The Importance of God's Word in the Believer's Life

Notes: The Importance of God's Word in the Believer's Life

Psalm 19

Pastor Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES:

What Every Growing Christian Needs to Know

We will have communion during the service tonight.

Thursday, September 17, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

Why is that some people seem to grow more spiritually than others?

Some people say that they tried Christianity and it didn't work for them. That just isn't true, the Creator of the universe is not something that can be tried.

You have to keep getting into God's Word just as much as you need to eat or breathe.

If you want to be a growing Christian then you need to be in the word and participating in the church.

2 Timothy 2:22 NKJV

[22] Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Psalm 1:1-6 NKJV

[1] Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; [2] But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. [3] He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither;And whatever he does shall prosper. [4] The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. [5] Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. [6] For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

1. If you want to be a growing Christian, you must read, study and love the word of God.

Psalm 119:159-160 NKJV

[159] Consider how I love Your precepts; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness. [160] The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

2. You should read the Bible like your life depends on it.

Matthew 7:24-25 NKJV

[24] "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: [25] and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

A young believer is going to face doubt. It's one of the devil's oldest ploys. That's why they need to know God's word.

The Bible compares the Word of God to a sword.

Take fifteen minutes everyday to let God talk to you, fifteen minutes everyday to talk to God, fifteen minutes everyday to talk about God with someone.

56% of Americans believe the Bible is inherently Gods word. Yet only 19% read it.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV

[16] All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

[12] For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Word of God is alive!

When we are in God's word it will speak to us.

A hungry Christian is a healthy Christian.

1 Peter 2:2 NKJV

[2] as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

Psalm 19:7-11 NKJV

[7] The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; [8] The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; [9] The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. [10] More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. [11] Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.

1. The word of God, the Bible, is perfect.

Unlike everything else in this world.

You build your life on the perfect word of God.

Everything gets old, yet God's word never changes and is always relevant.

You don't and shouldn't take away or add to God's word.

Whatever anyone says needs to be scrubbed against the word of God.

2. The Word of God transforms us.

Psalm 19:7 NKJV

[7] The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

God's word, will transform and revive you.

You must obey the Bible.

James 1:21-25 NKJV

[21] Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. [22] But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. [23] For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; [24] for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. [25] But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

The Bible can be your warning label, because it is!

You need to remember and memorize scripture.

You commit scripture to memory by exposure to it.

3. The word of God gives us incredible wisdom.

Psalm 19:7 NKJV

[7] The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

You need to develop a Biblical world view.

Run things through the grid of scripture.

You can't just take God and conform it to your opinion.

Romans 9:20 NKJV

[20] But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?"

4. The word of God is right.

Psalm 19:8 NKJV

[8] The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;

5. Keeping the word of God makes you happy

The Bible is not a cage trying to keep you in. It is the walls keeping predators out.

The Bible is true because it gave me the experience it promised.

The truths of scripture can be put to the test.