Transcript EMBRACING GOD’S WORD AND LIVING BY IT

EMBRACING GOD’S
WORD AND LIVING BY
IT
New believers who unite with a Biblical
church will be encouraged to study the
Bible because it is the inspired word of
God.
However, in those times when they are out
in the secular world they will often hear
statements of disbelief and denial that the
Bible is the inspired truth of God. Too
often this results in shaking the faith of the
new believer.
Opposition to belief that the Bible is God’s word is to
be expected. Satan and his legions of fallen
angels have made it their highest priority to create
doubts about the teachings of the Bible.
Fallen man, whose natural instincts are contrary to
God’s teachings are inclined to not believe the
Bible because they don’t want to believe.
In the brief time available I would like to give some
reasons why every true Christian can confidently
embrace the Bible as God’s word and live a full
and abundant life according to its teachings.
THE BIBLE CLAIMS TO BE INSPIRED BY
GOD
The Bible claims to be the inspired word of
God some 2500 times. Our response
might be, “That doesn’t make it so.” True,
but from God’s side it is a challenge. God
knew that this challenge would arouse the
most brilliant minds in every age to put it to
the test. Following are some of those
claims:
“So Moses came and told the people all the
words of the LORD. . . “ Exodus 24:3a.
“And Moses wrote all the words of the
LORD. . .: Exodus 24:4a.
When we read the writings of Moses we are
reading “The words of the Lord.”
“I (God) have written for him (The Israelite
tribe of Ephraim) the great things of My
law, but they were considered a strange
thing.” Hosea 8:12.
“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.” 2nd Timothy 3:16, 17.
“. . .Knowing this first, that no prophecy of
Scripture is of any private interpretation (origin)
for prophecy never came by the will of man, but
holy men of God spoke as they were moved
by the Holy Spirit.” 2nd Peter 1:20, 21.
JESUS AFFIRMED THE SCRIPTURES TO BE
INSPIRED BY GOD (Twenty-two different
times).
When tempted by Satan Jesus answered, “It is
written. . .” and He quoted Old Test6ament
Scripture. Matthew 4:4, 7, 10.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “Do not
think that I came to destroy the Law or the
Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth
pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means
pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Matthew 5:17, 18
When Jesus referred to the Old Testament He
used terms such as
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“the commandment of God” (Mark 7:8),
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“The Word of God” (Mark 7:13; John 10:35)
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“Scripture” (Luke 4:21).
Jesus endorsed the persons and events of the
Old Testament as historical revelation:
 Adam and Eve – Matthew 19:4, 5.
 Noah, the Flood and the Ark, -Matthew 24:37-39.
 Lot, Lot’s wife and Sodom’s destruction,- Luke
17:28-32
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Jonah – Matthew 12:38-41
Jesus made clear that people will be held
accountable for knowing and practicing
the teachings of Scripture.
See Matthew 12:3-8.
PROPHETIC FULFILLMENTS AFFIRM
THE BIBLE TO BE INSPIRED BY GOD
The Bible records hundreds of prophecies
about scores of nations and events.
Over 90% of these prophecies have been
fulfilled exactly as stated.
Some examples are. . .
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When Israel established their possession of
Canaan Joshua called the leaders of all
tribes together and reminded them,
“Not one of the good promises which the
LORD had made to the house of Israel
failed; all came to pass.” Joshua 21:45.
An unnamed prophet called King Josiah by
name over 300 years before he was born
and 360 years before Josiah fulfilled the
prophecy. 1st Kings 13:1-3. The fulfillment is
recorded in 2nd Kings 23:15-16.
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Through the prophet, Isaiah, God called
Cyrus of Medo-Persia by name 250 years
before he appeared in history and told of
his victory over Babylon and his special
kindness to Israel.
Isaiah 44:28-45-:4 (also Jeremiah 24:10).
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Fulfillments are recorded in the 5th
chapter of Daniel;
2nd Chronicles 36:21-23;
Ezra l:1-8; 3:7; 4:3,5; 5:13-17; 6:1-5,14.
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In the book of Daniel chapters two and seven,
Daniel predicted the succession of four great
world empires:
Babylon,
Medo-Persia,
Greece, and
Rome.
