How to Understand the Bible | Part 2

How can we understand the Bible. Listen to Adrian Rogers the best way to understand the part of the Bible you don't understand is to raise the bar of the state they have that have shall be given that Hamlet has not even that which he has will be taken away. I would ask you a question.

Why should God show anybody anymore proof until that person is acted upon the truth. God is already shown welcome to plaintiff featuring profound truth. Simply stated by Adrian Rogers. It's not enough to know facts about the Bible we have to do the hard thing we have to obey said not only should we be studying Scripture, we should be allowing Scripture to study us as we learned in part one of today's message.

We do that by welcoming in the word, receiving it with a repentant heart and receptive spirit. If you have your Bible, meet us in James chapter 1 as Adrian Rogers concludes an insightful message.

How to understand the Bible. The Bible says we are to receive the word of God.

Now notice in verse 21 Reese see you see it receive with meekness the word of God are two words in the Greek language for receiving one is the word Lovano and administer grass to reach out and take to he doesn't use that word here because you can't just reach out and snatch the word of God. Many people have approached the word of God. That way, and I have failed. But there is another word for receive and that's the word that is used in verse 21 is not Lovano. It is Deco my which means to welcome to receive as though you would receive somebody into your house as you receive a guest welcome mat. If you would understand the Bible, you must learn to welcome the work you're never going to take your intellect. You never going to take your mind and your determination and going to the Bible and will truth out. But if you open your heart, open your mind and welcome the word I've had the joy preaching overseas in different countries and one of the countries is in China and when I went to China. But God said now when you go to the Chinese to their home.

They are the most gracious and hospitable of all people. The Chinese are wonderful people. If you know the Chinese you will love them. They are so wonderful and so gracious and when you come into a Chinese home.

They want to serve you something they want to give you something. It is for them to come under the roof. They know how to welcome you here was that you are welcome in our home and they want to serve you something you ought to receive the show that you accept their hospitality but I God said when they serve you something if it's tea for example, never reach out and take it with one hand that implies your grasping take it with both hands. Then you receive when you receiving about that.

We don't just reach out take. We lift our hands to him and we welcome the word we receive the word way just take the word by faith and by grace and let God's word come into our heart. Now, having said that, I want to mention to you for always the welcome the word for way. And so in order to help you to understand them were going to let all four of these ways, begin with the R how do you welcome the word number one. Welcome word with a repentant heart welcome word with a repentant heart. Look again in verse 21 wherefore lay parked all thinness and superfluity of naughtiness and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your soul.

What does the word superfluity of naughtiness mean it literally means that which remains of that which is left over, it means residual sin now was that maybe you what you maybe say and on your way to heaven.

But you've got some superfluity of monotonous.

You got some hangover saying you got some something that remains now, the word felt that this is the root of the word filthiness is you be surprised your wax earwax.

The word room plus means earwax know what God says is if you want to hear you got to clean out your ear. The reason that God's truth does not come into Los Angeles that we got hangover saying that superfluity of naughtiness got spiritual wax and I and is absolutely important that when you study the Bible the very first thing you do is make a full confession of sin and ask God to search your heart and see if there be some wickedness and you get your heart clean, get your heart right with God. Not only should you welcome the word with a repentant heart. Verse 21, but welcome the word with a receptive heart.

Verse 21.

Look at that also wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness and receive with BC this next word receive with look at it receive with me this miss the engrafted word, which is able to save your soul.

Welcome the word with meekness. What is maintenance. Meekness is a teachable spirit to be me means to be teachable, teachable spirit I will give you a promise from the word of God and I want to listen to it is John chapter 7 and verse 17 Jesus said if any man will do God's will he show no. If any man will do God's will, he will know the doctrine you see it is the well that comes the well must be surrendered is not primarily the mind is off our goal all I want to know God says if you will do my will. You will know that Dr. I shared with you before the story of a man who came to see me. I never met him that when I used to pastor on the space goes down at Cape Kennedy. This man was a big shot in the space industry intelligent learn man in many ways he came in my office.

He said Mr. Rogers. I need your help. Possible how may I help you he said is about my wife. She wants to commit suicide and I don't want her to what I thought that was nice and wanted to and he said I wish you would talk with her.

I said I will serve if you will come with the came in my office.

I said Mme. would you tell me what the problem is, she began to pour out our heart, but a problem can be summed up in one little three letter word H I am that man him. He was a liar. He was an adult, he was a gambler. He was a profane man. He abused her physically, he abused her verbally. He abused her in almost every way.

