The Bible is the Word of God. Part Four.

 

The Bible is the Word of God. Part Four.

 

Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for DOCTRINE, for REPROOF, for CORRECTION, for INSTRUCTION in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” 2 Peter 1:21.

 

7. GOD’S WORD IS PROFITABLE FOR CORRECTION.

 

FOR CORRECTION.

 

          Correction means punishment designed to restore, being corrected. To set up straight, to restore to a right state. The word has reference to rectifying wrong and restoring right living, and to improve life and character. 

The Word of God can do more than reprove us when we are wrong; the Word of God can correct us and set us right again in doctrine and in practice. The Word of God must ever be the rule and standard by which doctrine and living is tested.

 

A. MEANS OF CORRECTION:

          1. Scripture, 2 Timothy 3:16.

          2. The rod, Proverbs 22:15.

          3. Wickedness, Jeremiah 2:19.

          4. Prayer, Jeremiah 10:24.

          5. God’s judgement, Jeremiah 46:28.

 

B. BENEFITS OF CORRECTION:

          1. Makes one happy, Job 5:17.

          2. Sign of Sonship, Proverbs 3:12.

          3. Needed for children, Proverbs 23:13.

          4. Brings rest, Proverbs 29:17.

 

C. THE WORD OF GOD CORRECTS US:

 

1. The Word of God can correct us regarding Christian Baptism. = Jesus only.

2. The Word of God can correct us regarding the Lord’s Supper. = Mass.

3. The Word of God can correct us regarding Christian Stewardship. = Tithes.

4. The Word of God can correct us regarding The Church. = Buildings.

5. The Word of God can correct us regarding Heaven and Hell. = Eternity.

 

          Many of the false doctrines and teachings would be removed if the Word of God were read, studied, and followed. We must always hold fast to the Word of God and be willing to be corrected by God’s Word. For it will keep us in His blessing.

 

BENEFITS OF CORRECTION:

 

1. Makes one happy, Job 5:17. “Happy and fortunate is the man whom God reproves; so, do not despise or reject the correction of the Almighty [subjecting you to trial and suffering].

2. Sign of Sonship, Proverbs 3:12 “For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.”

3. Brings rest, Proverbs 29:17 “Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your heart.”

 

 

 

 

8.    GOD’S WORD IS PROFITABLE FOR INSTRUCTION.

 

Instruction means imparting knowledge to others, the process of teaching, correcting mistakes and curbing passions. God’s Word instructs us in integrity; virtue; purity of life; uprightness; and the correctness of our thinking, feeling, and acting.

 

A. INSTRUCTION GIVEN BY:

          1. Parents, Deuteronomy 6:6-25.

          2. Priests, Deuteronomy 24:8.

          3. Teachers, Nehemiah 8:7-8.

          4. God, Jeremiah 32:33.

          5. The Holy Spirit, John 14:26.

          6. Pastors, Ephesians 4:11.

 

B. MEANS OF INSTRUCTION:

          1. God’s Word, 2 Timothy 3:15-16.

          2. Songs, Deuteronomy 32:1-44.

          3. Proverbs, Proverbs 1:1-30.

          4. Nature, Proverbs 6:6-25.

          5. Human nature, Proverbs 24:30-34.

          6. Law, Romans 2:18.

          7. History, 1 Corinthians 10:1-11.

 

The Word of God must be the practical guide for every person who seeks to live an upright and honest life. The Word of God is full of instruction in righteousness:

1. Found in the teachings of the Psalms.

2. Found in the teachings of the Prophets.

3. Found in the teachings of the Ten Commandments.

4. Found in the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount.

5. Found in the teachings of the Epistles.

6. Found in the example of the life of Jesus.

7. Found in the example of others in the Bible.

 

9.    SEVEN POINTS TO REMEMBER IN READING THE BIBLE.

 

ONE:

          Read it lovingly. The Bible is the Word of the Lord our Saviour to us. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!” Psalm 119:11.

 

TWO:

          Read it reverently. The Bible is the Word of God, the Almighty Saviour and Judge.