He also predicted the exact day the Messiah
(Jesus) would present Himself to Israel to be
accepted (or rejected) as their King. Daniel 9:24-27.
Fulfillment came on what we call “The Triumphal
Entry” .
Matthew 21:1-15; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-48; John 12:12-50.
The Old Testament made 198 direct
prophecies of Messiah (Jesus)
and 333 indirect prophecies.
Some examples are:
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PROPHECY
Isaiah 7:14,
Micah 5:2,
Isaiah 7:14,
Isaiah 9:1,2,
Zechariah 9:9,
Psalms 41:9,
Psalms 35:11,
Isaiah 53:7,
Psalms 22:16,
Isaiah 53:12,
Psalms 22:18,
Psalms 34:20
Psalms 22:15
Isaiah 53:9,
FULFILLMENT
Virgin-born
Luke 1:26-35
Birth in Bethlehem
Matthew 2:1
Called Immanuel
Matthew 1:23
Ministry in Galilee
Matthew 4:12-16
Triumphal entry
Matthew 21:1-11
Betrayed by a friend
Matthew 26:20-25
Falsely accused
Matthew 26:59-68
Silent before accusers
Matthew 27:12-14
Hands/Feet pierced
John 20:25
Crucified with robbers
Matthew 27:38
Lots cast for clothes
John 19:23,24
Bones not broken
John 19:33
Thirsted on the cross
John 19:28
Buried in tomb of a rich man Matthew 27:57-61
It is helpful to note that God informed the
people of Israel that the test of how to
know a prophet was speaking
“the word of the LORD” was that
his prophecy had to be fulfilled 100%.
Deuteronomy 18:21,22.
WHAT WE LEARN WHEN WE EMBRACE
GOD’S WORD
The Bible is composed of 66 books.
39 in the Old Testament;
27 in the New Testament.
We can follow the historical record of the Old
Testament which can be summarized as. . .
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Creation of the Universe
The Spiritual Fall and Death of Mankind
The Great Judgment Flood on Corrupted
Mankind
The Patriarchs (Fathers) of God’s Chosen
People: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (replaced by
“Israel”).
The History or Israel From Their Captivity in
Egypt Until Their Return From Dispersion
(Some 1500 years).
The details of this history are given in the following
five divisions:
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The Law (Genesis through Deuteronomy)
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History (Joshua through Esther)
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Wisdom (Job through Song of Solomon)
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Major Prophets (Isaiah through Daniel)
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Minor Prophets (Hosea through Malachi)
Following the completion of the Old Testament
there was 400 years in which there was no
Scripture inspired by God.
Our New Testament begins with the birth of Jesus
and His introduction by John the Baptist.
“There was a man sent from God, whose name
was John. This man came for a witness, to bear
witness of the Light. . .”
The words with which John introduced were. . .
”Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the
sin of the world!” John 1:29.
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The four Gospels (Good News) provide us the
record of the birth, life, ministry, death,
resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. Each one
writes from a unique perspective:
Matthew is especially addressed to Israel
regarding Israel’s promised King and His
Kingdom. The key words are “It is written…”
Mark emphasized the servant ministry of Jesus.
The key word is “straightway” or “immediately”.
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Luke emphasized the human compassion of
Jesus
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John’s emphasis is on Christ’s deity.
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The Book of Acts records the promised
coming of the Holy Spirit who gave birth to the
church, which began with outward witness of
salvation by faith in Jesus, from Jerusalem to
the ends of the earth.
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The 21 Epistles clarify our understanding
of Jesus,
His sacrificial redemption for lost sinners;
His ministry as Great High Priest,
the composition and ministry of the
church,
beliefs that are true and beliefs that are
false,
and our relationship with God, one another
and the unsaved.
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The Book of Revelation reveals that status of
the church,
the end times of a false peace evolving
into great tribulation,
the defeat of Satan and his followers,
the victory and reign of Jesus Christ and the
eternal state of the lost in hell,
and the believers of all ages in
the New Creation.
In one sentence the Bible is God’s story
from eternity past to eternity future.
Jesus came into this world to save sinners
and give them life abundantly.
As we study God’s Word we learn how to be
participants in this abundant life.