There are more Bibles and there is less understanding. The Bible is in print, online, on computer, tablet, cell phone - but we know less about what it teaches us.

1. Spiritual Famine:
A Failure to Study
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) Study
to shew thyself approved
unto God, a workman
that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing
the word of truth.

2. The text – 2 Timothy 2:15
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“Study” in KJV is not the whole story
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Greek word = make every effort
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ASV – Give diligence
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NASB and NKJV – Be diligent
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NIV – Do your best
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Greek word also used – make haste, be
zealous, be eager

3. Spiritual Famine
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Bible is still a “best seller” every year
More Bibles, but less reading, study,
knowledge, or understanding
In the past we were “Bible toters and Bible
quoters.” Is that true today?
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of
knowledge. Because you have rejected
knowledge, I also will reject you from being
priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the
law of your God, I also will forget your children.

4. Spiritual Famine
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There is no excuse for not knowing
Ephesians 3:3-5 3 how that by revelation He
made known to me the mystery (as I have
briefly written already, 4 by which, when you
read, you may understand my knowledge in the
mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was
not made known to the sons of men, as it has
now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy
apostles and prophets.

5. Bible is Food for the Soul
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Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, "It is
written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but
by every word that proceeds from the mouth of
God.' "
1 Peter 2:2-3 2 as newborn babes, desire the
pure milk of the word, that you may grow
thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the
Lord is gracious.

6. Bible is Food for the Soul
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Hebrews 5:12-14 12 For though by this time
you ought to be teachers, you need someone to
teach you again the first principles of the
oracles of God; and you have come to need
milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who
partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of
righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid
food belongs to those who are of full age, that
is, those who by reason of use have their
senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

7. Bible is Food for the Soul
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Amos 8:11-12 11 "Behold, the days are
coming," says the Lord God, "That I will
send a famine on the land, Not a famine of
bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of
hearing the words of the Lord. 12 They
shall wander from sea to sea, And from
north to east; They shall run to and fro,
seeking the word of the Lord, But shall not
find it.

8. Bible is Food for the Soul
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Israel ignored the will of God – taken
captive in Assyria
Judah failed to learn the lesson – taken
captive in Babylon
QUESTION: Have we learned?

9. Bible is Food for the Soul
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2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 10 and with all
unrighteous deception among those who
perish, because they did not receive the
love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this reason God will send them
strong delusion, that they should believe
the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned
who did not believe the truth but had
pleasure in unrighteousness.

10. We are Vulnerable
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Failure to know the will of God makes us
vulnerable to false practices and doctrines
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Denominational error, Premillennial teaching
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Atheism, Evolution
Worldliness, Materialistic
We will be vulnerable to the immorality of our
world

11. We Need God's Wisdom
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Psalm 119 – longest psalm – every verse mentions
the precepts, commands, word, law of God.
11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I
might not sin against You!
104 Through Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.
133 Direct my steps by Your word, And let no
iniquity have dominion over me.
97 Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all
the day.

12. We Ought to Study the Bible
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Saves our soul – James 1:21

13. We Ought to Study the Bible
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Saves our soul – James 1:21
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Profitable – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

14. We Ought to Study the Bible
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Saves our soul – James 1:21
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Profitable – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
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Sword of Spirit – Ephesians 6:17

15. We Ought to Study the Bible
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Saves our soul – James 1:21
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Profitable – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
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Sword of Spirit – Ephesians 6:17
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Light to guide us – Psalm 119:105

16. We Ought to Study the Bible
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Saves our soul – James 1:21
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Profitable – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
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Sword of Spirit – Ephesians 6:17
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Light to guide us – Psalm 119:105
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Mirror – James 1:23-25

17. Gus Nichols sermon – The Bible
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