Why the Bible is Important

Introduction

The purpose of this lesson is to demonstrate the importance of Scripture, so that we might place the proper emphasis of the Scripture upon our lives and decisions as Christians.

It might seem like a silly subject to spend a lesson on, as most Christians will tell you that the Bible is of utmost importance. However, the priority they place it in their lives tells a different story.

Read Psa. 119

I. Because of the Attention It’s Received

Satan Attacked it (Gen. 3:1-4)

Gen. 3:1-4 “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:”

Jesus relied on it (Mat. 4)

In Jesus’ temptation of Satan - Jesus relied on the Word of God during the battle

Jesus was called it (Joh. 1)

Joh. 1:1-3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Joh. 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

It’s the Subject of great Focus (Psa. 119)

The longest chapter in the Bible is dedicated solely unto it

God Inspired it (2Tim. 3:16a)

2Tim 3:16a “All scripture is given by inspiration of God...

Inspiration (def) ‘Divinely breathed in’ - these are the very Words of God!

We depend on it (2Tim. 3:15,17)

2Tim 3:15 “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2Tim. 3:17 “That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

II. Because of What it Gives

It gives us instruction for life (2Tim. 3:16)

2Tim. 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

Doctrine - Our Principles & Beliefs

Reproof - To Rebuke or Reprimand - to show us what’s wrong

Correction - To show us how to get right

Instruction in Righteousness - How to stay right & grow in Righteousness

It gives us Spiritual Nourishment (Mat. 4:1-4)

Mat. 4:1-4 “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

It gives us God’s expectations for us

We don’t have to guess

We don’t have to wonder

We can know what God expects from us - In what we do, what we say, where we should be, what our priorities should be, etc...

It gives us what we should expect from God

It also tells us what we should expect from God - how He will act & react in our lives

III. Because of What it Can Do

It has the power to transform eternal destinations (Rom. 1:16; Rom. 10:17)

Rom. 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

Rom. 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

It has the power to transform earthly lives (Joh. 10:10)

Joh. 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

I’m not going to tell you that everything in your life will be sunshine and roses - in fact the Scripture says it won’t 2Tim. 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

But you can have peace, contentment, satisfaction - those things that money can’t buy that are so elusive in this world.

IV. Because of What God Said To Do With It

We’re called to Study it (2Tim. 2:15)

2Tim. 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

We’re commanded to Share it (Mar. 16:15; Mat. 28:19-20)

Mar. 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Mat. 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

We need to be ready to give answer (1Pet. 3:15)

1Pet. 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”

Conclusion