Dwelling Upon God’s Word January 19, 2014 River Bend

Introduction How important is Bible study? Matthew 4:3-4 - “ 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ ”

Introduction How important is Bible study? Colossians 3:16 - “ 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Purpose of our study

Three Traits of God God is Holy - Leviticus 20:26 - “ 26 ‘Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.” Holiness is part of the true nature of God - Exodus 15:11; Isaiah 6:3(cf. Revelation 4:8) In every facet of life we are to be found holy - 1 Peter 1:14-16

Three Traits of God God is Love - Psalm 103: “ 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Titus 3:3-5; 1 John 4:7-10

Three Traits of God God is Faithful - Genesis 12:1-3 - “ 1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; 2 And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; 3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

Three Traits of God God is Faithful - Genesis 12:1-3 - The Land - Joshua 21:43-45 Nation - Exodus 1; Deuteronomy 4:34 Seed - Galatians 3:16 Hebrews 6:17-18

Three Traits of ourselves We are unworthy - Psalm 51:5; Matthew 5:48; Romans 3:23 We are in need - Matthew 8:2-3; 9:36- 38; Romans 6:20-21 Our completeness is found only in Christ - Romans 6:22-23; Revelation 3:17-18

Learning from Israel’s Mistakes Hosea 4: God’s accusations against Israel “Because there is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land.” - Jeremiah 7:25-28(cf. Act 7:51) “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” - Isaiah 5:13-16

Learning from Israel’s Mistakes Hosea 4: God’s accusations against Israel “Because they have stopped giving heed to the Lord.” - Hosea 9:17; Jeremiah 6:19 (cf. 25:1-7)

Conclusion How are you doing in your daily Bible reading? 2 Timothy 2:15 - “ 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” Is the Word hidden in your heart? Psalm 37:31; 119:11

Conclusion Our spiritually growth is directly tied to our knowledge of God’s Word - 2 Peter 3:18 - “…grow in the grace and knowledge…” Acts 20:32 - “…to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up…” John 6: “…You have the words of eternal life…” Does the Bible “richly dwell within you”?