Scripture, What Good is it?

Matthew 24:35–36 “35 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. 36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.

I. THE INTRODUCTION OF SCRIPTURE

A. The time. The Old Testament was written before Christ was born, the New Testament after Jesus was born. The Old Testament writing spans 1600 years. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew, the New Testament in Greek.

B. The translations. In A. D. 400, Jerome translated the Bible into the Latin (called Vulgate). John Wycliffe published the first English Bible. In 1603, King James had a group of men translate the Bible into our English language. This translation, known as the King James Version, is the one which until 20-30 years ago we used most often. Today, there are about 5 I use or refer to.

We have a tendency to think or believe that, as long as my heart is touched, I have found the meaning of a passage. We also tend to think that if we read and memorize Scripture, its meaning will automatically become clear......Wrong All true interpretation seeks the meaning that the author intended to convey to his audience for the use to glorify our father, we are to learn how to act and treat others.

The past few weeks, I have preached of “peace” where does it come from and do we need it? I preached on the “Good News, Jesus Christ” I preached on the “light.”

I was having a conversation Thursday evening with a friend, they asked a great question about the “Prayer we pray every Sunday, “heaven on earth.” We had just chatted about my message this Sunday. Well, there it was, my message was to be on Scripture and how do we receive a “passion” to read God’s Holy Word.”

So many people, well really most people including me in my past jump around scripture trying to find the perfect one that we can use to get our way or the perfect one to win an argument. LOL Well, RIGHT?

Of course I’m right. I have done that exact thing.

Honestly, I am quite sad about the lack of people not reading the Bible. I hint and ask, “do you read the Bible? Have you ever read the entire Bible? What is your favorite book of the Bible. Which is your favorite, the OT or NT?

II. So, what is the big deal? Why is my heart so set on the you all as my congregation to be reading and the major IMPORTANCE OF GETTING TO KNOW SCRIPTURE? I’M GLAD YOU ASKED.......

A. It is sure—Matt. 24:35. again I read: “35 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

B. It is settled in heaven, we are told over and over in scripture, it’s important—

Psalm 119:89–90 “89 Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven. 90 Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created.”

C. The words and instruction of the Bible saves us—Jesus says in the book of John........

John 5:39–40 “39 “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! 40 Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.”

D. It is satisfying Do you all remember last week when I preached on Peace and the fact it is satisfying? Of course it is, we all like peace. Well, God’s Holy Word is satisfying as well if you just dip your toe in the water, just open it up and read a few minutes......

What is the hardest part of starting to workout, to start walking, to stop smoking? The first day!!!!!!We spend weeks, months, years wanting to do something good for ourselves, like reading the Bible. We gotta start people.

We read in Jeremiah.....

Jeremiah 15:15–17 “15 Then I said, “Lord, you know what’s happening to me. Please step in and help me. Punish my persecutors! Please give me time; don’t let me die young. It’s for your sake that I am suffering. 16 When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. 17 I never joined the people in their merry feasts. I sat alone because your hand was on me. I was filled with indignation at their sins.”

The Bible gives us: (1) hope, (2) courage, (3) faith, (4) wisdom, and (5) peace. No other book does this! It is the most important book in the world.

III. THE INSPIRATION OF SCRIPTURE

A. The meaning of inspiration. This means God “breathed upon man,” showing him what to write. The Bible is not a book of man’s opinions but God’s Word to man.

B. The men who were inspired.

2 Peter 1:20–21 “20 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.”

Note, men spoke “as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” If men had written their own ideas, not all forty writers would have agreed. The phrase, “Thus saith the Lord” appears over 2,000 times in the Bible.

C. The message of inspiration—Paul writes to Timothy the preacher.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 Lets just try to picture Paul telling, leading, mentoring Timothy........Timothy, listen to me......”16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” BAM.....Thats it isn’t it?

Jesus often used quotations from the Old Testament. (Jesus read and knew scripture). Note some of the Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in the New Testament.

1. We read in the OT about the Birth of Christ—

Isaiah 7:14 “14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’)

2. We read in the OT the Place of Christ’s birth.

Micah 5:2 “2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.”

3. We read in the OT about the Sufferings of Christ and the specifics of His torture and death.—Isaiah 53, ‘Im not going to read all this today. You read it?

D. The proof of both the OT and NT inspiration. There are many: (1) its unity, (2) its accuracy, (3) its fulfilled prophecies, (4) its high moral standards, (5) its influence on men and nations, (6) its revelation of God, and (7) its timelessness.

My personal thoughts from vast experiences of reading the Bible totally wrong. See me, let’s chat. The NT has several primary themes, but ALL flow from the OT concept of a holy God who is characterized by justice and love.

AMEN