He was an arrogant man, I turned to him. I said sir I want to ask your question are you a Christian. Now remember I was not asking for information. Just try to get the conversation started. Christian laughed and said oh I'm not a Christian. I'm an atheist. I so is Simon possible an atheist. As Amanda knows there is no God but you know there is no God.

He said yes it was very interesting. I said everything there is to know how much would you know. Do you know all there is to know, of course not. So nobody knows everything I said well would be generous to say you know half of all there is to know what I said yes of course I said I thought you said you knew there was no God. When you have to admit the possibility that God might exist and that half of the knowledge you don't have. Well, he said, I don't think there's a God as well as different. I said that you not an atheist or an agnostic. He said yeah that's what I am an agnostic.

I don't I don't think as I got. I said well the word agnostic. That just means a doubter. I did telling the Latin equivalent is ignoramus which same word really same word will mean just simply I don't know. I didn't climb in ignoramus I sent you an agnostic.

He said that's right isolate major doubter.

He said yeah I'm a big I said well I don't care what size I want to know what time the civil icons on only two honest doubters and dishonest which which one are you basically what's the difference I said, well, anonymous doubter doesn't know what he wants to know, and therefore he makes an honest investigation I said and dishonest doubter doesn't know because he doesn't want to know. He can't find God for the same reason the thief can't find a policeman. I said you claim to be a scientist, I said, how would you like to prove whether or not God exists, he said it can't be done. I said it can be done if you get in the right laboratory and I gave him a verse that I just gave you John chapter 7 verse 17 Jesus said, my doctrine is not mine, but his who sent me, and if any man will do his will, he shall know the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. I said would you sir. Be willing to sign a statement like this.

God, I don't know whether you exist or not. I don't know whether the Bible is your word or not. I know Jesus Christ as your son or not but I want to know and because I want to know I'll make an honest investigation and because it is an honest investigation. I will follow the result of that investigation wherever it leads me God's of the cost. I sent an honest man would sign that statement. He said give it to me again. God, I don't what you just are not. I don't know whether the Bible is your word not I don't know Jesus Christ as your son or not but I want to know because I want to know I'll make an honest investigation and because it is an honest investigation. I will follow the results of that investigation wherever you please make a list of the calls. Is it all right I want to be honest, I'll do. I said what I said God's going show himself to you is it where I start I should start with the gospel of John that's written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ and believe you might have faith in his name is and what should I do suggest began to read about a chapter a day and pray like this God only know when you're there. I don't know what this is your word or not but if it is to me and my mind is made up ahead of time. I will follow you if you only speak to me. I will to do your will. If you're there several weeks at man came back in my office got on his knees and wept like a baby and gave his heart to Jesus Christ was wonderfully say last time I saw them I saw them sitting in the big white Cadillac holding hands like schoolkids. She didn't want to commit suicide animal is moved up to Maine. I'd almost forgotten about it but he wrote me a letter I have it on my file. He told me how he's in the Sunday school ministry.

Their house on the tape ministry there. How is working at a Christian school, and he said that Mr. Jones you for spending time with this general and the devil's army. Now where was that man's problem that man's problem before he got saved was not in his head. It was in his heart. He did not have the receptive spirit. He did not have a meek spirit and the minute that man open as far as I want to learn.

I want to know.

I surrendered my God began to speak to him. That is John 717 if any man will to do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, you receive the word with a repentant spirit you receive the word you welcome the word with a receptive spirit.

Have you got it. Now here's the third way to understand the word of God. The third IR is you welcome the word with a responsive spirit with a responsive spirit look in verse 20 2B of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own hearts. You see, wants you get your heart clean. Once you surrender your will. Then if you would understand the word of God began to obey what God tells you if you do not respond to what you hear. The Bible says you are self deceived, be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

The best way to understand the part of the Bible you don't understand is to obey the part you do understand they him that hath shall be given to him. That has not even that which he has will be taken away.

I would ask you a question. Why should God show anybody anymore prove until that person is acted upon the truth. God is already shown as part of the word of God has been speaking to you about maybe in your witnessing like you giving life. Your prayer life. Maybe in making restitution maybe in faithfulness to the church maybe about baptism maybe about confessing Christ openly and publicly and you know that you ought to do it. Please listen to me. A study of the Bible gives you knowledge about God, obedience gives you knowledge of God. Jesus said in John chapter 14 John 14 verse 21 he that hath my commandments, and keep he it is that loveth me and he that loves me shall be loved of my father and I will love him.

