Trusting God: Deepening Our Relationship with the Bible
Summary
In the sermon, I was reminded of the importance of not worrying about the material aspects of life, such as what to eat, drink, or wear. Instead, I was encouraged to focus on the kingdom of God and his righteousness, trusting that all other things will be provided for me. The sermon also emphasized the value of the Bible and the need for Christians to have a deeper relationship with it. It was pointed out that many Christians have a lukewarm relationship with the Bible, knowing they should know it better but often only having a cursory understanding of it.
The sermon also debunked some common misconceptions about phrases often attributed to the Bible, such as "God helps those who help themselves." This phrase, it was explained, is not in the Bible and actually encourages us to focus on ourselves rather than on God and others. The sermon concluded with a call to action for us to read our Bibles more and to let God's word guide us in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- The Bible encourages us to focus on the kingdom of God and his righteousness, trusting that our material needs will be provided for. #!!38:17!!#
- Many Christians have a lukewarm relationship with the Bible and need to deepen their understanding of it. #!!39:12!!#
- The phrase "God helps those who help themselves" is not in the Bible and encourages self-focus rather than a focus on God and others. #!!46:34!!#
- We should let God's word guide us in our lives and not just know it for trivia or to show off. #!!58:53!!#
- Our relationship with money should not be one of love or fear, but one of stewardship and generosity. #!!55:00!!#
Study Guide
Bible Passages:
1. Proverbs 3:3 - "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."
2. Psalm 119:105 - "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."
3. Isaiah 11:6 - "The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them."
4. Matthew 6:25-33 - "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Key Points:
1. The importance of knowing and understanding God's word.
2. The power of God's word to guide and direct our lives.
3. The need to prioritize God's kingdom and righteousness over worldly concerns.
Observation Questions:
1. What does Proverbs 3:3 instruct us to do with love and faithfulness?
2. How does Psalm 119:105 describe God's word?
3. What does Isaiah 11:6 say about the future harmony of creation?
4. What does Jesus instruct us not to worry about in Matthew 6:25-33?
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is it important to bind love and faithfulness around our necks and write them on our hearts?
2. How can God's word be a lamp for our feet and a light on our path?
3. What does the harmony described in Isaiah 11:6 tell us about God's kingdom?
4. What does Jesus mean when he says to seek first God's kingdom and righteousness?
Application Questions:
1. How can we practically bind love and faithfulness around our necks and write them on our hearts?
2. How can we use God's word as a lamp for our feet and a light on our path in our daily lives?
3. How can we contribute to the harmony described in Isaiah 11:6 in our own communities?
4. How can we prioritize seeking God's kingdom and righteousness over our worldly concerns?
Devotional
Day 1: The Importance of Knowing God's Word
God's word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. It is the source of wisdom, guidance, and comfort. It is the foundation of our faith and the lens through which we understand the world. Knowing God's word is not just about reading the Bible, but about understanding and applying its teachings to our lives.
Psalm 119:105 - "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."
Reflection: Reflect on your current relationship with the Bible. Is it a close friend and guide, or more of an acquaintance? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with God's word?
Day 2: The Power of God's Word
God's word is alive and active. It has the power to transform lives, heal hearts, and change the world. It is not just a collection of ancient texts, but the living and active word of God that speaks to us today.
Hebrews 4:12 - "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."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when God's word accomplished something in your life that you didn't expect? How did that experience change your understanding of the power of God's word?
Day 3: The Danger of Self-Reliance
The Bible warns us about the dangers of self-reliance. It teaches us that our strength and security come from God, not from our own efforts or resources. When we rely on ourselves, we are prone to anxiety, fear, and disappointment. But when we rely on God, we find peace, joy, and fulfillment.
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Reflection: How does your relationship with money reflect your reliance on self or on God? What changes can you make to prioritize people over wealth?
Day 4: The Promise of God's Kingdom
The Bible promises that God's kingdom will come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. This promise gives us hope in the midst of trials and tribulations. It assures us that God is in control and that His plans for us are good.
Matthew 6:10 - "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
Reflection: How does the promise of God's kingdom give you hope in your current circumstances? How can you share this hope with others?
Day 5: The Command to Love One Another
Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us. This is not just a suggestion, but a command. It is the essence of the Christian life and the mark of a true disciple of Christ.
John 13:34 - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you had the opportunity to help someone in need. Did you respond with generosity and love, or did you miss the opportunity? How can you be more intentional about loving your neighbors as yourself?
Quotes
1. "Jesus said therefore I tell you do not worry about your life what you will eat or what she will drink or about your body what you will wear is not life more than food and the body more than clothing look to the birds of the air they neither sow nor reap nor gather into Barns and yet your heavenly father feeds them are you not of more value than they and can any of you by worrying at a single hour to the span of life." - 36:47
2. "When we live a life that screams I did it my way I have all of the toys and I'm not going to share we're not living in a Biblical way. When we talk about giving it's not only about money or raising money what it's actually about is your relationship to your money." - 53:53
3. "Scripture would tell us what we just told little Aaron this morning is it's not all about you Aaron and you by yourself Aaron it's about you and the body of Christ." - 45:16
4. "Rather than helping yourself Jesus said love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your mind with all your soul or strength this is the greatest and most important command and the second is like it love your neighbor as yourself." - 45:16
5. "Our Bibles need to become more than mere acquaintances for us we should know God's word well and not just so you can win at the trivia stuff or not just so you can show up your relatives at Christmas a time but so that you may be led by it and guided by it." - 58:14
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