BIBLE, THE WAY TO HEAVEN

(2 Timothy 3:10-17—Preacher: Ps Paw Liang)

I want to know one thing: the way to heaven. God himself has condescended to teach me the way. He has written it down in a book. Oh, give me that book! At any price give me that book of God. Let me be homo unius libri – a man of one book. (John Wesley’s Prayer)

What does the Bible mean to you?

False teachings was one of the issues faced by the early church. Paul reminds us, the Bible is the way to heaven, the way of God, the way of life. We need to be rooted in the Bible firmly. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The Bible should be the foundation of our life and ministry. in discerning the teachings in our time and in setting direction for our church.

The Methodist Quadrilateral do not have equal weigh. Rather, Tradition, Reason, and Experience should be rooted and build upon the Bible. The challenge for us, how can we delight in reading God’s words and be transformed by the Book, to find the way to heaven?

John Wesley gave 6 steps written on the Preface to the Sermons of John Wesley

1. Time alone with God

Here then I am, far from the busy ways of men. I sit down alone: only God is here. In His presence I open, I read His book; for this end, to find the way to heaven.

2.Pray and Ask God:

Is there a doubt concerning the meaning of what I read? Does anything appear dark or intricate? I lift up my heart to the Father of Lights: “Lord, is it not Thy word, If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God? Thou givest liberally, and upbraidest not.

The Holy Spirit will help us and makes understanding the Bible possible. He illuminates the meaning of the text for us.

3. Willing to do God’s will:

“Thou hast said, If any be willing to do Thy will, he shall know. ‘I am willing to do, let me know, Thy will.”

4. Compare with other passages:

I then search after and consider parallel passages of Scripture, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”

Scripture is its own interpreter. Each part of Scripture must be read in light of the whole canon of Scripture. Where does this passage sit in the grand narrative of Scripture? Are there other places the Bible speaks to this topic? Do Jesus or the apostles provide further direction on earlier revelation?

5. Mediate earnestly (Psalm 1).
I meditate thereon with all the attention and earnestness of which my mind is capable.

6. Addition: Consult other books or people

If any doubt still remains, I consult those who are experienced in the things of God; and then the writings whereby, being dead, they yet speak. And what I thus learn, that I teach.”

As people of God, let’s find way to live in God’s way; the way to heaven. May Wesley’s prayer be the prayer for us, too: ͞I want to know one thing: the way to heaven. God himself has condescended to teach me the way. He has written it down in a book. Oh, give me that book! At any price give me that book of God. Let me be a man of one book! Wesley wanted to be known ͞homo unius libri͟– a man of one book.