 

THREE:

          Read it prayerfully. The Bible is God’s message to us, to our own heart and life.

 

FOUR:

          Read it thoughtfully. Meditate on the Word of God.

 

FIVE:

          Read it systematically. Read right through the Bible, not just selected portions.

 

SIX:

          Read it purposefully. We need to obey that which our Father teaches us from His Word.

 

SEVEN:

          Read it daily. Not just on Sundays, but every day of your life read a portion.

 

Conclusion:

 

          Make the Bible your constant guide and companion in life. The Bible is the Word of God; it is worthy of being believed, read, and studied, and pray for the Holy Spirit to help you understand its message.

The Bible is the Word of God. Part Three.

 

The Bible is the Word of God. Part Three.

 

Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for DOCTRINE, for REPROOF, for CORRECTION, for INSTRUCTION in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” 2 Peter 1:21.

 

1.    GOD’S WORD IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE.

         

Doctrine is teaching or learning about our faith. A set of principles and beliefs held by the Christian Church. The Word of God is profitable for knowledge in divine things, for instruction in the things of God.

 

A. DOCTRINE IS THE STATEMENT OF:

          1. Our Creed, an authority’s summary of Christian beliefs,

          2 Timothy 3:16.

          2. Our Foundation, the strong base on which we build upon.

          Hebrews 6:1-2.

3. Our Tradition, the handing down of beliefs from one generation to another, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

 

B. DOCTRINE IS ESSENTIAL FOR OUR BELIEFS OF:

          1. The Bible’s inspiration, 2 Timothy 3:16.

          2. Christ’s deity, 1 Corinthians 12:3.

          3. Christ’s incarnation, 1 John 4:1-6.

          4. Christ’s resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20.

          5. Christ’s return, 2 Peter 3:3-13.

          6. Salvation by faith, Acts 2:38.

 

C. DOCTRINE AND OUR ATTITUDE:

          1. To Obey, Romans 6:17.

          2. To Receive, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

          3. To Hold fast, 2 Timothy 1:13.

          4. To Adorn, Titus 2:10.

 

D. GOD’S WORD IS PROFITABLE CONCERNING JESUS CHRIST.

 

1. Who is Jesus? The Bible tells us of the person of Christ Jesus and His character.

2. What did Jesus do and speak? The Bible tells us about Christ’s actions and teachings.

3. When did Jesus live? The Bible tells us about His birth and His death.

4. Where did Jesus live? The Bible tells us about His home, His family, and His work.

5. Why did Jesus live? The Bible tells us of God’s great love in sending Jesus to die for us.

 

E. GOD’S WORD IS PROFITABLE CONCERNING THE CHURCH.

 

1. What did the New Testament Church believe and teach? The Bible gives us the answers.

2. What did the New Testament Church practice? The Bible gives us the answers.

3. What were the mission and the commission of the New Testament Church? Again, the Bible gives us the answers.

 

 

F. GOD’S WORD IS PROFITABLE CONCERNING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.

1. What is the source of the Christian life?

2. What is the nature of the Christian life?

3. What is the purpose of the Christian life?

          Confusion concerning doctrines has resulted from inexperience and neglect of God’s Word. Many doctrines have become attached to Christianity that has no place in God’s Word. Many practices have grown up for which there is no basis in God’s Word.

 

2.    GOD’S WORD IS PROFITABLE FOR REPROOF.

 

          Reproof means: a cutting rebuke for misconduct, an expression of condemnation for a fault or offence. The Word of God reveals all that is false and wrong, set against God’s truth and duty, whether in ourselves or in others.

