08/27/20 DLG FB NOTE...GOD'S WORD EDIFIES, MAN'S... 04/17/10

08/27/20 DLG FB NOTE...GOD'S WORD EDIFIES, MAN'S WORD STUPEFIES 04/17/10

I. THE WAY OF GOD OR THE WAY OF THE WORLD
A. Speakers load their messages with quotes from famous men.
B. I am constantly challenged to read works by esteemed writers.
C. However, the Bible is the Final Authority concerning God's Truth.
D. The most acclaimed writers and apologists are wrong so often that time is better spent poring over the Bible than filtering through human errors.
E. Most find it is easier to swallow human error than find Divine truth.

II. A CALL TO MEANINGFUL STUDY
This is not a call to ignorance and laziness or a rejection of theological and ministry training. It is a call to;
A. Learn the rules of Biblical interpretation;
B. Master the basics of Biblical studies;
C. Attain a comprehensive grasp of the history of doctrine;
D. Use the tools of language, history, theology and culture in your study of Scripture;
E. Never stop learning;
F. Remain faithful to what the Bible actually says.

III. STEPS TO HIGHER LEARNING...
A. Every local church and every established family should be able to give a minimum of a Bible college education to their young people by high school graduation; if not, they should...
B. Go to a Bible college for basic training as a soldier of the cross.
C. Then, if you need training for some other field, (book keeping, medicine, etc.) go to an appropriate institution.
D. If you are needing deeper training for your ministry than Bible College, pursue ministry graduate studies.
E. Spend a lifetime learning and growing in grace and knowledge of God's word.

But Do Not Become Addicted To The Writings Of Men; They Will Stupefy You.

GOD'S WORDS OF WISDOM...
Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
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.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

DLG notes...
vs 9... We need wise preachers (mentioned twice) who take the time to impart Biblical knowledge to their people rather than the writings of famous and popular writers. The preacher needs to be a man of disciplined and orderly thinking.
vs 10... The preacher needs to be gifted and committed to honing his communication skills and abilities; he needs to be a literate man and knowledgeable in many disciplines. He needs to be committed to holiness and truth.
vs. 11... The preacher should be a wise man, with a view to building (edifying) his hearers. The preacher should love his hearers as a shepherd loves his sheep.
vs. 12... The preacher needs to focus on God's word, because man's word can stupefy rather than edify.
vs. 13... The truth empowers us to obey God fully.
vs. 14... God will judge every thought of the heart, word of the mouth and deed in the body, whether good or evil.

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