The Bible Says: The Living Word Of God

The Bible Says: The Living Word of God

Text: Hebrews 4:12

Introduction

Today we are going to look at some amazing truths about the Bible. Throughout the message I’m going to tell you about my little red Bible. When I was six years old, my parents gave me this copy of God's Word. Every time I pick it up, it loses a little more of its cover. It has seen better days. But to me, it’s priceless. I’ll tell you more about it along the way this morning.

One of the most striking lines about the Bible comes from 19th-century preacher C.H. Spurgeon, who observed: “Perhaps there is no book more neglected in these days than the Bible… but the Bible, of course, in the estimation of many, is not an interesting book… even among Christian people, the Bible is one of the least read books that they have in their house.”

That hits hard—but there’s also a modern take worth noting. The late George Gallup, renowned pollster, bluntly summarized the issue: “We revere the Bible, but we don’t read it.” This underlines a powerful fact: the Bible is often the best-selling book, yet it frequently becomes the most unread one in Christian homes.

The PURPOSE of the sermon today is that we would BELIEVE that the Bible is the Unique, Holy Word of God. That we would cherish it and that we would COMMIT TO LIVE OUR LIVES every day according to its truths.

I. The Bible IS The Living Word of God

The Bible is not just a history book with moral teachings. That’s the way many people view the Bible today. And I would add that most think the Bible is an outdated book that is not relevant to modern society and is certainly not applicable to their lives.

The Bible is not a just a "How To..." book. How To books have been the rage for 30 years or more. Here are some of the more humorous titles. "How To Win An Argument With Your Cat." "How to Look Busy at Work While Doing Absolutely Nothing." "How to Train Your Goldfish to Fetch the Mail."

People rely on all sorts of books for help. But the Bible is the only book we need to teach us how to live because it is the Living Word of God.

Let me tell you more about my LITTLE RED BIBLE. When I was ten years old, I picked up my little red Bible and noticed something I hadn’t really seen before. On the spine were these words: “The Living Word of God.” I remember asking my mother what that meant. She said, “The Bible is unlike any other book. The Bible speaks. It is the voice of God to us.” That thought captured my mind.

There are countless books in the world. Some inspire. Some educate. Some entertain. But only one book is alive in the way the Bible is alive. Yes, the Bible is infallible and inerrant, trustworthy in everything it affirms. But it is MORE THAN CORRECT - it is the Living Word of God.

I kept reading my Bible as a child. Soon it spoke to me about my need to accept Christ as my Savior and I did. A few years later, God used the Bible to speak to me about His plan for my life and I made my commitment to ministry.

Following that call to ministry, I went to a Christian college and majored in religion. In several of my biblical studies classes we discussed whether the Bible was the inspired, infallible, inerrant word of God. I thought again about my little red Bible. I concluded that the Bible is inspired, infallible, and inerrant, but it is even more. It is the living Word of God.

When I went to seminary, I took classes where we had those same discussions about the Bible. I studied textual criticism, literary criticism, and more. Again, I went back to that phrase on my little red Bible. The Living Word of God.

That’s why, despite the rules of grammar, I often say while preaching, “The Bible says…” Years ago when I was a pastor, one of my church members, who was an English teacher, asked if she could talk with me after church. In my office she said, “Brother Perry, I’d like to help you with something.” I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy her help but I told her that I would welcome any assistance she could provide. She said, “Often in your sermons you say ‘The Bible says. Technically, you should say, ‘The Bible reads.’” I smiled and thanked her for her advice. But I remembered my Little Red Bible and those words, “The Living Word of God.” By the way, in case you’re wondering, I still say “The Bible says.”