What is the Bible?
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Why are you here?
Why are you here?
What are your motives for being here? Its what I do on Sundays, or its better than any other place I can be, my relationships are here.
Pre conceived.
exposit or deposit.
But why should we be here?
Here to Know God, and because we know God we trust him and in trusting him we learn to obey him.
So every week we will finish by writing our statement of faith regarding the topic of the week.
To Know God, To Trust God, To Obey God
To Know God, To Trust God, To Obey God
the entirety of the Bible, the Old Testament and New Testament is the basis for Christian belief. Every Christian should ask the question, what is the Bible? And spend time finding out what God says about his word within the scripture. This week we seek its authority, it’s clarity, it’s necessity, and it’s sufficiency. Because scripture is the very words of God, we must spend our lives seeking to understand scripture if we want to know, trust, and obey God.
How many times a week do you read your bible?
Lynn sent me a instagram post that was interesting.
1 day a week very little affect
2 to 3 days per week you can see it but the difference is minor
4 or more times per week
228 % more likely to share their faith
400% more likely to memorize scripture
59% less likely to view inappropriate material online
30 % less likely to struggle with loneliness, depression and anxiety
Quote “when the Word, or better yet God becomes the majority of your week your life will start to change.”
The word of God is transformative
We start off with a big statement by Grudem.
Therefore to disbelief or disobey the words of the Bible is to disbelief or disobey God himself!
What is the Bible -
The very Word of God revealed to mankind in a variety of ways here are 3
From the very mouth of God - Thus says the Lord
Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel
and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
“I am the first and I am the last;
besides me there is no god.
But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
Thus says the Lord,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you to profit,
who leads you in the way you should go.
2. Through first hand witnesses or through the preaching of the Word -
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
3. Through the Holy Spirit -
Grudem comments that the Holy Spirit does not change the words of scripture in anyway, he doesn’t make them become the words of God, for they have always been. He does however change the reader of scripture. The holy scripture makes readers realize the Bible is unlike any book they have read. Through reading, they believe that the words of scripture are the very words of God.
Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me,
“Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
Three Ways God reveals himself in scripture.
General revelation - with general revelation God reveals himself Romans 1:18-23
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Divine revelation - is when the Holy Spirit calls on individuals to salvation, knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 29:18
Where there is no prophetic vision (or revelation) the people cast off restraint, (unbelieving).
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
We see those that are not drawn.
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Special revelation - God revealing himself to individuals for specific tasks. Can you name some? Donkey.
These are the most dramatic encounters, I would guess because God wants to make the biggest impact on their desire. Noah, Moses, Jonah,
We must believe 4 things about Scripture to really move forward in any relationship with God through his Word.
A. Scripture is Authoritative - If these words are the words of God, there is no higher authority than these.
All scripture is breathed out by God. 2 Timothy 3:16 .
B. Scripture is Clear - through the reading it becomes clear, things that were once hidden from view are now revealed. scripture talks about a veil over peoples eyes. through reading and prayer this veil can be removed from us. Grudem says - right understanding requires time, effort, the help of the Holy Spirit, and obedience. He is exactly right.
Scripture becomes clear as we follow him. John 10:27
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
Psa 19:7 the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
Grudem again says, as Christians, we need to put in time and effort to rightly understand the Bible, we are to delight in it and meditate on it day and night. Psa 1:2.
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
Scripture tells us - for the things of God are spiritually discerned, and we need the help of the Holy Spirit to “teach us all things” , that we might understand the things freely given to us.
C. Scripture Is Necessary -
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
D. Scripture is Sufficient -
Freely given to us.
Just like our salvation that God gives to us freely, we must accept it, turn to it, believe it
The same is true with scripture, he freely gives it us, but we must accept it as truth, and turn to to it, and believe it
When it comes to our success in scripture, and our relationship with God it depends on our submission to it, and ultimately to our submission to God.
God I want to know you,
God I want to trust you.
God I want to Obey you.
2 15
discussion about the weeks reading. What was impactful for you?
4th 15
Read scriptures from baptist faith and message. Discussion and writhing of our statement of faith.
What is the Bible?
