​"12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling," Phlippians 2:12

With children we expect growth as they age -- all kinds of growth. God expects the same from His children. What does the above verse mean?

It does not mean our salvation is based on works.

​"24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself." Hebrews 9:24-26

In this passage Fear= respect.

We need to work out our life -- we need to keep growing spiritually. 

When we do a math problem we are proving the truth of it -- proving the answer exists. We are proving the truth in our lives as we produce fruit (this is God's will for us). 

 "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?" James 2:14

We should see actions that back up Belief. 

Work out to Prove Truth. 

Work out = infinitive = constant process = sanctification. It is ongoing. We are to become more and more and more like Christ. If you have been saved, you should be growing into Jesus's likeness. 

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14

How do we work it out? Layers -- supplement faith.. See next verse:

5 "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[a] make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble," 2 Peter 1:5-10

They will know we are Christians by our love. If you aren't growing you're dying. 

Do not be conformed but transformed.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2

Your life should be your praise to God. The path is narrow. In deed and truth:

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:16-18

Put the knowledge you have into action. Act on the truth you know.

We are not alone:

God wants us to grow. He will help us to grow -- this is His will for us. Every commandment is to make our lives better. 

"14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by[a] the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified." John 17:14-19

Accepting Jesus is just the beginning of faith. Until your heart stops you should be seeking God. 


"7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish,
and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:7-11

Nobody plants a seed and doesn't expect that seed to bear fruit and mulitiply --- God expects us to grow and bear fruit. Jesus wants to celebrate your victory!

6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

Self-Check:
Am I growing in all aspects of Christ?
Am I growing in knowledge of the Word of God?
Am I growing intentionally?
Am I following the leading of My Savior?

The world is a minefield. You gotta stay on Jesus's path intentionally, it is narrow. What are you doing about it right now?

"11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet[a] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him." Ecclesiastes 3:11-14

King Solomon wrote this as he looked back at his life. 
-- The work we do is a gift of God!
-- We don't endure forever -- our lives on this earth are finite.

Time is Fleeting.

"13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”" James 4:13-15

“Show me, Lord, my life’s end
    and the number of my days;
    let me know how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
    the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,
    even those who seem secure.[a]
6 “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;
    in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth
    without knowing whose it will finally be." Psalm 39:4-6

Time is short for us.

God only knows the time we have.

"Our days may come to seventy years,
    or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
    for they quickly pass, and we fly away." Psalm 90:10

"Teach us to number our days,
    that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

We have a limited amount of time. Make each day important. When you number something it's important. Each day, each year, each hour is important. Our days are important. If we don't make the most of each one we lose it. Each breath, each second can be a offering to God.

Time is a Blessing.

"8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:8-9

God wants us to live as much as we can -- see as many souls saved as we can. Now, now, now -- is what we humans think. God's timing is perfect! When we think it isn't, we are arrogant and so very wrong. God has grace and mercy -- He doesn't want to lose anyone. Time is a blessing -- another opportunity to love and share.

Time will end.
 
"For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains." Matthew 24:5-8

Don't focus on things happening around us. Focus on Jesus and loving people for Jesus.

​“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’" Matthew 25:31-36

Don't be caught off guard not watching.
If someone important was planning on showing up at your house you would prepare and watch. How much more should we do this for Jesus.

"41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’"Matthew 25:41-45

Time is Ticking.
"Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape."
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3

The clock is ticking on every human life.

The Urgency of Time -- Be Intentional.

"15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is." Ephesians 5:15-17

Live it with drive, with intention. Live for Jesus. Love God will all of yourself. Love everyone wholly. Love on each other. Be wise. Make the most of every opportunity to love. Nobody is going to care what you did at the end. They want to know if they are loved. They need to know Jesus and believe in Him. 

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity." Colossians 4:5

If You knew, what would you do?

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity." Galatians 6:10

Am I living intentionally for Jesus? There will be no do-overs when we stand before Jesus.

