There is No Studying

 

Things Not Found on Judgment Day, Part 3

 

Introduction

One of the important factors of learning anything is to study. We study our whole life whether we know it or not. In schools we study English, Math, Languages, History, etc. At work we study how things are done, proper work etiquette, associating with co-workers, etc. At home, as children, we study our parents as how to behave with each other and in society.

When it comes to the bible, however, a lot of people suddenly don’t want to study and find excuses not to do so. There will come a day when the opportunity to study is gone and that’s when most will want to study.

 

I Want to Feel Good about Myself

Today’s society, that attend worship, want a positive message that’s filled with love, care, and even a little humor. After being beaten up by the world for 5 or 6 days, the last thing they want is a sermon on Hell or Sin.

This is one of the main reasons that megachurches and community churches are so popular. These places cater to you; services to entertain, amuse, and make you feel good about who you are. There’s no call for change or going in a new direction.

Growing up in the denominations, your average sermon length was ten minutes. You got a handful of anecdotes, jokes, stories and then it was tied together (somehow) with a bible verse or passage of scripture. I vaguely recall any of those sermons, but I do remember the jokes told.

 

Why is Scripture Taught?

The difference with our congregation, compared to the rest, is that we teach straight from the bible, book, chapter, and verse. Worship is about pleasing God and not man. The apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 1:10-12, For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

When Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, he responded to each of Satan's temptations with the phrase, "It is written..." (Matthew 4:4,7,10) and then scripture. That should be our response to any temptation or conversation about religious things.

That’s why if you ask us a bible question, you’ll get a bible answer. We’ll even tell you where you can find it in the bible because we don’t want you to assume that we are teaching you correctly. Too many people put stock in others to do their studying for them. In regard to the congregation in Berea, Luke wrote in Acts 17:11, These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

Just because Paul, Peter, and the rest were preaching and teaching God’s word, these people, in Berea, looked it up and studied for themselves because it was their soul at stake. They wanted to be right with God so they compared what was being taught to what was written.

Paul encouraged Titus saying, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. (Titus 1:9)

Not only do we convict the sinner, we also edify the saved. Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 3:2, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith. And again in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

 

At The Judgment

On Judgment Day, there won’t be any bibles that you can grab and skim through while you’re waiting your turn to be judged. This won’t be like cramming for Finals the night before the big test. Once this day arrives, everything will be completed and there won’t be any second chances to make things right.

The idea is to change your life today, right now even, and get on the path of righteous. Jesus said in John 9:4, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” Paul confirms this in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “…Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

 

Conclusion

As the saying goes, “Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today.” It’s time to crack open the book and get to studying your bible. Don’t be like the governor, Felix when he said to Paul, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” (Acts 24:25)

If you have any need for a study partner, or teacher, feel free to comment below and I can help you find someone in your local area. Or, is so compelled, you can study with me, online, or with one of the brethren from the local congregation. Your soul is at stake and this will be the only time that you can study.