Hebrews 10:23 (NLT) Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.
I. The Bible Is God’s Word “God should decide what we believe about God.”
2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NIV)14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
“The Holy Scriptures”
“God-breathed” “If Scripture is inspired by God, it is Authoritative.”
II. Can we trust the Bible?
Luke 1:1–4 (NIV)1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
3 Objections: #1. The Bible has been disproven. #2. The Bible was written by men. #3. There are too many versions of the Bible.
The New Testament is the most accurate literary work among 5800 copies of the original manuscript.
99.5% accuracy with only .5% textual variants.
III. The Scriptures form our lives. 2 Timothy 3:16-17(NIV) 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
A. Teaching: Shows us what to believe. B. Rebuking:Calls out lies we believe about God and ourselves C. Correcting: Set us on the right path when we are in error. D. Training in Righteousness: Teaches ethical & spiritual living. E. Thoroughly equipped to do every good work. Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
IV. The Bible Reveals Jesus John 5:39(NIV) You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me.
Old Testament: Promises and prophecies fulfilled in Christ.
Gospels: The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Acts: Jesus continued His mission through the Holy Spirit in the Church.
Epistles: Jesus’ work explained and applied.
Revelation: Jesus as the reigning King and coming Lord.
John 1:14 (NIV) The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
V. Follow the Way means following the Scriptures James 1:22–25 (NIV) 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
Close: John 6:63–64 (NIV) 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.”
John 6:29 (NIV) “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
