Category: Saturday Study

Bible Study Part 2   1.11.25

Turn with me to 1 Timothy 3:14-15. 

Paul says to Timothy here at the end of Chapter 3, “I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:14-15).

Paul wants to be with his brother in Christ, Timothy. He wants to be with his church family. But in his absence, because he loves his church family, he sends this letter. Why? So that “you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God.”

First, we who have trusted Jesus as Lord and Savior are the Church of the living God. This is the unstoppable God we are talking about who is worthy of our entire lives. 

As we start into our year of study, we need to be sure we understand who we are. There are things you do with God daily—prayer, Bible reading, interacting with church family, testifying of Christ to the lost, serving others. These are the heartbeat of who you are! They are not the add-on to your week. They are the basis. If we get this, then what Paul says here is super important! So that you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God. 

Oh, how we need to know how to behave in the house of God. We need to have the spiritual disciplines be a reality, so we live and act and think and make decisions and spend money as He wants us to. We are the household of God. We need to know what He wants because we are His. He bought us and owns us and commands us. All that we have is His. It is our joyful privilege to be bought from slavery to sin and death and reign with Him and serve Him with all our lives. 

Paul sees the church here as the bride of Christ, the called-out ones, the saved and sanctified, the adopted sons and daughters of God, “a pillar and buttress of the truth.” This is a serious representation of what the church is to do and be in the world. Now, let me be clear, this is not saying that the church is the source of truth. That would be to make light of the fact that truth is God’s alone. He is the source of ultimate truth. He decides what is true and what is not. 

No, Paul is saying that we, the Church, are the conduit of truth—the pillar of truth. Just as Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12), we too are called the light of the world. Jesus said this in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” We are also called the light of the world, not because the light originates in us, but because Christ is in us. We are the lamp stand. The city on the hill. 

Paul is saying God’s truth is to move from and through the Church. This is huge! This is a massive and major responsibility. To be pillars of truth for a lost world that is sin-saturated with lies and deception is massive and major because, as Jesus also says in John 8 verse 32, the truth will set people free! This is not something we get to be passive on or treat lightly. We cannot afford to try to be the Church and do church and not ground ourselves in the truth!

1. Who decides what is true and what is not? God does. 

2. Where can God’s truth be found or known? His holy, written word.

3. How do we know what is true and what is not in this world of many opinions, experts, ideas, and beliefs? We study, hold fast to, obey, and teach God’s word!

If we are going to be a pillar of truth, a foundation (or buttress) of truth, then we must have our foundation strongly built on the truth of God’s holy Bible. Let’s consider this morning what the holy Bible is and how we must build our lives on it. As we do, I want to give credit to Pastor John Piper, who for years has been and continues to be a huge source of accountability and inspiration for just how important building my life on God’s word is. Much of what you will hear from me on this topic has come from years of sitting under John. 

First, God, the creator of the universe, the One who holds all things in being and who, therefore, knows everything there is to know, is infinitely wise and full of grace and truth. It is God who inspired the writers of the Bible in such a way that the Christian Scriptures are the infallible word of God.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God.

2 Peter 1:21 No prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

God has saved you from the enemy and put a holy sword in your hands and said, “Go, teach this to others, make disciples of the nations, go fight.” But have you set your sword down and made your life about something else? Nothing should come close to what we ought to feel for the value of God’s word to us. This is why the Psalmist cries out in desperation, “Incline my heart to your testimonies” (Psalm 119:36). 

He is asking this of God because as great as this book is, there are just too many distractions—too many fleshly temptations. We must fight to take it with us, to be in it, to value it, and to know it and study it. We need God’s help and each other’s help to this end!  God gave us a book of complete truthfulness about Himself, His saving work, and His will for us. This alone should make us long to read it and savor it deeply every day.

Psalms 119:9–11 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy word. With all my heart I have sought Thee; Do not let me wander from Thy commandments. Thy word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against Thee.

There are two ways to state the ultimate goal of life—one positively and one negatively. Positively we could say the ultimate goal of life is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever. Or negatively, we could say the ultimate goal of life is not to sin. 

They both mean the same thing because sinning is falling short of glorifying God by embracing other things as more enjoyable. So if we could learn how to glorify God by enjoying Him, we would know how not to sin. And if we could learn how not to sin, we would know how to glorify God by enjoying Him.

Verse 11 tells us one of the keys to not sinning. It says speaking to God, “Thy word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against Thee.” 

The way not to sin is to treasure the word of God in your heart, which means that the way to succeed in the ultimate goal of life—to live for the glory of God by enjoying Him forever—is to treasure the word of God in your heart.

