Gospel of John chapter 5. I want to read verse 39 And then we'll go to the Lord in prayer So search the scriptures for in them. You think you have eternal life and they Are they I'm sorry in them. You think you have eternal life and they are they which testify of me Starting next Sunday night. I'm going to I do a different type of study than what we normally do. And so this is kind of the kickoff of it. If you remember in April, and I hope that you enjoy this, April of last year, we did the Lord's Church. And we went through the different times in history. the different sections of history, talking about how the Lord always had a church and we had slides and we had some video and we had, I used the projector. I'm going to do that again as long as no one seems to be displeased with that. In regards to our Bibles. Not anything in depth or anything serious, but I think it would be a good idea if we all got more familiar with what our Bibles are and what we have in our hands. We're not going to look at why they picked out the canon that they did or some of the questions people have in regards to that or the compiling of the Bible. But we're simply going to look at the Word that we have in front of us, what we have from Genesis to Revelation, and I want to do a survey on the Old Testament Scriptures and on the New Testament Scriptures, so that when you come to the Bible and you read it daily, you'll read it with purpose and with more understanding. Our texts here are the verse that I use in verse 39 of chapter 5 of the Gospel of John. It says, "...Search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life, and they are they which testify of Me." Jesus is speaking to the Jewish people here who are condemning Him. Jesus is speaking to those that are questioning against Him because He healed someone on the Sabbath. And He's giving a plea of defense for who He is. God in the flesh. And one of his defenses here that he says, verse 38, And ye have not his word abiding in you, for whom ye hath sent me ye believe not. Basically, you don't even believe the God who has sent me, because why? You reject me. And then he gives them this condemnation. Go ahead and search the Scriptures the way you say you do. Explore the Scriptures the way you say that you do. And if you do it truly, you'll understand that they testify of me. I want you to understand, folks, tonight, that as we go through this study, the Bible has one subject. There are many different things in the Bible. There are many different reasons we should read the Bible, and that's really what the message will be tonight. But there is one main character of the Bible, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. From the book of Genesis all the way through the Old Testament, we see a promise of a coming Messiah. And then in the New Testament, we have that promise fulfilled, His life and His testimony carried out afterwards. The Bible has one main character, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. And we are to approach this scripture with that in mind. Now, do you read your Bibles every day? I hope that you do. But if you don't, I want to challenge you and commit, even right now, even this hour, that every day that goes by, you would at least read one verse of the Bible, which is in front of you. At least a verse. At least a verse. I would hope that you would read more. But we're going to title this series, Search the Scriptures, which is what he says here. Why is it that we read the Bible? I'm going to give you in, I shouldn't tell you how many I'm going to give you, but in 25 minutes, I am going, there's many more we could do, but I'm going to give you 10 reasons in 25 minutes, and that's just over two minutes every reason. So we got to get moving. 10 reasons why we should read our Bibles every single day. First reason, jumping right in, is because this is God's Word. It's not man's Word. The Bible teaches in 2 Peter 1, verse 20, it says that the Scriptures are of no private interpretation, but holy men wrote as the Spirit of God moved them to write. This book that we have in our hands is not something that was conceived by the mind of man. And that's why we should read it every single day. How often do we set aside time to watch something that was made by man or to read something that was made by man because we find interest in it? We do that all the time. We'll set aside time to read books that are man-made and that are written by fallen creatures such as ourselves. But yet we have in our grasp the very book that is God-breathed and it collects dust upon ourselves. We need to read this book because if you really want to know who God is in the mind of God and what He approves of and what He disapproves of and the way to reach Him, it's through His book. 2nd Timothy chapter 3 in verse 16 says for all a scripture is Given by inspiration of God. That's all one Greek word. It's Theo new says it means that God breathed This is God's Word folks. It's not the Word of Man That's why we should read it every single day second reason why we need to read a The Word of God, every single day, is it is a guide for our very lives. And I already told you 2 Timothy 3 and verse 16, but it goes on to say, all Scripture is God-breathed