Today, we continue our message series called “Basic Training.” Our manual for this Basic Training series is the Bible. The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself and how He has created us to live. God created mankind and He graciously gave us a manual on how to have a relationship with Him and live the life He intended us to live.
So today, the next discipline we’re going to learn about is “Hearing God’s Word.” Many people think that the Bible is just another book, like all the other millions of books that exist in our world today. Unfortunately, most of people who think that the Bible is just another book, have not read it. For when you begin to read the Bible with a heart to understand, you will soon see that it is a unique book, one of a kind. Although the Bible was written down by men, the words they wrote were not their own, they were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1:21 (NIV) For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
So the Holy Spirit revealed to men what they were to write down in the 66 books that make up the entire Bible. The Bible is God’s Word and you cannot live a life pleasing to God without it.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Notice that all of the Bible are word breathed by God and is useful to equip believers to do the good work that God created them to do. Is the purpose of the Bible to fill our minds with Bible stories and outlines of Bible chapters? No, that is not the ultimate purpose. The purpose of the Bible is first and foremost to lead us to a relationship with Jesus. Secondly, it’s purpose for believers is to equip us for action in the kingdom of God.
Today, in America 56% of adults believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God with no errors. However only 37% read the Bible at least once a week and only 19% read God’s Word at least 4 times a week. In order to be blessed by God’s Word, we need to read it and apply it to our lives.
I trust that today’s message will encourage you to a greater appreciation of God’s Word. With that appreciation, may each of make a greater commitment to reading, studying and applying God’s wonderful Word to our own lives. May we talk about God’s Word and share its truth with everyone we meet.
Today, we’re going to be talking about a man whose grandfather promoted idolatry on a massive scale, practiced sorcery, consulted mediums, shed much innocent blood and even sacrificed his own son to an idol. The father of the man we’re going to be talking about was as evil as his grandfather and lived a short, evil life. Yet, the man we’re talking about today, was not a prisoner to his past. He was not a prisoner to his upbringing, nor his father and grandfather. This man boldly chose to live his life based on God’s standard found in His Word. His name was Josiah.
Message Audio, Outline & Study Guide
Basic Training Message Series
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