“Do You Understand What You Are Reading?” Acts 8:30

Do you understand what you are reading? Acts 8:26-40, Philip joins the eunuch and asks the question. Philip begins with the passage and preaches Jesus to him The eunuch obeys the gospel Do you understand what you are reading?

Do you understand what you are reading? Are we incapable of understanding the word of God by ourselves? Can God’s word be understood? Do you understand what you are reading?

God’s Word Can be Understood Eph. 3:3-5 Eph. 5:17 2 Tim. 2:15 1 Pet. 2:1-2 God’s Word Can be Understood

We CANNOT understand His word He is the author of confusion The Bible is Irrelevant WE cannot know how to be saved WE cannot know how to please God! True unity cannot be achieved IF We CANNOT understand His word

HOW to understand what you are reading

to understand God’s word Realize we CAN understand it! Eph. 5:17 to understand God’s word How

to understand God’s word Approach your study with proper motives to understand God’s word How

to understand God’s word Improper motives: To validate what you already believe With emotions over truth Appealing to human authority to understand God’s word How

to understand God’s word Improper motives: With apathy and indifference As a hobby to understand God’s word How

to understand God’s word Proper motives: To learn to fully please God Colossians 1:10 1 Thess. 2:4 1 Thess. 4:1-2 to understand God’s word How

to understand God’s word Proper motives: To make sure your salvation 2 Pet. 1:10 1 John 5:13 Eph. 1:17-18 to understand God’s word How

to understand God’s word Proper motives: To be better equipped to teach others 1 Pet. 3:15 Do we want to share our hope with others? Will we make sure we have the truth – Jas. 3:1 to understand God’s word How

to understand God’s word Desire to learn! A craving to be right Matt. 5:6 Matt. 13:45-46 – the pearl 2 Tim. 2:15 2 Pet. 1:10 to understand God’s word How

to understand God’s word Study! Study! Study! To consider or weigh the meaning. To put forth effort to understand and acquire accurate knowledge. to understand God’s word How

to understand God’s word Study! Study! Study! There is a difference between reading and studying 2 Tim. 2:15 Phil. 4:8 – meditate on these things to understand God’s word How

to understand God’s word Study! Study! Study! Acts 17:11, search the scriptures daily Psalm 1:2, In His law he meditates day and night. to understand God’s word How

to understand God’s word Study! Study! Study! Utilize resources – word studies, concordances, cross- references, personal notes, commentaries, comparing versions, etc. to understand God’s word How

to understand God’s word Respect its boundaries 1 Cor. 4:6 Rev. 22:18-19 Keep it in context Division occurs when we go beyond! (2 John 9) to understand God’s word How

to understand God’s word Intend to obey! Matt. 28:19-20 1 John 5:2-3 Prov. 23:23 “Buy the truth and sell it not” 1 Tim. 4:16 –take heed to understand God’s word How

to understand God’s word Accompany your study with prayer James 1:5 Matt. 7:7-8 to understand God’s word How

Are all things easy to understand No! 2 Pet. 3:16 – not “impossible” Bible study is NEVER exhausted! Some things we may never understand – Deut. 29:29 Are all things easy to understand

Sometimes we can learn from others, but weight it with what the Bible actually says – Eph. 4:14, Acts 17:11 What about the Eunuch?

With the Eunuch the New Testament not yet complete Inspired men delivered the message The prophecy had only recently been fulfilled. Not all knew about it! We HAVE the completed word – Jude 3 What about the Eunuch?

Are you obeying God even in this? Yes we CAN understand God’s word. Prov. 2:1-5 Are you obeying God even in this?