Theme: Own a Bible
Text: Deuteronomy 17:14-20
Introduction: ‘The Lord is good and his love endures forever. ‘
Joke: God's Bible
A little girl pointed to the Bible on the bookshelf that was never opened, and said to her mother, "Whose book is that?" Her mother was quite surprised by her daughter’s question and replied, "Don't you know? That is God's book!" The child said to her, "Don't you think that we had better give it back to him? No one around here ever reads it."(Adopted)
Context of the Text
God spoke to Israelites about the importance of the Word of God to a King, the national ruler. This is told to all subjects of that Kingdom that their king’s attitude and character will be if they do not possess a Bible. This is the canon for the rulers as well as the subjects. They need to Write for them a scroll, keep with them, read on daily basis on all days of their life, learn to revere the Lord, Follow Carefully all the words of the Law, not consider them better than their brothers, not acquire great numbers of horses for himself, no turning back to Egypt, not to take many wives, not to accumulate large amounts of Silver and Gold.
Bible: Let me start with the explanation of the word BIBLE.
Bible this word refers to the collection of Books. This word has derived from the Greek word ‘Biblia.’ The language of the Bible is mixed up with Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek. Biblical Canon has set the standard for a text or prophecy or oracle or doctrine or poetry or historical events to be included in the Bible as sacred writings and divine revelations.
TaNaKh is another term for the Jewish Bible (a word combined with the first three letters of Torah, Nevi’im, and Ketuvim). The earliest compiled book form was the Torah and the latest was Revelation in our literary tradition. Initially, it was orally transmitted from generation to generation. Then, it was written and copied by hand on papyrus scrolls.
Today, I would like to share with you based on this passage to acquire a Bible, adhere to the Bible, and advocate its teachings to all.
1. Acquire a Bible:
Ours is the blessed generation to have the printed media and digital world. We are privileged to reach the Bible. Of course, there are a few nations that banned printing, circulation, and reading of the Bible in their nations but we are privileged in India to have Bible in our mother tongue and hold it as our own property. We can carry it publicly, and read it in public places such as parks, seashores, restaurants, and on public transport namely, buses, trains, and flights. However, Now, nobody knows what you read and see through your gadgets. However, I suggest that you should own a printed Bible along with a Digital for the benefit of your eyesight and spiritual growth.
it was the command of God on those days that all rulers, kings, and princes are expected to spend time and energy in writing a Bible for them. They have to spend time with levities and the scribes to have their own copy of the Bible. Every king was ordered to be a scribe and sincerely write down the Words of the Law and keep them in their hearts and follow them without deviations. it was part of their training for taking up the kingship. It is said that many kingdoms used the story of Joseph as a textbook for training their young prince and princess for future leadership.
So, acquire a Bible, obtain it, buy it and spend for it. Present Bible to your dear ones on their special occasions.
Isaiah was asked to seal the word with the disciples (Isaiah 8:16). Look into the Word of God for the daybreak (Isaiah 8:20), The liars, the rebellious, and the wicked will not listen to the Word among the believing community (Isaiah 30:9, Zachariah 7:12).
However, God makes his bible important and glorifies it (Isaiah 42:21). You have forgotten my word then I will forget your children (Hosea 4:6). Your word is my Joy and sustains me in my struggles (Psalm 119:77, 174, 92).
2. Adhere to the Bible
God revealed his will and purpose for all of us through his scriptures. So, we need not put our extreme trust in men’s power, money power, physical indulgence, personal status, and personal wealth. Not having more dependence on these matters (Enduring Word).
There should be balance in everything. Work not overwork, overstrain, and have joy and pleasures but not extreme pleasures and indulged.
Riches, honors, and pleasures are three great hindrances of godliness (Matthew Henry) as John called them the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eye, and the pride of life. It is true with people of high profile and in high stations. It is not enough to have Bibles, we must use them, use them daily, as long as we live.
Read the Word of God regularly. we read the scriptures, we read the textbooks, we read the letters and documents. All these readings are for a while but the reading of the Scriptures is for the day’s guidance, for the whole month, year, and for whole life on the earth. Read, meditate, memorize, devout and give importance to it.
Leaders and rich people change their life constitutions and they make the bye-laws, there is a danger of amending the Word of God suitable to them according to their pleasure they tailor the word of God. It is said, “This book will keep you from sin. Sin will keep you from this book.”
So, stick to the Bible teachings, follow to the core, never give up and acquire the knowledge and keep close to your heart. Blessed are those who walk by the Law, and meditate day and night (Psalm 119:1, 1:1-3). They would be prosperous and successful.
We learned how Ezra spent time to learn and research the word of God and applied it in his life and taught people with maturity (Ezra 7:10). God has established his Bible in the tents of Israel (Psalm 78:5). Blessed is the man who corrects himself by the Law of the Lord, observes the Word of God in his life, and then teaches to others (Psalm 94:13).
I will hold the word of God wholeheartedly (Psalm 119:51) and I will safeguard the Word of God forever (Psalm 119:44), I will not forget thy Law even in my loss of wealth, health, and growth (Psalm 119:61, 153,109). Praying without keeping thy word is abhorring to the Lord (Proverbs 28:9). Cursed if they are not aware of the Word (John 7:49).
3. Advocate the Bible
Advocates’ basic work is to support their clients. Explain the context of the person and prove the truth. every believer plays the role of an advocate of the Bible, i.e., promotes the teachings, and shares the blessings of his readings, understandings, and meditations of the word of God.
Devil is the accuser of the saints but the Holy Spirit advocates for Justice and pleads for the salvation of many (Revelation 12:10, John 14:26). According to 1 John 2:1, we have Jesus, an Advocate with the Father.
You have the Bible and enjoy it. Then proclaim to others. Gospel leads to speak for the mute, and for all the unfortunate, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy (Proverbs 31:8-9).
The Prophet Isaiah said the Spirit of the Lord God is upon him to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, to comfort all who mourn, to give a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit. Then the redeemed be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified (Isaiah 61;1-3). Paul said that preaching the Gospel was his bounden duty and nothing to boast of (1 Corinthians 9:16). The priests and pastors are expected to keep the word and promote it (Malachi 2:7). Jesus commanded his Disciples to proclaim the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20).
Those who possess the word are strong and they win many for Christ (Malachi 2:6). And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14). It is the power of God for the believers but folly to the unbelievers (1 Corinthians 1:18).
Jehovah said to Moses “I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” (Exodus 4:12), Paul wrote to Timothy to ‘rightly handle the word of truth.’ (1 Timothy 2:15), and to devote himself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. (1 Timothy 4:13). Because, all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2) But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, (2 Timothy 2:16).
Preaching the will of God, the purpose of God, the liberation of God, the grace of God, and the salvation of God is the responsibility of the followers of Christ. Preaching is opposed by people of other faiths and within the faith communities and so-called churches because it convicts, confronts, calls for repentance, and foretells the punishment for disobedience.
Conclusion:
Now tell me would you like to acquire a Bible; would you like to adhere to it on every walk of your life and advocate the great message of love, hope, and redemption to the world?
