06/11/20 STUDY TIPS

06/11/20 STUDY TIPS

During services I sometimes show my congregation how I study (wade through info and weed out error). People need these skills.

GOD'S PLAN FOR PREACHING, TEACHING MINISTRY
(notes from dlg)

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
9 "And moreover, because the preacher was wise,"
(dlg note... God calls men who avail themselves of godly wisdom in the ministry. God imparts Divine wisdom to ministers who listen and learn from God's word and Holy Spirit).

"...he still taught the people knowledge;"
(dlg note... the preacher teaches his people concerning truth, knowledge, godliness, understanding).

"...yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs."
(dlg note... the preacher carefully studies, researches, evaluates organizes and systematizes information for teaching, preaching and counseling.)

10 "The preacher sought to find out acceptable words:"
(dlg note... the preacher looked for words that made the message clear and easy to understand.)

"...and that which was written was upright, even words of truth."
(dlg note... the preacher makes certain that his own understanding and his explanation are faithful to the message of God. God's word needs to be conveyed with uprightness of heart and accuracy.)

11 "The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd."
(dlg note... the preacher uses his calling to move the people in the right direction. Sometimes his words are sharp, painful, but effective in convincing his flock to continue.)

12 "And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh."
(dlg note... the preacher does not speak against prayerful, diligent, careful study, but he does warn his hearers about the dangers of listening or reading from a other learned men. We need to let God's word interpret God's word to us. This warning is especially true as false teachers, false prophets abound in our society. They lead astray through books, videos, conferences.)

13 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
*Fear God, and
*Keep his commandments:
*For this is the whole duty of man."
(dlg note... the preacher declares his objective in teaching God's word and teaching God's word correctly.
Men must apply themselves to understand the requirements and expectations of God. This is the whole duty of all men.)

FEAR GOD. Fearing God is the sobering realization of God's greatness and our finiteness, God's holiness and our unworthiness, God's power and our weakness, God's mercy and our need, God's sovereignty and our subordination. This realization should bring us to a healthy "fear" of God [honor, worship, exalt God]. The proof of fearing, honoring, worshiping, exalting and loving God is seen in the next statement.

KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. God expects us to keep His word, His commandments, as we are enabled by His Spirit. Jesus, in the New Testament tells us that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments and we are told that "love is the fulfilling of the law." This agrees with the Preacher of Ecclesiastes. The whole duty of man is to keep God's commandments. A man should be wholly committed to keeping God's commandments. Keeping God's commandments is love and it is proof of faith.)

14 "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."
(dlg note... God has always said that we would be judged according to our deeds in the flesh, whether good or evil.)

Romans 2:4-11
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
5 but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 who will render to every man according to his works:
7 to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life:
8 but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, shall be wrath and indignation,
9 tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek;
10 but glory and honor and peace to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek:
11 for there is no respect of persons with God.