SUB: READING THE BIBLE
TEXT: Act 8:26-33
Intro: 1) The bible: bestseller but least read.
2) For Christians
The Bible tells us to exhort one another.
1. I Thess. 5:11 wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Heb 3:13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Heb 10:25. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
2. There are many ways that we can do this.
a. with a pat on the back, a compliment.
b. By words of encouragement and comfort.
c. By our example.
d. By teaching and preaching.
C. I want to exhort you in every way I can to read the Bible!
I. God Wants His Scriptures Read Privately And Publicly.
A. Eph 3:1-4 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
1. He wants it to be understood also - Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
2. Do not read it like the Jews did. Approach the reading of it spiritually. - 2Co 3:12-16 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.
B. Encourage for it to be read it publicly.
Col 4:16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
1Th 5:27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
1Ti 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
II. Under The Law Of Moses The Scriptures Were To Be Read.
A. Moses read the law to the people. Exo 24:7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.
B. Reading of the law publicly was commanded. Deu 31:11 When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.
III. Jesus Expected The Jews Of His Day To Have Read And Known The
Scriptures.
A. We see Jesus use this phrase often: "Have ye not read...?"
1. Mat 12:5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless
B. Mat 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
C. Mat 21:16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise
E. Mat 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?
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IV. We Should Read The Bible Because...
A. It is the Word of God - 2Ti 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
B. It will make us wise unto salvation - 2Ti 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
C. It can give us peace - Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
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D. It can give us hope - Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
E. It can give us joy - Joh 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
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F. It can give us assurance 1Jo 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
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G. It can build us up Act 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up
I. It can give us the inheritance - Acts 20:32. and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Conclusion:
A. We need to take heed to the advice in Isaiah 34:16: "Seek ye out
of the book of Jehovah, and read..."