Psalms 19:7–11 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 

the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

As we look to this passage in Psalm 19, let’s consider what is Bible study practically helpful for?

1. GOD’S WORD IS INSTRUCTION OF WHAT NOT TO DO

“Moreover by them is thy servant warned” 

One of the great blessings of God’s word is the warnings it brings. These warnings, if ignored, bring great disaster to our lives. It’s like an important warning label on a new tool or device. I am thankful to read the big red warning when I open a new tool or pay a lot of money for a car. Why? Because I don’t want to ruin it, or, even more, I don’t want to ruin me! It’s the same for God’s word. Thankfully, He has given us warnings of what not to do. We need warnings. But thankfully, warnings are not all that come in God’s word. 

2. GOD’S WORD IS INSTRUCTION OF WHAT TO DO

Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

The Bible is also filled with instruction and teachings of what we should do. Honor your father and mother. What happens when a child ignores this command?  YEP! Love others as you love yourself What happens when we live out this command? Life is great!

The practices, beliefs, and thoughts that make up the righteous life are often the framework of the author’s letters in the Scriptures. But if the Bible remains in our minds something mechanical, something wooden, like the instructions you get with a new electronic item full of warnings and directions, we will not long to sit and study it and read it. As thankful as we are to have instructions when we open a new device, the problem is many of us are guilty of never reading or studying them. Not doing this can mean we miss out on some features we never knew that could have made life better if we had only read the instructions. It’s the same for God’s word. 

3. GOD’S WORD IS HIS LOVE LETTER TO US

We have to stop seeing this book only as an instruction manual. Have you ever heard Bible stands for “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth”? Please do not refer to the Bible as this. This is a terribly short-sided saying. If you see the Bible as your “orders” sent down from the General that must be executed to the T, you might, while you are young in bootcamp embrace them and study them and even enjoy living them out, but doing this will never grow your relationship with the General. 

But if you read God’s word like a letter sent to you from your lover, whom you are deeply longing to know more and grow closer with, you will cherish it and hang on every word. You will read it again and again. You will memorize it so you can think upon it often throughout your day. It will give you inspiration and reason to press on and endure the hardships. 

Hear me when I say I want you to see the power and beauty in the word of God so that you will long for it and dive into it. You need to see how personal God’s word is for us.

This is an unmistakable trust we get from David’s six-fold repetition in today’s passage.

Verse 7: “law of the Lord” and “testimony of the Lord.” 

Verse 8: “precepts of the Lord” and “commandment of the Lord.” 

Verse 9: “fear of the Lord” and “ordinances of the Lord.” 

Six times he uses the phrase “of the Lord.” That is, of Yahweh, Jehovah, the God who says, “I am who I am” and there is no other. 

The God who knows all the things that have ever been and that ever will be and who understands perfectly how everything in the universe works from galaxies to the subatomic energy, this God has spoken with a law and with testimonies and precepts and commandments and ordinances. It is God who is writing to us. This (Bible) is what He wants us to know about Him, about us, and about life!

The New Testament confirms this truth. Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is inspired by God and is profitable.” It is inspired by God! Peter says in 2 Peter 1:20–21, “No prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” “Moved by the Holy Spirit!” “Spoke from God!” 

Jesus Himself said in John 10:35, “The word of God came, (and the scripture cannot be broken).” The Scriptures are the word of God.

It is God who is speaking to us! He is personal. He knows us. God understands you better than anyone else. He knows how people get to be the way they are and how they are affected by their surroundings. God understands society and groups perfectly. 

God knows all facts about how the world works. God knows the future and how everything will come out in the end. God is wiser than any wise writer. God is more caring than any counselor. God is more creative than any poet or artist. It simply stands to reason that what God says will be more useful to us than what anyone else in the universe has to say. Not to sit at His feet and soak our minds with His wisdom is sheer craziness, if not suicidal. 

The benefits of studying the word of God are many. In our passage today alone, we see three: 

David says  in verse 10 about the words of God, “More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.” And then at the end of verse 11, he says, “in keeping them there is great reward.”

If you have a choice between the word of God and gold, choose the word of God. 

If you have a choice between the word of God and much gold, choose the word of God. 

If you have choice between the word of God and much fine gold, choose the word of God. 

The point is plain: The benefits of knowing and doing the word of God are greater than all that money can buy.

Now, the specific benefits of the word of God:

So what are some of these benefits? What is this “great reward” that verse 11 is talking about that makes meditating on the Bible so much better than much fine gold? It seems to me that what David says can be boiled down to at least three benefits: life, wisdom, and joy. Let’s look at these one at a time.

