The people of God need to stop dabbling in religion and grow in spiritual maturity. We need to stop playing church and start being the Church by demonstrating the transformation that has occurred within us as a result of an absolute, paramount commitment to Jesus Christ.
THE WORD OF GOD?
2 Timothy 3:16, 17
The most quoted “Bible verse” in America is “God helps those who help themselves”, 82 percent of the people polled think that it is a direct quote from the Bible. (Originally written by Thomas Jefferson)
2 Timothy 3:16,17 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
1. All Scripture is God-breathed!
Questions:
Isn’t the Bible full of contradictions?
Why should I believe your interpretation?
What about archaeology findings?
If men wrote the Bible, couldn’t they have made a mistake?
THE WONDER OF:
ITS UNITY
ITS HISTORICAL ACCURACY
ITS INDESTRUCTIBILITY
ITS SCIENTIFIC ACCURACY
ITS PREDICTIVE PROPHECY
ITS CHRIST-CENTEREDNESS
ITS INTELLECTUAL INTEGRITY
THE WONDER OF ITS UNITY
One amazing characteristic of the Bible is its unity.
The Bible is composed of sixty-six books, thirty-nine in the Old Testament and twenty-seven in the New. Yet those sixty-six books form a cohesive whole, one dynamic message of God’s dealings with humankind.
These sixty-six books were composed by more than forty authors, from a variety of educational and cultural backgrounds.
The books of the Bible were composed in a variety of places and cultures.
The books were written on three continents: Africa, Asia, and Europe.
The Bible was composed in three languages. The Old Testament was written mostly in Hebrew, with a small part in Aramaic. The New Testament was in the common Greek of the day, Koine.
The Bible deals consistently with such subjects as the origin of the universe, the existence and nature of God, the nature and purpose of humankind, and the origin and extent of evil.
One would expect that the result of such diversity would be a chaotic text, full of contradictions and distortions. But the Bible is consistent, coherent, and trustworthy. None of the authors or books is either internally, of themselves, or externally contradictory.
2 Peter 1:20, 21 - Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
The Word of God is not only totally true but, it is the primary change agent in the lives of individuals and in the church itself.
2. Useful for Teaching - Keeps us from Error
Roughly one-quarter of all American adults claim that their worldview is inherently founded on biblical principles. And yet, when asked to describe the content of that worldview, or to explain how they arrived at their understanding of truth, meaning, and appropriate behavior, less than on in ten were able to do so.
(THE SECOND COMING OF THE CHURCH, Copyright 1998, George Barna)
3. Rebuking - Keeps us from Sin
Hebrews 4:12, 13 - For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
4. Correcting - Keeps us from Failure
Synonyms - developing, improving, growing, learning
Psalm 19:7-11 - The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
5. Training in Righteousness
Titus 2:11,12 - For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
Unfortunately, few Christians are currently involved in the disciplines necessary to integrate scriptural truth in daily life. Our most recent surveys indicate that about half of all adults listen to preaching or Bible teaching in a typical week; and fewer than one out of every twenty-five devote themselves to memorizing at least one new Bible verse during a typical week. Less than 2 percent are committed to all four of these practices on a weekly basis. Its no wonder Americans have tremendous spiritual hunger, but no consistent spiritual growth.
The Scriptures were not given for our information, but for our transformation. - D.L. Moody