and it is profitable, and it gives you four reasons. It says it's profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction. Now we don't really talk that way today, but the word doctrine simply means teachings. The Bible, God's Word in our midst, is profitable for us, for our lives, because it teaches us the ways of God. It is His teachings. Those who say, let's have more emotion in church and less doctrine in church, are basically saying, let's get rid of the teachings of the Word of God. We need doctrine. We need His teachings. But secondly, it says reproof. We as parents use this all the time. Do you know what reproof is? Reproof is telling our children something when they've done it wrong. Reproving them. We reprove our children, don't we? When they make a mistake, when they fall, when they fail, we reprove them. We reprimand them. We tell them their mistake. And God's Word tells us, folks, our mistakes. It tells us our sins. It reproves us from what we've done wrong. But it doesn't just stop there. Wouldn't that be a horrible thing if God's Word just simply reproved us? Wouldn't it be horrible if the only verse that we could come away with when we studied Scripture was that all had sinned and come short of the glory of God? But it doesn't only reprove us, it also corrects us. It not only steers us of what is wrong, but it also tells us what is right and what we should do that is right. Our lives should be guided upon this book because it tells us what we do wrong, it reproves us, and it also corrects us on what we should do. The greatest correction, of course, is this, that we put our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that is the only way our sins can be removed from us. but it also instructs us in righteousness. So not only does it teach us, but then it tells us when we fail in those teachings, it reproves us. Then it corrects us on what we are supposed to do, and it instructs us how to do it. God's Word is the model for our life. It is God-breathed, and it is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. The third reason we should read our Bibles every day is it convicts us of our sin. The book that we have in our hands is different than men's books because it is a living, breathing book. And this book is able to convict us of the sins in which we commit. The book of Hebrews, chapter 4, It's a pretty familiar scripture, but I've already butchered about three other verses that I've tried to quote without turning there for time's sake, so I better read this one. Verse 12 of Hebrews 4 says, For the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit and the joints and marrow, and is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Folks, the Word of God convicts us when we sin against Him. That's why we need to read it. That's why we need to spend time in it. It is an instrument God uses to convict us of sin and sanctify us. Fourthly, and I've only went about ten minutes so far, and I'm already on number four. That's pretty good. God's Word guards us. from false teaching. You ever wonder how someone can get caught up in so much ridiculous teachings of religion? You ever wonder how people can literally, and I'm not exaggerating here, you know these stories, how people can literally drink something that would kill themselves thinking that a comet would pick them up on the tail and take them into the next world. You ever wonder how people can fall for such things? It's because they have no sense of who the real God is in His teachings. Now that's some far extreme examples. But then you get into the teachings of God's words, those that actually claim and name the name of God and name the name of Jesus, and there are still many false teachings that regard even our own Messiah. And how is it that people fall into such false teachings? It's because they're not grounded in the Word of God. It's because they don't study the Scriptures and read them to make sure that the things that they are hearing are so. In the book of Acts 17, the men and women at Berea, when the Apostle Paul would go there, he taught them, and in Acts 17 it says that they were steadfast to go to receive the Word with all readiness, and it says that they would go and search the Scriptures to see if those things were so. We should be that way. When we hear someone on the radio, don't just take what they say as the Gospel truth all the time, but search the Scriptures to see if those things are so. If you hear a televangelist, don't just take what they say for the truth, but search the Scriptures to see if they're so. I'll even go further. Brother Kenny says something, or if I say something, don't just take it as the truth. You are blessed with the knowledge to read. A lot of people in the past were not given that blessing. We were blessed with the knowledge to read, and not only that, but it's paired up perfectly with the fact that we have the availability of God's Word at our fingertips. And with those two things that we take so for granted, the ability to read and the Word at our fingertips, when me or Kenny say something, or anyone behind this pulpit, or anyone speaking on behalf of God's Word, you have the ability to read the Scriptures and search them to see that those things