CONFIDENCE IN THE WORD OF GOD

We can be confident in the perfection of the Word, “All  Scripture is inspired by God,” (2 Timothy 3:16a). Literally, it is “God breathed.”  As God breathed into Adam and made Him a living soul, He breathed into His prophets during the Old Testament era and His apostles in the New Testament age, so that what they wrote is a supernatural Book, filled with miraculous power. 

We can be confident in the perfection of the Word, and in the profit of the Word, “and is profitable” (v.16b).  It is profitable for doctrine, “teaching.”  Our beliefs are based on the Bible. It is profitable for discipline, “rebuking.”  Our rebellious nature must be broken—and Scripture chastens us. It is profitable for direction, “correcting.”  It gives light for our path to correct our wandering tendency and direct us from the path of sin and onto the path of sanctification. It is profitable for dedication, “for training in righteousness.”  D.L. Moody put it, “This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book.”  

We can be confident in the perfection, profit, and purpose of the Word, “so that the man of God may be” (v.17). The purpose of the Word is to make us “complete,”—that is, spiritually mature; capable, “equipped,”—trained for the task; committed, “for every good work”—and this is real success as God sees it.

CAN I TRUST THE BIBLE? The Experiential Testimony: THE MYSTERIOUS POWER OF SCRIPTURE EXPERIENCED, Part 4

In this series, we have entered the courtroom of truth and have presented witness after witness of the trustworthiness of the Bible.  We have listened to the logical rationale for why God must speak and that Scripture is the way He would have chosen.  We have examined evidence that is found internally in the text and externally in archaeology, history, prophecy, and science that verifies the Bible’s veracity.  Then we have considered this week the experiential testimony of what the Word of God has done in its God-given power.  At last, I add my own witness.  This Book has been life-changing for me.  I have read it through repeatedly, studied it intensely, and have taught it extensively for over forty years—and I am more certain of its authority and accuracy today than ever.

Paul wrote:  “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.’ ” (I Corinthians‬ ‭1:18-19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)‬‬

This is the message which the world says is foolishness, but which God in His grace has infused with saving power to those who will believe it.  There is something of mystery how God can take such a message and employ it to transform a life.  I cannot fully explain how, but I have experienced it, and seen that life-change in many people.  I cannot fully explain electricity, but I am not going to sit in the dark until I do!

We see the power of the Word IN CREATING FAITH.   “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom.10:17) This is a matter of salvation.  The Spirit of God used the Word of God to produce saving faith in God.  The seeds of truth were sown in the soil of my soul by my parents and preachers and teachers for eighteen years until faith was produced—and the more I hear it, the more I believe it.

There is a mysterious power in the Word IN CULTIVATING GROWTH.   Believers are to be, “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,” (1 Peter 2:2).  This is a matter of nutrition.  Being born of the Word, we are then nourished by it.  I will tell you that whatever growth I have experienced in my Christian life has been from feeding on the Word.  Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3, appealing to the authority of the Word to overcome the devil, when He said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matt.4:4)

That leads to the next dimension of the Bible’s power IN CONQUERING SIN.   “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.”  (Ps.119:11) This is a matter of sanctification. This is the Sword of the Spirit to beat the Devil.  It’s how Jesus did it. There is no other way.  When I have looked to the power of truth to resist temptation, I have known victory.

Then, there is the power of the Word I have witnessed IN COMMUNICATING TRUTH. “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 Tim.3:6-17) This is a matter of mission.  I believe in the sufficiency of Scripture to change lives, build the church, and impact the world.  As a man of God, I have stood equipped with the Word of God to lead the people of God in the mission of God, week after week, month after month, year after year, for more than four decades.  I have never wondered about what to say—trying to figure out some novel message.  I just open the Book, dive in, and then stand with a Bible in my hand, and see its wonderworking power!  Last Sunday, almost 400 souls sat in an auditorium to surrender thirty minutes of their life to hear what I had to say—really what God had to say through me.  That is a mystery and a marvel—a miracle of God’s Word!

