1. In this verse God made an appeal to His people in Judah: "let us reason together." 2. The context (vs.16-20) shows how the welfare of God's people would be determined by their response to His will. 3. By calling upon His people to reason with Him, God wanted them to listen to His instructions and submit to His will. 4. To reason with God today we must listen to Him as He speaks through the Scriptures. 5. In our lesson we are concentrating on 3 principles that we must observe as we endeavor to reason with God.
Discussion:
I. TO REASON PROPERLY WITH GOD, WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT THE SCRIPTURES ARE GOD'S INSPIRED WORD
A. A key passage is 2 Timothy 3:16-17. 1. God used men in revealing the Scriptures, but the Scriptures did not come from men. 2. The Scriptures are from God. 3. God has given us the Scriptures so we can profit from them -- they are profitable in 4 areas. 4. Those who profit from the Scriptures will be complete in God's sight. B. We have plenty of evidence that proves the Scriptures are inspired. C. To reason with God, we must understand that Scripture is His inspired Word. D. We cannot reason with God from any other source.
II. TO REASON PROPERLY WITH GOD, WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT THE NEW TESTAMENT IS IN EFFECT TODAY
A. The Old Testament is certainly inspired (2 Peter 1:21). B. However, the Old Testament is no longer in effect. 1. (Jeremiah 31:31-34) The old covenant prophesied that it would be replaced by a better covenant. 2. The new covenant of Christ replaced the old covenant (Hebrews 8:6-13). C. When Christ died, His new covenant became effective (Hebrews 9:15-17). D. Seeking to be justified by the old covenant is a serious mistake (Galatians 5:4). E. To reason with God, we must understand that the New Testament is in effect. F. Although it was written for our learning (Romans 15:4), we cannot reason with God today from the Old Testament.
III. TO REASON PROPERLY WITH GOD, WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT THE SCRIPTURES MUST NOT BE ALTERED
A. (2 Timothy 2:15) We must "rightly divide" [handle accurately] the Scriptures. B. Altering God's Word is a serious mistake (Galatians 1:8-9; Revelation 22:18-19). C. We cannot reason with God while altering the Scriptures.
Conclusion:
1. Reasoning involves communication, and God communicates with us through His Word, the Bible. 2. To reason properly with God, let us always remember that: a. the Scriptures are God's inspired Word b. the New Testament is in effect today c. the Scriptures must not be altered.