2006-07-16 - The authority of the Bible - Psalm 19 7-11
Message: The authority of the Bible Scr: Psalm 19:7-11
Date: 2005-05-22 Newport Baptist Church
Intro: A certain pastor observed a little girl standing outside the preschool Sunday school classroom between Sunday school and worship, waiting for her parents to come and pick her up for "big church." The pastor noticed that she clutched a big storybook under her arm with the title "Jonah and the Whale."
Feeling mischievous, he knelt beside the girl and asked, "What's that you have in your hand?"
"This is my storybook about Jonah and the whale," she answered.
"Tell me something," he continued, "do you believe that story about Jonah and the whale?"
The girl said, "Why, of course I believe it!"
The pastor inquired further, "You really believe a man can be swallowed up by a big whale, stay inside him all that time, and come out okay?"
She declared, "Yes! This story is in the Bible, and we talked about it in Sunday school today."
Then the pastor asked, "Can you prove to me this story is true?"
She thought for a moment and then said, "Well, when I get to heaven, I'll ask Jonah."
Finally the pastor asked, "What if Jonah's not in heaven?"
The girl put her hands on her hips and sternly declared, "Then YOU can ask him!"
Explanation – The little girl believed the Bible. Why? We accept the Bible as God’s word by faith, but we can and should go further than that. Last week I talked about the pre-eminence of christ, our first value, that we put Jesus Christ first. We cannot do that however, unless we also accept our second value, the authority of the Bible
TS - The Authority of the Bible is critical to us. It is through the Bible we learn of Jesus Christ and what he has done for us, the Gospel!
Well worth the time to examine the evidence for the Bible, there is proof in
Ø science (the earth is round, physics – water and air have weight, medicine-blood is key to life,
Ø archaeology (ancient cities, dinosaurs),
Ø history (Josephus and Tacitus, martyrdom),
Ø textual evidence (proof texts-20,000 copies, vs 5 of Aristotle)
I’m personally amazed at Bible prophecy – over 2000 have been fulfilled already in exactly the way the Bible speaks of. The chance of even 13 prophecies coming true is about 1 in 10 to the 138th power.
Law of thermodynamics – heat flows from a hot body to a cold body – chance that it will reverse – 1 in 10 to the 80th power.
Anyone here think that ice is going to heat up fire? Warm up your lemonade?
Two Questions about the Bible this morning – What is it? What is it’s purpose?
1) What it is
a) Pure.
i) Ill – dove 99% pure… good enough. Lawn care – chemicals are used in 1% solution, 99% water and I would never dream of drinking it!
ii) Ps 12:6; And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.
iii) 119:140; Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them
iv) Pr 30:5. Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him
v) We are called to purity, we can only be purified by his word
b) True.
i) Ill – ever told a lie? One you knew that would hurt someone but would save you from punishment? God knows the truth, his truth alone can set us free from sin. The Bible is God’s truth!
ii) Ps 119:160; All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.
iii) Joh 17:17. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
iv) We are called to purity and truth, we can learn the truth through the Bible, God teaches us that the truth will set us free!
c) Perfect.
i) Ps 19:7-11 - Our passage today! read again!
ii) God’s word
(1) Revives the soul – vs 7
(2) Makes wise the simple – vs 7b
(3) Give joy to the heart – vs 8a
(4) Give light to the eyes – vs 8b
(5) Ensure our reward – vs 11
d) Precious.
i) Ps 19:9b-11 - The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
ii) they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
iii) Ill – Q – what is precious to us? People? Places? Things? Memories? Most precious thing is the bible because it tells us how to be saved!
e) Quick and powerful.
i) Ill - A Christian university student shared a room with a Muslim. As they became friends, their conversation turned to their beliefs.
(1) The believer asked the Muslim if he'd ever read the Bible. He answered no, but then asked if the Christian had ever read the Koran. The believer responded, "No, I haven't, but I'm sure it would be interesting. Why don't we read both together, once a week, alternating books?" The young man accepted the challenge, their friendship deepened, and during the second term he became a believer in Jesus. One evening, late in the term, he burst into the room and shouted at the longtime believer, "You lied to me!" "What are you talking about?" the believer asked. The new believer opened his Bible and said, "I've been reading it through, like you told me, and just read that the Word is living and active!" He grinned. "You knew all along that the Bible contained God's power and that the Koran is a book like any other. I never had a chance!" "And now you'll hate me for life?" queried the believer. "No," he answered, "but it was an unfair contest."
ii) Heb 4:12. For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
2) What is the purpose of the Bible
a) 2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
i) Teaching
ii) Rebuking
iii) Correcting
iv) Training in righteousness
v) Equipping for service – good works.
Conclusion – Where is our victorious Christian life? How can we find answers to tough questions?
Ø If you have been wondering why being a Christian is so hard… read the word.
Ø If you are wondering why there is suffering in the world, read the word.
Ø If you wonder how come you have such a hard time in the workplace, read the word
Ø If you are struggling to strengthen your relationships with your children, your parents, your spouse, your church… read the word.
Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 to close
Without the Word there is no salvation
Without the scripture there is no way to know Jesus
Without the Bible, we would still be lost.
God inspired it, men wrote it, so we could have it.
My friends, there are many ways to study the Bible, but I want to challenge you this morning… to put Christ first, you must know, use, read and believe his word.
It is not enough to own a bible… you must know it and accept its authority if you want to experience the victorious Christian life.
Put Jesus first and accept the authority of his word that you might have life and life more abundantly.
Prayer –