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INTRODUCTION
ILLUS: In my High School English Literature class we were to collect poetry, anything we
choose, and give a commentary. I chose 26 poems. Page 7, 18. First 4 poems were Psalms. You
can still quote the Bible in school as literature.
If you study poetry, the Bible is a resource. Psalms, Proverbs, Ecc. Song of Songs, Other
parts written poetically. Fascinating to study Hebrew/Greek.
Many ways to study the Bible. I hope you study it devotionally. We better study its moral
precepts for attitudes and behavior. You can study it theologically. But have you considered
you can study it from the perspective not only of poetry, but learn ancient history, glean
lessons in government, science, economics, sociology, philosophy, psychology, marriage/family
life. This is an amazing book, extremely practical. It is the one book we need.
Do you believe the Bible is the one book you absolutely need? Need -
not an option. For many the Bible is a good book that sits on the shelf except on Sunday
maybe. Casual relationship. But do you believe you need the Bible like you need air to breathe
or water to drink? Like you need warm cloths on a cold day. Do you need the Bible? We are
looking at Timely Truths that Transforms Us. Church Doctrinal Statement. The first truth is
about the Bible.
“We believe in THE HOLY SCRIPTURE: accepting fully the writings of the Old and New
Testaments as the very Word of God, verbally inspired in all parts and therefore wholly
without error as originally given of God, altogether sufficient in themselves as our only
infallible and authoritative rule of faith and practice.” Psalm 119:160; Proverbs 30:5a;
2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21.
READ Context is 2 Timothy 3:14-17.
1. You Absolutely Need the Bible because it is Fully God’s Word
- “All Scripture is inspired by God” The Scripture
when written was Old Testament, as the church developed its own writings under the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the NT is included in Scripture - 2 Peter
3:15-16
- “inspired” = God breathed NIV “All Scripture is God
breathed...”
- God guided the 40+ writers of the Bible to communicate God’s truth.
“accepting fully the writings of the Old and New Testaments as the very Word of
God, verbally inspired in all parts and therefore wholly without error as originally
given of God” verbal, plenary - each word and every word in 66 books. Inerrant.
- The authority of the Bible is that God has spoken and it is recorded in the Bible.
Bible is “by God” thus v. 15
“sacred writings” = set apart
ILLUS: Today: Bible seen as one of several religious books, equal in authority
with the Koran, Book of Mormon, writings of Buddha. A liberal view is the church
has moved beyond the Bible. It was beginning point, we know better now. Primitive
on it view of women, sexuality, mistakes in the Bible. Catholic view says Bible is
an equal authority with the Pope and Tradition. Even among some evangelicals, a
post-conservative view - Bible is a narrative, a story of salvation, a dialogue of
doctrine, still evolving.
- Let us affirm, the Bible IS the Word of God. That it is without error. In all matters
it speaks, it speaks with authority. It is closed revelation. Yet wide open to
illumination, the Holy Spirit uses it to speak to us today.
- You need the Bible because it is the one and only written Word of God. God has spoken
to us, to you and me. We have translated into English.
- Do you believe the Bible is the Fully God’s Word? “Yes, I Believe...”
- Affirm: “We believe in THE HOLY SCRIPTURE: accepting fully the writings of the
Old and New Testaments as the very Word of God, verbally inspired in all parts and
therefore wholly without error as originally given of God...”
2. You Absolutely Need the Bible because it Fully Useful
- The last line of our Doctrinal Statement: “altogether sufficient in themselves
as our only infallible and authoritative rule of faith and practice”
- Text: 2 Tim 3:16 “profitable” NIV “useful”
- Sufficiency of Scripture - it has want we need, thus need the Bible.
- Look at text. How is the Bible profitable, or useful, or sufficient?
- For wisdom to salvation v. 15 - center character is
Jesus
- Bible is Christocentric. Cross and empty tomb - center stage
- For doctrine/ teaching - the body of truths, the
articles of the faith.
- We will know the mind of God, we will have the standard in which all
our beliefs and practices are to be measured.
