This week Bro. Leo continues his series on receiving the Word of God.

Recap of last weeks study:

The focus scriptures are 1Pet. 2:1-3 and Bro. Leo emphasizes four points in these verses: 1) spiritual growth comes from studying the Word of God (vs.2),  2) we can not grow spiritually without studying the Word of God (vs.2),  3) only saved folks grow spiritually from studying the Word of God (vs.3),  4) we have to study the Word of God with an open and clear mind desiring to find truth and spiritual growth (vs.1).  It is very possible to read the Word of God and not receive spiritual growth.  If we do not believe in the power of the Word of God to grow us spiritually we will not grow spiritually (2Tim. 3:5).

The more that we study the Bible, believing we will and expecting to receive spiritual growth, the more that we will receive spiritual growth.  In Hebrews 5:14 the Hebrew writer calls this spiritual exercise.  The word “exercise” is translated from the Greek word “gumnazō” which means to train as an athlete, exert, exercise.

We can gauge our spiritual growth by the difficulty or the ease we have in complying with 1Peter 2:1.  The more easily we can comply with vs.1 the more spiritually mature we are.  Likewise in 1John 2:20-27 the more discernment we have the more spiritually mature we are.

Psalms 119:105, 104, 110, 98 tell us that God’s Word will guide us, strengthen us and make us wiser than our enemies if we digest it and store it in our hearts Psa. 119:11.  The word “hid” in vs.11 is translated from the Hebrew word “tsâphan” which means to store in a secret place for future use.

We can go through the motions of reading the Bible and not receive the Word of God or we can seek and expect spiritual growth by studying and receiving the Word of God, 1Tim. 3:1-5 tells us the latter the way we should go.

Scripture used in today’s message:

1Pe 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
1Pe 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

1Jn 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
1Jn 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
1Jn 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
1Jn 2:26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

Psa 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psa 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
Psa 119:110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Psa 119:97 MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
Psa 119:98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

1Co 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

1Co 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
1Co 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?