“It is neglect of the Bible which makes so many a prey to the first false teacher whom they hear.”
J.C. Ryles
Passage
19O people in Zion, inhabitant in Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you.
20Although the Lord has given you bread of privation and water of oppression, He, your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher.
21Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.
Isaiah 30:19–21 (NASB95)
Background
Quote- John Charles Ryle (10 May 1816 – 10 June 1900) was an English evangelical Anglican bishop. He was the first Anglican bishop of Liverpool. He was educated at Eton and the University of Oxford, where his career was unusually distinguished. Ryle left the university with the intention of standing for parliament on the first opportunity, but was unable to do so because of his father's bankruptcy. He took holy orders (1841–42) and became curate at Exbury, Hampshire.
Ryle was a strong supporter of the evangelical school and a critic of ritualism. He was a writer, pastor and an evangelical preacher. Ryle was described as having a commanding presence and vigorous in advocating his principles albeit with a warm disposition. He was also credited with having success in evangelizing the blue collar community.
Passage-The book of Isaiah is Narrative History, Prophetic Oracle, and even a Parable (chapter 5). The prophet Isaiah wrote it at approximately 700 B.C. (Chapters 40-66, written later in his life approx. 681 B.C.). Isaiah is the first book in the section called Major Prophets. They are called Major Prophets because of the large amount of material they wrote not because their message was more important than any other prophet’s was. Key personalities are Isaiah, his two sons, Shearjashub and Maher-shalal-jash-baz.
Isaiah contains some of the most incredible prophecies of any book. It contains foreknowledge, in incredible details about the Messiah, and the future reign of Jesus Christ. The purpose of the book of Isaiah was to call God’s nation, the nation of Judah, back to faithfulness and to declare the coming Messiah “Immanuel”. God calls and commissions His prophet to declare to Judah and Israel condemnation, conviction, and ultimately great hope.
Opening Statement
1I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:1–4 (NASB95)
Ask: If I want to hear God’s voice, why don’t I?
Point: Perhaps you do but just aren’t listening. Please read the following:
45“But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me.
46“Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me?
47“He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.”
John 8:45–47 (NASB95)
Ask: Those are harsh words and everyone’s initial reaction is, “That’s not me!” How can we be sure?
Point: We take that answer step by step. First, Please read the following:
19‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.
20‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
21‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”
Revelation 3:19–22 (NASB95)
Ask: That is acceptance of Jesus as our Savior so what comes after that?
Point: Hope, which leads to faith. Please read the following:
1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
2For by it the men of old gained approval.
3By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
Hebrews 11:1–3 (NASB95)
Ask: “But I have doubts about what I’m ‘hearing’ and where it comes from.”
Point: So say we all, which is why we have Church and fellowship. Please read the following:
15How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”
16However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”
17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Romans 10:15–17 (NASB95)
Isaiah 52:7
Isaiah 53:1
Ask: How can we remove our doubts about what we hear?
Point: Study the Bible, which is God’s Word or as Romans 10:17 above said “…the word of Christ.” Please read the following:
14Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
2 Timothy 2:14–16 (KJV 1900)
Ask: Why did I use the King James Version there instead of the NASB, which is what I typically quote from?
Point: It is because of a single word. Please read the following:
15Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB95)
Ask: What is different there?
Point: “Study” versus “be diligent.” Please see the Definitions page.
Ask: What added meaning does the Greek word impart to verse 15?
Point: “to use speed, i.e. to make effort, be prompt or earnest.” That means we have to make an effort to hear God and follow Him. We cannot use the excuse, “I didn’t know.”
Ask: How can we make sure we are hearing the Teacher?
Point: Verse 21 from today’s passage has us walking, meaning we are active. Please read the following:
21Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.
22But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
23For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;
24for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.
25But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
James 1:21–25 (NASB95)
Ask: “I don’t feel like my life is very blessed. Does that mean I’m not on God’s path?”
Point: That is for you and God to work out, with fear and trembling.
Closing Statement
24The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
25Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me.
26“But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.
27“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;
28and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
29“My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
30“I and the Father are one.” John 10:24–30 (NASB95)
Questions for the Week
Question 1 Pray the Lord’s Prayer. Then, ask God for the strength and wisdom to do and listen to what His Spirit has to say.
Question 2 Figure out what time you need to get up to be the first person awake in your household.
Question 3 Set your alarm to get up 30 minutes to one hour before anyone else so you are up by yourself.
Question 4 Have a notepad and pen or other items to write on and with available.
Question 5 Turn off your phone and silence all electronic devices or other things in the house that make noise and then just sit and listen for as long as you are able with your writing equipment handy.
Question 6 In the silence, write down everything that springs to mind you are led to deem significant.
Definitions
15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV 1900)
15Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB95)
Greek Strong’s Number: 4704
Greek Word: σπουδάζω
Transliteration: spoudazō
Phonetic Pronunciation: spoo-dad’-zo
Root: from <G4710>
Cross Reference: TDNT - 7:559,1069
Part of Speech: v
Vine’s Words: Diligence, Diligent, Diligently, Endeavor
Usage Notes:
English Words used in KJV:
endeavour 3
do diligence 2
be diligent 2
give diligence 1
be forward 1
labour 1
study 1
[Total Count: 11]
from <G4710> (spoude); to use speed, i.e. to make effort, be prompt or earnest:- do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study.