What does God want you to do?
"As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work."
John 9:4

​We have limited time and limited opportunity.

The Day is Coming.

"31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left." Matthew 25:31-33

At the end we will be separated by what we did for Jesus. 

"41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’" Matthew 25:41-45

You did not do what you were supposed to do.

What have you done with the time You have been given?

What are we waiting for?

All you gotta do is get moving.
"36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”"
Matthew 12:36-37

Let's see what you did for me.

"Empty words." 

"So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God." Romans 14:12

What matters is what I did with my life for Jesus. 

If you choose NOT to do what is right that is a sin: a sin of omission. 

We deserve nothing. He gave us everything.
We deserve hell. He offers heaven.

Time is short.

Superheroes have back stories -- who they were before they became superheroes.

God has given us  our own "superpowers."

Superhero qualities:

--sacrifices their life in a selfless way.
--Inspires people; gives them hope.
--Helps others expecting nothing in return.
--Is brave and courageous.
--they have something other people don't have.

A superhero is a servant:

"Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35

"Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." Mark 10:43-44

We are to be servants all the time.

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”" Mark 10:45

Jesus passed on His "superpowers" -- His gifts.

We each have been given a superpower by grace, to help in the resistance of evil. He wants us to participate.

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." Romans 12:6-8

Find your superpower! In a way He wants us to be like the Justice League -- we each have our own job to do. Without one of us doing our job there will be something going undone.

More Superpowers:

"To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines." 1 Corinthians 12:8-11

Someone got us to where we are by the power of the Spirit. We need to run with it. Help others along the path. 

We don't want to be Couch Potato Thor! Fat Thor!

Even more superpowers:

"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Ephesians 4:11-13

Everyone has a role to play. Each of us has a role to play in the church. Talents have to be refined and polished. It takes a lot of work to refine and polish a talent. Work hard at it. Practice. Satan and the world can't steal your salvation but they can steal your ministry.

Common theme of Superheroes: they serve their communities.

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work." 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Be involved. We are meant to do our part. Our mission -- to fight the evil of the world. Become that new creature We were made into when we accepted Christ Jesus. When the superhero became the superhero the old person was gone. He/She became a totally different person/creature. 100% change. 

Manifesting the gifts -- manifesting the Spirit:

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Using superpowers for personal gain is selfish -- this is the world's way.

As a church -- are we using our gifts?

Scientists have found out there are 26 lakes under the Sahara Desert! Yet people are dying of thirst there because they aren't accessing the water. 

A lot of people want to serve God in an advisory role. God doesn't have or need advisors. If we has sa church disappeared tomorrow, would people miss us? We must be the salt and light.

"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith;" Romans 12:4-6

We've been given great gifts. With great power comes great responsibility. Spiderman stole that from the Bible!

"But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12:48

"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." John 14:12

Wow!! More than what Jesus did while on earth -- this is a promise! A truth!

"If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Whatever we do, we must do with love -- loving God and people. If not done in love, if the gifts aren't used in love, what we do is useless. Less than useless!

Are we doing what God wants us to do?

No notes for you this week (except the main scriptures were Hebrews 11:1-3 and Hebrews 12:1-2....I can post that part), but we now have the Facebook Live video up on Youtube. So, if you like you can watch Shannon deliver this message today rather than just listen!
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible." Hebrews 11:1-3

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2

If you do watch the Youtube Video please subscribe to the channel. We can go live on Youtube once we have enough subscribers. Thank you.