1. The Benefit of Life

It’s the first thing David mentions because it’s the basis of everything else. Verse 7: “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.” Life is either non-existent or it is in jeopardy, and the law of the Lord brings it back.

Jesus said when fasting in the desert, “Man shall not live by bread alone but [shall LIVE] by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). This is why he was fasting for 40 days—to learn as a man the radical need for the word of God.

Food can only give physical life. But the word of God gives spiritual life, life that never ends, life which is life indeed. Many Christians feel like their faith is so bland. Maybe because their Christian bodies are so malnourished. 

Story after story and testimony after testimony shows that the word of God has life-giving power. St. Augustine said it was Romans 13:13 that stunned him into life. For Martin Luther, it was Romans 1:16. For Jonathan Edwards, it was 1 Timothy 1:17. 

A great testimony to the power of God’s word to birth and sustain faith is found in the story of the conversion and execution of Tokichi Ishii—a man who was hanged for murder in Tokyo in 1918. 

He had been sent to prison more than 20 times and was known as being cruel as a tiger. On one occasion, after attacking a prison official, he was gagged and bound, and his body suspended in such a way that he said, “My toes barely reached the ground.” But he stubbornly refused to say he was sorry for what he had done. Just before being sentenced to death, Tokichi was sent a New Testament Bible by two Christian missionaries, Miss West and Miss McDonald. After a visit from Miss West, he began to read the story of Jesus’ trial and execution. His attention was riveted by the sentence, “And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”‘ This sentence transformed his life. “I stopped: I was stabbed to the heart, as if by a five-inch nail. What did the verse reveal to me? Shall I call it the love of the heart of Christ? Shall I call it His compassion? I do not know what to call it. I only know that with an unspeakably grateful heart I believed.”

Tokichi was sentenced to death and accepted it as “the fair, impartial judgment of God.” Now the word that brought him to faith also sustained his faith in an amazing way. Near the end, Miss West directed him to the words of 2 Corinthians 6:8-10 concerning the suffering of the righteous. The words moved him very deeply and he wrote, 

“As sorrowing, yet always rejoicing.” People will say that I must have a very sorrowful heart because I am daily awaiting the execution of the death sentence. This is not the case. I feel neither sorrow nor distress nor any pain. Locked up in a prison cell six feet by nine in size I am infinitely happier than I was in the days of my sinning when I did not know God. Day and night . . . I am talking with Jesus Christ.

“As poor, yet making many rich.” This certainly does not apply to the evil life I led before I repented. But perhaps in the future, someone in the world may hear that the most desperate villain that ever lived repented of his sins and was saved by the power of Christ, and so may come to repent also. Then it may be that though I am poor myself, I shall be able to make many rich.

The word sustained him to the end, and on the scaffold with great humility and earnestness he uttered his last words, “My soul, purified, today returns to the City of God.”

Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” Our “life” begins with the word and our soul is nourished by its words. 

God has sent you His epic story. It is the story of a great King who deserved the worship and dedication of His people, but He was rebelled against. He was mocked and trampled on in the mind and hearts of His people. But instead of letting them suffer for eternity, He pursued His people by sending His Son to walk amongst them and teach them and, in the end, to die for them! All so they could receive His deserved seat at the King’s table, and so He could absorb their deserved condemnation. This is the story that has shaped all of time. This is the testimony that changes lives as you hear it—that we are to pass from generation to generation. This is the good news of Jesus Christ that revives the soul!

God’s living word is his chosen instrument to revive the soul, David says! God has made it the means of life. Without it, we wither and don’t experience revival. 

2. The benefit of wisdom (God’s word grows us)

We see this in the second half of verse 7: “The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;” and the second half of verse 8: “The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.”

So for example, self-denial will look foolish and laying up treasures on earth will look wise only if you are in the dark about the reality of heaven that we read about in Luke 12:33, the danger of riches that we read about in Mark 10:25, and the rewards of sacrifice that we read about in Matthew 19:29. 

But if you live in the light of the reality of heaven and the reality of the danger of riches and the reality of the staggering rewards of sacrifice because of your time in God’s word, then it makes sense to obey the command of the Lord to deny yourself for His sake. This insight is the path of wisdom.

How do you escape the darkness? The commandment of the Lord gives light to the eyes. The testimony of the Lord makes wise the simple. Wisdom is a life that makes sense in the light of reality. And the light of reality shines from the Bible, not from the God-ignoring world.

How do we study God’s word?

Today and each week of our Spiritual Disciplines study, I want to send you with some practical tools or tips to begin to implement that discipline into your life right away. 