- For reproof - telling us where we are wrong,
confronts us on sin
- Find out what does not please God. Provides ability to refute error
and answering temptation.
- For correction - showing us how to do right again,
restores us.
- For training in righteousness - a word of
relationship
- we will be right with God and right with mankind. The grace of God
teaches us to live Godly, the Word of God shows us how.
ILLUS: A coach will tell player how to play. At times:
“Don’t do it that way, do it this way.” Kid
does it, “Good Job” gets to play.
- Bible is profitable for knowing what is right, showing us what is not
right, making us get right, and helping us to stay right.
- v. 17 Goal “fully equipped/thoroughly
equipped for every good work.”
- The Bible makes sure we are capable and proficient in the ways of God. We can know
where we came from, where we are going, and how to live in the mean time. The Bible
changes us. “What things in my life have been changed because I did what the
Bible said?”
ILLUS: Sadly Bible knowledge is declining, thus Bible living is declining too. We
see it in our culture and churches today. Wallbuilders article.
- The Bible is not just for knowledge, but for wisdom; not just for doctrine but for
discipline. Not just beliefs, but behavior. Not just to know the laws of Christ, but
to live under the Lordship of Christ. Sufficiency of Bible!
- We need the Bible, it is sufficient to meet our spiritual needs. Some of you need a
cup of coffee in the morning. I need milk - on cereal or chocolate. You too need the
Bible each day.
- Timely truths that transform us. How does this truth transform you and me? If we
believe the Bible is the Word of God, now “So What?”
- “Will you read and study it?” “What are you doing in 2008?”
“Will you use it?” “Will you have it with you?” “Will
you obey it?” “Will you hide God’s word in your heart?” THE
ANSWER - “Yes, I will!”
ILLUS: Many farmers don’t leave the house without pliers and pocket knife.
Most of us don’t leave house without cell phone. Don’t leave without
Bible.
- You have it at home, put one in your car, your coat, at work, school, bring it to
church. How many do we have today?
- We have copies of the Bible in our hands. PTL. The ancients for centuries did not have
nice books. Yet they needed the Scriptures. The Jews went to the Temple to hear the
word of God. Early church gathered together, they copied gospels and letters that is
why so many manuscripts.
- Even in cultures that were/are illiterate, the Bible has to be translated for them, or
orally taught - they need truth of the Bible to believe and behave.
- You want to know how much you need it? Listen to the testimonies of those who may die
if they are found with it.
ILLUS: I read this week a testimony of a women believer in a Muslim country had to
hid her Bible, but when alone would study it.
- Christians in closed countries understand how absolutely necessary the Bible is. Do
we? Don’t take it for granted!
- This is God’s book to us. We need the Bible for salvation
v. 15, for daily Christian living, to build our belief
system, ethical values vs. 16-17.
- If you are into poetry - here is the best resource. If you like history, read this
history. If you are trying to understand psychology analyze what Bible says about soul
and spirit, heart and mind.
- Want help in family life: most every chapter in Proverbs has “father” or
“mother” Courtship and marriage - Song of Songs. Prophecy - Daniel and
Revelation, Jesus’ Olivate Discourse.
- Interested in government - Our American founding fathers searched to Bible to come up
with our form of government, Bible is most quoted resource in all their papers. Every
American President has made reference to the Bible, George Washington: “It is
impossible to rightly govern without God and the Bible.”
- The Bible is a masterpiece of literature. In order to understand much of classic
literature you need a Bible knowledge foundation. There are resources for public
schools to teach Bible as a literature course.
ILLUS: best is The Bible in History and Literature © 2007 - 433
school districts in 37 states, Chuck Norris endorses it.
(www.bibleinschools.net)
CONCLUSION
The Bible is the greatest book. You have it. Now please use it? Enjoy it!
Make a commitment to get into this book this year 2008?
Please make sure the Bible has lead you to salvation in Jesus Christ
Please make sure it is leading you in obedience.
Invitation. Cross
#370 “May the Mind of Christ, My Savior”
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