are so. And if they're not, you don't believe it. 1 John 4 and verse 1 said, Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone into the world. How do you try the spirits, folks? How do you try the things that are being taught by false prophets? You try them against His Word, and you see if they're so. Why do we read the Bible every day? Because it's God's Word. Because it's a guide for our lives. Because it convicts us of our sin. Because it guards us from false teachings. And it also guards us from sinning against God. Our scripture reading was Psalm 119, and in it is something that we say at Bible School all the time, that we would hide God's Word in our heart, that we would what? Not sin against Him. You see, if God's Word is on our lips, in our mind, and in our heart, we are far less likely, far less likely to sin against His statutes and His commandments. God's Word, reading it and dwelling in it and focusing on it each and every day, keeps us pure and keeps us, guards us, from sinning. Romans 15, the sixth reason in which we should read our Bibles every single day, is because it encourages us. There are many times we get discouraged. Many times we feel like giving in, quitting. Many times we feel like we're alone in our Christian walk. That's one reason why God established His churches. Primarily for the outpouring and for the sharing of the Gospel. But He also did it for our sakes too, that we would be fellowshipping amongst believers. But many times we feel alone, discouraged, But if we continue to focus and read the Word of God, we find encouragement. Romans chapter 15 and verse 4 says, For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience, now notice this next part, and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. comfort of the Scriptures. The Holy Scriptures that were given to us that are God-breathed are a comfort for our souls and encouragement to us. Why in the world will we not put that before our eyes each and every day? Seventh reason we should read the scriptures every day is to be able to defend our faith. I'll be honest, I think you can go a little too far on this. What do I mean by that? Well, I don't think it's our job to have to prove that the earth is only 6,000 years old. I don't think that's our purpose. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I don't think there's anything wrong with finding interest in that and reading on those things and studying those things and learning. If that's something you enjoy, do it. But that's not our mission. And I don't think it's our mission or our call in order to prove that the Bible is historically accurate in every fact, although I believe it is. But I don't think it's our call to have to prove that when they say, oh, this king never existed. I don't think that we should raise up mission funds for archaeological discoveries and findings. It's not our call. There are certain reasons and certain things you have to just understand, and that is this, that the natural world hates the Word of God. and will do everything in His power to discredit it. And no matter how much infallible proofs that you could come up with, they will still say it's not true and it's not real. Because we understand it takes the Spirit of God to quicken and awaken a dead sinner in order for them to trust in the Lord and in order for them to accept His Word. You have to understand that that is a miraculous work. So let's not put too much time and invest too much of our resources in trying to defend the Bible for being true. Because it takes faith to believe the Bible is true. I once heard that Charles Spurgeon was once asked to join or to, and I don't know, I have not read this myself, but I've just heard this, that he was asked once to join a coalition or some sort of group on, or maybe to support financially on defense of the Bible. And I heard that his reply was, why would you need to carry a sword in front of a lion? And that's kind of the thought I have about the Scriptures. The Scriptures, folks, can speak and defend for themselves. They don't need us to have to do it all the time. So, with that being said, though, we still should, in some aspects, be able to defend our faith. You read in 1 Peter chapter 3 and verse 14, it says, But if ye suffer for righteousness' sakes, happy are ye. And be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you the reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. Now, let's distinguish that really quickly. Be ready to give an answer to every man. I don't think that means be ready to be sure to prove to someone that the earth is 6,000 years old, or that this king existed, or that there were dinosaurs, or that the ark is true and that we've got to go find this piece of the ark. No, I believe it's this. Be ready to tell every person about Jesus Christ and Him risen again. regardless of what they have ready, regardless of their hatred for it, regardless of their pessimism and their skepticism of it, regardless of any negativity, be ready to give an answer for the reason you have hope, and that is because Christ Jesus died and rose again the third day. We should understand that. We should know it, and we should be able to share it with others. I believe that's what he's