“Good Lessons from Bad Examples”
Acts 5:1-11; I Cor 10:6; July 24th , 2016
We all grew up with a mix of good examples and bad examples.
>My dad was a good example of being financially responsible.
>My dad was a bad example in communication skills.
We also see good examples and bad examples around us.
>I have a friend in Spokane who is an example of a very good father.
>Our current political season has lots of bad examples of candidates demonizing each other.
We can learn from good examples (like Barnabas last week) and we can learn from bad examples (like Ananias and Sapphira).
The first lesson.
I. Evaluate motivation: In their desire for acclaim they misrepresented their generosity (11-2)
1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Evaluating motivation can be a tricky activity.
>On one hand, we should do the right things for the right reasons.
“Do all things for the glory of God.”
>On the other hand, if I waited to clearly have the right motivation for everything, I don’t think I would ever do anything.
We need to ask ourselves
Is what I am saying true or doing true to God’s standards?
Is it loving? Will it help anyone? Will this reflect the character of Jesus?
II. Be Honest: why did you lie to God and misrepresent your gift? (3-4)
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?
4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own?
And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal?
Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart?
You have not lied to man but to God.”
A warning passage in I Corinthians
1 Corinthians 11:27-32 (ESV)
There is a clear parallel is verses 3 & 4.
lying to the Holy Spirit is exactly the same as lying to God.
This verse is a clear declaration of the Deity of the Holy Spirit.
III. Don’t Presume: Judgment is sometimes sooner than people expect (5-6)
5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last.
And great fear came upon all who heard of it.
6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
God judged Ananias directly. His time was up.
Years later, the Apostle Peter wrote.....
1 Peter 4:17 (ESV) 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
IV. Don’t miss opportunities to come clean (7)
7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
V. Remember God’s holiness: why did you test the Spirit of the Lord by misrepresenting your gift? (8-9)
8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.”
9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord?
Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
How close can I get to the line to something I should not do without a consequence? How much can I get away with? Those are questions reflecting of a bad attitude.
We are clearly warned.....
Deuteronomy 6:16 (ESV) 16 “You shall not put the LORD your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah.
VI. The Lord’s clear judgment leads the church to fear God (10-11)
10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last.
When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
God’s judgment was as clear on Sapphira as it was on her husband Ananias. Sometimes when believers cross the line, God judges them.
Most of the time God disciplines His Children, Hebrews 12:7-11
The greater purpose of God’s kingdom and the church’s holiness were at stake so God judged this couple.
If God positively answers our prayers for revival, one of the clear signs of that will be a much greater sense of the greatness and holiness of God.
We are to never take God for granted..
To the early believers, as they tried to figure out what this act of judgment on this couple meant
I would think they asked a version of this.....
Was the Lord Making a point or Setting a Pattern?
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Outline for Acts 4:13-22
“Opportunity Came Knocking”
Acts 4:13-22
July 3rd, 2016
The implications of the public miraculous sign from God
I. To the established religious leaders of the time [13-18]
A. Amazed at the boldness and clear testimony of Peter and John who had been discipled by Jesus (13)
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
B. In a Quandary on account of the presence of the cured man who was lame.(14)
14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had
nothing to say in opposition.
C. Deliberation and warning to Peter and John (15-17)
15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another,
16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.”
D. Command to Peter and John not to speak or teach about Jesus (18)
18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
II. To the witnesses of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus ......
A. They challenged the religious leaders to acknowledge the authority of God (19)
19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,
B. They rejected a ban on their speaking (4:20)
20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
III. To the established religious leaders continued hardhearted response [21-22]
A. They threatened and then released Peter and John (21a)
21a And when they had further threatened them, they let them go,
B. They were intimated by the crowds who were praising God (21b)
21b finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.
C. They could not deny the reality of the miracle (22)
22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
Acts 4:13-22
July 3rd, 2016
The implications of the public miraculous sign from God
I. To the established religious leaders of the time [13-18]
A. Amazed at the boldness and clear testimony of Peter and John who had been discipled by Jesus (13)
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
B. In a Quandary on account of the presence of the cured man who was lame.(14)
14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had
nothing to say in opposition.
C. Deliberation and warning to Peter and John (15-17)
15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another,
16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.”
