Why I Love the Bible

Why I Love the Bible

Why I Love the Bible

With the utmost respect, some people just do not know the Bible. Tammy and I were working with a congregation that was having a singing school. There were several of us–men and women–in the class. And, as I recall, the gentleman who was teaching the class was not doing all that great a job. He could not get pitch and tunes quite right. There were many songs we wanted to learn that he did not know. One of the ladies in the class was getting very frustrated at the way this class was going. So, she made a suggestion–let Tammy do the teaching. Well, if the class had been all female there would have been no problem, but obviously 1 Corinthians 14:34-37 and 1 Timothy 2:8-15 knocked that idea down.

I was with another congregation, and we were having a congregational meeting where we were discussing the budget. The month before we had participated in a campaign that had cost a fair amount of money. We had brought a team in from Alabama to knock doors and set up Bible studies, and we baptized two people as a result of that effort. But, we had spent more money than we had taken in the previous month. The discussion turned to how we could raise more money for the church. This young preacher suggested that perhaps each one of us could give an extra dollar or two a week. If we had done that, we could “recoup” the money we had spent on the campaign in about a month. That idea was not very well received–one lady jumped down my throat in a hurry. The next suggestion was that the church have a yard sale to raise the money. I about fell out of my seat! I kept my composure and said that the only biblical authority was for first day of the week contributions (1 Cor 16:1-2) or for freewill donations (Acts 4:32-37).

You’ve undoubtedly encountered people who were ignorant of Scripture. How many times have you heard someone defend instrumental music? How many times have you heard that we believe in “water salvation”? How many times have you heard that one church is as good as another or that it doesn’t really matter what you believe?

This congregation has a deep love for the Word of God. It thrills my heart to see so many come on Tuesday mornings for Bible study. It does my heart a world of good to hear you flipping through pages as I preach. I appreciate the good and knowledgeable discussion we have in Bible class. Why do we love Scripture so much here? “We love Scripture, for Scripture points us to God.”

Body

Scripture points to God, for Scripture is inspired of God. You know that those who wrote Scripture did so through the Holy Spirit. “These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Cor 2:13). Some want to say that the Spirit only inspired the thoughts and not the words of Scripture. Two problems with that idea:

One: How do we know we have the true thoughts of God if we don’t have His words? Thoughts are communicated in words.

Two: Paul makes an argument on the very words of Scripture. “He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as of many, but as of one, ‘And to your Seed,’ who is Christ” (Gal 3:16). Paul could not have made an argument based on the number of a word–singular or plural–unless the very word “seed” itself was inspired!

“Prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet 1:21).

What we read did not come from man, but from God. I cannot deny that God allowed each writer to use his own style as he wrote–that’s obvious from reading the differences in John and Paul. However, God used these different writers so that at the end of the day, every single word of Scripture is precisely what God wanted it to be!

I know that many in this world deny that Scripture comes from God. I don’t have time this morning to spend time discussing all the reasons to believe that Scripture is the word of God. However, if you’re struggling with your faith–and some of you may be–let me urge you to spend serious time studying Scripture. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom 10:17). If you want a strong faith, spend serious time in the Word of God!

Scripture points to God, for Scripture provides a standard for practice. That’s a very unpopular statement anymore. We hear that God is so full of grace that He will gladly overlook ignorance of His will. We live in a society that is all about the individual. People honestly believe that if they like something–if something makes them feel good–God is duty-bound to accept it.

However, Scripture informs us of what is right and wrong. Jesus understood that principle. He’s asked if it’s lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason. Jesus says: “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female’?” (Matt 19:4). The Pharisees had the answer staring them in the face if they’d only open the Torah and read! When Jesus was asked about marriage and the resurrection, the Lord says, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God” (Matt 22:29). The Sadducees did not need to deny the resurrection of the dead. God had said in the Old Testament that there was going to be a resurrection of the dead; the issue is settled.

The apostles taught this principle. Paul received instructions concerning the Lord’s Supper from the Lord: “I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you” (1 Cor 11:23). Paul wrote the commandments of the Lord: “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Cor 14:37). “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Pet 1:3). Peter says that we need to heed “the prophetic word” (2 Pet 1:19).

Scripture points to God, for Scripture tells me what is true. “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path” (Ps 119:105). There are many perils the church faces today–many teach error, and many advocate immorality. If we want to keep our way in this sea of turmoil, we must turn to Scripture!

The folks in Berea “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). The Bereans refused to accept Paul and Barnabas’ word as truth until they had examined it by Scripture. Notice that they turned to Scripture to examine what they heard!

Scripture points to God, for Scripture leads me to salvation. “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Rom 1:16). The gospel has power to produce faith and lead people to salvation. That power is not in the preacher, that power is not in the elders, and that power is not in the church. If we want people to be saved, they must hear Scripture!

“Lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (Js 1:21). The Word of God will save your soul. Is that not reason to love the Word of God?

Application

We love Scripture, for Scripture points us to God.”

How do we put this into practice?

We must have scriptural authority.

Every action we do as a congregation must be what the Bible teaches. History is full of those who suffered greatly because they did not follow God’s will–e.g., Nadab and Abihu with their strange fire and Uzzah as he reached to steady the ark. The very first question we must ask when we undertake any new work or begin using any new method must be, “Is this biblical?”

We must obey Scripture.

The obedience of Scripture must not only happen at a congregation level, but we must obey individually.

If I love Scripture because it points me to God, I’ll want to do what my God teaches in Scripture. James 1:22-25. How well are you obeying Scripture this morning? Is there a part of your life you have not placed under the sovereignty of God and the direction of His Will?

We must share Scripture.

The Word of God will save souls. As we move toward our Gospel Meeting and Bring a Friend Day, we have a great opportunity to invite friends and neighbors to come and hear the Word of God and be saved!

We must study Scripture.

As a congregation, we need to do better with our Bible study. Attendance at Bible study is not nearly what it should be–I know some of you have health struggles that make it difficult to sit through two services. However, some of you need to put forth more effort and be here. If the Word of God will save our souls and guide us through this world, don’t we need to know Scripture?

Conclusion

If the word understood, “We love Scripture, for Scripture points us to God,” how would the world be different? We’d see much less immorality, for people would be storing God’s Word in their hearts. We’d have fewer types of churches, for people would be searching to see if what they heard was true–Most churches would be out of business! We’d see more people come to Jesus for salvation–people would be sharing Scripture and people would be searching Scripture with their eternal destiny in mind!

How much do you love Scripture?


This sermon was originally preached by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., at the Dale Ridge church of Christ in Roanoke, Virginia.

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