Part 1 – A Life Built on the Bible
John 1:1-3 NKJV (1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) He was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
John 1:14 NKJV (14) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Three goals for this series:
- Love the Word more
- Learn the Word more
- Live the Word more
The Bible Is Alive
(John 6:63b NKJV) …The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
Spirit = (Greek – Pneuma) The literal translation means the breath of God for the fulfillment of what He just said. When God speaks, His power is present to cause that word to come to pass in whatever He spoke it to.
(Hebrews 4:12 NIV) For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
The Bible has a way of getting all up in you.
You are not just getting information; you are getting the power to do the information.
In order for the Bible to come alive for you:
- Faith activates the Word.
(Hebrews 4:2 NIrV) The good news was preached to our people long ago. It has also been preached to us. The message they heard didn’t have any value for them. They didn’t combine it with faith.
Faith turns it from the natural to the supernatural.
- Revelation activates faith.
For faith to arise in your heart, you must have the connection, the “aha” moment.
Logos – written Word
Rhema – revealed Word
(Luke 1:34-38 NIV) “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God… For no word (rhema) from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word (rhema) to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
- Meditation activates revelation.
It takes time to slow down and ponder it, think about it.
(Joshua 1:8 NIV) Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Prosperous – Hebrew meaning: break out, be victorious
Successful – Hebrew meaning: to be prosperous and deal wisely; to prosper and know why
A Life Built on God’s Word
(Matthew 7:24-25 MSG) “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. (25) Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit–but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.
- I must accept its authority.
This has to do with your attitude towards God’s Word.
There are some things we just have to accept it by faith!
(1 Thessalonians 2:13 NIV) And we also thank God continually because, when you received (welcomed like a stranger) the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.
- I must assimilate its truths.
You must work it into every area of your life.
- By listening to God’s Word.
(Romans 10:17 NKJV) So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(Luke 8:18 NIV) “Therefore consider carefully how you listen…”
- By reading God’s Word.
(Matthew 4:4 NIV) Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”
- Get a Bible you understand.
- Make an appointment to read your Bible.
- Have a reading plan.
- Don’t just read the Bible, let the Bible read you.
- By exploring God’s Word.
(Psalms 119:11 NIV) I have hidden (stored up) your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
- I must apply its principles.
(James 1:22 NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.