Bible…The Word Of God.

​                                                  Bible…The Word Of God.
 
1 Thessalonians 2:13
13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
 
We’re a church that stands on the Bible as the Word of God. Here’s the deal. If you believe the Bible is just made up by a bunch of people, you can sit in judgment of it. On the other hand, if the Bible comes from God, we must bow in submission to it.
 
Remember this, what you believe about the Bible will determine your beliefs and your behavior. If you don’t believe the Bible, you will make up your own beliefs and behave however you like! If you believe the Bible to be the inspired, inerrant, infallible and authoritative Word of God, then your beliefs and your behavior will reflect that.
 
Have you ever wondered why Bible-believing Christians declare God as the Creator… that all of us are sinners, that marriage is between one man and one woman, that Jesus is the only way to Heaven, that He was crucified, raised from the dead, ascended to Heaven and is coming again? How do we know Heaven and Hell are real, that demons and angels exist? And life begins at conception? Because that’s what the Bible teaches.
 
Here's where this message is headed…
 
• Proof: Why should we believe the Bible?
 
• Purpose: What does the Bible say about itself?
 
• Picture: How does Jesus view the Bible?
 
“We believe the Bible from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 as the verbally inspired and infallible Word of God.” Do you believe that? We all know that, from cover to cover, every word that is written in the Bible is the word of God.
 
There are many reasons to believe the Bible. Here are some proofs.
 

1. Exceptional popularity. The Bible is the best-selling book of all time. More copies have been printed in more languages and read by more people than any other book in history.
2. Worldwide influence. Our own country’s history and heritage owes much to the Bible. I came across an amazing document dated October 4, 1982 in which Congress declared the Bible as the “Word of God.” Here’s part of the text: “The President is authorized and requested to designate 1983 as a national ‘Year of the Bible’ in recognition of both the formative influence the Bible has been on our Nation, and our national need to study and apply the teaching of the Holy Scriptures.” Sadly, this has been all but erased from Congress and the culture today.

 

1. Manuscript evidence. While we don’t possess the original manuscripts of the Bible, the Jews were extremely careful when they made copies of the Old Testament. Scholars tell us there are over 5,300 complete manuscripts of the New Testament and another 8,000 partial manuscripts that go back within a century of the original writings.

 

1. Fulfilled prophecy. This was another question that was submitted by the congregation. The fulfillment of literally hundreds of specific prophecies with pinpoint precision is powerful proof for the truthfulness of the Bible.

 

1. Archaeological confirmation. The Bible is not a storybook but is really a book of history. We could call it His-story. Christianity claims something extraordinary happened in the course of time. For many years people laughed at Christians because the Bible referred to places, people and events that had no basis in recorded history. But now thousands of discoveries have confirmed what we already knew to be true.

 
The Dead Sea Scrolls, the most important archaeological find of the 20th Century, contain more than 1,400 original documents including the complete scroll of Isaiah and fragments from every other Old Testament book with the exception of Esther. The text of these scrolls hardly differs from the version we have today!
 

1. Power to change lives. The Bible has the unique power to change lives because it is alive and active.

 
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
 

1. Bears witness of Christ. The Bible tells us who we are, where we came from, why we are here and where we’re going. All of it points to Jesus Christ.

 
 
 
John 5:39
You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.
 
What you believe about the Bible will determine your beliefs and your behavior. But for what purpose. Why is it so important that we have to believe everything this book says?
 
What Does the Bible Say About Itself? In order to understand the purpose of the Bible, it’s important to define some key terms.
 
There’s a revelation. God has revealed Himself through general revelation by putting His existence on display outwardly through creation and inwardly in our conscience.
 
Romans 1:20
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [a]Godhead, so that they are without excuse.
 
God has also made Himself known through the special revelation of the Scriptures and through His Son. One pastor writes… “In an age of moral and spiritual anarchy, we believe there is a God who has spoken to the human race.”
 
There’s Inspiration. Inspiration has to do with the recording of God’s special revelation.
 
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [a]instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
 
Here’s a helpful definition: “God’s superintendence of the human authors so that, using their own individual personalities, they composed and recorded without error His revelation to man in the words of the original manuscripts.” When we read the Bible, we are hearing the very words of God.
 
Here’s one important fact that we should all remember and keep to heart…
 
Matthew 5:18
18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
 
Simply put, the Bible is binding on us. Since God has spoken in His Word, we must submit to His ways.
 
Psalm 119:89
Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
 
The Bible alone is all we need to equip us for a life of faith and service. What you believe about the Bible will determine your beliefs and your behavior. Charles Spurgeon was asked to defend the Bible, he replied, “The Word of God is like a lion. You don’t have to defend a lion. All you have to do is let the lion loose, and the lion will defend itself.”
 
H ow does Jesus view the Bible? Well, lets look and see..
 
Luke 4:16
16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.
 
Let me make the obvious point synagogue attendance was part of His regular weekly schedule. Because this was His passion, He didn’t join a travelling sports team, He didn’t get up in the morning and wonder if He should go, or allow anything else to get in the way of going, or not go if He was tired, or stay home because He didn’t like something in the service last week. It was His love to go, no matter what. I love seeing how so many of you have made a commitment to gather with God’s people each week. Regardless of how tired you are. And believe me, I know…I watch as your eyes shut from time to time. But yet, you are here, listening to Gods message.
 
In Conclusion:
 
What you believe about the Bible will determine your beliefs and your behavior. We need the word of God. This is our life… “man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”.
 
Listen…times are changing. Through the message today, God is still reminding us to stay firm on His word, regardless of how the world changes. We will face challenges that will make us doubt our beliefs, but regardless of those doubts, Gods words remain true.
 
It’s way too easy not to take the Bible seriously when you’ve been swimming in it many years. Read it again as if for the first time. Admit you need it. Keep it fresh by not only reading, but also feeding from it and heeding what you read. Are you still hungry? Or have you grown cold?