Remaining Faithful to God's Word

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Look at the NLT version...

John 8:31–32 NLT

31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

You can know a lot of things, but we have to move past knowing about the word to remaining faithful to what it teaches us to do.

remain faithful - hold into it.

Two things we need to remain faithful in.

1. Your relationship with God

2. Our important Relationships… when we get back from Israel.

Lady - concluded that the only one who unconditionally loves her because God - was her dog.

Here are 4 things that will help you remain faithful to God’s Word.

Remaining Faithful to God’s Word

1. Make it the foundation of my life.

You have to do this.

The Quality of everything is contingent on the quality of the foundation it’s built on. (family, emotions, parenting, money, career, etc)

Matthew 7:24 NLT

24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

Matthew 7:25 NLT

25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.

Listen … storms are coming and the person who builds their life on a solid foundation will stand while those who don’t won.t.

Here are several things that you should not build your life on.

Popular Culture

People say everyone is doing it… no they are not.

Popular culture will tell you that things change. You have to decide how much of popular culture you allow into your life. It can poison you.

Exodus 23:2 NIV84

2 “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd,

Tradition

I love tradition. I love old hymns.... antique furniture...

But too often people hang onto traditions instead of what God wants you to do.

Mark 7:8 NIV

8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

We cannot build our worship on something the Bible did not tell us to do. ie: certain song… reading...

Reason

Let me think about it… here’s what seems right to me… I know the Bible says this, but that just doesn’t seem right.

The UMC is doing this right now.

Lady Gaga and others in the Hollywood elite are trying to redefine what Christianity is.

Proverbs 16:25 NIV84

25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

God is smarter than we are or than our culture is so we need to trust God…

Feelings

Culture talks about feelings all the time. People say stuff like, “if it feels good, it can’t be wrong...”

Feelings are wonderful, but they can’t be trusted. They will always lie to you. If you follow your feelings instead of God’s word, it will not go well for you.

Tragic book and period in the days of the nation of Israel…

Judges 21:25 The Message

25 At that time there was no king in Israel. People did whatever they felt like doing.

You can read the chaos that ensued?

What do I do when I don’t understand?

You have to decide. Am I going to believe someone or God? At this point, you have to decide to believe God and not other people. God is a lot smarter than me or you. If God could fit into our brain, He would not be very smart.

What do I do when I understand it but don’t like it?

I still have to trust the Lord and do what the Bible says and not what I feel like it says.

You may be hoping to understand or to hear from God, but you have to make this step… that you will do what it says even if you don’t understand before God will help you understand.

2. Make it the first part of my daily life.

Matthew 6:33 NIV84

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

First 15

5 minutes in the Word.

OYB

Devotional

When you do this…

Psalm 119:105 NLT

105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

5 minutes in Worship.

Turn on iTunes… Spotify and play a worship song.

Jesus I need thee…

Psalm 34:1 NLT

1 I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.

5 minutes in prayer.

Philippians 4:6–7 NLT

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Thank Him & Give him your requeasts

This First 15 will change your life.

Make it foundational

Start with First 15

Then...

3. Make it grow deeper in my life.

Colossians 3:16 NLT

16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

ILL - Tea up… 1 dip = church once per week; dip more = devo, groups, ministry. You will take on the taste and color and essence of the one who is influencing you.

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NIV is formal and functional and 100 scholars… out sold all others.

Paraphrase. Living Bible, The Message

Example

1 Corinthians 13:4 KJV 1900

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV84

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

1 Corinthians 13:4 The Message

4 Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head,

Get one that you enjoy reading.

Get a Study Bible

Life Application Bible

New Spirit filled Life Bible

John Maxwell - Maxwell Leadership Bible -

If you are going to grow deeper,

Study the Bible

Ask these Questions

What does the passage say?

What did it mean to the listeners?

What does it mean to me?

How will I respond?

Get in a Small Group or Ministry.

In a group you will discuss the WOG, Sermon, etc.

Go back to the Tea cup - it’s changed. The longer you steep, the stronger you are in Christ.

Now I know it and it becomes a weapon for my life.

4. Make it a weapon for the challenges of life.

The Bible says we are in w war and we will fall if we are not ready to fight the fight.

Ephesians 6:13 NLT

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

Only one offensive weapon…

Ephesians 6:17 NLT

17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:17 The Message

17 and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon.

Jesus used the bible when he was tempted by the devil.

Matthew 4:3–4 NIV84

3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Financial situation

Philippians 4:19 NLT

19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Sick

Psalm 103:2–3 NIV84

2 Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

Confidence

2 Corinthians 3:6 NIV84

6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Fear

Psalm 27:1 NLT

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?

Attack

Luke 10:19 NLT

19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.

1 John 4:4 NLT

4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

Romans 8:37 NLT

37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

Use the WOG as a weapon against the devil.

Joke - Dentist … crown him with many crowns

Psalm 81:10 NLT

10 For it was I, the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.

Here is how you can do this…

Memorize Scripture

Psalm 119:9–11 NLT

9 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. 10 I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Make it Foundational

Make it First - First 15

Make it grow deeper in your life

Make it a weapon in your life

Prayer time...

Sinner Prayer -

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