1. Make it a priority in your daily schedule.

Questions that need an answer:

• When? What part of my day will I schedule for the reading of God’s word? What can I change to not just make it fit, but to make it a priority?
• Where? At home or work will I read and begin my meditations and prayers? Where can I make some quiet and solitude a reality? 
• Who? Who knows your plan so they can hold you accountable? How can you share with them what you’re learning?

2. Invest in tools that will help you study.

Get a good Bible—an easy-to-read Bible that you will use. Pick a translation that is accurate (the ESV is my favorite because it is a word for word translation that is easy to read), a practical size (not too big or small—one that you will actually use and enjoy), and one you can make your own (highlighter and pen to write in makes it your own).

Use other resources. Invest in books that help you learn about Bible study and/or give you a good overview of the Bible. 

-Living by the Book is a great resource to learn how to study God’s word.

-Through the Bible in 30 days is an overview of the Bible.

-A study Bible or a good commentary (the study Bible I recommend is called The Reformation Study Bible. It is the most thorough and most accurate study Bible out that I know of.)

-Journal, pens/highlighters

3. Use an outline to navigate your Bible study time.

– Don’t do the “start at the beginning” or magical “open it randomly” routines. Start with a New Testament book and no more than a chapter a day. Use a devotional guide to help you dig in.  I have attached on our SFJbible.com website two guides to help you in your daily Bible study. Please download them and use them.

God’s word is the appointed instrument of God by which He sustains and grows the faith and fruit of His children. Giving prime time to it each day to meditate on these words is the path of joy. This is the fight for delight. I pray you will practice this discipline with faithful vigor.  You will truly be blessed for it!!

By His grace and for His glory, 

Joshua Kirstine
Pastor | Disciples Church

Bakersfield CA
DisciplesChurch.com

Bible Study Part 1   1.4.25

In this first Going Deeper Bible study of our new year we will be digging into the spiritual discipline of Bible study. 

This one is so important that we will also study this discipline next week as well. Each week, we will read about a spiritual discipline or a chapter of Proverbs and then I will send out a Bible study on each Saturday called “Saturday Study”. I pray that this 52-week journey through the holy Scriptures is a helpful way for you to grow in the spiritual disciplines God has ordained for His people to practice and to grow in the wisdom He has given us in the Proverbs. I am praying for you as you prioritize the study of God’s holy word. 

Intro to the Spiritual Disciplines:

Before we dig into the discipline of Bible study, here are a few quick comments on all of the spiritual disciplines in general. 

The first reality you must come to grip with is: The practice of the spiritual disciplines is a time issue. They are something you do! That means they take time. 

One of the biggest errors modern-day Christians make is to think that they will deepen their affections for God and grow in spiritual maturity without spending time practicing the spiritual disciplines. 

Think about your normal day. Think about the disciplines you have in a regular day. What are they? You make time to clean yourself—showering, washing your face, brushing your teeth. You make time to equip yourself—clothes, makeup, phone, wallet, lunch, car keys, etc. You make time to feed yourself—coffee, lunch, snack, dinner.

These are all disciplines. They are things you do every day. They are things that take time. They are things you are disciplined to remember to do. Why do you do them? Because you have decided that they are valuable enough to take time to do them, and because you have discovered that when you practice them your life is healthier. 

Do you have to brush your teeth? No. Do you have to eat lunch? No. Do you have to put on clothes? Technically, no, but you will be issued an orange jumpsuit if you decide not to practice this daily discipline.

Do you have to practice spiritual disciplines if you are going to deepen your affections for God, have a fruitful life and bright testimony? Yes! The problem is, far too many Christians decide most days not to practice them and they choose to practice something else. To be very clear: do you and I have to work or practice or perfect anything to be saved from God’s wrath and made a new creation in Christ? No!

We have to want to make time to practice the spiritual disciplines of the Christian faith. Did you hear me there? You have to make time! I have found that most who struggle making spiritual disciplines a reality in their daily life really do want to do them. Just like when you want to lose 20 pounds, finish your car restoration project, walk two miles every day, or reach out to your distant friends more often. 

My point is the spiritual disciplines will always remain a good idea, just out of reach unless you are willing to make time for them. What does that mean? It means you, most likely, will have to give up something else you love. 

I pray that you not only learn to know the spiritual disciplines we will cover this year but that you will truly make time to practice them regularly and thereby grow and mature in Christ. 

The first discipline we are going to cover today is the discipline of Bible study. Again, this one is so big we will take two weeks to cover it. 