D. Command to Peter and John not to speak or teach about Jesus (18)
18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
II. To the witnesses of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus ......
A. They challenged the religious leaders to acknowledge the authority of God (19)
19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,
B. They rejected a ban on their speaking (4:20)
20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
III. To the established religious leaders continued hardhearted response [21-22]
A. They threatened and then released Peter and John (21a)
21a And when they had further threatened them, they let them go,
B. They were intimated by the crowds who were praising God (21b)
21b finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.
C. They could not deny the reality of the miracle (22)
22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Thoughts of my mother’s life and death.
My mother was born during the depths of the Depression. She died Easter morning, 2016.
She met dad on a blind date in November of 1956 and they were married in March of 1957. Two people found comfort in one another’s arms for the next ten years. My sister was born in the late 50's and I was born in the early 60's. Mom and dad’s relationship deteriorated over their last ten years together which culminated in divorce in 1978. Mom then moved in with grandma and took care of her until she passed in 1997. My sister moved in with mom to help take care of grandma in the early 90's.
In the late 1960's when dad was in Vietnam mom gave me and my sister a Children’s Bible. The words were in small print and the hard to read King James English. However, On one inside flap in big print was printed the well known 23rd Psalm.
This psalm is an expression of trust in God’s goodness, His grace, and His strength through all the turmoil of a person’s life.
Psalm 23:1-6 (KJV)
1. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
I enjoyed the following application I read of this passage.
Remember the phrase: “the Lord is my shepherd.” Those five words pack in a lot of truth
>"The--because, we're talking about one of a kind."
> "Lord." The king himself.
>For the next finger remember that God himself is right here.
> my, a personal commitment and relationship.
>For the last finger: shepherd, the one who owns, who died, who cares and loves: Jesus.
In the time that Mom had, she and my sister lived comfortably together for many years until she fell a few months ago. My sister has done a very good job of looking out for mom over the years and has especially shined over the last few difficult months.
Mom’s dementia increased rapidly after her fall and she stopped recognizing my sister at times and didn’t even remember her favorite dog when she was brought by.
Mom’s time was always the present. She did not dwell on the past much or focus on the future.
More than anyone else I’ve known, she truly lived in the moment. In her present she loved her pets, movies, and television, especially “Dancing with the Stars.” For years when I called she would frequently ask, Charlie, did you watch “Dancing with the Stars” last night? I never said yes, but she always asked. She lived in the moment of what was important to her.
Mom has four grandchildren. I am grateful that she lived long enough to see them all grow up.
In a similar context to which we are all now experiencing the death of a beloved mother and friend, Jesus spoke these words to those present then to us here now:
John 11:25-26 (NKJV)
25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
When we believe in the Lord Jesus we can face life and ultimately death with certainty because Jesus rose from the dead.
The next verse states....
26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
Jesus always applies the truth He teaches. “Do you believe this?” It is an invitation to trust him as always. It is the same as the most famous verse in the Bible.
John 3:16 (NKJV) 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
As always, God' Word calls us to respond to His truth.
Friday, May 20, 2016
Christ-centered?
One of the verses that I have
been mediating on for a long time is 2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV)
20
For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is
through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
The immediate question is, how are the promises of God yes in Christ?
My reasonably confident answer is that we need to read and
interpret all of the promises of God (OT and NT) in how they relate to the
life, ministry, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
Some are promises are obvious:
Isaiah 53:6 (ESV) 6 All we like sheep have
gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on
him the iniquity of us all.
Some are less obvious:
Genesis 3:15 (ESV) 15 I will put enmity between
you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall
bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
We always need to be fully Christ-centered in how read and
study the Bible.
We need to be purposefully Christ-centered as we view and live
our lives.
So the questions in life become different:
Instead of ‘what do I want?’ we need to ask what does the
Lord want?
Instead of ‘what pleases me?’ we need to ask what pleases
the Lord in this circumstance.
Saturday, March 19, 2016
"The Vital Need for God’s Blessing" Psalm 127:1-5,
The Vital Need for God’s Blessing
Psalm 127:1-5,
March 20th , 2016
[Introduction]
Solomon’s declaration of this perspective is in reflected in the phrase, “Under the Sun.
