What a United Methodist Think About the Bible

Good morning Christ Church.

THANK THE WORKERS FROM THE WORK DAY!

I am so excited you came back for this third message in this exciting series, What an United Methodist Believes.

For those of you who was unable to be here for the first two, we are discussing the beliefs of, An United Methodist, and that United Methodist is me. I don’t pretend to speak for all United Methodist, I am just say this is what I believe, what I hold dear, and what I am willing to die for.

The first two Sunday we discover the beliefs about the church. Today we are going to discover beliefs about the Bible.

And as Saint Augustine has pointed out, “Faith is to believe what you do not yet see; the reward for this faith is to see what you believe.” Inc Merriam-Webster, The Merriam-Webster Dictionary of Quotations, (Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, 1992), 34.

Let’s begin with this short video titled, “The Bible.”

Inc Merriam-Webster, The Merriam-Webster Dictionary of Quotations, (Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, 1992), 34.

You may have heard in the video that the Bible is the Word of God. Let me repeat that, the Bible is the word of God.

It don’t not just contain the Word of God, or point to the word of God.

The Bible is the Word of God?

2 Peter 1:20–21 NASB95

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Notice with me in this text, who is speaking. God! The Bible was written as men were moved by the Holy Spirit and they spoke for God.

Think about that for just a moment, the God who created this whole world has spoken to us. Do you have any idea how big that is. The God who spoke and this entire world sprang into existence, has taken the time to speak to you and me.

If the President wrote me a personal letter, I would stop and read it. I would read it over and over. Each time, I would highlight different words. I would also share it with me friends, who am I kidding, I would post it on Facebook. Why, because someone really important wrote to me.

Now stop to think about this, someone the President prays to has written you a personal letter. Do you read it? Do you hang on this every word? Do you highlight it words? Do you share it with your friends?

"This Book [is] the most valuable thing that this world affords. Here is Wisdom; this is the royal Law; these are the lively Oracles of God.” With these words the Moderator of the Church of Scotland hands a Bible to the new monarch in Britain’s coronation service. These words echo the King James Bible translators, who wrote in 1611: “God’s sacred Word … is that inestimable treasure that excelleth all the riches of the earth"

The Bible is the Word of God.

But that is not all,

The Bible is Relevant in our Lives?

2 Timothy 3:16 NASB95

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

2 tim 3:16

The Bible is Relevant in our Lives?

SINCE GOD GAVE US THE ENTIRE BIBLE, ALL OF ITS TEACHINGS ARE RELEVANT FOR OUR LIVES.

SINCE GOD GAVE US THE ENTIRE BIBLE, ALL OF ITS TEACHINGS ARE RELEVANT FOR OUR LIVES.

The Bible is more relevant this today’s news paper. You say, wait a minute Terry, how can a book written over 2000 years ago be more relevant then today’s news paper.

Why the Bible?

Well, I take the USA Today Newspaper. On the second page, every day is this section. Let me read it to you.

Corrections and clarifications.

Our goal is to promptly correct errors. Email us at [e-mail] to report a mistake.

Why do you think they put that in the paper every day? Because, as careful as USA Today to get their facts right, they still, from time to time, get it wrong.

No know, I have read my Bible completely through, and I have not found a Corrections and Clarifications section, it’s not there. God’s word is never wrong.

Scripture is the school of the Holy Spirit, in which, as nothing is omitted that is both necessary and useful to know, so nothing is taught but what is expedient to know. -- John Calvin, INSTITUTES

Why the Bible?

SINCE GOD HAS SPOKEN THROUGH THE BIBLE, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO LISTEN TO ITS MESSAGE.

Why the Bible?

The Relevance of the Bible ()

The Bible Communicates God’s Voice ()

2 Peter 1:20–21 NASB95

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

The Bible is Our Standard

John 17:17 NASB95

“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

Why the Bible?

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Why the Bible?

SINCE GOD HAS REVEALED HIS TRUTH TO US IN THE BIBLE, IT IS OUR FINAL STANDARD FOR WHAT’S TRUE.

Why the Bible?

The Relevance of the Bible ()

The Bible Communicates God’s Voice ()

The Bible is Our Standard ()

The Bible Changes Us ()

Hebrews 4:12 NASB95

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Why the Bible?

Why the Bible?

SINCE GOD WORKS IN OUR LIVES THROUGH THE BIBLE, IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR OUR SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION

SINCE GOD WORKS IN OUR LIVES THROUGH THE BIBLE, IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR OUR SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION

Romans 12:2 NASB95

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.