THE INSPIRED WORD

"FOR WHATEVER THINGS WERE WRITTEN BEFORE WERE WRITTEN FOR OUR LEARNING, that we through the patience [perseverance] and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope."
Romans 15:4 (NKJV)

• The Bible is given to us as the required standard to live our Christian lives.

• We are to follow, imitate those who walk with God and succeed in their walk with Him.

1. "And we desire that each of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,
   12 that you do not become sluggish [lazy] BUT IMITATE THOSE WHO THROUGH FAITH AND PATIENCE INHERIT THE PROMISES."
   Hebrews 6:11,12 (NKJV)

• Things written in the Bible were written for our admonitions—Instructions and warnings.

• They are to guide us on how to live our lives in order to please God, that is, how to walk with Him.
• We are to learn from those who succeed in their walk with God, what made them succeed; and also learn from those who failed, what made them fail, that we may not repeat their mistakes.

1. "BUT WITH MOST OF THEM GOD WAS NOT WELL PLEASED, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
2. NOW ALL THESE THINGS HAPPENED TO THEM AS EXAMPLES, AND THEY WERE WRITTEN FOR OUR ADMONITION [instruction], upon whom the ends of the ages have come."
   1 Corinthians 10:5,11 (NKJV)

• We learn through the Bible, through the lives of those who have walked with God, and those who are still walking with Him in our time.

• Those who inherited God's promises are worthy to be emulated (Hebrews 11:33).
• We Learn their faith and patience.

1. "BUT YOU HAVE CAREFULLY FOLLOWED MY DOCTRINE, MANNER OF LIFE, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love and perseverance,
2. persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me."
   2 Timothy 3:10,11 (NKJV)

• We study their lives, how they did it—how they walked with God.

• Bible is not a story book; it is given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16).

• It is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.
• It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
• God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.

1. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION [training, discipline] IN RIGHTEOUSNESS,
2. that the man of God [son or daughter of God] may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
   2 Timothy 3:16,17 (NKJV)

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.
Peace!