Now listen and will manifest my self to him.

He that hath my commandments and keep them is that loveth me, you can say you know how I love Jesus all day long. If you don't keep the commandments you, he that hath my commandments and keeps them here is that loveth me and he that loveth me shall be loved of my father you will. God love you, that you love Jesus and I will love him, and Jesus and I will manifest myself to him study the Bible gives you knowledge about God, but obedience gives you knowledge of God makes God radio to you. I hearers aforethought will be finished for ways to better understand the Bible to welcome the word welcome the word with the repayment spirit USI that filthiness get the wax out of. You welcome the word with a receptive spirit you receive it with meekness, and then with a responsive spirit obey what you learn. Then you're ready for this. Next thing you welcome the word with a reflective spirit look, if you will. Now in verses 23 and following for any man be a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass that means the face you were born with the word glass here means mirror is like a man that looks at his mug in America, for he behold himself. Verse 24 and brought this way, and straightway forgot what manner of many laws look up into the perfect law of liberty, and continue with Larry and he being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work. This man shall be blessed in his deed now the Bible is called a hammer.

It's called a lamp is called the bread. It's called the sword its goal.

See here.

James calls the Bible. America the Bible is America. It reflects and so when you go to the Bible and you look at the Bible. The Bible looks back at you.

You see yourself in the word of God. You know where the beauty we take it where there is none. We make right with the mirrors go live as the reason we we don't like the mirror I heard a long time ago about an old man never seen America's life bowl farmer. He found one at the field and looked at it and he said well would you be there is a picture of my old daddy look at that. He was so proud of. Put it up in the attic of his house, his wife, so I'm up there in the attic. He stayed there long time. She being curious after he came down decided to go out and see what he placed in the attic. She rummaged around and found the mirror.

She'd never seen one either.

She looked at it and set off. That's the old hag he's been running around with a mirror shows us ourselves, not James imagines two people imagines one person comes and looks in the mirror and he just glances at the mirror. Look, if you will, in verse 24 he behold himself and goes his way. He straightway forgets what manner many what he is saying is this, that some people listen to me now some people are too casual in the study of the word of God as glance in the mirror and they go their way.

No Isaiah since I have my quiet time and drinking, let me say here.

I read the words will think but now notice verse 25 but whoso look at into the perfect law of liberty, and continuous area, he being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work. This man should be blessed in his deed and the word here is useful look means a careful gaze it means to look penetrating late into the word of God brand with reading premium. My bringing everything and if you will receive today if you will receive it with a receptive spirit.

All if you will receive it. My friend with a repentant responses reflect burst of flame in your hands and in your life and change your life if you experienced this transformation. God's word can only change you after you come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. If you have questions regarding your faith how to place your full trust and hope in him one offer you an insightful resource. It's our website and the discovery Jesus page you'll find answers, you may need about your faith and there's a response section as well go to LWF.org/radio and click on the Discover Jesus tab again LWF.org/radio and click Discover Jesus F you like to order a copy of today's message. Call us at 1877 love God, to order how to understand the Bible. This message is also part of the insightful back to the basics series for the complete collection all 18 powerful messages: number 1877 love God or you can order online@lwf.org/radio or you can write to order at love worth finding box 38, 600 Memphis, TN 38183. Many of the messages in the series are also featured in a new resource.

It's the what every Christian ought to know study you can utilize that tool it LWF.org/radio. Are you actively receiving the word of God with a repentant heart and a receptive responsive spirit member is Adrian Rogers said the best way to understand the part of the Bible you don't understand is to obey the part you do understand you will join us again next time. For more real truth, it never changed online worth finding were so encouraged to receive this message from the listener. Not long ago they wrote and said I have been so blessed by these messages. Dr. Rogers always makes the Bible come alive for me and explains it in a way I can understand I am challenged and encouraged by every message here.

We are so honored to share these lessons and resources to supplement your growth in your faith. We are only able to do so through your generosity say thank you for your gift this month. We want to send you arc it takes a family booklet collection bundle features popular booklet such as God's plan for the man it takes a family as well as two brand-new booklets, maximum mom and honoring father and mother requested bundle when you call with the gift of 1877 love God.

1-877-568-3463 will give online@lwf.org/radio