Good morning everyone…It is so good for you to be here and to to worship together today. I want to thank our teachers for taking our kids back to their amazing class right now. All kids have the opportunity to join some amazing volunteers that have chosen to study and prepare a class that makes sense to your kids…That is just so amazing. I also want to thank those of you that are joining us online this morning…It is such an honor that you have chosen to worship with us this morning and that you seek to grow closer to the Lord, wherever you are right now. I want to thank our various teams that serve around the church becuase we could not do anything without each and every one of you giving so generously of your time and energy to serve here at LRBC.

I do have a question though to be honest…I kind of wonder why people serve here at the church. I mean, why do people who work for 40 plus hours chose to come in and work for free around here in order to make everything work. For instance, did you know that we will be having a CPR class soon that is provided for free to our safety team and our teachers so that they can all be better prepared to serve in case of emergency? Did you know that our worship team comes up during the week to prepare for serving us on Sunday morning? Did you know that we have people that have chosen to come up here throughout the week in order to make small repairs and upgrades and things like that? We have a team that is dedicated to all of our audio visual stuff going on around the building…I mean, we have people that are serving through the week in order to make sure that we can all come out here on Sundays and spend time together worshiping as a family…But then again…I guess thats what family does, isn’t it…especially family that has been impacted by the same book.

That’s what we are going to talk about today actually…Today we are starting a brand new series called, “The Bible, The best selling book of all time...” As a matter of fact, this book is the whole reason that we are all here this morning. This book has actually been the source of all good things that have happened throughout all of time. This book has a reputation of causing all wars and bad things, but that isn’t true...all wars and bad things that have happened are becuase this book was NOT actually read or applied. Over the course of the next few weeks I am hoping that we will be able to see the good that can come from this book and that this book can be good both for you, as well as for your family, friends and especially for our region where approximately 80% of people are not connected to a Bible teaching church...

This morning as we look at this book, which by the way is the Bible if you haven’t figured that out yet. This morning as we look at this I hope that we will answer, or begin to answer the question of

Whats the Point?

What is the point of the Bible? Is it a fact or fiction? Is it history or prophecy? Is it just some fairy tail that we tell the kids to get them to obey their parents…or is it something more than all of that? I would argue that it is something more, and interestingly enough, Abraham Lincoln actually said,

“I believe the Bible is the best gift God ever gave to man.” — Abraham Lincoln

Thats a pretty big claim when you think of all of the beauty in this world. I mean, there is the mountains, the forests, the beaches and there are some incredibly beautiful places in this world…but Lincoln says that the Bible is the best gift ever…Well, let’s take a look at what the Bible says about itself...

Psalm 119:1–8 (ESV)

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!

Those are some pretty big claims right here too, aren’t they? I mean the claims here are pretty spectacular. The Bible says it will: revive your soul when you’re feeling discouraged. – Ps. 19:7a and make you wise. – Ps. 19:7c. Then in other places it claims that it can make you smarter than your teachers, Ps. 119:99, it is a divine GPS, Ps. 119:105 , it will wash your soul from sin, Eph. 5:26, and if you memorize it then you will be kept from sin, ps 119:11. The Bible claims it can enlighten your eyes, Ps 119:8, and revealing truth, Heb 4:12, If you live by the Bible it says it will prolong your life, Deut 32:46-47, and if all that is not enough, Isaiah 55:11, the Bible claims that whenever Scripture is spoken, it does something that God wants to have done. Its exact wording is that it “will not return void,” but accomplish what God wanted and achieve God’s purposes.

