We Can Trust the Bible

Series: “Building on Bedrock”#9 Sept. 1, 2019 GWB “We Can Trust the Bible” - Isaiah 40:6-8 - We must build our lives on a solid foundation. We have been finding our foundation in the Bible. But can we trust the Bible? Can we stake our lives, our families, our eternal destiny on teachings of the Bible? Isn’t the Bible an old book? Was it not written by mere men? Can we really trust it? We are followers of Jesus Christ, and as such we stand in a long line of “people of the book.” The conviction is that God has spoken; he has revealed himself to prophets and apostles, and these authors have recorded his words, as superintended by the Holy Spirit. Jesus himself regarded every word of the Hebrew Scriptures as trustworthy: “I tell you the truth, 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” (Matt. 5:18). We follow Jesus. The Bible is true and trustworthy. I. God’s word has authority Isaiah 40:6-8 1. Isaiah observes that people come and go. Our lives are full of plans and frustrations, blather and bluster, success and failure—and then we are gone. Our lives are brief! But God’s word stands. a. Isaiah was predicting that Israel would be freed from Babylon. God was coming to lead his people out of Babylon—on a straight path right through the desert, with mountains and valleys removed (3-5). b. How could this be true? The King of Babylon was the most powerful man on earth! But “the mouth of the Lord has spoken” (5). That settles that. All men are grass; God’s word stands—and stands forever (6-8). 2. God’s word has authority over all. He commanded, and the world was created (Ps. 33:6). He speaks, and creation obeys—whether rain, snow, hail or heat—it is all governed by God (Matt. 5:45; Acts 14:17). 3. So God’s word has authority for our lives. a. When God promises salvation for sinners like us, who call on the name of the Lord (Romans 10:13), his promise can be trusted. When God promises forgiveness to the repentant, we may trust him! b. All that God teaches has authority for our lives—and for the church. And this has not changed! What the Bible says about creation, about salvation, about life—about everything—has God’s authority. c. And so we humble ourselves before God, receive his word, believe it, obey it—and proclaim its teaching to everyone, that they too may share in God’s grace and goodness. II. God’s word is powerful 1 Peter 1:23-25 1. God’s word has power to save us. a. As Peter writes of the redeeming power of God’s word, he describes it as “imperishable, living and enduring”—and quotes Isaiah. b. The ultimate form of God’s word to us is the gospel—the good news of the Son of God’s death and resurrection to save us. This message has great power—power to save all who believe (Rom 1:16; 10:13.) 2. God’s word has power to sanctify us (John 17:17). a. Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by the truth. Your word is truth.” We could paraphrase, “Set them apart for your work and mature them through your word. Your word is the absolute standard of truth.” b. We grow toward maturity by spending time with God reverently hearing him speak. God’s word has great power to mature us and to strengthen our faith! III. God’s word is sufficient 2 Timothy 3:16-17 1. All of Scripture is breathed out by God—it has its source in God himself—and so every paragraph and every word is true. 2. Not only is it true, but it is sufficient to equip us to serve God. a. God’s word teaches us what to believe and how to behave (16). It teaches us to invest our lives for Christ and his kingdom; it directs us to right priorities, to love God and our fellow man. It teaches us. b. God’s word rebukes us. So often we go astray, center life on ourselves, and get our priorities askew. Scripture rebukes and corrects us (16). c. Scripture trains us in righteousness—and so we are fully equipped for service through God’s word, the Bible. 3. This passage warns us from giving other things authority in the church, or in our lives. a. Our favorite Bible teacher, our favorite Bible study notes are not Scripture. The latest book on business and marketing is not Scripture. b. Good books and study Bibles are good when they help us understand Scripture—but we must distinguish between Scripture and notes at the bottom of the page. Responding to God We trust the Bible; it is the word of Almighty God. 1. All the skeptics who reject the Bible, the philosophers who critique it, the detractors who mock it will pass away. All men are like grass; but the word of God stands forever. 2. And it gives us the guidance we need today. God has given us his word. We stand on it; we live by it. Your word is truth.