SERMON 167: STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED
Germaine Charles Lockwood

2 Timothy 2:15: Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15.

We need to study the word of God, the Bible, the word of truth. We need to know the word of God so that we can live righteously, so that our ignorance does not cause us to sin and to be ashamed.

2 Timothy 3:15-17: And that from a child thou has known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 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. 2 Timothy 3:15-17.

We need to study the Bible in order to become wise unto salvation in Christ Jesus. We need to study so that we will come to know God and to know Christ Jesus. We need to study the Bible so that we will be saved from sin. We need to be saved from going to hell after we die. Yes, we need to study the Bible to be corrected, to be reproved, to learn the true doctrine. We need instruction in righteousness from the Bible in order to live righteous lives, equipped for all good works. All scripture includes the Old Testament as well as the New Covenant. We need to study the whole Bible. Timothy learned the holy scriptures as a child, which included the Old Testament. His grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice taught Timothy the word of God. Notice:

Romans 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. Romans 15:4.

The Old Testament was written for our learning also. Concerning the history of the people of Israel in the Bible, we read in:

1 Corinthians 10:11: Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come. 1 Corinthians 10:11.

So the Old Testament is for our learning, for examples and for our warning.

James 1:21: Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21.

Are you willing to receive the word of God with meekness? The word of God is able to save your soul. Do you want to be saved from sin and from hell? Then study the Bible. Have the word of God grafted into you.

1 Peter 2:1, 2: Wherefore, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby (unto salvation). 1 Peter 2:1, 2.

When Jesus was tempted by the tempter, the devil, Jesus answered in:

Matthew 4:4: But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4.

Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3. Yes, we need spiritual food, the word of God.
You will starve spiritually without the word of God. The word of God will cause you to grow spiritually. You eat physical food every day. You need to read the word of God every day, to study the word of God every day. If you do not eat physical food for a long period of time, you will be malnourished; you will die of malnutrition if you do not eat physical food. You will starve to death. If you do not feed upon the word of God over a long period of time, you will become spiritually malnourished; you will starve to death spiritually. It is important for us to feed upon the word of God, to seek the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby unto salvation. It is good for us to read at least a chapter a day of the Bible or more. You can set a time each day for your Bible reading and prayer, a time that fits into your daily schedule best. Some people prefer reading the Bible at breakfast time. Others prefer reading the Bible at supper time. And others prefer reading the Bible in the evening before going to bed. What is the best time for you? It is good to get into the habit of reading and praying every day at the same time. Will you do this? You can decide now to be a daily Bible reader. The Lord will bless you. You will grow spiritually, growing in your knowledge of the word of God.

Matthew 4:4: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4.

Deuteronomy 8:3.

Children need to be taught the word of God. Fathers are to teach children.

Ephesians 6:4: And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4:

Yes, fathers are commanded to bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Fathers are to teach their children the word of God.

Mothers and grandmothers can teach their children also as Lois and Eunice taught Timothy. Daily Bible reading needs to include the children. Deuteronomy 6:6 and following.

Timothy was told to have reading, exhortation and doctrine.

1 Timothy 4:13, 16: Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. . . . Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 1 Timothy 4:13, 16

So then, we need public reading of the Bible, exhortation and doctrine in the congregation, in church, in order to save those who hear and the teachers. We read also in Ephesians 4:11 that the Lord gave teachers in the church. A congregation is to have teachers so that all are taught. We read in:

Ephesians 4:12: For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:12.

Teachers and Bible study are needful for the building up of Christians for the work of the Lord. You need to be in Bible studies. You need to be taught the word of God. We need to study every book of the Bible. We need to learn the word of God, so that we can live fruitful lives serving Christ.

Psalm 119:11: Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11.

Psalm 119:105: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105.

Psalm 119:130: The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. Psalm 119:130.

Revelation 1:3: Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein. Revelation 1:3.

Amen!