If this book can actually do all of these things, then I think that maybe Abraham Lincoln was right and this is in fact the greatest gift ever given to man…wouldn’t you agree? The question is…is there any evidence that the Bible has actually done any of these things…Is there any evidence that this book has ever effected anyone like me and you…or is it only ancient people that can’t be verified? Well, I want to start us out with an ancient person and show you how his life was changed and he was made

Prosperous and Successful

However, if I am going to show you how this book made someone prosperous and successful, then I really need to define those terms, don’t I? These terms, and the Bible have actually been used by people for personal profit. As a matter of fact, whenever you see someone on TV or in person that tells you that if you only have enough faith then you too will be prosperous and successful in everything you do…and of course you prove your faith by giving to this ministry, blah blah blah…Those are not faithful teachers of the Word. So, let me tell you what these terms actually mean throughout on the majority of Scripture.

Prosperous and Successful: refers to succeeding in proper endeavors.

This comes only when it is not the focus of one’s efforts in any case. It comes when one’s focus is on God and one’s relationship with him. The success is granted by God, not attained by human achievement. In other words, from a Biblical perspective, being prosperous and successful means doing what God is directing you to do…and not getting rich or famous. So, with that in mind…let’s take a look at another passage.

Joshua 1:6–9 (ESV)

Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Now, let me give you a little background on what is happening here, ok. Joshua had just assumed leadership of the nation of Israel. He and the Israelites are standing on the east side of the Jordan River, about to invade the land of Canaan…you know…the Promised Land. Now, in order to be prosperous and successful, God has instructed Joshua to do

Three Things:

First of all, God instructs Joshua to, Keep talking about this book. This is not a secret book that you need to keep to yourselves…this is not “personal”.

Secondly, God tells Joshua to Keep thinking about this book. Think about it frequently – day and night, meditating means to think and speak these words aloud.

Lastly, God says to, Keep doing what you find in this book. Do what it says. Live it out. Put it into practice.

These words that you are reading are not some meaningless collection of writings, but writings that have changed the world. You see, Joshua had never been a leader, and by the end of his time after 7 years as leader, they he captured 31 tribal nations…Canaan became known as the Land of the Israelites becuase Joshua and the people of Israel put God’s words and God’s purposes at the front of everything. Of course all of that happened before we had the Bible that we have today…So, what about something more modern. We have all, or mostly, heard of Jim Elliot and the Huaorani tribe in Ecuador. Actually our missionary from December (Dave and Kristen Hynes) are working with the foundation that was started by those connected to Jim and Elizabeth Elliot. However, they are not the only ones who have gone to dangerous places. Let me tell you about a tribe from the 60’s, the

Motilones Indians

The Motilones Indiana are a tribe in Columbia, South America. In the 1960’s, the Motilones were a group of stone age headhunters feared by all neighboring tribes. They had killed every white man who trespassed into their territory. In a 1894 article, The New York Times refers tot he Motilones as the most barbarous people on the American continent. This tribe was brutal, they did not allow any outsiders to enter their space without violent confrontation. So, there were some Catholic Priest who wanted to share the contents of this book, but unfortunately, they were macheted to death. Later a 17 year old boy named Bruce Olson attempted to enter and was shot in the leg with an arrow. For some reason the tribe nursed him back to health and allowed him to enter their tribe. For the next 5 years Bruce worked to learn the language so that he could communicate well.

One day, a tribesman told Bruce a legend a prophet that would come carrying a banana stalk that would speak the words of God to them. Olson couldn’t quite understand the idea behind the legend. “Why look for God to come out of a banana stalk?” he asked. The Motilone showed him a banana stalk. Another tribesman bent down and swatted the stalk with his machete, splitting it in half. Olson said, “The two halves looked like pages from a book”. Bruce grabbed his pack, took out his Bible and started flipping through the pages. He pointed to the leaves of the pages and the leaves from the banana stalk. “This is it!” He said. “This is God’s banana stalk!” Within weeks, hundreds of Motilones gave their lives to Christ and Bruce taught them from “God’s banana stalk”. Within five years, instead of hunting and eating their neighbors, Motilone tribesmen learned about medicine and began providing medical assistance for their neighboring jungle tribes. Today they hold positions in the Columbian government and are helping to protect other tribes from encroachment by outside forces. As a result of Bruce talking about this book, thinking about this book, and living out this book, today an estimated 70% of the Motilones, also called Bari, are Christians. I would call that pretty prosperous and successful...

