Why the Bible?
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Introduction
Introduction
Life is much like sailing on the ocean. We each set-out on life’s adventure with child-like excitement and hope. Sometimes, when the sea of life is calm and we can see what lies out on the horizon. At other times, the is rough + choppy. We do our best to just keep from getting dragged under by the waves.
After sailing for a bit, we come to the realization that we don’t know which direction to go in. So we start looking for a map to guide us. Like the stars were for early explorers, we want this guide to be dependable and constant. It needs to be something that doesn’t depend upon our feelings and emotions but is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, no matter what is going on in life this guide needs to be there.
That’s why, as we lead-up to Easter, we are in the midst of examining the Core of Christianity. To do this we are considering (5) key questions of the Christian faith. Questions that, if one can understand and articulate, will have a tremendous impact on a person’s life.
As we consider these five questions, there is one question that is foundational for all the other five. One question that, if we don’t have a firm grasp on it, the answers to all the other questions become suspect. It goes back to our sea of life discussion. What is the best, the best, the most reliable and dependable guide to help us navigate the sea of life is the Bible.
Question: Why the Bible?
Question: Why the Bible?
Transition: As the one making that statement, I know that the burden of proof is on me. So, let me explain. The first fundamental truth I would like to share is that . . .
The Bible Is God’s Story
The Bible Is God’s Story
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
“God-breathed” = Inspired
Today, someone is “inspired” to write, paint or do something it’s more the concept of ‘motivated’
Biblical Inspiration = The process whereby the Holy Spirit operates within human beings to write the message of God
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.
The Scriptures owe their origin and distinctiveness to God Himself - this abiding character of God
The fact that the Bible is inspired by God leads us to assert that the Bible is:
Authoritative
Without falsehood or mistakes
Infallible - Does not mislead, is a sure, reliable guide and is fully trustworthy in all matters about which it speaks
If the Bible is God’s Story, It Is True
If the Bible is God’s Story, It Is True
Truth = How’s that for a loaded word?
Today, it seems like its harder and harder to figure-out what is the truth? (Fake-news, Social Media, etc.)
Albert Mohler - Today the concept of “truth has been internalized, privatized, and subjectivized. Absolute or objective truth is denied outright. Research indicates that most Americans believe that truth is internal and relative. No one, the culture shouts, has a right to impose truth, morality, or cultural standards.”
Scary proposition
However, Oxford English Dictionary defines truth as - the quality or state of being true
That which is true (corresponds to reality) as opposed to that which is false
What is real is true and what is unreal is false
This search for truth isn’t a new endeavor
People in Jesus day even question what was “truth”
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
“What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him.
It’s a valid question
The Romans said one thing, the Jews said another, the barbarians of the north had their own source of truth
Jesus seems to be making some very bold claims!
Why Is The Bible True?
Why Is The Bible True?
The Bible makes some very bold truth claims
The Bible claims itself to be true
All your words are true;
all your righteous laws are eternal.
Quoting the Bible as true to prove it as true, isn’t that circular reasoning? Sounds illogical?
It makes sense to be rightly cautious of this approach but bear with me for a moment
The Bible claims that God exists
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
The Bible claims that God has chosen to communicate with us through His creation, our moral conscience and through the Bible
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
The Bible claims that Jesus is God in the flesh and that the only way for human beings to be saved is through Him (death and resurrection)
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
These claims that the Bible makes either correspond to [align to] reality or they do not
The Bible presents a coherent theological worldview as it answers the four main questions life:
Origin - How did life come to be in the first place?
God created the heavens and the earth
Meaning - To what purpose is my life?
Love God and love neighbor
Morality - How can I choose between right and wrong?
Right and wrong
Destiny - What happens to me when I die?
Eternity with God or separated from God
Christians believe that it does, that the truth of the Bible does correspond (match) what we see in this world
Transition: In other words, we believe The Bible is God’s Story and the Bible is True. The greatest proof for the truth of the Bible is the reality that not only is The Bible is God’s Story, it also . . .