Life Doesn’t Happen Without the Word of God

1. Physical life begins by the word of God.

… by his Word we were created (Psalm 33:4, Hebrews 11:3)

“He upholds the universe by the Word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3) 

2. Our spiritual life begins by the word of God.

“By his own will he brought us forth by the Word of truth” (James 1:18) 

“You have been born anew . . . through the living and abiding Word of God” (1 Peter 1 :23)

You are born again in Christ. This is not your doing but God’s. He does this by giving you ears to hear the living word of God. 

We cannot have faith; we do not have faith without hearing and receiving the Word of God. 

Romans 10:17 Sofaith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ 

John 8:31-32 …Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Not only do we begin to live spiritually by God’s word, but …

3. We go on living by God’s word.

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4 and Deut. 8: 3)

Jesus models here that the only way we navigate the lies of the devil is to use scripture!

Do not be fooled to think that you are a Christian who will grow in God if you are not feasting on God’s word! The Word of God is not a book you might do ok without … 

If you treat scripture as optional, you abandon the very foundation on which your spiritual life is built.

Turn with me to one of our passages this week in Psalm 1.

Psalms 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

The mature man or woman of God longs to get their roots deep into His truth. 

Putting it deep into the soil of your heart so that your roots are deep, grounded, and secure in the truth of God so when the wind blows, and the storms rage, you remain! 

It is a destructive reality when, instead, we are influenced by the world. Look at Psalm 1 again with me.

Psalms 1:1-2 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 

The problem for most of us is that we spend far too much time doing the exact opposite of this teaching. Instead of avoiding the counsel of the wicked, the way of sinners, the seat of scoffers, we spend more time with them than in God’s word, mainly, by the media we consume. Just think about the hours of TV, internet, social media, and music you sit with in comparison to God’s holy and living word. 

No wonder why so many Christians have been spiritually malnourished and are often distant from God. It’s because, too often we close the door to Him and the word He has for us and we walk, stand, and sit with the voice of the world instead!

I say this not to say that there is no room for TV, social media, games, or music but we need a diet of less of these things and far more of God’s word if we are ever going to truly grow. God did not save us to sit around and wait for Him. He saved us to grow in Him and go out, prepared to fight sin and hell with the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Philippians 2:12-18

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

“Holding fast” translated is a word that means to hold your position or to hold your gaze. In 1 Timothy 4:16, it’s translated, “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching.” In Acts 3:5, it’s translated, “He fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.” 

So, the idea is holding fast with your attention or with your person, holding your position with the word of life, not leaving the word of life, staying fixed on the word of life, giving yourself to the word of life.

Hold fast to it for the sake of faith. “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)

Hold fast to it for the sake of your joy. “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11)

Hold fast to it for the sake of your freedom. “If you abide in my word . . . and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31–32)

Hold fast to it for the sake of your holiness. “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17)

Hold fast to it for the sake of the Holy Spirit. “Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?” (Galatians 3:5)

Hold fast to it for the sake of life. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

Hold fast to it for the sake of strength and stability and fruitfulness. Your delight will be “… in the law of the Lord, and on his law you will meditate day and night. You will be like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that you do you will prosper.” (Psalms 1:2–3)

 How Do We Hold Fast to God’s Word?

You have to get time in it!

Holding fast is regular time eating at the table of God, listening to Him speak life into you. We make prioritized time to eat food, dress, and prepare ourselves for our day.

The reality is that you will struggle with getting time in God’s word when you don’t find pleasure in it. Our hearts often incline to other things and do not incline to the word, and so it is not a delight. Again, I point you to Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man … [who’s] delight is in the law of the Lord …

One of the testimonies I read in a book years ago that still resonates with me today:

“The testimony is of a man in Kansas City who was severely injured in an explosion. His face was badly disfigured, and he lost his eyesight as well as both hands. He had just become a Christian when the accident happened, and one of his greatest disappointments was that he could no longer read the Bible. Then he heard about a lady in England who read Braille with her lips. Hoping to do the same, he sent for some books of the Bible in Braille. But he discovered that the nerve endings in his lips had been too badly damaged to distinguish the characters. One day, as he brought one of the Braille pages to his lips, his tongue happened to touch a few of the raised characters and he could feel them. Like a flash he thought, ‘I can read the Bible using my tongue.’ At the time Robert Sumner wrote his book, the man had read through the entire Bible four times. If he can do that, can you discipline yourself to read the Bible?” Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney, page 35

I needed this testimony when I was younger as it helped inspire my taste buds for God’s word. I continue to need my brothers and sisters to reorient me to the delight that God’s word is by sharing with me what they are reading, learning, meditating on.

There is an opposite side to this coin. In the same way, it is so good to be reminded of the goodness and delight that God’s word is to us.

Why Is It Important That We Hold Fast to God’s Word?

