Give Attendance to Reading
The sermon emphasizes the importance of reading the Bible and seeking to know God's ways, and encourages listeners to search and try God's ways in order to come to know Him.
The preacher emphasizes the concept of 'Confirmed' (bebaioo) from the Greek word meaning to make sure, certain, and reliable. The writer assures that the word of salvation is guaranteed, firm, and reliable, inspiring confidence and inner solidity. Various Bible verses are cited to show how the word of salvation was confirmed through signs, promises, and the testimony of ear-witnesses, highlighting the importance of not neglecting this great salvation. The sermon stresses the urgency of accepting Christ as the only way to salvation and the grave consequences of neglecting this opportunity.
Text
In identifying with the Truth we mentioned that it was a case of pursuing God's will, and seeking to walk in His ways. You do not really know the Truth until it becomes a part of your being. Honor the Word, the written Word. Read it much. But know of a certainty that it is not really yours until it comes alive within you. I have read the Bible through many times, just as a matter of "reading" it... typed it out once along with footnotes and references for my own study Bible... memorized large portions of it in my earlier days... I honor the Word of God, as much as anyone. And yet many times as I read it I am keenly aware that at the time it seems to fall far short of meeting my basic earnest desire to know God.
However, it has been a source of great encouragement to know that simply in reading the Word with an open heart one is exposing himself to the power and to the authority of that Word, unaware as you may be of this at the time. Paul said, "Give attendance to reading..." But we would excuse ourselves on the basis that we do not understand it too well, or it becomes tiring and monotonous, and we do not get any particular blessing from it. We hope rather for the miracle that would make the printed page to shout at us with clarion call. I have personally never had that experience. And perhaps it is good that it has been this way so that I can encourage others.
Many times we find ourselves reading some very beautiful Scriptures that carry with them a living Word; but its true benefit may not come to us until weeks, or months, or years later.
We have been speaking of God's ways... the greatness of His ways... and how foreign God's ways are to the ways of men. We sincerely trust that what we have said will not merely be received as good teaching and good doctrine; but that it will encourage everyone who reads this writing to "search and try their ways" as the Bible admonishes, For we are persuaded that if there is a genuine "search" in this area, God will be faithful to shew His people His way in this great hour, in this hour of impending crisis. Man's day quickly draws to a close.
God is looking for and preparing a people, who will come to know His thoughts and become acquainted with His ways. For of this present generation of the Church. even of the evangelical and charismatic Church, it can rightly be said (as was said of the Israelites of old) "THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN MY WAYS."
Sermon Outline
- I. The Importance of Reading the Word
- A. It is a means of exposing oneself to the power and authority of God's Word
- B. It is a way of seeking to walk in God's ways
- II. The Dangers of Excusing Ourselves from Reading
- A. We may miss out on the true benefit of the Word
- B. We may not come to know God's ways
- III. The Value of Searching and Trying God's Ways
- A. It is a means of coming to know God's thoughts and ways
- B. It is a way of preparing oneself for the impending crisis
- IV. The Call to Give Attendance to Reading
- A. It is a call to seek to know God's ways
- B. It is a call to expose oneself to the power and authority of God's Word
Key Quotes
“Give attendance to reading, and it is not really yours until it comes alive within you.” — George Warnock
“For of this present generation of the Church... it can rightly be said... 'THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN MY WAYS.'” — George Warnock
“We sincerely trust that what we have said will not merely be received as good teaching and good doctrine; but that it will encourage everyone who reads this writing to 'search and try their ways'...” — George Warnock
Application Points
- Make reading the Bible a priority and seek to expose yourself to the power and authority of God's Word.
- Search and try God's ways in order to come to know Him and prepare yourself for the impending crisis.
- Don't excuse yourself from reading the Bible, even if you don't understand it at the time.