SF720 - LOOK IN THE BOOK - 1 THE BASICS OF LIFE (2 Timothy 3 16-17)

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Introduction

Having the right equipment is often the difference between success and failure in life.

As important, as the right equipment is proper training is even more important.

It is not enough to just have the right tools you need to know how to use the tools in the right way.

We are beginning a new series called “The Basics of Life”

We will study not only what we need but how to use it in order to have a successful life!

We will start by looking at the Owner’s Manual - We are going to “Look in the Book.”

(2 Timothy 3:16-17 NCV) "All Scripture is given by God and is useful for teaching, for showing people what is wrong in their lives, for correcting faults, and for teaching how to live right. {17} Using the Scriptures, the person who serves God will be capable, having all that is needed to do every good work."

I want us to talk about how to use our equipment, how to use our owner's manual.

1A. Why do we need the Bible?

1B. The Bible will show us how to get on Track

The Bible teaches us about God

(John 14:9 NIV) "Jesus answered: … Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father…"

The Bible teaches us about ourselves

(Romans 3:10-12 NIV) "As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; {11} there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. {12} All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.""

The Bible teaches us about salvation

(Romans 10:9 NIV) "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

2B. The Bible will show us when and where we got off Track

The Bible teaches us the Truth.

Ø In this age of truth decay, whom are you going to trust?

(John 8:32 NIV) "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

The Bible points out our sin

(Hebrews 4:12 NIV) "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

3B. The Bible will show us how to get back on Track

(Psalms 119:133 NIV) "Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me."

(Psalms 119:104-105 NIV) "I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. {105} Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."

4B. The Bible will show us how to stay on Track

(Psalms 119:9 NIV) "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word."

(1 Peter 2:2 NIV) "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,"

2A. How are we to use the Bible?

1B. Read the Bible to increase your Knowledge

About God in history

Ø You learn the content.

(Hosea 4:6 NCV) "My people will be destroyed, because they have no knowledge. …”

There are more Bibles today than ever before

Ø Last year 500 million bibles were printed in 1800 languages.

Barna Survey

Ø 62% of Americans thought the phrase "God helps those who help themselves" was in the Bible, it's Ben Franklin.

Ø One-third think there is book of Thomas in the Bible.

The goal is to learn the Word of God.

Ø How many of you believe every word you read in the Newspaper?

Ø How many of you believe every word you read in the Bible?

Ø Which one do you read the most?

Bible knowledge is great but it is not enough.

2B. Study the Bible to gain Perspective

Perspective is seeing life from God's point of view.

Ø In knowledge, you know what God did in the Bible, in perspective you know why He did it.

Ø God has a bigger perspective on your life and He wants to share it with you.

Frustration is the result of a lack of perspective

Ø "Why is this happening to me?"

Ø "Why is this happening to other people?"

Ø "What is the purpose of this?"

Ø "What is the meaning to life

(Proverbs 16:25 NIV) "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death."

The goal of perspective is to understand the mind of God

Ø We learn to see why He does what He does.

Ø We learn to think like God.

(Isaiah 55:8 NIV) ""For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD."

Ø If you ever want to know what God thinks, take your natural inclinations, think of the exact opposite, and that is usually it.

Bible study groups!

3B. Meditate on the Bible to develop Convictions

Convictions are the beliefs that shape my behavior.

Ø A belief that determines my behavior -- is a conviction.

Ø An opinion is something you will argue about, something you will discuss.

Ø A conviction is something for which you will die.

Convictions are built on absolutes

Ø Every time I hear someone say, "There are no absolutes." I say, "Are you absolutely sure?"

Ø You are setting yourself up as an absolute when you say that.

Convictions are based on authority

Ø That is a real issue -- who is going to be your authority in life, God or somebody else.

Ø There are some things that are absolutely right. There are some things that are absolutely wrong.

(Hebrews 5:14 NIV) "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."

The goal is that we will share God’s values.

How do I develop convictions?

Ø Meditation simply means thinking about something over and over again.

Ø If you know how to worry, you already know how to meditate.

(Joshua 1:8 NIV) "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."

4B. Practice what the Bible teaches to improve your Skills

(Ecclesiastes 10:10 NIV) "If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success."

Certain skills are necessary for success in life

Ø How to get along with other people

Ø How to manage your money

Ø How to manage your time

Ø How to make wise decisions

They can all be found in the Bible

The goal is that we will do the will of God.

(James 1:22 NIV) "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

You have not learned it until you have lived it.

(Matthew 7:24-27 NIV) ""Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. {25} The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. {26} But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. {27} The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.""

5B. Live the Bible in order to build Character

(Jude 1:20 NCV) "But dear friends, use your most holy faith to build yourselves up, …."

Character is who you really are

D. L. Moody said, "The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge. The Bible was given to change our lives."

Ø That is what it is for -- to change our lives.

The goal is to develop the character of Jesus Christ

(Galatians 5:22-23 NIV) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, {23} gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

Application

What is going to be the authority of your life?

Popular opinion?

Tradition? We have always done it this way.

Whatever is easiest in life?

Two choices:

Ø You are going to build your life on either the world or the word.

My Commitment to God's Word

1. I will read the New Testament in the next 90 days.

2. I will join a Bible study to learn more about God's will for my life.

LOOK IN THE BOOK
The Basics of Life: Part 1
Sunday, November 2, 1997 A. M. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

1A. Why do we ____________ the Bible?

1B. The Bible will show us how to ________ _____ Track

(John 14:9 NIV) "Jesus answered: … Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father…"

(Romans 3:10-12 NIV) "As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; {11} there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. {12} All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.""

(Romans 10:9 NIV) "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

2B. The Bible will show us when and where we ____ ____ Track

(John 8:32 NIV) "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

(Hebrews 4:12 NIV) "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

3B. The Bible will show us how to ____ ______ ___ Track

(Psalms 119:104-105 NIV) "I gain understanding from your precepts; … {105} Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."

4B. The Bible will show us how to _____ ____ Track

2A. How are we to _______ the Bible?

1B. Read the Bible to _____________ your Knowledge

The goal is to learn the Word of God.

2B. _______________ the Bible to gain Perspective