The Word Of God

 I absolutely love Thursday Night Bible Studies! Currently at Bethel, the focus is on the Discipleship Level 1 Series. Last week, I gave a brief overview because I had not yet asked for permission to share what was exactly on the lessons. I am happy to say that I can share with you what is posted on the Bethel App. There is a lot of material and I do not want to overwhelm the readers as I try to keep my blogs on the shorter side. I will share some key points. Tonight's class was taught by. Bro. Robert Cattani and the topic was, The Word Of God. I believe the majority of this series was written by our very own Pastor Davis. I know there are parts that are from others as well. If you live on Long Island, I strongly encourage you to attend Thursday Nights. There are classes for the kids that take place as well. This particular series is full of wonderful nuggets of knowledge and I am truly enjoying it a great deal.  You will see a change in the font for the portions of the lesson that was directly taken from the lesson posted to the App. 

The main scriptures used were 

Luke 4:4 – “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written,  That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of  God.” 

2 Timothy 2:15 – “Study to shew thyself approved unto  God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly  dividing the word of truth.” 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All scripture is given by inspiration  of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for  correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of  God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good  works.”

No book in the world is more amazing or more powerful than the Word of God, the  Bible. Even as a work of literature, it has  no parallel.

“I believe that the Bible is the best gift God has  ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of  the world is communicated to us through the  book.” – Abraham Lincoln, U.S. President.

The Bible is important because it is absolute truth – it is reliable and dependable. We can have total confidence and trust in the truth of the Word of God. 

• Psalm 119:160 – “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments  endureth for ever.”  

• 1 Thessalonians 2:13 – “…when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not  as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that  believe.” 

The Bible is important because it is unchanging, eternal and everlasting. 

• Psalm 119:89 – “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.”  

• Isaiah 40:8 – “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”

• Matthew 24:35 – (Jesus said) “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

• 1 Peter 1:25 – “But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is  preached unto you.”

It reveals God’s love for the lost world. 

• John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever  believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

The Bible was penned by 40 dissimilar men writing on three different continents (Africa, Asia, and Europe)  over a span of 1500 years.

The Bible was written in different locations 

• Moses wrote in the wilderness. 

• Jeremiah wrote in a dungeon. 

• Daniel wrote from hillsides and in a palace. 

• Paul wrote in prison.  

• Luke wrote while traveling. 

• John wrote while in exile on the island of Patmos. • David wrote during the rigors of military campaigns.

There is astounding prophetic evidence that supports the Bible. 

• More than 300 Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah were fulfilled by the life of Jesus  Christ. Prophecies concerning world events, most notably, events in the Middle East, have been  fulfilled in recent history – some coming to pass even in our lifetime.

The word “inspiration” means that the writings are the result of a definite and certain influence of God  exerted on the actual inscribers. The Word of God is the declaration of God's thoughts, His will, His  desires, and His being. 

• 2 Peter 1:20-21 – “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private  interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God  spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 

Both the Old Testament and the New Testament are the divinely inspired Word of God. 

• 1 Corinthians 14:37 – “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge  that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” 

• 2 Thessalonians 3:14 – “And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and  have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.” 

• 2 Peter 3:2 – “That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy  prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour.”

The Bible is a source of peace. 

• Psalm 119:165 – “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.(make  them stumble).

The Word of God is profitable in four very specific areas: doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction.

Doctrine is a belief, a teaching, a dogma, a creed, a tenet of faith. Doctrine must not be man’s ideas, it  must be the teaching of inspired scripture. The Bible teaches us specific doctrines that can be learned  through no other source. 

• It teaches us the nature, character, and power of God. 

• It reveals to us our fallen, sinful state. 

• It shows what we must do to be saved and have eternal life. 

• It teaches us how to overcome temptation and sin. 

• It teaches us how to live a holy life that pleases God. 

• It teaches us how to be a part of the church of God 

• It instructs us how to treat other people.

The Word is a lamp – lighting our way, illuminating the way in which we should live. • Psalm 119:105 – “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”  9. The Word is Jesus Christ

Respect the Word of God. Treat it with awe, honor and deference. Glorify the Word. (Glorify: to give  honor, to render esteem) 

• Psalm 119:161 – “Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy  word.” 

• Acts 13:48 – “And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord:  and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.”

 Hide the Word in your heart. Memorize portions of it and learn selected verses “by heart.”

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

Combine Bible reading with prayer. Prayer is helpful in the process of transplanting the Word into our  heart, our inner man. 

• Acts 6:4 – “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”

Develop the habit of reading the Word daily. The Bible is our spiritual “daily bread.” It is advisable to  begin reading in the New Testament with the Book of Acts, the Gospels, and then the Epistles. From there  you can expand your reading schedule to include the entire Bible.

The infilling of the Holy Ghost helps us understand God’s Word. 

• 1 Corinthians 2:13-14 – “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth,  but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man  receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know  them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

The Bible is the greatest tangible possession we can ever hold with our hands. It is God’s “love letter”  written expressly to us!

This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of  believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are  immutable.  

Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support  you, and comfort to cheer you.  

It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's  character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.  

Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the  heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully, meditatively, searchingly, devotionally, and  study it constantly, perseveringly, and industriously. Read it through and through until it becomes part of your  being and generates faith that will move mountains. It is a mine of wealth, the source of health, and a river of  pleasure.  

It is given to you in this life, will be opened at the judgment, and will last forever. Follow its precepts and it  will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, and even to glory itself, for  eternity. 

-Source Unknown

The Word of God is life. I am so thankful for the freedom to be able to read and learn about the Bible! God is good!

Location: Bethel United Pentecostal Church 357 Jericho Turmpike Old Westbury, NY Thursday 7:30 and Sunday 11am