Standing On The Word

Standing on The Word.

Opening Hymn Closing Hymn

Scripture Reading: Ps. 1

Let us turn to the Jeremiah 36:1 - 4 (KJV); And it came to pass

¶And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin. Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book.

Here we have one of the accounts of the LORD speaking directly to a prophet and instucting him to write what he was going to tell him in a book. Record is given of such instructions to Moses, Isaiah and John the beloved. Daniel was told that his words would be sealed until the time of the end. This indicates that he too wrote his experience and the messages given from God in a book.

Thus Brothers and sisters the bible is not a book to be taken lightly. It is the expressed word of God spoken by men inspired by God.

It is this Word which put the heavens in place Ps. 33:9

It was in this word that Abraham placed his faith

It was this word which promised that a Saviour of the World would come

And Jesus Christ himself declared to be the Word of God.

The word of God is not trivia.

It was written:

• Over a 1500 year span (from 1400 B.C to A.D. 100)

• That is over 40 generations

• over 40 authors from many walks of life (i.e. - kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, poets, statesmen, scholars) participated in its work.

• It was written in different places (i.e. - wilderness, dungeon, palaces)

• In times of peace and in times of war

• By people in different moods (i.e. - heights of joy, depths of despair)

• on three continents (Asia, Africa, and Europe)

• And in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek)

The bible is no mere book,

It is not the product of the thoughts and imagination of any man’s heart

It is not a wonderful piece of fiction

It is verily the word of God.

One writer said

The Bible is a window in this prison-world, through which we may look into eternity.

Timothy Dwight.

Peter when testifying about the Old testament declared through the Holy Spirit in 2 Pet. 1:21

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:21

And Paul speaking to Timothy admonished him saying 2Tim 3:16,17

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Timothy 3:16

In doing this Paul highlighted an important fact, that we need not lose sight of: the writing of the scripture has a purpose.

It was not done because people liked writing.

It done for our entertainment or pleasure

It was not written to chronicle the history of the Jews

It was written that men would know the thoughts of God.

It was written that men might know how to live in the presence of a Holy God

Paul says that the scripture was written to

1. Teach us doctrine-teach us about God and what he desires of us. What he expects of us and what he is willing to do for us.

2. To reproof us - convincing and convicting us of the wrongs that we have done.

3. To correct us-To change and bring about reform in our lives. It is the most powerful tool for transformation of a man.(Hebs. 4:12) No reformation can be permanent which is not based on the principles of the word of God.

4. To instruct us- Instruction in regard to the principles of justice, or what is right. Man needs not only to be made acquainted with truth, to be convinced of his error, and to be reformed, but he needs to be taught what is right, or what is required of him, in order that he may lead a holy life.