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Introduction:
i.
“Americans revere the Bible - but, by and large,
they don't read it. And because they don't read it, they have
become a nation of biblical illiterates.” - George Gallup
and Jim Castelli
-- “Increasingly, America
is biblically illiterate.” - George Barna [“Biblical Illiteracy” is like a poison, wreaking
havoc in the lives of individuals, in our churches, and in our
communities. To understand how, consider...] 1.
THE
POISON OF BIBLICAL ILLITERACY A.
ITS EFFECT ON INDIVIDUALS... 1.
God’s
people have always been destroyed by lack of knowledge - Hosea
4:1,6 2.
Where
there is lack of God’s Word, the people faint - Amos
8:11-13 a.
In ignorance they make the wrong choices b.
When they stumble, they do not know where to turn 3.
Without a knowledge of God’s Word, a person has... a.
No
real direction or guidance in life - Psalms
119:105 (“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light
to my path”) b.
No
true joy or peace in life - Psalms
119:111,165 o
How
many lives are being destroyed, how many people are stumbling
through life, because they do not have the light of God’s Word
guiding them...? B.
ITS EFFECT ON CHURCHES... 1.
Churches
languish for lack of teachers; teachers are few for lack of
knowledge - Hebrews
5:12 2.
Churches
are led astray by false teachers and false doctrine, for how can
the ignorant know what is false? -
2
Peter 2:1-3 o
How
many churches are “dying on the vine”, or into wholesale
apostasy because their members cannot discern between truth and
error...? C.
ITS EFFECT ON COMMUNITIES... 1.
Our
standards of morality are skewed, where good is evil and evil is
good - Isaiah
5:20 a.
We slaughter the innocent (abortion), sparing the guilty (no
capital punishment) b.
We reward the wicked (movie stars, entertainers), depriving
the good (teachers, etc.) c.
Divorce is made easy, adultery looked upon lightly,
fornication “an affair, a relationship”, homosexuality an
alternative lifestyle 2.
The effect of such things destroy our families and
communities a.
Evil (pornography, promiscuity) is allowed to spread in the
name of “freedom”, ripping families apart b.
Children are deprived the kind of parenting that is their
God-given right c.
Leading to juvenile delinquency and greater evils o
Consider
how the moral fabric of our nation and others in the world are
becoming unraveled when “everyone does what is right in his
own eyes” - Judges
21:25 [The poison of “Biblical Illiteracy” has infected and
sickened our people, our churches, and our communities. Is there
an antidote to this poison? Indeed there is, but it requires individual
effort...] 2.
THE
ANTIDOTE TO BIBLICAL ILLITERACY A.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING IN PRIVATE... 1.
The
truly blessed person feeds upon the Word of God daily - Psalms
1:1-3; 119:97-98 2.
A systematic practice of prayerful Bible reading as part of a
daily devotional... a.
Will bring a person closer to God b.
Will gradually increase one’s understanding of the Word of
God c.
Will offer strength, comfort and hope that only the
Scriptures provide o
Are
you willing to do your part, everyday, in stamping out “Biblical
Illiteracy”...? B.
FREQUENT IN-DEPTH BIBLE STUDY WITH OTHERS... 1.
The
faithful Christian realizes the value of mutual edification - Hebrews
3:12-14; 10:24-25 2.
Churches often provide the opportunity for Christians to
study together a.
In their Bible classes on the Lord’s day, during the week,
and in their homes b.
Where they can benefit from the knowledge of other Bible
students o
Are
you willing to participate in such activities to stamp out
“Biblical Illiteracy”...? C.
PARENTS ACCEPTING THEIR GOD-GIVEN RESPONSIBILITY... 1.
God
gave the responsibility of spiritual training to the parents -
Deuteronomy
6:6-7; Ephesians 6:4 2.
Church may provide assistance with their children’s
classes, and yet... a.
Parents should not abdicate their responsibility to the
church b.
Parents should be very much involved in the teaching programs
of any church o
Are
you willing to accept your parental duties to stamp out
“Biblical Illiteracy”...? D.
PREACHERS FULFILLING THEIR DUTY TO THE WORD... 1.
Preachers
are to give heed to the Word, and to preach the Word - 1
Timothy 4:16; 2 Timothy 4:1-5 2.
We should expect preachers to be “men of the Book” a.
Preaching and teaching the Word of God, providing exposition
of the Scriptures b.
Not
entertaining us with “pop theology” and “pop psychology” o
Are
you willing to require that preachers proclaim the Word to stamp
out “Biblical Illiteracy”...? Conclusion:
Are we willing to get
“deadly serious about the problem of biblical illiteracy”? If
so... “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of
wickedness, and receive with
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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