saying here. So we should be able to defend our faith, why we believe what we do, and why we have trusted in Christ as our Savior. I guess you have so many people today that say, are you a Christian? They say, yeah, well, why are you a Christian? I don't know, I believe in God. That's not a good answer. And that's not what the Scriptures and what God would have us to do. He wants us to be able to be confident in our faith. of why we believe we are saved. So it helps us defend our faith. We also read the scriptures every day because it helps us defend against our enemy, Satan. Ephesians chapter 6 talks about putting on the whole armor of God so that we can face the wiles of the devil. Well, the reason we do this is because the reason we search the Scriptures, the reason we read is it helps us defend against the attacks that Satan and the arrows that Satan throws against us. You read in Matthew chapter 4 when Jesus is being tempted by Satan, do you remember his defense every single time? It was the Word of God. It was the Scripture. And this same Scripture enables us, when Satan comes calling and tempting us, in order to say, doesn't the Scripture say this? Just like Jesus did. And it helps us to defend against his attacks. Number nine. The reason we search the Scriptures and read them every day is because it helps us to grow as a Christian. 1 Peter 2.2 Desire the sincere milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby. In Hebrews, in the book of Hebrews chapter 5 I believe, I didn't look this one up, but in Hebrews chapter 5 it talks about how they were not ready to handle the more meatier, the weightier Word, but they were unskillful. We need to be in the Scriptures all the time so that we grow skillful in the Word of God and in our faith. And then the last reason. that you should read the Bible every single day. And the most important reason. And if you would take one through nine and you could throw them out the door because this reason and this reason alone is worth it all. To know more about Jesus and to enjoy Him. The Puritans would come up with these catechisms to teach their children. They would ask them a question, and the children would reply with an answer. The very first, and I've mentioned this many, many times to you, but it goes, it bears repeating. The first question is, what is the chief end of man? What is the purpose of life? What is the reason for your existence? What is the meaning of life? Which is what people ask all the time. And they ask that in this way, what is the chief end of man or what is the purpose of man? And the answer, to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. That's the reason we're in this world. And why do we come to the Scriptures each day? Why do we look to the Scriptures and read them and search them diligently and study them? Why is that beneficial? Why is it worth our time? Because we can know more about Jesus and enjoy Him forever. When you read, keep that in mind. Philippians 3, verse 8 says, Yea, doubtless, I count all things but loss for the excellency and the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, but I do count them as done, that I may win Christ. The more we can know about His excellency, the more knowledge we can know about Jesus, the more we will love Him, the more that we will enjoy Him, and the more that we will have joy in our hearts if we have passed from death into life. That's the reason we read every day. When the Lord lifts up His voice to His Father in the high priestly prayer in John chapter 17. He says this in verse 3, This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent. You read this word because in doing so you will know more. about Jesus and more about God and you will enjoy them. Search the Scriptures. I would encourage you next week, next Sunday night, is when we will start. We'll probably do a similar thing, Brother Mark, Brother Darwin, I hope that you won't get offended, but we'll probably only have one or two songs. And then we'll kick right in and we're going to learn about the Scriptures and about the Bible that's before you. A lot of people don't know that the Bible's not in any kind of chronological order. It's in groupings. What are the groupings? Why are they set aside like this? What purpose is it to read this section and why are there four Gospels? We're going to cover all these things. My intent and my hope is that through this very non-formal study, that you would fall in love with reading your Bible. But I encourage you to bring a notepad, bring a pen, be active in the services next Sunday night. Don't be passive, don't just sit, and there's nothing wrong with sitting and listening, but be active, take part, take interest in it. Because I hope that you will leave from these services having a renewed interest in this book that's in front of us. It's our lifeline. It's our support. And we read it every day because it's God's Word. It's a guide for our life. It convicts us of our sin. It guards us from false teaching. It guards us from sinning against God. It encourages us. It helps us defend our faith. It helps us defend against Satan. It allows us to grow as Christians. And most importantly, it causes us to know more and to love and enjoy Jesus Christ.