or that we need to avoid.
One way to do this is to pray like the Psalmist when he says:
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
The goal is to simply discern what may need to be avoided or identified in your life.
Question #3 - Is there a promise to claim?
The great thing about God’s Word is that it is full of promises. Promises that are made by a God that doesn’t lie. Which means, when God’s Word promises us something, we can take it to the bank.
Now, the truth is, not all promises are for everybody. For example, in the Bible there are promises made to specific people for a specific purposes.
For example, God promised Abraham he would be the father of many nations. This was a promise made to Abraham for Abraham.
However, there are promises that are universally for everyone. For example, in Deuteronomy 31 God makes this promise to Israel:
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
God promises the people of Israel that He will not leave them or forsake them. And what was true for God’s people then is still true for God’s people today. And what an amazing promise that is especially when we are facing overwhelming situations.
All that to say, as you read God’s Word, be on the lookout for promises you can claim. Truths that will encourage and strengthen you.
Question #4 - Is there a prayer to repeat?
The fact is, some of the greatest prayers can be found in the Bible as men and women of God cried out to God at different moments and in different circumstances. Prayers that move heaven. Prayers that bring hope and strength in the midst of the storm. Here’s one from Paul that I especially like:
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
What a great prayer, right? A prayer worth repeating.
Here’s another one from a woman named Hannah as she gives thanks to God for the birth of her son Samuel:
1 And Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the Lord;
my horn is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation.
2 “There is none holy like the Lord:
for there is none besides you;
there is no rock like our God.
3 Talk no more so very proudly,
let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed.
4 The bows of the mighty are broken,
but the feeble bind on strength.
5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
The barren has borne seven,
but she who has many children is forlorn.
6 The Lord kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low and he exalts.
8 He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
and on them he has set the world.
9 “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness,
for not by might shall a man prevail.
10 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces;
against them he will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
he will give strength to his king
and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
Again, a great prayer. A prayer worth being repeated.
Question #5 - Is there a command to obey?
The Bible is full of commands to obey. In James alone there are 54 commands. Which means, when we come to the Word of God, we need to be conscious of what God is asking us to do. What He expects of us.
Question #6 - Is there a condition to meet?
One of the things you’ll learn as you study the Bible, is that many of the promises of God are based on conditions. For example, in John 15:7 Jesus says this:
7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Jesus promises that whatever we wish for, will be done. What a great promise, right? But sometimes what we fail to acknowledge is that there is a condition attached to the promise. What’s the condition? The condition is that anything you ask will be given, if you are abiding in Jesus and if His words abide in you.
What that means then is, if you are abiding in Jesus and His Word is abiding in you, then what you wish and desire will come out of that relationship. Which means, if it comes out of your abiding, then it’s probably something God wants for you, and something He will provide. Make sense?
Another example would be Matthew 6 where Jesus talks about forgiveness. Notice what He says:
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Jesus says God will forgive you of your sins. But they’s a condition attached to it. In order for God to forgive you, you have to forgive others as well. Because if you don’t, then God can’t forgive you.
Which means the promise of forgiveness is conditional. It’s conditioned not just on God’s forgiveness, but on your willingness to forgive as well.
Which means as we study this passage, we have to be willing to ask ourselves, “Is there somebody I need to forgive?”
Question #7 - Is there a verse to memorize?
