Biblical Literacy

1 Thessalonians 2:13-17 (NIV)

You and I have an English Bible possession largely because of a man named John Wycliffe. When he died, his enemies burned him at the stake and took the ashes of his body and sprinkled them over the Thames River in London. The product of his labors, the English Bible, is with us today because he stayed at the task.

Many have given their lives so that we might have a copy of the Bible in our possession today. Many have struggled through persecution, trial and tribulation so that you and I might have God's Word.

However, we have a problem. The problem is that many of us aren't reading the Bible.

Hebrews tells us that in 4:12 "...the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any doubleedged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

The Word of God only acts in this way when we read it. Thessalonians were people who were biblically literate. They received the Word of God as THE Word of God. We refer to the Bible as the "Word of God"

If we really believe that it is God's Word why aren't we more literate to what it says? Today I would like to explore some things that must take place in our lives regarding to the Bible

DEVELOP APPRECIATION FOR THE BIBLE

We must appreciate the Bible by receiving it as God's Word rather than as the word of men. Never treat the Bible as any other book. The Bible is different in its origin, character, content, and cost.

The Bible is the Word of God. That means: God spoke it, God wrote it, God revealed it from beginning to end. The Bible is the work of Almighty God. The Bible was inspired by the Spirit of God

2 Tim. 3:16 "All Scripture is God-breathed".

It was written by men of God who were used by the Spirit

2 Pet. 1:20-21 "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. {21} For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

God's Word is holy, pure, and perfect

Psalm 19:7-9

If we are to be biblically literate we must appreciate that the Bible is truly the Word of God. The way a Christian treats his Bible shows how much he appreciates Jesus Christ.

According to John 1:1,14 Jesus is the living Word. The Bible is the written Word. In essence they are the same. Both are bread (Matt. 4:4; John 6:48). Both are light (Ps. 119:105; John 8:12). Both are truth (John 14:6; 17:17)

The Holy Spirit gave birth to Jesus Christ through a Holy woman (Lk. 1). The Holy Spirit gave birth to the Bible through holy men of God ( 2 Pet. 2:2021)

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God (John 1:2). The Word of God will live forever (Ps. 119:89; 1 Pet. 1:23,25)

My entire view of God and His Son is tied to how I understand the Bible. If I believe it is the work of men it is nothing but an interesting piece of literature.

However, if I accept it as what it claims to be -- the very Word of God -- then I will find myself on the road that leads to Christian maturity.

BEGIN TO APPROPRIATE IT'S ADVANTAGES

When I "appropriate" something I am taking it for my own use. Paul uses 2 different terms to describe the Thessalonians appropriation of God's Word. First he says they "received", Then he says they "accepted" it.

The first means "the hearing of the ear". The second means "the hearing of the heart."

The Thessalonian Christians not only heard the Word of God, they took it into their inner being. They made it a part of their lives. They appropriated the Word of God. They took it for their own personal use.

Jesus said in Matt. 13:9
"He who has ears, let him hear."

In other words, "Make sure you're listening". Use every opportunity you have to appropriate the Word for your life.

Jesus gave another warning in Mark 4:24
"Consider carefully what you hear"

How often we attend church & hear the Word of God in our Sunday School classes & worship assemblies and then go home and watch T.V. programs that erase the impressions that have been made on us by the Word.

Jesus said, "Consider carefully what you hear."

1st Jesus warned us to make sure we're listening. 2nd consider what we're listening to. 3rd consider how we're listening.

It is one thing to listen. It is another to listen to the right things. It is still another to listen to the right things in the proper way.

The Evangelist Gipsy Smith said, "What makes the difference is not how many times you have been through the Bible, but how many times and how thoroughly the Bible has been through you."

To hear the Word of God properly is to listen to it with the mind set of appropriating it into my life and seeing my life change as a result.

In every sermon we hear, in every Sunday School lesson, at every Bible Study time - we should listen with the attitude that says "What should I do differently in my life as a result of what I am learning from the Word of God?"

We don't listen to the Word just to gain religious knowledge - but to mine a resource more precious than gold that will turn us into godly men/women.

We must appropriate the Word of God into our everyday life.

BEGIN TO APPLY THE BIBLE

Paul said that the Word of God was "at work in you who believe" The word translated "work" is the word from which we get our English word "energy" or "energize". We can rightfully translate this phrase: "The Word of God that energizes you who believe."

Some of you probably don't feel like you have much energy. The energy that we get from believing in the Word of God does not come from within ourselves. It comes from an outpouring of God.

The Gospel authenticates its Divine origin by its transforming power in our lives. It is not enough to appreciate the Bible or even to appropriate the Bible. We must apply the Word to our lives. We must become both hearers and doers of the Word. The Word of God has the power to accomplish the will of God.

In Mark 3:15 Jesus commanded a crippled man to stretch out his hand - the very thing the man could not do. That command gave the man the power to obey.

When we trust the Word, obey it, we are made whole. When we believe God's Word & obey it, He releases power. Divine energy works in our lives to fulfill His purposes. My belief in the Word of God is activated when I allow the power of God to take over my life.

Paul said that the Word of God was "at work in you who believe". God's power is released in us as a result of our belief.

Conclusion:

It is one thing to say that I believe the Bible is God's Word. It is something else to take it into my life. It is something else to allow it to transform me. It is one thing to accept the Bible as true. It is something else to live a life that demonstrates its truth. It is one thing to speak of the power of God. It is something else to allow the Word of God work its power within me.

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