Through The Word - Sermon 9 Series

Introduction Video Illustration: The Skinny on the Bible by the Skit Guys

Series: Find Joy in the Journey

Thesis: Joy needs to be experienced in the journey of life! But Joy, like any other attitude, can come and go. It is not guaranteed simply because we are born again believers. We must put ourselves in the places where experiencing joy is a possibility. We need to go after and find joy in our journey of life. What are you doing to cultivate joy? Remember joy is a choice found in what we believe, do and live for!

Scriptures:

Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

John 15:11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

Sermon 9: Find Joy in The Journey Through the Word – The Bible!

Intro on amazing facts of the Bible!

• Over 100 million copies of the Bible are sold each year.

• The Bible is the best-selling book in history, with total sales exceeding 5 billion copies!

• The full Bible has been translated into 532 languages. It has been partially translated into 2,883 languages.

• The Bible is not a single work but a collection of works from a wide variety of authors, such as shepherds, kings, farmers, priests, poets, scribes, and fisherman. Authors also include traitors, embezzlers, adulterers, murders, and auditors.

• The Bible was written by approximately 40 men of diverse backgrounds over the course of 1500 years.

• The Bible takes place across three continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe.

• The Bible is around 1900 years old

• The Bible is written in the time period of 1500 years and covers nearly 4000 years of human history and God's revelation of Himself to and through man. The history of the Holy Bible is the history of God's involvement with mankind. This 1500 year-period begins with the writings of Moses, the first five books of the Holy Bible to Revelation. The Bible is said to be around 4,000 years old with its earliest writings.

• Nearly 8 in 10 Americans regard the bible as either the literal word of God or as inspired by God

• The Bible is the most commonly stolen book in the world, most likely because it is so available in hotel rooms and places of worship.

• The most expensive book in the world is the translation of Biblical psalms, “The Bay Psalm Book” which was sold for over $14 million. It is the first book printed America and was the Puritan’s attempt to make their translation of the Old Testament book.

• The Bible has inspired more song lyrics than any other book in history.

• Archaeology has been called “the Bible’s best friend,” a statement that reflects the long history of discoveries supportive of the biblical record. From the discovery of the Cyrus Cylinder in 1879, to the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947, to the Pool of Siloam in 2004, archaeology has worked hand in hand with Bible scholars to provide an independent witness to the truth of God’s Word.

• Much of science supports the existence and work of God. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” As modern science discovers more about the universe, we find more evidence of creation. The amazing complexity and replication of DNA, the intricate and interlocking laws of physics, and the absolute harmony of conditions and chemistry here on earth all serve to support the message of the Bible.

• Voltaire, the noted French infidel, who died in 1778, made his attempt to destroy the Bible. He boldly made the prediction that within one hundred years the Bible and Christianity would have been swept from existence into oblivion. But Voltaire's efforts and his bold prophecy failed as miserably as did those of his unbelieving predecessors.

Story about holding onto tradition, family values and pinnacle things from our past: https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/an-old-story-for-a-new-world-mark-beaird-sermon-on-truth-of-christ-33584?ref=SermonSerps

In the early days of the Tennessee Valley project a dilapidated homestead was going to be torn down. They were damming the river and the valley would be flooded out. A new split-level ranch was built for the Appalachian family on the hillside to relocate to.

The day of the flooding arrived and the bulldozers were there to tear down the old house. The family refused to move out of the old homestead. Finally, out of desperation, a social worker was called in to find out what the problem was. “We ain’t goin’ anywhere” was the reply. The social worker pleaded with them to tell her what the problem was and why they would not move into their beautiful new home.