Ecclesiastes 1:14 (ESV)
14 I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.
Ecclesiastes 2:11 (ESV)
11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.
Perspective is the angle from which we see things.
We need God’s perspective: what is important from God’s view?
We need God’s Presence and Blessing; God’s work in and through us for His glory and our ultimate good.
Human effort without God’s perspective, presence and blessing is ultimately meaningless.
Negatively: Human effort in life is useless without the Lord’s blessing.
Positively: The Lord’s blessing is vital in Work and Family
God’s presence gives meaning and purpose to work and family.
I. . Work [1-2]
A. A firm foundation and protector (1)
1 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
“In vain” means meaningless, purposelessness, uselessness.
[illustration]
The Lord led Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He organized, planned, and led the people. He set guards.
But unless the Lord was watching over the process, which He did, it would have been a wasted effort.
God’s presence gives meaning and purpose to work.
B. Useless of labor without God’s blessing (2)
2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Hard work does not make up for God’s presence.
We need to work hard, but more importantly we need God’s blessing.
God’s presence gives meaning and purpose to family.
II. Family (3-5)
A. Children are a heritage. (3-4)
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.
Children are a heritage, a reward, a gift.
Unfortunately, too many people see children as an inconvenience.
[application]
At times Attitude can be more important than action.
While I would never tell anyone that they had to have children to obey God, I would say that you should call a blessing what God calls a blessing.
God calls children a blessing.
We too should call children a blessing.
God’s presence gives meaning and purpose to family.
B. Flourishing legacy (5)
5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Children of those who seek the Lord are a flourishing legacy.
It is an encouragement to children to go on and serve the Lord.
That is a terrific legacy.
[Conclusion]
Seeking God’s blessing, presence, in our work and family may not give us the results that we perceive as success.
The Lord may use a bad experience at work to lead us in a different direction.
He may use it to teach us patience or something else.
His presence and blessing give purpose and meaning to work.
Seeking God’s blessing, presence, in our family may not turn out the way we want.
Our children may make poor choices. But a godly legacy is of great value.
While proverbs are not promises, they describe what generally happens.
Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
A godly legacy is a great gift that we can give to our children.
Even if we don’t have children, our godly influence is a great gift we can give to those we know.
Don’t just see things from a human perspective, only “under the sun”, but seek God’s presence and purpose to give meaning to our lives.
God’s presence is vital in our work and family life. May we seek His blessing in all that we do.
Psalm 127:1-5,
March 20th , 2016
[Introduction]
Solomon’s declaration of this perspective is in reflected in the phrase, “Under the Sun.
Ecclesiastes 1:14 (ESV)
14 I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.
Ecclesiastes 2:11 (ESV)
11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.
Perspective is the angle from which we see things.
We need God’s perspective: what is important from God’s view?
We need God’s Presence and Blessing; God’s work in and through us for His glory and our ultimate good.
Human effort without God’s perspective, presence and blessing is ultimately meaningless.
Negatively: Human effort in life is useless without the Lord’s blessing.
Positively: The Lord’s blessing is vital in Work and Family
God’s presence gives meaning and purpose to work and family.
I. . Work [1-2]
A. A firm foundation and protector (1)
1 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
“In vain” means meaningless, purposelessness, uselessness.
[illustration]
The Lord led Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He organized, planned, and led the people. He set guards.
But unless the Lord was watching over the process, which He did, it would have been a wasted effort.
God’s presence gives meaning and purpose to work.
B. Useless of labor without God’s blessing (2)
2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Hard work does not make up for God’s presence.
We need to work hard, but more importantly we need God’s blessing.
God’s presence gives meaning and purpose to family.
II. Family (3-5)
A. Children are a heritage. (3-4)
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.
Children are a heritage, a reward, a gift.
Unfortunately, too many people see children as an inconvenience.
[application]
At times Attitude can be more important than action.
While I would never tell anyone that they had to have children to obey God, I would say that you should call a blessing what God calls a blessing.
God calls children a blessing.
We too should call children a blessing.
God’s presence gives meaning and purpose to family.
B. Flourishing legacy (5)
5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Children of those who seek the Lord are a flourishing legacy.
It is an encouragement to children to go on and serve the Lord.
That is a terrific legacy.