Has the Word transformed you?  Have you received with meekness the implanted Word which is able to save your soul?  Are you feeding on it?  If you have read this far, then I assume you have some appetite for truth.  O, taste and see the Lord is good!  Have you hidden that Word in your heart through memorization and meditation so you might live a holy life?  Will you be equipped by the Word to be useful for God in this world, so that one day you may hear God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. …Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Matt.25:21)

I cannot persuade you against your will to believe the Bible.  There are people today that refuse to believe the earth is a globe.  They think it is flat!  One of my dear grandmothers died convinced that men never walked on the moon—it was all staged in Hollywood.  What I have done is given you met the burden of truth—that if you weigh all the evidence, it gives you the ground for this verdict: the Bible is the Word of God, beyond REASONABLE doubt.

CAN I TRUST THE BIBLE? The Experiential Testimony, Part 3: THE MARVELOUS POWER OF SCRIPTURE WITNESSED

The Word of God has a transforming power.  We see this again and again in history and in our own experience.  Consider these claims:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 1:16; 12:2 NKJV)

So, we find a life radically changed by the initial action of the Spirit of God through the Word of God—the power of the Gospel—and how that life continues to be transformed into Christlikeness as the mind is renewed through the truth, reoriented to the will of God expressed in the Word of God.

Scripture brings THE TRANSFORMING IMPACT ON SOULS. James writes, “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” (1:21)

A man was confronted by a skeptic, “Surely, you don’t believe that story about Jesus turning water into wine.”  “Oh, yes, because in my life, He has turned wine into bread!”  How many have been delivered from alcohol, addiction, adultery, atheism, anger, and such through the power of the Gospel!

The Bible also yields THE TRANSFORMING INFLUENCE ON SOCIETY.  We often marvel at the miracle of Jonah being swallowed by a whale and surviving three days to tell about it.  There is a story in the book harder to swallow.  I believe it, but it is incredible!  That is the account found in chapter three of a vile and violent pagan people—an entire city turned to God.

“Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent. And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish? Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.”  (Jonah 3:1-10)

Amazing!  My heart prays, “God, do it again in Washington, DC and let the spiritual awakening sweep across the land and globe!

Think about the impact the Word has had on our world.

It is woven throughout the fabric of our literature.  The writings of Shakespeare, Dickens, Doestoevsky, Tolkien, and if you want a modern, popular writer: John Grisham, whose works are filled with Biblical themes and allusions.  Marilynne Robinson wrote in the NY Times: “The Bible is the model for and subject of more art and thought than those of us who live within its influence, consciously or unconsciously, will ever know.” 

It is the foundation of our laws.  The Scripture’s influence on English Law is undeniable.  Daniel Webster said in 1820, “ Let us not forget the religious character of our origin. Our fathers were brought hither by their high veneration for the Christian religion. They journeyed by its light, and labored in its hope. They sought to incorporate its principles with the elements of their society, and to diffuse its influence through all their institutions, civil, political, or literary.” 

The Word of God has elevated life wherever it has been proclaimed.  Its message gave impetus to the establishment of hospitals, orphanages, and schools.  You might be surprised to know that Harvard, Yale, and Princeton were begun to propagate the Gospel by training preachers.  Great social reforms like abolition and the Protestant work ethic—all have been uplifting for society—and each of these grounded on the Bible.

Our world has never been the same because of the Word and its marvelous power!

CAN I TRUST THE BIBLE? The Experiential Testimony: The Miraculous Power of Scripture Promised, Part 2

The Word of God is alive.  It is not just inspiring—it is inspired.  The term means, “God breathed”—that is, just as He breathed life into Adam in creation, He has breathed into the Bible eternal life.  It has the latent power of God within its pages, waiting to be tapped.  David, in Psalm 19:7-11, extols the miraculous nature of Scripture.  In our previous study, we noted five dimensions of this dynamic force.  Today, we will observe five more promises.

The Word ENGRAVES THE TRUTH.  It is truth and when engraved on our hearts into conviction will produce righteousness in us.  The Holy Bible generates holiness as we digest its content and incarnate its commands.

Scripture ENRICHES THE LIFE.  When you are on your deathbed, will you call, “Bring me my checkbook” or “Read me my stock portfolio”?  No, you will say, “Bring me the Word of God.  Read me the Bible!”  It’s better than money.  It’s also sweeter than honey.

