A. INTRODUCTION: THE INFLUENCE OF THE BIBLE
1. Jesus never wrote one word of the Scriptures.
2. Jesus was the Word and His miracles, sermons, and salvation had to be passed on. “In the beginning was the Word” (John 1:1). Jesus “suffer(ed) for sins, raise from the dead . . . be preached to all nations” (Luke 24:46-47, BBJ).
3. Those who read about Jesus should be subject to Him. “I left you an example that you should follow My steps” (1 Peter 2:21, BBJ).
B. WHAT JESUS BELIEVED ABOUT HIS WORD
1. God’s Word is the last word. Jesus “warned everyone . . . not to add anything to it . . . take away from the things in this book” (Rev. 22:18-19, BBJ).
2. The Holy Spirit spoke through the life of Jesus on earth. “Long ago the Holy Spirit spoke in many different ways at different times to past believers through the prophets . . . giving partial pictures . . . He spoke finally and completely through Me” (Heb. 1:1-2, BBJ).
3. Jesus believed what was written in Scriptures was binding and decisive. Jesus replied, “It is written in your own Scriptures . . . and you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered” (John 10:34-35, NLT).
4. Jesus didn’t repeat every truth (command or doctrine) in the Old Testament. He approved the whole Old Testament Scriptures then He added the truth of His life, death, and the church with its existence and mission. “Let Me tell you again . . . everything written about Me in the law of Moses, in the prophets and in the Psalms had to be fulfilled’ (Luke 24:44, BBJ).
5. Everything in the Bible points to Jesus providing salvation. “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). “My physical death tore down the wall . . . satisfied the legal charges . . . brought all believers into union . . . united into one body” (Eph. 3:14-16, BBJ).
C. SEVEN THINGS JESUS WANTED TO ACCOMPLISH
1. After ascending into heaven, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to remind them of His Words. “My Words . . . I’m explaining those things to you . . . the Holy Spirit . . . He’ll explain all spiritual things to you” (John 14:25, BBJ). “Bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I said” (John 14:26, KJV).
2. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would guide their writing/communication of His ministry and words. “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truths . . . He will tell you about the future” (John 16:13, NLT).
3. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would take from Him and give His disciples the ability to deliver (inspire) the complete revelation of God. “When the Holy Spirit comes . . . He will speak plainly to your hearts about Me, because I will speak through you . . . then you can bear witness” (John 15:26-27, BBJ).
4. The Holy Spirit would teach the disciples what was unsaid in Jesus’ own earthly ministry. “I gave Paul the revelation of My ministry . . . to understand My mystery which was not revealed in previous generations, but now have revealed this truth to Paul” (Eph. 3:2-3, BBJ).
5. The message of salvation – what the Father wanted said – He passed to the Son – Jesus passed it to His disciples. “Anyone who receives you receives Me, and anyone who receives Me, receives the Father, who sent Me” (Matt. 10:40, NLT).
6. Jesus will give spiritual insight to those who believe. “I opened their spiritual eyes so they might understand the Scriptures . . . that Messiah would suffer for sins, rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance in My name . . . should be preached to all nations” (Luke 24:45-47, BBJ).
7. Jesus commissioned all disciples to make disciples, i.e., to reproduce their faith in others. “Go therefore, make disciples of all ethnic groups, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey all things I told you” (Matt. 29:19-20, BBJ).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
All PBC lessons are available online at trbc.org/pbc. Go to www.Hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.
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Dr. Towns' email is ELTowns@liberty.edu
Dr. Towns’ web address is www.elmertowns.com