1. God’s word revives the soul.

The reality is that every day with Jesus is not sweeter than the day before. David says in Psalm 19:7, “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.” We just studied in Psalm 23:2-3 where David says, “He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.”

Our joy is only consistent when the truth of the life-changing, satisfied gospel is fresh in our minds and heart. Without the word reminding us and reorienting us, we wander from the life of the vine and pursue the lies of the temporary, fallen world, the deception of the great deceiver, and the peril of self-vanity. 

God’s word is the kindling to keep the fire of our affections for Christ burning white hot. Even on days when every cinder in our heart feels cold, if we crawl to the word of God and cry out for ears to hear, the cold ashes will be lifted, and the tiny spark of life will be fanned. 

When our spiritual fire of life in Christ seems cold, and the cinders are cooling to ash in our heart, the kindling of the word of God revives us, deepens the temperature of the coals, and it preserves the joy found in Christ from being extinguished.

If the word of God is that central to our “soul fire” burning bright, practically, we must hold fast to the word of life!

2. God’s word is the source of our sanctification.

So that you can, “Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2)

God’s word is the source of our sanctification. “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17)

3. God’s word is the light for our path.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

So, when the word of God is in my life, it is now a “living word” that brings me into the bigger story of God. It illuminates my understanding of who God is, and therefore who I am in relationship to Him.

God’s word helps illuminate the depth of my depravity, my wickedness, and my rebellion from God; at the same time it raises within me a deep appreciation for, and great fullness for, His grace, love, and new life that Jesus brings through His life, death, and resurrection. 

Here is the key: when this deeper understanding and relationship happens, now I can make a deeper connection by faith and worship into Jesus who is the vine, who is life, and by whom the power for change comes!

Do you see it? When I hold fast to the scriptures, it pulls me into Him. He is now at work in and through me. He is my power; He is my authority; He is my hope; He is my life! I worship Him; I trust in Him; I lean on Him. I enjoy Him!

4. God’s word is the authority of our lives.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness

John 14:23-24 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.

Our full and right submission to the authority of God’s word is so serious that the scriptures give warning for those who don’t submit themselves to it. 

Proverbs 13:13 Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.

It is essential that we study, believe in, abide in, teach accurately, and hold to every word of God. 

The problem is that in the flesh our tendency is to submit to the rationale of our human mind instead of the authority of the almighty, eternal God’s holy word. As a result, we form views of who God is and how He acts or doesn’t act based more on our personal feelings or logic instead of the divine and perfectly written words He gave us in scripture. This is so dangerous and detrimental. 

Instead, we need to take very seriously the words of God, submit to God’s authority and conform to His image, and not try to make Him conform to our ideas or will. 

Do you want God’s word to change you, to conform you into His likeness? I am asking you to take this verse seriously: 

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

There is a way to look to the Bible just to itch your ears in order to make you feel good about yourself and what you know and where you want to go, or you can submit yourself to it!

We are at war with our sin, selfishness, and self-reign. We must realize that we are desperate for the authority of God’s word to correct our futile view of God, self, this world, and everything in it. We are desperate for His word to lead us with authority. 

The question is: Do you submit yourself to it fully or with reservation?

Next week we will continue to look at Bible study and get even more practical about how to do it. But, this week, consider your practices and disciplines. What will it look like to change your priorities and make holding fast to God’s word something you cannot do without?
By His grace and for His glory, 

Joshua Kirstine
Pastor | Disciples Church

Bakersfield CA
DisciplesChurch.com

Titus12.28.24

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

I pray that your time in the word this year and this week has been great fuel for life and ministry. I am looking forward to starting our new reading plan with you on Monday. I will speak more to that at the end of today’s devotional.  Let’s look deeper at the life and ministry of Titus.

During Paul’s first missionary journey, the Lord ordained for him to come to know a young man named Titus. Titus was Greek, which means he had not grown up worshiping the God of the Bible. As he heard Paul preach, God gave Titus a heart to see the gospel and respond with saving faith in Jesus. Paul then brought Titus to Jerusalem (Galatians 2:1-4) to show the apostles and other Jewish believers how a Greek could love God just as much as the Jews did. Titus represented all the other non-Jewish people who became Christians and were completely accepted by God through their faith in Jesus Christ. This is like us today. 

Titus continued to travel with Paul on missionary journeys, helping in the work of sharing the gospel. Titus was with Paul during the three years Paul was in Ephesus, teaching them about the awesome power of God and the life-changing gospel. After this, Paul sent Titus to Corinth to help relieve tension there (2 Corinthians 7:6; 13-14) and to collect money for the poor (2 Corinthians 8:6, 16, 23). Paul not only thought of Titus as a very faithful friend but also as his spiritual son. 

