[By Ron Halbrook, adapted from Cecil Willis, How to Study the Bible]

10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. 2

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4 10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

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7 GOOD HEART: Listen carefully Learn much Shine brightly

3. Let us prepare our hearts for God’s Word: Study with reverence toward God Believe all of God’s holy Word Employ mental industry in Bible study Moral purity prepares the heart to understand Desiring the truth opens the heart Expect to understand God’s Word We must desire & intend to obey God 8

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11 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Peter gave abundant irrefutable evidence to convince honest hearts!

12 9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

13 29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

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15 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

16 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

II. Believe All of God’s Holy Word C. To Pick & Choose What to Believe Is Unbelief 17

18 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV) Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (ESV)

19 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

20 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

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23 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

24 23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

25 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

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27 44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

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V. Desire for Truth Opens the Heart B. Love of Truth Overcomes Every Obstacle Focus on the truth—NOT the teacher’s failures, our own past practices, or the majority view 30

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3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; (KJV) 32 3 how the mystery was made known unto me as a revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. (ESV)

33 17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. (KJV)

34 46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

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Invitation 1. Let us prepare our hearts for God’s Word: Study with reverence toward God Believe all of God’s holy Word Employ mental industry in Bible study Moral purity prepares the heart to understand Desiring the truth opens the heart Expect to understand God’s Word We must desire & intend to obey God 39

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