Tag rightly dividing the word

How to READ the Bible pt 1

The Preacher 3 Comments

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  (Rom 10:17)

One of the chief complaints I hear about reading the Bible is that people find it hard to read.

I’ve wondered why? Is it because of the genealogies, the narrative of the divided kingdom, or difficult concepts? Perhaps it’s a combination of all of these or some other. Perhaps, people are just intimidated by its size and don’t know where to begin?

The average word count for adult fiction is between 70,000 to 120,000 words. Whereas the Old Testament has 929 chapters, 33,214 verses, and 503,493 words.

The New Testament has 260 chapters, 7959 verses, and 181,253 words. For the whole Bible the total is 1189 chapters, 31,173 verses, and 773,746 words.

Maybe it’s a combination of factors. I believe that the main reason folks don’t read the Bible is that they don’t see any relevance for their lives. One man told me, “Sometimes I just real-life help, and not the Bible.” It’s funny that I was giving him real life help at the time along with encouragement to read the bible to avoid future trouble. It’s not either or, it’s both.

The Bible has direct relevance to everyone for the here and now, but especially in the there and then of eternity. Peter writes about the relevant word.

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2Pet 1:3). God’s word contains advice on LIFE, the earthly application, and GODLINESS, the spiritual application. Paul reminded Timothy that the “holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2Tim 3:15-17). The Bible has relevance!

To those that are still intimidated about reading the Bible, I ask you; Has anyone ever shown you how to READ the Bible? You may be better equipped if you knew 4 simple things about how to READ the Bible.

4 Tips on how to READ the Bible.

First, you need to RIGHTLY DIVIDE the word. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2Tim 2:15). To “rightly divide” means to handle it accurately and correctly. Besides knowing that there’s an Old and New Testament, one needs to know what that means for application.

Handling the word accurately one needs to know that we are under the law of Christ, the New Testament, and are no longer under the law of Moses, the Old Testament. Neither are we a law to ourselves. “In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away” (Heb 8:13). The Apostle John wrote, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2John 1:9)

While we are under the New Testament that in no way tells us to ignore the Old. The Apostle Paul, in writing about the Old Testament said this, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Rom 15:4).

The Old Testament is for our learning about sin, sacrifice, and a future Messiah (Jesus). The New Testament tells us the Messiah has arrived. “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator” (Galatians 3:19).

If you’re just getting started in Reading the Bible, allow me to recommend that you begin in the New Testament. Here is a breakdown…

The GOSPELS. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. These are the books about the life of the Messiah who is being predicted and foreshadowed in the Old Testament.

I recommend you Read LUKE first.

ACTS. This book is written through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit by the same author of the Gospel of Luke. It covers the beginning of the church of Christ that Jesus promised to build (Matt 16:18). This book is the textbook on how to become a Christian.

I recommend you read ACTS next after the Gospel of LUKE.

The rest of the New Testament is written to Christians, who are also called Saints. These are letters written to Christians about being faithful. They also contain warnings about false teachers, and the possibility of falling.

The letters of the Apostle PAUL. Romans, 1&2Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon. These letters are addressed to specific local congregations or individual evangelists. They have application for us today.

The GENERAL letters. Hebrews, James, 1&2Peter, 1,2&3John, Jude. These are letters by various authors written to Christians in general. A few are addressed to individuals. The contents are still very much applicable.

The REVELATION. This oft abused book is full of figurative language. It has a message relevant for us today, but much of it is historic. Having a strong understanding of the Old Testament will help you understand the figurative language in this book.

Next week we’ll look at another tip on how to READ the Bible.

Agape,

Spencer

The Franklin & Juniper st church of Christ in Borger is very much involved in Bible reading and study. You’re invited to attend one of our services to hear the Gospel preached in plainness of speech easy to understand.

You can read part Two here.

You can read part Three here.