Following are Shannon's notes from today's sermon:

Jesus is Enough! The Fullness of Christ
Colossians 2: 1-7
Vs. 1 Context – Colossian church – Paul never visited – writing from prison in Rome –
I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally
Vs. 2 – The goal – Encouragement – discouraged Christians are easy prey, for the world, the flesh, the devil.
 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ
-Knit together in love, united
John 17:21-23
21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Colossians 3:14
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
-full riches of complete understanding – explanation of the fullness of Christ, the completeness.
What is the “Mystery of God”?   What is our understanding of the mystery of Christ?
        The character and person of God in Christ
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
 
 
John 14:6-7
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
7
If you really knew me, you would know [2] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
 
Col 2:3
 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 
Apoknuphos – hidden – Gnostic’s “special” knowledge only for the few
The wisdom IS Christ Jesus. If we understand Jesus, if we have a relationship with him and truly have him within our hearts and our lives, that is the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Understanding the concept of the Creator – Him – and the created – us – and the relationship that we have only through the love of God in the person of Jesus Christ!
When we understand Jesus, we understand everything. Seek that hidden treasure by getting to know him better, getting into the Word, seeking for ourselves the understanding.
Each of us is responsible for the attainment of this knowledge. It is deeply personal.
John 6:40
For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
John 14:23
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
Col 2:4
 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 
False teachers – easy lies – fallacy –
 
1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
 
Matthew 7:15
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves
1 Tim 4: 1-3
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
If we know Jesus, personally, intimately, and are in the Word, we will not be led astray – it is amazing how simple that is. If someone challenges you, look for truth in the Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to interpret for you, pray.
 
Col 2: 6
 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him
The greatest heresy in the time of the Colossians, and in our own time, is that we can perfect in the flesh what has begun in the Spirit! We can’t justify ourselves, or sanctify ourselves, only Christ.
Galatians 2:16
know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in[a] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
Romans 3:28
28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
 
Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 2:8
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
Why do we try and complicate it? Jesus is sufficient. The gift of salvation is received from God by grace as a gift, not by our own efforts. The Colossians were under the threat of the same human condition that we are, the fatal human flaw of believing that we need to “earn” something or it isn’t “fair”, that there has to be “more to this”
 
Application
Colosssians 2: 7
7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
We are to continue to live IN Him
1. Rooted IN Him
Jeremiah 17:7-8
 
7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”
 
 
 
2. Built up IN Him
Matthew 7:24-25
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
Ephesians 2: 19-22
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Strengthened IN the faith
Romans 8:38-39
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Mark 11: 22-24
22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly[a] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Phil 1:6
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
 
3. Overflowing with thankfulness
Philippians 4: 4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Shannon recorded this live on Facebook today. You can see that here if you'd like or you can listen to it below on the Youtube link. I happen to have Shannon's actual sermon notes today, so I will cut and paste those in this blog post. We are missing Sunday Service with everyone, but God will get us through this time and we can all get back together and shout Halleluia together! Below are Shannon's notes:

2 Timothy 3:16 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
Theopneustros – God Breathed.
2 Peter 1:21   21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:13  13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.
John 5:39  39 You study[a] the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,
 
Bible Facts/history
40 authors
Over period of 1500 yrs
Over 25,000 manuscripts – 98% accuracy
95% of entire bible accurate to other manuscripts
Most historically accurate documents in the world.
 
The bible is a mirror, not a window
Coloring book version – Samson, Noah, David and Goliath, Jonah
 
Example : Jonah 1:1-2   The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”
Nineveh was the capital of Assyrian Empire during the reign of King Hezekiah of Israel
Jonah rebels, flees
Great fish
Jonah 4:6-11 6 Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant[a] and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. 7 But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”
9 But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”
“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”
10 But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
 
How do we become a “man after God’s own heart” like David?
Joshua 1:8  Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Psalm 1: 1-2  Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
 
 

1. Read the bible for yourself.

Understand: God’s interactions with man
              God’s plan for redemption
              God’s promises
              God’s character
2 Timothy 2:15  15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
 

1. Study the bible yourself

Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart
    that I might not sin against you.
Reading does not equal studying
Commentaries, bible study, Sunday school
 

1. Meditate on the word

Edmund Burke “To read w/o reflecting is like eating w/o digesting”
Matthew 13:19 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path
 

1. Apply the word

James 1:22 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
 
Let the Spirit lead
John 14:16-17  16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you.
John 16:13 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
 
The written word leads us to the Living Word
The word made text leads us to the Word made flesh.