The Bible SWEETENS THE JOURNEY.  What’s your favorite dessert? Pecan pie, banana pudding, strawberry ice cream?  In David’s day, it would be honey.  I still like to saturate a waffle with it, making sure each square is full of nature’s sweetness.  Yet, David declares that there’s nothing sweeter than the Word of God!

This Book WARNS THE PILGRIM.  Paul reminds us that this is one of the great purposes for the documenting of the Old Testament stories.  

“Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.’ Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”  (I Corinthians‬ ‭10:6-11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

Our pilgrimage in this wicked world is full of peril, yet God has erected warnings in His Word to remind us to exercise caution.  We are smart when we learn from our mistakes, but smarter to learn from the mistakes of others!

Then, the Bible REWARDS THE OBEDIENT. 

The promise of blessing from those who meditate on its message is oft repeated. 

“Blessed is the man 
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, 
Nor stands in the path of sinners, 
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, 
And in His law he meditates day and night. 
He shall be like a tree 
Planted by the rivers of water, 
That brings forth its fruit in its season, 
Whose leaf also shall not wither; 
And whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalms‬ ‭1:1-3)‬

“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”  (Joshua‬ ‭1:7-8‬)

This is the key to being successful in all that we do.  Now, this is not a get rich quick scheme.  There is no promise you will always be healthy and wealthy.  But, it is assurance of having all you need to do all God wants—and that is true success.  

This is the miraculous power of Scripture promised!

CAN I TRUST THE BIBLE? The Internal and External Evidence, Part 1

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)

Suppose you are jogging on a mountain trail, and you hear someone groaning.  You look over and see a lady on the ground, just off the path, with blood oozing from her head.  As you stop to help her, she gasps, “Thank you.”  Then you help her sit up, and she tells you her name, that she tripped while running, bumped her head and was knocked unconscious. 

It is possible she is lying.  She may be bait for some thieves in the woods waiting to rob you.  She may have been hurt running away as an escaped criminal.  She may have been knocked senseless and doesn’t really know who she is, despite what she claims.  But as you hear the story, see her condition, note she is wearing jogging apparel and running shoes, you believe her.  It is a reasonable assumption, unless there would be incontrovertible evidence to the contrary.

The Bible makes some remarkable claims about itself—that it is inspired by God. Paul believed it.  Other Bible writers claim it.  Jesus lived by it and fulfilled it as the object of it.  The Bible claims to be the Word of God—inerrant (without error), infallible (will never lead you astray), immutable (unchanging), invincible (always accomplishing its purpose), and indestructible (preserved eternally).

Archaeology, history, prophecy and the unity of the Bible all testify to its accuracy.  Skeptics will say, “You can’t accept the Bible’s own claims—that’s circular reasoning.”  But, if there is evidence to support those claims, then we should see that it is reasonable to trust the Bible.  This is the internal evidence of what the Bible claims and the external evidence that corroborates those claims and will be the subject we explore this week.

THERE’S HOPE FOR THE WORLD: The Presentation Determined

Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. (Luke 1:1-4)

Luke determined that his presentation of the Gospel would be systematic and trustworthy.  God would guide him in his writing to produce a perfect product—to override any error, but not to obliterate Luke’s personality and personal effort.

Luke’s presentation of the story of Jesus is a result of IMPECCABLE RESEARCH, “just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us” (v.2).  Luke was not an eyewitness like Matthew or John.  But, he interviewed eyewitnesses.  That is a credible testimony—evidence that would stand up in a court of law and meet the demands of historians for accuracy!  He likely got all this nativity and infancy material from an interview with Mary, the mother of Jesus herself!

But his presentation did not only feature his own meticulous effort, but was produced by INFALLIBLE REVELATION, “it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus” (v.3).  While the message was written by a man, it was inspired by the Spirit.  Peter says that Scripture came as “holy men of God…were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Pet.1:21).  A Perfect God would not inspire error; a God of Infinite Wisdom cannot be mistaken; and a God of Truth will not deceive.

When you open your Bible, and turn to Luke’s Gospel you encounter the real Jesus—His words and works—and find the road to heaven.  God and His faithful servant wanted you to know this.  Read it today!