Introduction: 1.In Deuteronomy, Moses repeated the law for the benefit of the Israelites who were going into Canaan. 2.As ch.5 begins, Moses called upon the Israelites to "hear" the statutes and judgments that he was delivering. 3.Moses also mentioned 3 responsibilities in connection with God's statutes and judgments: to "learn" them, to "keep" them, and to "do" them. 4.God will bless those who: a."keep" His Word (Psalm 119:2) b."do" His Word (Revelation 22:14). 5.Before we can keep and do God's Word, we must learn it. 6.In our lesson we are concentrating on several principles that relate to "learning God's Word." 7.The first point we need to make is that . . .
Discussion:
I.GOD WANTS HIS PEOPLE TO LEARN HIS WORD
A.This principle is taught in both the Old and New Testaments. B.Old Testament: Deuteronomy 6:4-7 C.New Testament: 1.(Colossians 3:16) "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom." 2.(1 Peter 2:2) "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word." D.One reason why we must follow these instructions is that . . .
II.FAILURE TO LEARN GOD'S WORD RESULTS IN DISASTER
A.This principle is also taught in both the Old and New Testaments. B.Old Testament (Romans 15:4): 1.(Isaiah 5:13) "Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge." 2.(Hosea 4:6) "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee" [they had forgotten the law of God]. 3.Going into captivity was bad enough, but the worst disaster associated with failing to learn the Scriptures is revealed in the . . . C.New Testament: John 12:48. D.This information should impress us with the importance of learning God's Word. 1.God wants us to learn His Word. 2.Failure to so results in disaster. E.Let us turn our attention to the fact that . . .
III.MANY SPECIAL BLESSINGS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH GOD'S WORD
A.These blessings are revealed in both the Old and New Testaments. B.Old Testament: 1."cleansing" (Psalm 119:9) 2."power to overcome temptation" (Psalm 119:11) 3."direction" (Psalm 119:105). C.New Testament: 1."increasing your knowledge of Christ" (John 5:39; 2 Peter 3:18) 2."knowing the truth that will make you free" (John 8:31-32) 3."building you up" (Acts 20:32) 4."increasing your faith" (Romans 10:17) 5."equipping you completely to do God's will" (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 6."saving your soul" (James 1:21) 7."spiritual growth" (1 Peter 2:2). D. For our final point we need to show . . .
IV.WHY GOD'S WORD PROVIDES THESE BLESSINGS
A.(Hebrews 4:12) God's Word is alive and active. B.(John 6:63) Jesus said that His Words "are spirit, and they are life." C.(Ephesians 6:17) The Word of God is "the sword of the Spirit."
Conclusion:
1.(Deuteronomy 5:1) Moses called upon God's people to learn His Word. 2.Upon learning God's Word, we are to keep it and do it. 3.One of the keys to learning God's Word is to hear it -- "Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day." 4.Suggestions for hearing God's Word properly. a.Develop this attitude toward the Scriptures: "O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day" (Psalm 119:97). b.When you hear or study God's Word, make this request of the Lord -- "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law" (Psalm 119:18).