Bible Illiteracy

Introduction

1. One of the greatest hindrances to church growth today is the lack of Bible knowledge.
2. How often do we sit in the pews, listen to the message, and just take the preacher's word for it (assuming we are paying attention)?
3. How often do we make a claim and back it up by simply saying "It's in the Bible"?
4. How often are we unable to find a particular verse or passage ourselves, having only heard it quoted by the preacher and never checking if it is actually in there?
5. Can you SHOW someone what they must do to be saved?
6. Can you run through the plan of salvation, verse by verse?
7. Are you "ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you" (1 Pet. 3:15)? That is, can you give a book, chapter, verse for it?

The Bible is the best selling book of all-time, selling over 100 million copies every year. I wonder what the ratio of Bibles sold vs. Bibles read would be. Unfortunately very low. We do not seem to realize that we have a treasure, the only revelation from God that contains all things pertaining to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3), and we are not even reading it!

God's word is truth (John 17:18) and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24). If we do not know His word, we do not know His truth. If we do not know the truth, we cannot teach the truth. If we cannot teach the truth, people will not be learning the truth. If no one is learning the truth, we end up putting our trust in what we do know, the traditions and words of men, rather than God. "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men..." (Col. 2:8) "Cursed is the man who trusts in man" (Jer. 17:5). See Matt. 15:8-9.

Here are some interesting Facts from another sermon on Biblical Illiteracy

• Fewer than half of all adults can name the four gospels.
• 82 percent of Americans believe that "God helps those who help themselves" is an actual Bible verse.
• 12 percent of adults believe that Joan of Arc was Noah's wife.
• Over 50 percent of graduating high school seniors thought that Sodom and Gommorrah (Gen. 19) were husband and wife.
• A high percentage of people in one poll indicated that the Sermon on the Mount was originally preached by Billy Graham.

1. Effects on the church and individuals

   1. We become blinded by darkness - Psalm 119:105 His word is a lamp to our path
   2. We wander around lost - Amos 8:11-13
   3. We cannot discern between good and evil - Heb. 5:12-14, 2 Pet. 3:16
   4. We will be ultimately destroyed - Hosea 4:1,6, 2 Thes. 1:8

2. Effects on the church and the community

   1. We begin deciding what is right and what is not - Judges 21:25, Rom. 10:1-3
   2. We start making our own rules, defining good by what the government says or how we feel.
   3. The laws of the land change over time (amendments and bills) but God's word never changes - Mal. 3:6, Pr. 30:6

3. Ways to remedy the problem

   1. Read the Bible - 2 Tim. 2:15, 2 Tim. 3:16-17, Acts 17:11, 1 Thes. 5:21
   2. Study with others - Heb. 3:13
   3. Teach our children - Deut. 6:6-7, Eph. 6:4, Pr. 22:6
   4. Preach the word - Mark 16:15, 1 Tim. 4:16, 2 Tim. 4:2

4. Benefits of knowing His word

   1. Peace and joy, Psalm 119:165, Psalm 119:111
   2. Romans 8:28
   3. We can know we are pleasing God - Col. 1:9-10, Matt. 5:6
   4. We can know how to obtain salvation - Rom. 10:17; Jn. 3:16; Lk. 13:3; Matt. 10:32; Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38

Conclusion

1. You keep saying you need to read the Bible more, when will you start?
2. Put some time into exercising toward godliness (1 Tim. 4:8)
3. If you read 4 NT chapters and 4 OT chapters a day then you will have read through the OT 1.5 times and the NT 5.5 times in 1 year.
4. When it comes to our salvation, we cannot risk taking anyone's word but God's. We have to put our trust in the infallible God rather than fallible men.
5. Next time someone asks you how to obtain salvation, can you SHOW them?
6. While you're at it, show them that Sodom and Gomorrah did not live happily ever after.

References