After Paul was released from the Roman prison where he had been for two years, he and Titus traveled to the island of Crete. Paul and Titus taught the people there about their need for God and the good news about Jesus (Titus 1:4-5). Soon there were enough believers to start churches in several towns. Paul wanted to go visit the church in Corinth, so he left Titus to continue teaching the new Christians and to appoint church leaders for each new church. Titus was a busy man, as he cared for all the new Cretan believers, especially because the people just didn’t know how to do what is good in God’s eyes. 

Paul knew Titus needed some encouragement and reminders of what was important to teach the people. So, Paul wrote to Titus soon after writing 1 Timothy, probably while Paul was in Macedonia on his way to Nicopolis (Titus 3:12). In his letter, Paul advised Titus regarding what qualifications to look for in leaders for the church. He also warned Titus of the reputations of those living on the island of Crete (Titus 1:12).

In Titus 3:3-6, Paul reminds Titus, “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.”

How awesome it must have been when Titus received a letter from his mentor, the apostle Paul. Paul was a much-honored man, and rightly so, after establishing several churches throughout the eastern world. His instruction and gospel re-orientation must have proven to be essential for Titus’s maturing in the Lord. We must never forget to use the word and gospel truth regularly when speaking to each other, that we too might lift each other up in Christ and encourage each other to press on in all that we face for our King.

To help Titus continue in his faith in Christ, Paul asked Titus to come to Nicopolis and bring with him two other members of the church (Titus 3:12-13). It is these kinds of Christ-centered discipleship relationships we are to be in today: life on life, training, encouraging, sending, and multiplying. May all of our study through these 52 figures of the Holy Scriptures be an inspiration to us to obey God, serve Him sacrificially, to not walk alone but in accountability, and to make the most of the days God has entrusted to us for His glory and others’ good. 

I look forward to this next year’s reading plan, as we will be focusing on spiritual disciplines that will help us to mature in our faith and grow in our dependence on and worship of the Lord. We will also we reading through the book of Proverbs throughout the year as a break from the disciplines and to give us a great source of biblical wisdom. Please don’t hesitate to share our reading plan with anyone you are walking with or ministering to. It is a great way to be in the word of God together. I am praying for you as you study God’s holy word and commit your life to obeying His revealed will. 

By His grace and for His glory,

Pastor Joshua Kirstine

Disciples Church

Timothy 12.21.24

Let’s look at the preparation and ministry of Timothy.

Timothy is one of our great examples of a faithful, fruitful disciple. Timothy is most known for his being discipled and sent out by Paul. He was just a teenager, or young adult, when he met Paul. Timothy’s mother and grandmother were faithful Jewish women who raised Timothy in the teachings of the Old Testament scriptures. On his second journey, Paul invited Timothy to travel with him. One of Timothy’s primary roles was to help Paul establish churches at Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. When Paul left Berea to go to Athens, he left Timothy and Silas behind, but later sent word for them to join him. Timothy was also sent to Thessalonica to strengthen the faith of the believers there.

During the three years Paul was in Ephesus teaching them about the amazing power of God, Timothy was there, too. When Paul was imprisoned in Rome for two years, Timothy was right alongside him much of the time unselfishly taking care of Paul’s needs. For over a decade, he watched Paul minister, teach the gospel, and lead the early church. This observational learning was critical for Timothy.

Paul recognized that some men in the church were teaching error about Jesus by saying that Jesus could not have been a man and God at the same time. Paul wanted to go on to visit his friends in Macedonia, but he didn’t want to leave the Ephesian church in turmoil. So, he left Timothy to teach truth to the church there while Paul went on to Macedonia. As Paul’s representative, Timothy was given the authority to order worship and to appoint elders and deacons. Paul thought he’d get back to Ephesus soon, but that didn’t happen. He was concerned about what was going on in Ephesus, so he wrote Timothy the letter called 1 Timothy around AD 64.

In 1 Timothy, we read that Paul was teaching Timothy how to contend with the false teachers, what the qualifications for a pastor/elder were, that many would prove to not endure in the faith, how the church should be organized, and that false teachers were active. This meant Timothy had to fight for the true testimony of Christ, to remember his spiritual heritage that he had learned from his mother and grandmother, to study hard, to know how to teach and rightly discern biblical teachings, to know that in the last days the sinful tendencies of man would increase, to keep preaching the word, and that the word corrects, rebukes and exhorts all believers. 

