For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. James 1:23-24
WHY THE BIBLE?
1. THERE IS NO OTHER DOCUMENTATION THAT COMPARES TO THE BIBLE
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. 2 Timothy 3:16
“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life. John 5:39-40
2. THE ACCURACY OF THE BIBLE IS BEYOND COMPREHENSION
(can you put these in the notes on the confidence monitor like we did a few weeks back?
700 BC Isaiah chapter 7 says there will be a virgin birth & bout the suffering of Jesus
800 BC Micah chapter 5 says where Jesus will be born
Zechariah 12 & Psalms 22 describes the crucifixion of Jesus)
3. THE WAY THE BIBLE POINTS TO THE PERSON OF JESUS
“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Gandhi
…The scripture cannot be broken John 10:35 KJV
“We’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”. Matthew 20:18-19
They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.” Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself; Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” Luke 25:23-27;31-32
The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:11
WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE BIBLE IS IN FACT TRUE THEN WE MUST ALLOW IT TO RADICALLY DEFINE OUR LIVES BY HEARING IT, BELIEVING IT, AND APPLYING IT!
“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the lord’s name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.” Isaiah 55:10-13
TAKE HOME
‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Matthew 4:4
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14 NIV
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalms 119:11
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11