THE BIBLE
Author Pastor Rick Bristol Title of Lesson Our Life Book
Passage: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Secondary passages Psalm 1; 2 Peter 1:20-21
Exegetical Idea: The Bible is the organizing foundation for proper faith, practices and life choices. The world around us seems to teach that truth is illusion. Without some foundation for belief our people perish. By establishing trust in the Bible, we may later us Him to define and defend other beliefs, practices and doctrines
What do I Believe?
I believe that the Bible is a wholly unique work of God. It is both a record of God’s Grace in Christ and a means by which humanity comes to Christ[1]. I believe that the Holy Spirit chose the authors through which it came[2]. I believe that God supernaturally preserves His word through time[3]. I believe that as I approach the Bible today it is the Holy Spirit which gives me understanding of His Truth[4]. And lastly, I believe it is the Bible, as a Revelation of the Holy Spirit, alone which is the ultimate authority concerning, all matters of faith, practice and lifestyle choices[5].
"I" Section
I recently went down to San Diego to see the Dead Sea scrolls. I paid almost as much to see them as I did to go to the San Diego Zoo. Now sure, I am both a student of the Bible and a history buff but I wasn’t the only one there. As a matter of fact, they were limiting the amount of time people could spend in the exhibit, They did this to make sure everyone had a chance to see them. I started thinking about how a couple scraps of paper could seem so important to everyone here.
At a certain point in the exhibit, a recorded audio clip stated how 2000 years ago people struggled with the religious, moral and philosophical issues and the Dead Sea Scrolls were a record of these people’s musings. It was presented almost like it was something done only in the past. And I thought about it for a moment… Wait a minute. I don’t think this struggle is limited to 2000 years ago, I struggle with these issues. And I looked around at all the faces of those around me and realized many here were struggling too.
At a certain point in the exhibit, a recorded audio clip stated how 2000 years ago people struggled with the religious, moral and philosophical issues and the Dead Sea Scrolls were a record of these people’s musings. It was presented almost like it was something done only in the past. And I thought about it for a moment… Wait a minute. I don’t think this struggle is limited to 2000 years ago, I struggle with these issues. And I looked around at all the faces of those around me and realized many here were struggling too.
"We" Section
I mean haven’t you looked for something bigger than you? Haven’t you got up one morning wondering what is it all about? Haven’t you experienced some tragedy and wondered why does this happen? Is there a way to know? Don’t want to know?
"God" Section
Well I have some great news for you today. There is a place with the answers we need. It isn’t found in a museum, it is probably found on your own bookshelves. It is the Bible. It is a completely unique work of the Holy Spirit. I mean many of us understand the special-ness of the Bible even if we don’t believe. It is no mystery to me why swearing with a hand on the Bible seems more binding. But I think God testifies the Bibles uniqueness even in a more deliberate way. The Bible is unique and trustworthy as testified by external and internal evidences. First let’s look at some of the external evidence.
- God’s shows through Working in History (External Proofs):
- Composition: One central tone and theme despite
- Written By Shepherds, Prisoners and Kings
- 3 Different Languages; 3 Continents
- Over 1400 Years span
- Perseverance of the Bible despite persecution
- Dead Sea Scroll’s similarity to today’s version
- Pre-Constantine Persecution
- William Tyndale Martyrdom
- Life Changes as the result of the Bible
- Bible study lead Augustine; Luther; Calvin and Zwingli to make major life transformations which rocked their worlds
- Biblical: Accounts of Paul and James(Jesus’ brother) story
- Pick a testimony: My own life change when reading the Bible
- Composition: One central tone and theme despite
- God Reveals Specially (Internal Proof): What does God say in the Bible about the Bible
- Psalm 19:7-11
- Isn’t the Bible just a collection of good stuff some old guys wrote? Nope: go to 2 Peter 1:20-21
- Okay, but what about some of the controversial stuff? Should we just look at the “red print” as authoritative and everything else as suggestions? Nope see 2 Peter 3:15-16
- What does this mean? God wrote the Bible and it is suppose to be our standard.
"You" Section
Knowing this what are you going to do? If God wrote this book to be your guide note merely a collection of helpful suggestions what does that mean to you? Knowing that thousands of men and woman have died so that you can have position of God’s Word does that change your thinking about it? The next time you come across some part of the bible which challenges your personal lifestyle or beliefs are you going to rely on your wisdom or God’s? God provided you this amazing work of the Spirit. The Spirit is with you to help make sense of this Book. You have an open line here to the mind of God and you don’t have to stand in line at a museum or pay any money to get it. The Bible must become our ultimate authority concerning, all matters of faith, practice and lifestyle choices[6].
You must examine your faith, practice and lifestyle in the light of the Bible
You must examine your faith, practice and lifestyle in the light of the Bible
This Week’s Memory Verse:
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
"Let-Us" Section
The Bible has Changed lives before. It can transform yours if you let it. Just Imagine… What would it be like if we believed what the bible said about…
…Sin? Would we change our lives?
…Hope? Would we be free of our depression?
…Our Commission? Would we continue to sit on the sidelines?
We don’t have to imagine. God wants us empowered and changed. Lets purpose today to approach this Holy Book with the faith that we will leave our studies transformed. Let Us now Pray and ask God to transform us
…Sin? Would we change our lives?
…Hope? Would we be free of our depression?
…Our Commission? Would we continue to sit on the sidelines?
We don’t have to imagine. God wants us empowered and changed. Lets purpose today to approach this Holy Book with the faith that we will leave our studies transformed. Let Us now Pray and ask God to transform us
Prayer:
Benediction: May God make Himself Known to you more every day; encouraging you and empowering your spiritual growth for His purposes.
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"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you..." MATT 28:19-20a NLT
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