The Wonderful Word Of God

The Wonderful Word of God

Chuck Sligh

June 13, 1999

TEXT: Psalm 19:7-11 – “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.”

INTRODUCTION

The Bible is a wonderful book. Between its covers are the answers to every problem of the human condition. No book has had the circulation and influence and impact that the Bible has. For centuries the Bible, when it could be put in the hands of the people, has been loved and cherished.

I have been saved for thirty-four years now.

--And through those thirty-four years I have faced some of the most difficult and trying of circumstances and problems.

--I have looked death in the eye as a doctor told me that I had cancer and had only about six weeks to live.

--I have had personal problems of all kinds, just like every one of you here this morning.

--I have had marital problems and thought at one time that there was no way God could ever salvage my marriage.

--I have watched as my wife lost most of the sight in one eye and walked with her through the deep valley of despair as we faced the possibility that she would very probably, unless God intervened, eventually lose her sight completely and irreversibly.

--I have been through the same kinds of suffering that you have over your lifetime.

But I want you to know that the Word of God has always given me guidance, strength to carry on and eventually the answers to all my problems and difficulties.

READ POEM – “My Bible" –

Though the cover is worn,

And the pages are torn,

And though places bear traces of tears,

Yet more precious than gold

Is the Book worn and old,

That can shatter and scatter my fears.

When I prayerfully look

In the precious old Book,

As my eyes scan the pages I see

Many tokens of love

From the Father above,

Who is nearest and dearest to me.

This old Book is my guide,

’Tis a friend by my side,

It will lighten and brighten my way;

And each promise I find

Soothes and gladdens my mind

As I read it and heed it today.

(Author Unknown)

The title of my message today is “The Wonderful Word of God.” As we marvel at this amazing book—this book that comes from God Himself—I would like to draw your attention to eight unique things the Word of God does.—

I. GOD’S WORD STANDS

Verse 7 of our text says that “the Law of the Lord is SURE.” Though skeptics and infidels have sought down through the centuries to destroy the Bible and to belittle the Bible, it STILL stands as the most beloved and treasured book of all history.

Of course, all throughout the Word of God, its indestructibility and permanence is taught:

--Jesus said in Matthew 24:35 – “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

--Isaiah 40:8 – “The grass withereth; the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.”

--1 Peter 1:25 – “But the word of the Lord endureth forever….”

Martin Luther once wrote:

Mighty potentates have raged against this Book, and sought to destroy and uproot it…Alexander the Great, the princes of Egypt and Babylon, the monarchs of Persia, of Greece, and of Rome, the emperors Julius and Augustus…but they prevailed nothing. They are gone, while the Book remains, and will remain for ever and ever, perfect and entire, as it was declared at first. Who has thus helped it…who has thus protected it against such mighty forces? No one, surely, but God Himself, who is the Master of all things. And ’tis no small miracle how God has so long preserved and protected this Book; for the devil and the world are sore foes to It.

Consider the aggressive hostility towards the Bible by its enemies throughout history:

1. In 303 A. D. Diocletian demanded all Bibles be destroyed by fire. To celebrate his apparent success he ordered medals made with the inscription “The Christian religion is destroyed and the worship of the gods restored.” A short ten years later, Constantine came to the throne and made Christianity the state religion. He offered a reward to any person bringing him a Bible. Within twenty-four hours he had fifty Bibles!