No Rubber Crutch

No Rubber Crutch John 17:14-17

INTRO.: In times of testing, we all need a crutch. A place of last resort. I recommend the Bible. Your test may be health crisis (Cancer), tragic accident. loss of job or business, divorce after many years.

Sometimes you really need some help that no man can give. You need a crutch. Where do you go for help, guidance, encouragement?

I. What exactly is this crutch? This Bible. It is not called The Bible in The Bible.

A. Jesus on the Emmaus Rd. Luke 24:

1. v. 27. Jesus read through the Old Testament and it is called the Scriptures. Disciples used the same word in v. 32

2. Greek is graphe, things written. The sacred writings.

3. God did not merely think or speak His message. He had it written.

B. Jesus’ mentions it in His longest recorded prayer. John 17:15-17

1. "Thy Word is Truth." Jesus expresses an absolute.

2. This is truth that will always be truth. It will never change or turn sour. You will never be misled. In every decision there are many things to consider but God’s Word is final authority. You will go wrong if you violate it.

3. The world says everyone must make their own choices as to what is best for them. How shall we make this choice if we have no source of reliable truth? Find Truth in the Bible.

C. I Thess. 2:13; Readers recognized Paul spoke God’s message.

1. He says, "The message I brought you came directly from the Creator and Sustainer of the universe."

2. This is an awesome thought. When you look at the type on the page, you are reading God’s message.

D. I Pet. 1:22-25

1. Only two eternal entities: people and God’s Word.

2. All the things we love and accumulate will one day be burned on the biggest bonfire ever seen.

3. But not God’s Book. It will abide forever.

II. Is this book accurate and free of errors?

A. If it is God’s Word, then it is free from error and it is to be trusted:

1. So the critical issue is whether or not it is inspired by God.

2. There is a great body of evidence that the Bible is inspired.

3. But, in the end, this is something Christians accept by faith even though we can bolster our faith with volumes of evidence.

B. There is help in this area in II Tim. 3:14-16

1. All Scripture (sacred writings) is breathed out by God. The "breathe" or Spirit of God gave the message.

2. For that reason it is useful for all the mentioned uses.

3. It is able to make us wise for salvation.

4. This is because it is the Scripture that points us to Christ and tells us how He expects us to live.

C. The process of inspiration is somewhat mysterious.

1. We usually think God dictated His Word. If I dictate a letter or book, my secretary must use my exact words and ideas. Her personality would not show through the writings. The Bible is not like that. Every writer’s personality and circumstances show through.

2. We get a clue in II Pet. 1:20-21. Where Peter writes about the source of prophecy.

3. No prophecy is any one man’s interpretation of the way things will be or ought to be. It comes by the will of God.

4. "Carried along:" v. 20. Translates a nautical term for a ship without sails or rudder being moved along by the currents and winds with no control of its own. It is still a ship.

5. Because God supervised and directed the writing of the Scriptures, we know they are accurate.

III. Is the Bible reliable? Psalm 119 is a Psalm whose theme is relying on God’s Word. In a thousand different ways, the Psalmist says, "I rely on Your Word, Oh God."

A. It can provide stability in trouble. Psalm 110:98

1. There is always an enemy ready to misuse or take advantage of us. Satan is always with us trying to destroy us.

2. Times of testing and disaster are when he tries to bring us down.

3. God’s Word gives a deep sense of purpose and meaning to life that will bring you through even the worst times.

B. It provides insight. v. 99

1. Many teachers and professors who think they are so learned oppose the Scriptures.

2. Belief in God is not considered scholarly. Every child who attends a university will have his faith challenged.

3. If you know God’s word and rely on it, you will be equal to the challenge and not intimidated.

C. It provides maturity: v. 100

1. No matter his age, if one doesn’t understand God’s Word, he cannot understand what life is all about.