Let me tell you about a place named...

Wabash Avenue

Wabash Avenue was a pretty sketchy part of Lafayette, Indiana. This was an area where busses would not run and police would only enter with backup. However, there is a man named Tom Camp. Tom camp is actually the father of grammy award winning singer Jeremy Camp. Jeremy Camp’s story is played out in the movie I Still Believe, great movie about the song. Tom lived a life of drugs, alcohol, divorce all by the time he was 17. After a few years at the age of 21, Tom gave his life to Christ and he brought his new wife and baby girl up in a relationship with the Lord. Then after serving in various churches as youth and worship leader, Tom felt God leading him back to where he grew up…back to Wabash Ave. Tom decided that he wanted to follow the teaching of this book and think about these words, talk about these words and allow these words to dictate his life. Let me tell you what he did next. Tom started a Bible study in various homes…a group of about 20 people finally purchased a building on Wabash Ave and began meeting there. However,God was leading Tom to something more…A few blocks down from the church building, there was a topless bar that was the root of much of the behavior of this community. Tom began praying at the steps of this bar and was made fun of and was pushed around and was told it was pointless…However, Tom continued to pray and share with people that the lifestyle they were living was hurting them. Eventually the Lord allowed the church to purchase the topless bar and it is now a reputable coffee house where business men and women meet and political leaders talk. Because Tom was so focused on three things, God turned a Godless community into a community that is at least aware of God. A church that started as 20 people in a basement is now something like 450 people…I would call that pretty prosperous and successful...

Let me tell you about a

Bible Study

In 18th century England, the conditions were not exactly great. There were no child labor laws, so children as young as age four were put to work up to 12 hours a day in dangerous factories and sent into the corners of coal mines that were too narrow for adults to reach. Hunger was rampant, tuberculosis, diphtheria and cholera outbreaks were common. School was only available for the children of the rich.

So, back in 1738 there was a man named Jonathan Wesley. Well, Wesley felt like it was important to start some Bible studies. However, Wesley was not continent starting one Bible study, he began forming Bible studies all around the country using a specific method to teach and read the Bible. Well, Wesley felt this method was so important that people began to call these Bible studies…”Method-ist”. By 1978 there were 100,000 Methodist Bible studies in England

One of those Bible Reading Methodists was Samuel Plimsoll. Well, Plimsoll felt it was wrong that merchants would overloaded their ships and then shrugged it off and collected large insurance claims when their ships sank and the crews drowned. Plimsoll invented a symbol that marked a line on the ship to indicate its safe loading level. This line has saved thousands of lives and is still called “The Plimsoll mark” to this day. This was caused by this man reading this book.

There was another Bible reader named, Robert Raikes. Raikes saw that poor children couldn’t attend school because they worked six days a week. So he invited “Sunday school” to teach kids to read, by reading the Bible. Other people from this Bible reading movement formed orphanages, mental asylums, hospitals and prisons. Florence Nightingale developed the nursing profession. William Wilberforce brought an end to the English Slave Trade. Bible Readers fought and won women the right to vote. William and Catherine Booth formed the Salvation Army. Jonathan Wesley’s 18th century Bible-reading revolution changed people’s character. It lifted so many English people’s work ethic, care ethic, and sense of personal trustworthiness that, by the 19th century, England had become the most powerful and prosperous nation on earth.

The same thing happened in America. The religious low point of our history was the 1850’s…well until now at least. Then revival began happening all around our country in 1857. People began reading the Bible. This was before gas or electricity. So after dark, families would gather around a few candles at the kitchen table. While mom and grandma sewed and repaired clothes, the father of the family would read the Bible, by candlelight, for an hour or more every evening. Then, like in England, work-ethics rose, along with integrity and initiative and care for the poor. The Civil War broke out, in part, because Bible-readers determined that slavery was a sin. I would call that pretty prosperous and successful…all brought about becuase in the 19th century people started reading the Bible again.