6 things Jesus TAUGHT in His last week

The Preacher Leave a comment

Jesus spent His time on earth teaching and preaching. From the very earliest days He was found in the Temple hearing and asking questions, and all that heard were amazed at His answers (Luke 2:46-47).

Throughout His ministry He is teaching. Even when He saw the 5,000 that followed Him, having compassion on them, He TAUGHT them.

“And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things” (Mark 6:34)

Therefore, it should be no surprise that He was seen teaching even up to His last days on Earth.

During His last week He was in the Temple teaching amidst those who sought to take His life.

What was it that Jesus TAUGHT them that still has application for us today?

“And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” (Matt 21:12-13)

1) When Jesus TURNED over the money changers tables and cast out those that bought and sold in the TEMPLE, He is teaching us a lesson about proper authorized worship. In the New Testament age, the church is His TEMPLE (1Cor 6:19). We are to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). There is a right way and a wrong way to worship. He TAUGHT that it’s possible to have vain worship (Mark 7:6-7). It would behoove us to learn what it is to properly worship Him in our lives, but also when we gather together as a church. (Acts 20:7; 1Cor 11:17-34; Heb 10:24-25)

“The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men?”

(see Matt 21:23-27).

2) Jesus TAUGHT that there are only 2 sources of AUTHORITY; from above or from below. We must understand this lesson today. Jesus has ALL AUTHORITY in heaven and on Earth (Matt 28:18). He is to have the preeminence in our lives (Col 1:18). He is the “blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (1Tim 6:15). Therefore, we are to study His word to know what it is that He commands for how we are to speak and act (Col 3:17). (cf. 1Cor 1:10; 2Cor 11:4; Gal 1:6-10)

“But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.” (see Matt 21:33-46)

3) In this parable, Jesus TAUGHT a lesson that covers much of OT history and ultimately a lesson about UNITY with God. The record of the bible shows that God desires mankind to be UNITED with Him through His Son, and His word, but the world, and the children of Israel, would not. Today, we are UNIFIED through Christ into one body (Eph 4:3-6). We cannot expect any UNITY with God, any peace, unless we keep His commands. Many folks say there’s unity in diversity of doctrines. This contradicts the word. God is not an author of confusion. (1Cor 14:33; see Col 2:14; Heb 7:12; 9:16-22)

“And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.”

(see Matt 22:1-14)

4) In this parable, Jesus TAUGHT about the Kingdom of Heaven. Many are called, but few are chosen. Even those who respond to the call, if they don’t have the proper GARMENT, they will be rejected. The only way to understand this is by seeing what it is we are to put on and how. “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal 3:27). People claim we are to ‘ask Jesus into our hearts.’ Not so. We are to put on Christ in water baptism through faith. (see Acts 2:38; Col 2:12; 1Pet 3:21)

“Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures,” (see Matt 22:23-33)

5) In the challenge from the Sadducees, Jesus TAUGHT about the proper way to HANDLE the word of truth. It’s possible to make an error, be mistaken, and be lost because we don’t know the scriptures on how to be saved and how to live a godly life. (see 2Tim 2:15; 3:15-17)

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (see Matt 24)

6) Jesus was asked about the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the age. Since then, many have wrested this text to predict the end of the world when Jesus would return (1Thess 4:13-18). A careful reading will show what Jesus actually TAUGHT about the TIME of His return. Notice what He said regarding the destruction of Jerusalem, “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled” (Matt 24:34). It’s very clear that much of what He said would occur within the lifetime of those who were hearing Him.

“But of that day and hour…” The day of His return to Earth to gather the saints, to destroy the world, and to judge all nations, “…knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matt 24:36; see 2Peter 3:10; Dan 2:31-45).

Close) Jesus TAUGHT throughout His life even up to His last moments. It makes me think about myself and the myriad of loved ones who do not know God and have not obeyed the Gospel. Shall we try to teach them?

— spencer

Spencer has been preaching in Borger Texas since 2014.