DO I HAVE TIME TO READ AND STUDY GOD’S WORD? INTRODUCTION: In a fast paced world, we often feel overwhelmed. Raising children, working, maybe running our own business, there just doesn’t seem to be enough time in a day. So, we often find ourselves telling others “I just don’t have enough time”. We can’t fit in one more job, one more chore, one more group to volunteer for, one more anything. But, when it comes to our soul and eternity, the question must be posed “Do I Have Enough Time To Go To Heaven?” Contrary to popular opinion, going to heaven is not something we make a decision to do once and then just forget about . While we do not earn salvation, there is still effort involved in “walking in the light” (1 John 1:7) Do I have time to put forth this effort?
A. Chain of command
1. Father speaks through Jesus (Hebrews 1:1-2) ↓
2. Son sent the Holy Spirit to guide Apostles to all truth (John 16:13) ↓
3. Holy Spirit came on Pentecost (Acts 2) ↓
4. Holy Spirit only given by laying on of Apostle’s hands (Acts 8) ↓
5. Apostles and Prophets wrote the message and the Holy Spirit Confirmed it with miracles (Mark 16:19-20) ↓
6. The word is complete (Jude 3), Powerful (Romans 1:16), Authoritative (John 12:48), Able to save (James 1:21)
A. God’s word will judge us (John 12:48) “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him; the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day”
1. Cannot be faithful if we’re ignorant of what God wants
2. Faith comes from God’s word (Romans 10:17) “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (2)
B. God’s word in necessary to equip us (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
1. All things necessary to please God are found in His word (2 Peter 1:3)
2. Jesus had promised His Apostles they would be given ALL truth (John 16:13)
a. This truth is His word (John 17:17) and it is complete (Jude 3)
C. Ignorance of God’s word has always resulted in destruction
1. (Hosea 4:1-11) Israel chose to not hear God and be ignorant of His will
2. (Romans 10:1-3) Paul’s Jewish brethren were zealous to serve God, but they substituted their will for His word and were lost
3. God will not accept ignorance as an excuse (Acts 17:30-31)