What The Bible Can Do For You!

The Crossing Community Church

“What the Bible Can Do For You”

Pastor Jim Botts

July 7, 2002

Introduction

We live in the age of information overload. Consider the following:

- New York Times contains more factual information in one edition than all the written materials available to a reader in the 15th century.

- In 1472 the finest university library in the world was Queen’s College, Cambridge, it contained 199 books. Now there are 60,000 new books released in the USA each year, 300,000 worldwide.

- 18,000 magazines published in the USA alone.

- 400,000 ‘scholarly’ journals published annually in the world.

- 15 billion catalogues delivered last year to American homes.

- 1.6 trillion pieces of paper circulate in US offices each year.

- A 2000 University of Illinois study showed that there are 11,339 distinct electronic databases (301 in 1975).

Amid the noise of all of these voices, what if God wanted to speak? Not just to anyone, but to you? Would you be able to hear Him with all the information noise around?

- Psalm 119:93 I will never forget your guiding principles, because you gave me a new life through them (GWT).

Circle the words “new life”. How would you like a new life? All in favor of a new life? Jesus Christ said the same thing this way…

- John 8:32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (NLT).

The truth and guiding principles referred to are the Bible. It is the most unique book in the world. All other “scriptures” are written by one person, but the Bible is actually a library of 66 books written by 40 different authors, on three different continents, over 1500 year period of time, under different circumstances.

Charles Spurgeon said, “The Bible is like a lion. Who ever heard of defending a lion? Just turn it loose, it will defend itself.” This morning I want to turn the Bible loose by sharing what it can do for you.

Read the passage: 2 Timothy 3:15-17

The Apostle Paul is writing to his young apprentice Timothy about how to stay on course with God in a world that is way off track. In chapter three he outlines how bad times, bad people and bad religion were coming ahead. We too need to learn how to keep on track with God in a dark world by the light from God’s Word.

So we will examine what the Bible can do for you - if you get into it.

Getting into the Bible benefits my life by helping me…

1. Get connected with God (v15):

Bible gives “wisdom” in how to have a meaningful relationship with God.

**Be wise to your problem (SIN) “our missing the mark”

The Bible says that every person here is imperfect. Everybody fails at one point or another and no one bats 1000. If you think you’re perfect and have never sinned, please stand. Some are thinking, “I want to stand.” You didn’t because you’re too proud and pride is a sin don’t even think about standing. We have all missed the mark and fallen short of God’s perfect standard (Romans 3:23).

Our sins have disconnected us from God. As light and darkness cannot mix, so a Perfect God and imperfect people cannot mix. Sin is the barrier between us and a meaningful relationship with God. His face is hidden from us.

- Isaiah 59:2 But there is a problem--your sins have cut you off from God… (NLT). Circle cut off.

One time I accidentally cut the power trimmer cord while I was using it. When the cord was cut the source of power was gone.

Sin cuts off spiritual life and we’re dead to the things of God.

Because of our sin we stand guilty before the God of perfect justice and our debt must be paid (Romans 6:23).

**Be wise to God’s solution (SALVATION) “Jesus paying our price”

Forgiveness of sin: Jesus did not come to rub your sins in, but to rub them out by paying for them. Jesus died to take away all of your sins (past – present – future). That is what Jesus Christ is all about.

- 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God…(NASB).

Died for sins, once for all, Him for you, to bring you to God!

That’s how we connecting with God is possible, Jesus took the barrier of sin away so we can know God.

Eternal life in heaven is a free gift offered offered to us because Jesus died in our place.

Salvation is a gift to receive by faith in Jesus.

- John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name (NASB).