KNOWLEDGE OF THE SCRIPTURES Psalm 119:105 I. Introduction. A. As food produces growth in the body, so the scriptures produce spiritual growth in the soul. B. The attitude of the sacred writer: Psalm 119:105. 1. Meditate is from a word that means "to mutter; to repeat slowly and softly to oneself." 1. "Imagine...one sitting quietly by himself and lost in contemplation and study that he softly gives utterance to the thoughts which pass through his mind"(Guy N. Woods). 2. "It is a word which speaks of concentration, absorption, and intense study"(Guy N. Woods). C. Lack of spiritual maturity, lack of progress, lack of faith--all have roots in failure to know the word of God. D. It is easy to neglect. E. God has wanted--in every age--in every circumstance- his people to know the scriptures. F. What we have is God's complete and final words given to men. II. Body. A. Israel was commanded to teach the WORD OF GOD: Deuteronomy 6:4-9. 1. Their complete revelation was the law of Moses. 2. To be taught "diligently." a. Speaks to the most intense devotion to the words of God. b. "From a term which, in the original, means to whet or sharpen an instrument, which is done by constant friction..grinding." 3. "In teaching their children they were to use the utmost diligence, and with constant repetition until the lessons were thoroughly learned...most difficult task...requires much patience, much prudence, much judgment, much piety in the parents." 4. In many homes, Bible never opened..religious papers not found...while people feast upon the worst of reading material. 5. You can learn of the stars...you can learn of the politicians...of the crooks...of the immoral...of sports...of computers...of math ...of science...and on...but you will be lost if you do not learn the word of God! B. Jesus commanded that the scriptures be SEARCHED: John 5:38-40. 1. These were still under the law and needed to look into the law at this time. 2. SEARCH: "Implies painstaking, exhaustive examination." 3. The Jews failed to believe the very scriptures they so loved! 4. It is the scriptures that teach us the way of (to) life! 5. What the Bereans searched: Acts 17:11. 6. What Timothy had been taught: II Timothy 3:15. C. Timothy was to give attention to READING: I Timothy 4:13-16. 1. Timothy would study both the Old and New. 2. If he did not take the time to study--how could he teach others? 3. "There is no royal road to learning." 4. Obtain a working, useable knowledge by applying oneself in the same way to gain mastery of any other subject. 5. A lot of attention is given to modern writers, newspaper column advisors, college professors, magazine articles, gossip, etc. in modern pulpits, but the word of God has become an ancient tool in an unbelieving and immoral society! D. Knowledge of the scriptures is connected with SALVATION: II Timothy 3:14-17. 1. This is all there is or is going to be: Jude 3. 2. It is not enough to receive the gospel, one must abide by it and be guided thereby. 3. Jesus stated: John 8:31-32. 4. Hearing and not doing: Matthew 7:21. 5. Taught by those close to him: mother/grand. 6. "The richest heritage of anyone is a life directed by a devout father and mother." 7. The values of the scriptures include: "informa- tion to...teach our duty to God...to reprove when we go astray...to correct when in error ...to instruct in righteousness...to supply every needed essential to our spiritual welfare." III. Body. A. We must have a sincere and earnest desire to learn and apply the word of God: John 7:17. B. We must, as the Bereans, "gain...for 'us' a place among the noble of earth...by searching the scriptures daily...desirous of knowing...the truth"(Acts 17:11).-jy (Idea based on information from Guy N. Woods-Gospel Advocate Annual Lesson Commemtary, April 28, 1946)