The Bible
Notes
Transcript
Review:
Review:
Turn to 2 Timothy 3:16-17
The last two weeks we have studied the purpose of the local church.
To preach the Word of God
To provide fellowship
To provide oversight
To practice the two ordinances
To spread the Gospel
To help God’s children grow in grace
To restore sinful members
To disciple and mature one another
To bring glory to God
Remember: we are learning this material so that we can teach others these principles.
Introduction - Chapter seven: the Bible
Introduction - Chapter seven: the Bible
This past Sunday I said that the Gentile pagans of Paul’s day had three sources of divine light.
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Creation - Psalm 19:1-3
Providential control of circumstances - Acts 14:15-17
Conscience - Romans 2:13-15
Imagine if these were the only sources of revelation that you had.
What would you know about God?
He is the creator
He is the sustainer
He is the lawgiver and judge
He is to be feared and worshiped
Beyond this, we wouldn’t know much else.
In Jeremiah 22:29, Jeremiah makes this declaration:
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29 O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord.
That is the declaration of the entire Bible. It is our exclusive source of divine revelation.
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“Therefore, as believers, we should make regular Bible study a part of our daily activities.” - First Steps For New Christians, page 47
Key Bible Truths
Key Bible Truths
Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17
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According to verse 16, who is the author of the Bible? God
“Over a period of 1,500 years, God used more than forty different men from a variety of background to record each word [of the Bible].” - First Steps For New Christians, page 48
I have heard these numbers given over the years. They are approximate numbers, but here’s how we get this timeframe:
It is believed that Moses lived somewhere around 1500-1400 years before the time of Christ. All of the New Testament books were completed well before 100 AD - or years after Christ. That’s why it is said that the Bible was written over 1500 years - from the first books of Moses to John’s Revelation.
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How can we defend our Bible?
We make no apology for the fact that what we believe is grounded in faith. But at the same time, there is good reason to believe what we choose to believe.
We must teach the next generation not just what we believe, but why we believe it. Don’t be afraid of their questions. Don’t treat their questions as a bad thing. If you don’t know, say, “I don’t know but I’ll find out” and then go study it out for yourself.
“One of Satan’s goals is to get man to doubt the Word of God.” - First Steps For New Christians, page 49
Let’s consider some of those reasons.
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Proof 1: Indestructibility
From time to time, I’ll run into people who openly mock the Bible and the Christian faith. They think that they’re intelligent and that we’re a bunch of crazy people. What should amaze them is that the Bible still exists to be mocked at all! It has had plenty of enemies who dedicated their lives to its destruction, but they’ve all failed, and the Bible has outlived them all.
Dicoletian, Roman Emperor, had Bibles burned in the fourth century
Cuthbert Tunstall, bishop of London, oversaw the burning of confiscated Tyndale Bibles
The Roman Catholic Church prohibited the reading of Scriptures and had the Bibles of “heretics” burned.
Soviet Russia, Communist China, and many other governments have destroyed the Scriptures…but it somewhere survives.
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Proof 2: evidence from prophecy
Another evidence in defense of our Bible is fulfilled prophecy.
I took a class in college entitled, “Christology.” It was a study of Jesus Christ. The class notes began with a list of forty Old Testament prophecies that were fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Such as:
He would be born of a virgin
He would be of the seed of David
He would be born of a virgin
He would be born in Bethlehem
Jesus is an indisputable figure of history. He was also the fulfillment of dozens of prophecies.
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Proofs 3 and 4: evidences from archaeology and science
I am grateful for Ken Ham and all that he has done through the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter. He has soundly proven that archaeology and science are on our side.
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Why should we read our Bible?
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The Word of God brings growth
The Christian life is never static. Either you’re growing or you’re wilting. Reading the Bible with an open heart and an open mind will bring growth.
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18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Application: You must have a teachable heart and a desire to learn.
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The Word of God helps us resist temptation
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.
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“This Bible will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this Bible.” - D.L. Moody
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The Word of God has power to change lives
We have heard missionaries share stories of God’s grace. Even better, we have seen God changes the lives of every single Christian in this room. Your life is a story of God’s grace.
All of these are good reasons to read the Bible, but I believe that if we stop here, the list is incomplete. There is one more reason why you should read the Bible.
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The Word of God is God’s love letter to you
Yes, reading the Bible will cause you to grow.
Yes, reading the Bible will help you resist temptation.
Yes, reading the Bible will change your life, but let’s not talk about reading the Bible strictly because it benefits us.
The ultimate reason we read the Bible is because it reveals God to us.
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So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Application: Don’t read the Bible because of what you’ll get out of it. Read the Bible because you will come to know God through it.
After 11 years of marriage, there has been slow but steady growth in my marriage relationship with Jana. That’s exactly what God intends for your personal relationship with Him.
How is your relationship with God compared to last month?
How is your relationship with God compared to last year?
What has God taught you since then? How have you grown since then?
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God!
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How should we read our Bible?
“The Bible is a big book and can seem a little overwhelming at first.” - First Steps For New Christians, page 55
Practical helps:
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Sharpen Your Sword by Dr. Steve Damron
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Devotional books*
*“Man shall not live by devotional books alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Application: You have the Holy Spirit to guide you just like I do. Make sure you are in a right relationship with God. Ask Him to teach you, and begin reading.
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Use a reading plan and/or keep a journal
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The Gospels
The Psalms/The Proverbs
Through the Bible in a year (page 89)
OT/NT
Use tools:
Chronological Bible
Study Bible
*Keep it fresh!!! (Just like taking your wife on a date!)
What are some things you do?
Conclusion
Conclusion
Assign next chapter as reading assignment