Consider with me the relationship that Paul and Timothy shared. Six of Paul’s epistles include Timothy in the salutations. The most tender and moving of Paul’s letters is his last one to Timothy. He was a prisoner in a Roman dungeon when he wrote 2 Timothy in approximately AD 67. He knew he had a short time to live, so that letter is his spiritual last will and testament—his “dying wish”—to encourage Timothy and to request that Timothy join him during his final days of imprisonment.

Paul says Timothy has a “genuine faith,” the same as that which lived in his mother and grandmother. This means, Timothy didn’t preach one thing and then live another. He is faithful and a good example of one who was prepared to go make disciples. Are you being prepared? Who is discipling you? Who are you discipling? If you are a parent, then you must realize that your influence and opportunity to have a shaping impact on your kids is a tremendous call of God on your life. Just like Timothy’s mother and grandmother, we must be diligent in raising our children in the word of the Lord. The truths Timothy was taught from infancy were able to make him “wise for salvation” and they helped prepare him for the ministry God had for him. 

Paul’s investment into, and discipleship of, Timothy proved to have an enormous impact on the early church. Thankfully, Paul took the time to invest in Timothy; and thankfully, Timothy was hungry to listen and learn. Are you hungry to grow in your faith and maturity? Who do you need to get together with and start pouring into? Which mature brother in Christ at your church or chapter can you ask to invest in you so that you can be fully prepared to be the disciple maker God has called us all to be in the great commission?

I leave you today with Paul’s words to Timothy in the opening of his second letter. 

2 Timothy 1:13-14 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

By His grace and for His glory,

Pastor Joshua Kirstine

Disciples Church

Stephen 12.14.24

In Acts 6:1-15, we read about the elders’ selection of the seven deacons. Stephen was highlighted above the rest as a man “full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” While we don’t know about Stephen’s family or past, we know he worked hard to make converts among other Jews. While many Jews were converted, opposition arose from members of the Freedmen’s Synagogue. They tried to debate Stephen but were always defeated. Thus, they decided to bring false charges against him, and Stephen was arrested and put on trial before the Sanhedrin. It was here that he was falsely accused of speaking against the law of Moses and against the temple.

Acts 7 is the record of Stephen’s telling what could be the most detailed and concise history of Israel and their relationship to God of any others in Scripture. God inspired him to speak without fear while rightly accusing Israel of their failure to recognize Jesus as the one true Messiah by rejecting and murdering Him, as they had murdered Zechariah and other prophets and faithful men throughout the generations. Stephen’s speech was a direct indictment against Israel and their failures as the chosen people of God who had been given the law, the holy things of God, and the Messiah, and they messed it up. 

As you can imagine, this was not well-received by the Jews. Throughout his speech, he continually reminded them of their ongoing rebellion and idolatry, in spite of the mighty works of God to which they were eyewitnesses. He was thereby accusing them with their own history, which only irritated them until they did not want to hear any more. They set up to stone him for what they considered was blasphemous talk according to the law of Moses, which states the sin of blasphemy deserves death—usually by stoning (Numbers 15:30-36). Stephen was also charged with speaking against the temple. He pointed out that the tabernacle and temple of the Old Covenant were only types and symbols of God’s heavenly temple and that, in the New Covenant, the types have been replaced with the reality (vv. 44–50).

In Acts 7:54-60 we read, “Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. ⁵⁵ But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶ And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ ⁵⁷ But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. ⁵⁸ Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. ⁵⁹ And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ ⁶⁰ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

Stephen is about to be executed for his faith, and he raises his eyes to heaven, and verse 55 says he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and what does he see? “But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him.” (Acts 7:55-57) 

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” 

-Stephen is praying here! And by the power of the Holy Spirit what Stephen knew with his mind became real in his heart. He saw Jesus standing at God’s right hand. 

– At the very moment while an earthly court was condemning him, he realized that the heavenly court was commending him. In other words, he was experiencing the covering of the gospel in a crazy moment of pain. 

At that moment, he got an extremely vivid, powerful sight of what he already knew intellectually, which was that in Christ we are beautiful in God’s sight and free from condemnation (Col. 1:22). The Spirit took that intellectual concept and electrified Stephen’s entire soul, mind, heart, and imagination with it. 

In his yielding to God by the power of the Holy Spirit, Stephen was able to exhibit the new humanity that God was creating. 

-He had courage.

-He forgave his oppressors.

-He faced his accusers not just with boldness, but with calmness and joy! 

-He was living spiritual renewal. 

May we follow Stephen’s example to preach truth boldly despite the consequences. May we trust in God to the very end, as each of us, His adopted ones, will be taken up into glory with our risen King. Lord, our lives are yours. Do with them what is best for your eternal plan and glory. 

By His grace and for His glory,

Pastor Joshua Kirstine

Disciples Church