 

A. SOURCES OF REPROOF:

          1. God’s Word, 2 Timothy 3:16.

          2. God Himself, Psalm 50:8.

          3. Backslidings, Jeremiah 2:19.

          4. John the Baptist, Luke 3:16.

 

B. EXAMPLES OF REPROOF:

          1. The life of Samuel, 1 Samuel 13:13.

          2. The life of Daniel, Daniel 5:22-23.

          3. The life of John the Baptist, Matthew 3:7-12.

          4. The life of Stephen, Acts 7:51.

          5. The life of Paul, Galatians 2:11.

 

C. THE WORD OF GOD, AND THE SINNER.

 

1. The Word of God rebukes sin.

2. The Word of God condemns evil and sin and stands guard over the lives of men.

3. The Word of God takes no pleasure in evil, wickedness, or wrongdoing.

4. The Word of God is profitable for the discipline of the sinner.

 

          The one book the sinner is afraid of is the Bible, the Word of God. For the moment, a sinner comes under its examination, he or she stands condemned. For the Word of God pierces the heart of men and women, until they abandon their sins and give themselves to Christ Jesus.

 

D. THE WORD OF GOD KILLS AND GIVES LIFE.

 

1. The reproof of God’s Word, if humbly received, is healing for the results of sin.

2. The Word of God wounds, only to heal.

3. It kills, to make alive.

4. It condemns, to save.

          End of part three, part four will follow.

The Bible is the Word of God. Part Two.

 

The Bible is the Word of God. Part Two.

 

Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for DOCTRINE, for REPROOF, for CORRECTION, for INSTRUCTION in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” 2 Peter 1:21.

 

1.    SEVEN SYMBOLS USED TO ILLUSTRATE THE BIBLE.

 

ONE: A SWORD.

          The Bible is a pointed Word that convicts the hearer: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” Hebrews 4:12.

 

TWO: A HAMMER.

          The Bible is powerful and breaks the resistance of the hearer: “Is not My word like a fire?” says the Lord, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:29.

 

THREE: SEED.

          The Bible is a living Word regenerating the hearer: “Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever” 1 Peter 1:23.

 

FOUR: MIRROR.

          The Bible is a faithful Word, revealing the individual to himself/herself: “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
But he who investigates the perfect law of liberty and continues in it and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” James 1:23-25.

 

FIVE: A FIRE.

          The Bible is a burning Word, consuming the dross in the reader: “Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name.” But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not” Jeremiah 20:9.

 

SIX: LAMP.

          The Bible is an illumination Word, guiding the believer day by day: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” Psalm 119:105.

 

SEVEN: FOOD.

          The Bible is nourishing food, feeding the soul (providing meat and drink): “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” Hebrews 5:12-14.

 

          So, the “Word of God” convicts, breaks, regenerates, reveals, consumes, illuminates, and nourishes the individual.

 

2.    SEVEN REASONS FOR PREACHING THE WORD OF GOD.

 

          We are sent to preach not a new church, an idea, or of men, but Christ Jesus as He is revealed in the Bible. We insist on preaching the Bible because it endures for time and eternity. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever” Isaiah 40:8.

 

ONE:

          Conviction of sin comes through the preaching of the Word of God. “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words……” “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know Him…. Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Acts 2:14-37.

 

TWO:

          Faith comes by hearing of the Word of God. “So, then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” Romans 10:17.

 

THREE:

          Cleansing comes from the Word of God. “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” 2 Corinthians 7:1.

 

FOUR:

          Assurance comes from the Word of God. “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God” 1 John 5:13.

 

FIVE:

          Comfort comes from the Word of God. “Therefore comfort one another with these words” 1 Thessalonians 4:18.

 

SIX:

          Truth comes from the Word of God. “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” Acts 17:11.

 

SEVEN:

          The New Birth comes from the Word of God. “Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever” 1 Peter 1:23.

 

          End of part two, part three to follow.  

The Bible is the Word of God. Part One.

 

The Bible is the Word of God. Part One.

 

Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for DOCTRINE, for REPROOF, for CORRECTION, for INSTRUCTION in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” 2 Peter 1:21.

 

The Word of God is the infallible, all sufficient rule for faith and practice. Many today challenge all authority, whatever that authority is. Be it socially, politically, intellectually, morally, and religiously. Mankind has become rebellious to all authority, even to the authority of God. When men live outside the law, we will have a lawless world.

