I Believe The Bible Is Reliable Series

Call Me Crazy – I Believe the Bible

11/1/15

Various Text

Sunday AM

Have you ever done anything crazy? I mean just ridiculous – even ludicrous! Like jump from a perfectly good airplane or go bungee jumping. One of the craziest things I ever did (and lived to tell about it) was lean out over cliff that dropped some 2000 ft. to snap a picture of my feet…

In my defense, I was 22, single, and stupid. I had a 6’5” (15) yr. old wrap his arms around my waste while two other teenagers sat on him – not one of my finer moments – but the picture was really cool.

Truth is we all DO crazy things. We SAY crazy things – and we BELIEVE crazy things. Today, we’re starting a series entitled, Call Me Crazy – to investigate and substantiate some of the beliefs we hold dear that other people consider us crazy b/c we believe them. According to the 1 Peter – we have a obligation to know why we believe what we believe.

In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have… 1 Pt. 3:16

So over the next (4) week, we’re going to discuss why we believe in the Bible, in God’s existence, in creation, and in the resurrection. Let’s begin w/ the credibility of the Bible.

I heard of a man on a plane who was reading his Bible when the man next to him remarked, “You don’t really believe the Bible do you?” The man replied, “As a matter of fact, I do!” “But it’s just a bunch of fairy tales. Like the guy who was swallowed by a whale. What’s his name?” “Jonah. And yes, I believe he was swallowed by a whale and survived to tell about it.” The man asked, “Can you tell me how a man can be swallowed by a whale and live to tell about it?” “I can’t, but I suppose when I get to heaven, I’ll ask him.” Smugly, the man said, “But, what if Jonah’s not in heaven?” W/out missing a beat, he said, “Then I guess you can ask him!”

Reality – we go to school, work, and we live next door to people who think b/c we believe the Bible we’re out of our minds! There are people driving by our church today who think we’ve lost it b/c we’re here worshipping the God of the Bible they’ve so willingly rejected. And some are on a rampage to get us to surrender our beliefs to fall in line w/ the status quo of PC and w/ social pressure.

TRUTH: While everyone might be entitled to their own opinion; no one is entitled to their own facts.

So before we give into their assaults – I think we owe it ourselves (and to others) to be reminded of why we believe what we believe so that we can stand for Truth in Christ. Today, I want to offer you the Seven Wonders of the Word – Psalm 19:7-11.

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more desirable than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

I God’s Word is PERFECT

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.

perfect – complete; nothing lacking – able to accomplish its intended purpose.

A Perfect in POWER

So shall my Word be that goes forth from my mouth: It shall not return to me void, but shall complete that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Is. 55:11

God’s Word is a complete scheme of grace revealing to us who God is – holy; who we are – sinners; and it presents God’s plan to rescue His creation from their sinful condition. It can perfectly convert, restore, revive, and regenerate a sinful soul back into relationship w/ the Creator.

B Perfect in PURPOSE

66 books written over 1600 yrs. on 3 continent by over 40 authors including shepherds, kings, doctor, and statesmen – and yet the Bible is perfect in scope and purpose.

• The Bible isn’t a history book; yet it’s historical

• The Bible isn’t a science book; yet it’s scientific

• The Bible isn’t a fact book – yet it’s factual