“The new minister was asked to teach a boys’ class in the absence of the regular teacher. He decided to see what they knew, so he asked who knocked down the walls of Jericho. All the boys denied having done it, and the preacher was appalled by their ignorance. At the next deacons’ meeting he told about the experience. "Not one of them knows who knocked down the walls of Jericho," he lamented. The group was silent until finally one seasoned veteran of disputes spoke up. "Preacher, this appears to be bothering you a lot. But I’ve known all those boys since they were born and they’re good boys. If they said they didn’t know, I believe them. Let’s just take some money out of the repair and maintenance fund, fix the walls, and let it go at that.”
The Bible has been the focus of many arguments and discussions since its beginning thousands of years ago. The Bible is many things to many people. We as Christian’s must use its contents to help guide us through our Christian walk.
1. THE BIBLE IS:
• PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE
i. (Teaching; What is Right)
• The Bible should be our roadmap for living, a guide for life’s decisions, problems and success in the Lord
• The Bible is right for teaching Doctrine or What is Right
a. DOCTRINE: “In a general sense, whatever is taught. Hence, a principle or position in any science; whatever is laid down as true by an instructor or master. The doctrines of the gospel are the principles or truths taught by Christ and his apostles.”
• As we can see from this definition, doctrine can be laid down by virtually anyone; it is the content of the doctrine and its ability to teach the ones hearing it as to whether or not it is sound.
• Since the doctrine of the Holy Bible is what Christians and ultimately this church go by, then it is paramount that we study its teachings and follow its lead
• There have been many “doctrines” that have been taught over the years, but few that lead into the obedience of God the Creator
a. II Peter 2:1 “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”
b. Our society has been inundated with false teachings and doctrines contrary to the teachings of the Bible
• II Timothy 4:3 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;”
• Cults offer a deadly alternative to the sound doctrines taught by the Bible
• Matthew 22:33 “And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at this doctrine.”
• The DOCTRINE that Jesus taught is the doctrine by which we must act upon in our life
• If the Bible is profitable for doctrine or teaching what is right, then we must obey its teachings, and act upon its commissions
2. THE BIBLE IS:
• FOR REBUKING (REPROOF):
• (What is Wrong)
• Rebuke: “To chide; to reprove; to reprehend for a fault; to check by reproof”
• God uses the Holy Spirit and his word to rebuke the lost, and chastise those who are out of his will
• Revelation 3:19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”
• The Christian life is one of constant change, a change that involves growing, maturing and continued dedication
• In the Bible, we are given examples of people who fell under the Rebuking of God
• David was told that “the sword would not leave his house” for his sin with Bath-Sheeba
• Peter was rebuked ‘before’ he denied Jesus
• Jesus rebuked the Pharisee’s for their criticism of the disciples (Luke 19:39-40)
• The Bible outlines the things that are displeasing to God; sin and what it consists of:
• The Fearful
• Unbelieving
• Whoremongers
• Sorcerers
• Idolaters
• Liars
• The Bible indicates to us that it is these things that God dislikes and how that we must avoid associating with or doing them
3. THE BIBLE IS:
• FOR CORRECTION (How do I get right)
• Correction: “The act of correcting; the act of bringing back, from error or deviation, to a just standard, as to truth, rectitude, justice or propriety…”
• James 4:8 “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
• When thinking of how we can get right we must understand that it takes dedication, sacrifice and a willingness to take on the likeness of Christ
• We get right by admitting the fact that we are going to fall short of his glory but that we must rebound quickly from our sin
• Romans 5:20 “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:”
• We get right by:
• Repentance: II Corinthians 7:10 “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
• Forgiving Others: Matthew 6:14 “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:”
• Matthew 18:21 “Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
4. THE BIBILE IS:
• FOR TRAINING (How do I stay right?)
• The biggest obstacle for a Christian is staying the course God has set for us
• If the Bible is for ‘staying right’ then it is only by its direction that we can do so
• I Peters 2:11 “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;”
• It is the flesh that causes us not to be ‘right’
• Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”
• We are transformed by the goodness of God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit
• We are to train in the ways of service
• We stay right by:
i. Study: II Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
ii. Prayer: I Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”
iii. Service: II Peter 1:10 “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”
• Being a Christian requires us to read God’s word, trust it’s finality, obey it’s commands, have faith in its author and ultimately share its contents with the lost of the world.