I don’t know about you…but I’d like to see that happen again…starting right here in Leaf River! Are you with me…are you interested in seeing what God can do when we truly turn to him and spend time in his word? (Real quick…turn to the person next to you and tell them you are going to start reading the Bible…)

Now…where do we start? That’s the real question here isn’t it? Let me give you a little encouragement and hopefully a little guidance here. If you are here this morning or joining us online i want to ask you to consider your current Bible reading habits. I want to encourage you that maybe…it’s not what it should be, or what you even want it to be. As a matter of fact, I was talking to someone a couple of months ago and I asked them how their relationship with the Lord was, and they told me it was not what they wanted it to be…Listen, that applies to ALL of us. I’ll be honest…my relationship with the Lord is not what I want it to be, and I don’t think I will be truly satisfied until I am with him in Heaven…But until he sees fit to bring me there, then I want to continuously be better. I seek to go deeper with the Lord and understand a little more and have a better conversations with the Lord.

So, how do we do that? We start one day at a time…We start by reading a little something today. Listen, for the last 2 years I have lightly promoted a Bible reading plan through the YouVersion Bible App. There are a handful of you that have joined me on these plans. I want to invite everyone with a smart phone to join me in that reading plan right now. Go ahead get out your smartphones and scan that QR code and join in on this reading plan. If you are able to go through this plan, then by the end of the year you will have read the entire Bible. However, I know for some of you that might feel like a bit of a stretch, especially if you don’t spend much time reading the Bible now. So, here is what I would like to ask you to do…Don’t worry about catching up on any days you miss…Try this, if you currently read the Bible only at church, then try to read just one day this week. If you currently read one day a week…then try to read two days. Then, next week you are going to add another day to your list until you are at five days per week. Once you hit five days per week then stay there for about 1 month, and then start adding again until you can make it to seven days per week. Now, if you are only able to read a section of the days reading…thats fine. The point is that we want to start getting into, or back into the habit of reading the Bible daily in order to see what God might do in this community. Now, within this reading plan on videos that are actually going to help make sense of some of the hard to understand areas of Scripture.

I want to share a goal with you…I am asking ten people to commit to read through the entire Bible with me this year. So, if you miss a day, you go back and pick it up, or don’t…just restart where we are. You can “read” while you drive to work, while you go for a jog, or even while you are showering if you have a shower speaker. These ten people will be in a message group with me where we will hold each other accountable to make sure we are reading and we don’t get off track. That’s a really big ask, but it’s the first of the year, so Im putting that out there today. Im only asking for ten people to be a part of this group, so if you are interested in being a part of that group, then send me a message. If there are more than ten people that want to be a part of this group, then the first ten people will have priority and then I will see what we can do beyond that.

For everyone else that is not really ready for something that intense as a private group with the Pastor…I want to encourage you to find a partner that you can check in with to make sure you are reading, and you can make sure they are reading. Ill tell you…I have been checking in with a couple of people this year and it is awesome to see how some days they message me long before I message them. Ive also heard stories about how God immediately used what they were reading throughout this year.

Now, in the back by the Bibles and bulletins we have a QR code that will take you directly to the Bible App that we are using this year. You can also find that plan at leafriver.church/bible and join in at any time. For those of you that do not have a smart phone or do not use the Bible App, every month we will have the reading plan for the month this year so that you can keep up, or join in at any time. Listen, I am excited about this year and what can be accomplished as we seek to be focused on the Lord. As we put him first and we read, think, talk, and apply the Scriptures all year long…think about how prosperous and successful God can be in this church as well as the community of Leaf River!

Let’s get excited about what God can do in and through you as you focus on Him this year!

Let’s pray!

Now, lets move into a time of communion and commitment to the Lord. As the Elders come up and prepare to pass out the elements to you, I want you sit and reflect on what the Lord has done this past year and what you are excited about the Lord doing this coming year.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 ESV

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.