The First Level of Good: Know God

James 4:17 KJV 1900

17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Review:

Good :

1. to being attractive in outward appearance, beautiful, handsome, fine in outward appearance

2. to being in accordance at a high level with the purpose of something. or someone, good, useful

3. Moral quality, blameless or excellent

4. Pleasant, desirable, advantageous, please to men, pleasing to God, contributing to salvation

To do GOOD is a condition that includes how you dress, act, interact, with both God and everyone you come in contact with!

Good can only be defined by GOD!

Atractive to God!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

Who do you want to be attractive to?

Better way to say it, Who or what do you want attracted to you?

We discussed sin, its origins and affects.

Sin always separates us from God.

So how do we do good?

Romans 7:14–25 KJV 1900

14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Is is possible to do good?

YES! It is a war between the spiritual and the carnal…

And it starts with knowing the law of God!

Know God - Read and Study His Word

Study God’s Word, Work on yourself, properly assimilate His Truth!

Ps 119 is about God’s Word

Psalm 119:6–8 KJV 1900

6 Then shall I not be ashamed, When I have respect unto all thy commandments. 7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, When I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. 8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

Psalm 119:13 KJV 1900

13 With my lips have I declared All the judgments of thy mouth.

Psalm 119:15 KJV 1900

15 I will meditate in thy precepts, And have respect unto thy ways.

Cycle of our response to the Word of God

Learn/study

read, research

biblehub.com

YouVersion

Consider/application

Ask how does this apply to ME, my family, my church, my city

Keep/protect

write it down

discuss it with a trusted friend

Proclaim/evangelize

Tell to any who will listen

Meditate/simmer in my spirit

Meditate, think, apply

Learn to love/hate the things He loves/hates

The only way to know God is to study his memoirs!

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV 1900

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

How do you study the bible.

Daily bread is easy - YouVersion

You should regularly read, not just listen

Study is another thing.

Be intentional

Use an analog bible as your foundation - technology should assist, not dominate

If you don’t have a good study bible, save your money and go get one - Apostolic Study Bible $100

Other: Thompson Chain Reference

Be specific

What do you want to know?

Topic

Character

Book

Chapter (Psalms is a great place for this)

Answers to specific questions

What are specific questions you have about the bible?

Have them write it down and study this week.

Journal it!

Write it down

Be persistent

Set a time

A little each day is best

Use tools including technology

Technology

apps

YouVersion

Blue Letter Bible

Strongs

Biblehub.com

Study bibles

Different translations

NKJV

New American Standard

Revised Standard Edition

Concordances

Principle of Bible study

Start with prayer - ask for revelation - ask that God open your understanding

Don’t just define, marinate and think about or meditate

Intentionally allow your thoughts to go to the topic throughout the week.

Keep a bible by your easy chair

Bible study before entertainment