Our nation and many of the nations of the world have thrown out God and His Word. Then they live by their own laws and rules, every man for himself. Sadly, even some church leaders will not accept the Word of God, and its truth! So, let us be faithful to the Word of God.

For God’s Word is still the only source for the moral and spiritual needs of His people. There is still only one guide for our Christian life, and that is the Word of God (Bible), which leads to the holiness of life. When will God’s people learn that His Word is still profitable even for today and this 21^st Century.

Next to the gift of Christ Jesus as our Saviour, and the Holy Spirit as our Helper, the Bible is the third greatest gift given to us, for it is the Word of God for our lives. The Bible does not contain the Word of God; the Bible “IS” the Word of God.

 

1.             Introduction and background to the Bible.

 

A few generations ago the Bible was accepted as the only authoritative “Word of God.” But sadly, today this is no longer the rule.

Men today consider it clever to challenge the authority of God’s Word, adding to it and taking away from it, even disapproving its truth. Yet, the same men believe in life coming into existence by chance (Evolution) or in Aliens from over planets coming here.

Men’s knowledge of this earth is so limited, that we cannot reach or understand the deeps of our seas. And we have so small a knowledge of the nearest planets. Yet, men say that they have greater understand then God.

          If the Bible were just a book written by a human author, we could read it like any other book, BUT the Bible is written by the mind and will of God.

 

a.     In the Old Testament, there are 2,600 quotes saying, “This is the Word of God.”

b.    In the New Testament, there are 525 quotes saying, “This is the Word of God.”

The Bible required sixteen centuries to write it; the first writer died 1,450 years before the last writer was born. The Bible is read all over the world and has been translated in whole or in part in more than a thousand languages and tongues.

 

a.     The Bible is the oldest book in existence.

b.    The Bible has the most copies in existence over time than any other book.

c.     The Bible is the world’s best seller.

d.    Yet, the Bible as the smallest number of readers.

e.     There are more leaders and scholars set out to destroy the Bible then another book in the world.

f.     The Bible is the oldest book in existence.

g.    The Bible has the most original copies in existence than any other accepted works of literature today.

There are more than 24,000 partial and complete manuscript copies of the New Testament. Example: more copies than Shakespeare writings.

h.    The New Testament Versus Other Ancient Books

By comparing the manuscript support for the Bible with manuscript support for other ancient documents and books, it becomes overwhelmingly clear that no other ancient piece of literature can stand up to the Bible. Manuscript support for the Bible is unparalleled!

There are more (New Testament) manuscripts copied with greater accuracy and earlier dating than for any secular classic from the distant past.

No other book is even a close second to the Bible on either the number or early dating of the copies. The average secular work from earliest times survives on only a handful of manuscripts; the New Testament boasts thousands.

 

2.    SEVEN WONDERS OF THE BIBLE.

 

ONE: The wonder of its formation.

          One book is written in one language (e.g., Psalms written in Hebrew). And another book was written in another country, centuries later in another language (e.g., Romans in Greek).

 

TWO: The wonder of its unity.

          It is a library of 66 books, yet it is only ONE BOOK, for it has but ONE AUTHOR, who is the Holy Spirit. With each book in unity with the others.

 

THREE: The wonder of its age.

          It is the earliest of all books because it speaks of the Ancient of Days. Its subject is from the beginning of time to the end of time. From the Creation of all things to the end of all things.

 

FOUR: The wonder of its sale.

          It is the best seller of all time. Writers have come and gone, books have come and gone, but the Bible is still the best seller of all time.

 

FIVE: The wonder of its interest.

          It is the only book that is read by all classes, and all ages of mankind. It is read by children, to the heads of states and nations.

         

SIX: The wonder of its language.

It was written largely by uneducated men, yet it is considered a historical masterpiece.

 

SEVEN: The wonder of its preservation.

          It has been the most hated of all books. Time and time again rulers and governments have sought to burn and destroy it, yet God has preserved and protected the Word for us today, and it can almost be found in every home and nation of the world.

 

          End of part one, part two to follow.