Diligence in the Word #4
The Amplified translation says “If you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, The Lord your God will set you high above all the nation’s of the earth.”
Now here we see a commandment with a promise. The words “To listen diligently or hearken diligently,” means “To hear and obey what is heard.” Then we see the results. The Lord will set you high above all nations of the earth.
I) PSA 119:4. The word “PRECEPTS” here means “precepts, commandments, or mandates.”
A) David is telling us that diligence is a COMMANDED by God.
1) The result of keeping God’s Word DILIGENTLY is always blessings.
2) In the N.T. we also have an invitation to keep in God’s Word, and there are benefits in doing so.
3) JOHN 8:31.
a) The word “continue” means “to stay in, abide in, endure in, be present in, remain in, stand in, and tarry in.”
b) It's I really believe that the more that we stay in the Word, the more we become imitators of God.
c) Whoever it is that you’re around, you become like them.
d) That’s one reason that we’re not to fellowship with the kingdom of darkness. [People that are not serving the Lord, not born-again].
e) When you’re in the Word of God you will began to be an imitator of God’s character, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
(i) (EPH 5:1) Says from the NIV, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children.”
B) (Jesus said in) JOHN 8:31 (“If ye continue in my word, {then} are ye my disciples indeed;”)
1) If we’re truly continuing and abiding in God’s Word then we will be the Lord’s disciples and followers.
2) By keeping God’s Word we will be set free from sin, tradition, legalism and so on.
3) It’s the knowledge of God’s Word that will keep setting you free.
4) JOHN 8:32.
a) And you stay free by continuing in God’s Word.
II) There are other things we are told to continue in.
A) ACTS 14:22 Here were told to continue in the faith.
B) In (HEB 8:9) it says that we should continue in the COVENANT OF GOD.
C) In (ACT 13:43) it says, “Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God”.
D) In (ROM 11:22) we’re told to “Continue in {his} goodness: otherwise thou shalt be cut off.”
E) In (JAMES 1:25) it tells us that 1 of the conditions to being blessed is to continue in the LAW OF LIBERTY.
F) (1TIM 4:16), tells us to continue in doctrine so that you will be saved, and those that hear you.
G) (ACT 2:42 ASV) Says, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
1) The words “continued steadfastly” means “constantly diligent”.
2) They were constantly diligent in the apostles’ teaching.
H) JOHN 15:9 We’re encouraged to remain and CONTINUE IN CHRIST’S LOVE.
1) Now the question is, how are we to continue in Christ’s love?
2) The answer is simple, V 10.
a) Jesus said that we have to keep His commandments, and if we do, we are abiding in His love.
III) Look at V. 7 of JOHN 15.
A) Jesus is telling us that if we abide or continue in Him and His WORDS abide or continue in us, we can ask for whatsoever we want and it’s ours; as long as it’s in line with the will of God.
B) That’s without limitations.
1) But Jesus makes 2 very important points for this to come to pass.
a) 1st you have to abide in Him.
b) 2nd His Words have to abide in you.
c) When God’s Word abides in you, His WILL abides in you.
d) Then your asking will be in line with the Word of God, and you will get whatever you ask.
e) That sounds like something John wrote some place else; lets look at it.
2) 1JOHN 5:14-15 [When we have His Word, we’ll ask according to His will.]
a) Continue in God’s Word. Be diligent in the Word.
b) It’s God’s Word in your heart that will set you free and give you success in this life.
3) HEB 11:6.
TFC WED January 3, 1990 Diligen4.doc and WOLCC SUN AM 8/11/91