New Life Church Morning Worship
July 13, A.D. 2014
Topical Sermon — Why Study the Bible, and How Do I Do It?

Introduction: Statistics, Superlatives, and the Spirit

W.C.F. Chapter V – "We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to an high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scripture. (1 Timothy 3:15) And the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is, to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it does abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God: yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts." (Isaiah 59:21, John 16:13,  1 Corinthians 2:10-12, 1 John 2:20, 27)

I. Why Study It?
A. It is vital to spiritual life (Deuteronomy 8:3; Luke 4:4, 1 Peter 2:2)

B. The greatest reason why: It's all about HIM! (Luke 24)

II. What's Your Excuse?
A. Like newborn babes, but not stillbirths

B. W.C.F. chapter VII – "All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all (cf. 2 Peter 3:16): yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them ( Psalm 119:105)."

C. An example: Joshua 16 vs. John 3:16

III. Use Your Sword and Take ALL Captive!
A. Offense weapon for... (Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12)

B. Spiritual battle (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) 

Conclusion: Nuts and Bolts

A. Learn the major sections of the Bible, then the books within. 
B. Have a regular reading plan.
C. Memorization, meditation, singing 
D. Word studies, biographical studies of Biblical persons, group studies. 
E. Study tools, especially a concordance.