Has The Power To Shape Our Story
Has The Power To Shape Our Story
Context of 2 Timothy 3
Context of 2 Timothy 3
The Apostle Paul had observed the effect of the Bible on the life of Timothy
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
What Paul is going to do now is remind Timothy that Scripture was profitable
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
Transition: He does so by reminding Timothy of what God uses the Bible to do in a persons life . . .
The Bible Teaches People
The Bible Teaches People
“Teaching” = Source of fundamental truths that anchor us in life
Truths that can withstand the storms of this life
Jesus Parable
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Truths
Who is Jesus? Jesus is God/Man, Lord/Savior
Who is God?
Why the Cross? The Cross is God’s answer to humanity's problem of sin
Why am I here?
The Bible Rebukes People
The Bible Rebukes People
“Rebuking” = Reprimand in our personal life (personal or theological - what we believe)
The Scriptures can work us through a process:
Failure
Clarity the point of the mistake
Direction one to a new sense of peace and wholeness
Example
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
Failure - Not loving your wife in a particular decision (maybe selfish)
Clarity - The decision you made wasn’t taking into account your wife’s opinion (acting selfish and not loving)
Direction - Ask for forgiveness and re-examine the decision together (peace!)
The Bible Corrects People
The Bible Corrects People
Positive use of the Bible, not negative
“Corrects” = Restore a person’s beliefs or actions to be in a right state before God
The Bible Trains People On How To Live
The Bible Trains People On How To Live
“Training in righteousness” = A system of discipline used by a parent to develop Christian character in a child
This leads us to a Christ-like lifestyle
This process is slow, it takes time but the fruit it produces is beautiful
Transition: What happens when we read and connect with God through the teachings of the Bible?
God Shapes Our Story By Shaping Us
God Shapes Our Story By Shaping Us
so that all God’s people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
If Timothy would nurture his relationship with God through the Bible, he would be fully prepared and qualified to do whatever God put before him
He would be prepared to do whatever God called him to do
Timothy - Pastoring a church
Loving your spouse or children
Illustration
Illustration
I always go back to this reality when I think about why I believe the Bible is the best guide for us in this life - the reality of the changed life. Time would not allow me to share with you all the stories I have personally seen of how God has changed, for good, the lives of people through His Word. Yet, I do want to share with you one - my own.
My life and that of my wife’s was heavily impacted by the leadership of a Pastor that we grew-up under as young children. Through this man’s life my wife’s parents and my grandmother were influenced for Christ.
When he passed his daughter, my former youth group leader, gave me the opportunity to go into his library and choose some items to add to my own.
His Bible - warn and tattered it showed me
At that moment, it all made sense. The Bible had changed this man’s story and through His ministry was having the power to shape my own.
Conclusion
Conclusion
We began our time today talking about the storms of life and how each of us need a map, something that is reliable and can guide us through this life.
Why the Bible?
The Bible is God’s Story and Has The Power to Shape Our Story
Let me close by asking you question, what map are you using to guide yourself through the sea of life?
Yourself?
What happens when you experience trials bigger than you can handle?
What happens if your methods/way are proven wrong?
What happens if your just not enough on your own?
I would propose to you that, no matter how strong you are, no matter how smart or how gifted, there will come a time in life where will realize you can’t do it on your own.
Another person (concepts, thoughts, teachings, etc.)?
What will you do if that person is not available to guide you?
What happens when they let you down?
I would propose to you that such a person will not be enough.
The Bible?
If you have never thought about it before, you can learn about the Bible
Download a free App called YouVersion + reading plan (see comments section)
Mail anyone that would like a Bible, just let your moderator know (come with a Bible reading guide)
If you would say the Bible?
How well do you know it?
How often do you read it to discover the mind of God?
What’s going to guide you today?