1. Ignorance and the Bible (S. Shepherd Committed to the Bible; SermonCentral.com)
NEWSWEEK had an article entitled, “No Allusions in the Classroom.” The article told about 26 people in the college classroom, ranging in age from 18 to 54. All of these people had completed at least one-quarter of their college work. They were given 86 questions to answer, which centered on simple facts about the world. Here is what some of those people said in answer to those questions.
• Ralph Nader was a baseball player.
• Christ was born in the 16th century.
• J. Edgar Hoover was a 19th century president.
• Sid Caesar was an early Roman emperor.
• Dwight D. Eisenhower was a president in the 17th century.
If you think this is bad, listen to this.
• A group of high school juniors and seniors in one of our better schools in the nation who were headed for college were given a quiz about the Bible. Here are the results of that quiz:
• Sodom and Gomorrah were lovers.
• The N.T. was written by Matthew, Mark, Luther, and John.
• Eve was created from an apple.
• Jesus was baptized by Moses.
• Golgotha was the name of the giant who slew the apostle David.
Ignorance abounds and Biblical ignorance is even worse!
• Someone once asked, “What’s the difference between ignorance and apathy?” A man replied, “I don’t know and I don’t care.” And that’s about how it is when it comes to many people in regard to the Word of God. “I don’t know anything about the Bible and I don’t care.”
2. Polls have found:
90% of Americans own at least one Bible; 80% say that the Bible is the most influential book of all time
• The problem is most Americans aren’t reading the book
• In this congregation – about 10% of our baptized membership are “Daily Bible Readers” by their own report;
Yeshua (Jesus) quoted from Deuteronomy 8.3 in his testing with Satan in Matthew 4.4:
And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.
• When was the last time you missed a meal?
• How often do you miss reading the Bible?
3. 2 Timothy 3.14-17
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
4. Parents can have a profound effect on the spiritual development of your children by making the Bible an important part of your life. Let them see you read it; talk to them about it; encourage their study of it –We have included a “Take It Home” activity for you to use with your kids; within your HOME Group; or with anyone you want to share this with
I. Faith Grows Best When Begun Early
how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (3.15)
• Daniel Webster: "If there is anything in my thoughts or style to commend, the credit is due to my parents for instilling in me an early love of the Scriptures. If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity."
A. The Significance of Childhood
1. A time to know God – Ecclesiastes 12.1
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;
2. Lifelong Impact – Psalm 37.25-26
I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or his children begging for bread.
26 He is ever lending generously,
and his children become a blessing.
3. Becoming child-like – Matthew 18.1-4
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
4. Easier to learn scriptures to recall them as adults – Psalm 119.11
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
B. The Role of Family
1. God-assigned Responsibility – Deuteronomy 6.4ff
2. Teaching of Family (and Paul) – 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it. (3.14)
3. Grandmother, Lois; Mother, Eunice – Single parents? 2 Timothy 1.5
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
II. Faith Grows by Following the Instructions
Listen to what great men in the past have said about the Bible. (via S. Shepherd, “Committed to the Bible”; Sermoncentral.com)
• Abraham Lincoln: "I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book."
• W. E. Gladstone: "I have known ninety-five of the world’s great men in my time, and of these eighty-seven were followers of the Bible.”
• George Washington: "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible."
• Horace Greeley: "It is impossible to enslave mentally or socially a Bible-reading people. The principles of the Bible are the groundwork of human freedom."
A. “Scriptures” Refers to the Old Testament Writings (3.15)
from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
1. No NT Canon yet
2. TaNaKH
3. Inspired – God-Breathed
B. Scriptures Point Out Salvation
1. Foreshadowing of the Messiah and Ultimate Atonement
a. John the Baptist – Forerunner
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying, ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” Mark 1.3 cf. Isaiah 40.1-3
b. Yeshua (Jesus) – Messiah
Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,
“Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” Matthew 21.1-5 cf. Zechariah 9.9
12 And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” Matthew 21.12-13 cf. Isaiah 56.7 – Removing leaven in preparation for Passover!
2. Actions for those who determine to follow Yeshua (Jesus)
a. Pentecost – Acts 2 and Joel 2
b. Ethiopian – Acts 8.32 cf. Isaiah 53
Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opens not his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”
3. Faith in Messiah is the basis for our salvation – Romans 10.17; Acts 8.37 (Here is water)
4. Authority for Apostles – OT Scriptures – quote all through the NT
C. Scriptures Provide Instructions
Years ago, the State of Kentucky had a law that every classroom in its in public schools had to post the 10 Commandments. The Supreme Court ruled against the state of Kentucky ordering it to take down all copies of the Ten Commandments from the walls of its schools saying: "Having the commandments on the wall may induce a student to read, meditate upon, and actually obey what is therein written."
IN OTHER WORDS, the Supreme Court of the United States of America recognized that the Word of God had the ability to transform the character of people who read it. (via J. Strite, “Essential Equipment”; sermoncentral.com)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
(3.16-17)
1. Torah = Instruction, not Law
2. Teaching = giving correct information
3. Reproof = Repairing wrong actions/attitudes
4. Correction = Repairing the Flaws
5. Training in righteousness = to make right choices
6. Complete/Maturity
Eleanor Schmidt, in Reader’s Digest wrote, “My doctor had recommended surgery and referred me to a specialist. Arriving early for my appointment, I found the door unlocked and the young surgeon, deeply engrossed in reading, behind the receptionist’s desk. When he didn’t hear me come in, I cleared my throat. Startled, he closed the book, which I recognized as a Bible. ‘Does reading the Bible help you before or after an operation?’ I asked. My fears were dispelled by his soft, one-word answer: ‘During.’”
7. Good Works – Psalm 1.1-3
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
Conclusion
1. The Bible is an amazing Book!
a. I believe the Bible is inspired because it tells the story of ONE God over many years
b. Ancient Polytheists created their own religions that suited them and made sense to them – what THEY wanted
c. God called people who were surrounded by immoral polytheism to become moral monotheists (Deuteronomy 6.4)
d. This came from God, not men – Israel continually went after other gods – endured persecutors; repented; were restored
e. God Inspired instructions for his people to live by
2. Psalm 119.105-106; 111-112
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
to keep your righteous rules.
111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever,
for they are the joy of my heart.
112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes
forever, to the end.
3. Take it Home
Family time – talk about the value of the Bible (remember Lois and Eunice)
Discuss in HOME Group
Devote Personal Time to It