[Conclusion]
Seeking God’s blessing, presence, in our work and family may not give us the results that we perceive as success.
The Lord may use a bad experience at work to lead us in a different direction.
He may use it to teach us patience or something else.
His presence and blessing give purpose and meaning to work.
Seeking God’s blessing, presence, in our family may not turn out the way we want.
Our children may make poor choices. But a godly legacy is of great value.
While proverbs are not promises, they describe what generally happens.
Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
A godly legacy is a great gift that we can give to our children.
Even if we don’t have children, our godly influence is a great gift we can give to those we know.
Don’t just see things from a human perspective, only “under the sun”, but seek God’s presence and purpose to give meaning to our lives.
God’s presence is vital in our work and family life. May we seek His blessing in all that we do.
Friday, March 18, 2016
“Live with an Eternal Perspective”
To “Live with an Eternal Perspective” puts life in order with an emphasis on what is truly important.
From an unknown author.....
Only One Life
Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life's busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God's holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e'er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, "twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say,"Thy will be done";
And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say "twas worth it all";
Only one life,'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Author Unknown
From an unknown author.....
Only One Life
Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life's busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God's holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e'er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, "twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say,"Thy will be done";
And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say "twas worth it all";
Only one life,'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Author Unknown
Saturday, August 22, 2015
“Reasons to Trust the Bible”
“Reasons to Trust the Bible”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Outline today is based on Erwin Lutzer’s book, “Seven Reasons Why You Can Trust the Bible.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
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.
On one level faith is a one sense a subjective response.
But genuine faith is a subjective response based upon an objective reality.
1 Corinthians 15:14 (NKJV)
“And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.”
Jesus tells us.....
Mark 12:30
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'”
Love God with all your being and as the Apostle Peter tells us :
1 Peter 3:15
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”
I. Logic - The Claims of the Bible
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Yeah, but what about other writing that to be inspired?
Is it circular reasoning to accept the Bible because it claims to be God’s Word as God’s Word?
In evaluating the Bible, you start with what it says about itself.
If it didn’t claim to be inspired, we wouldn’t be having this message.
A. Unity of Scripture
1.In Genesis God creates the universe (Genesis 1:1).
In Revelation the universe is destroyed and replaced by a new one (Revelation 21:1)
2. Death enters the world (Genesis 2:17).
Death is abolished (Revelation 21:4).
3. Man is cursed (Genesis 3:17).
The curse is removed (Revelation 22:3).
4. Satan appears as the deceiver of men (Genesis 3:1-4).
Satan disappears forever (Revelation 20:10).
II. Historical - The Reliability of the Bible
Archaeology....
III. Prophetic - The Predictions of the Bible
Deuteronomy 18:21-22 “You may say to yourselves, "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?" If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.”
Fulfilled Prophecy
1. Isaiah prophesied the virgin birth of Jesus (Isaiah 7:14).
This prophecy is fulfilled 700 years later (Matthew1:18,22,23).
2. Micah predicted the exact birthplace of the Messiah (Micah 5:2)
This prophecy was fulfilled 500 years later Luke 2:4,6,7).
3. David predicted Christ's crucifixion in detail hundreds of years before this method of death was used(Psalm 22)
4. Isaiah foretold Christ's suffering and atonement 700 years before Christ's death (Isaiah 53:4-6).
IV. Christological - The Authority of Christ
Matthew 28:18 “Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
The Testimony of Christ Concerning the Scriptures.
1. He believed the Law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17-19)
2. He believed in Solomon (Matthew 6:28-29).
3. He believed in Moses (Matthew 8:4).
4. He believed in Abraham (Matthew 8:11).
5. He believed the story of Sodom and Gomorrah (Matthew 10:15).
6. He quoted the Old Testament (Matthew 21:13,16,42; 22:28-33;36-40).
If you claim to be a Christian, and then claim that the Bible contains errors, is untrustworthy and has been mistranslated, then you have a different attitude toward that Bible than Jesus does.
If you claim to be a Christian, you should have the same attitude toward the Bible that Jesus had. Jesus said the Bible was trustworthy, true, and accurately preserved.
The Lord Jesus Christ
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Luke 21:33
If I claim to be a Christian, I should have the same attitude toward Scripture that Jesus did. Any other view calls into question my claims to be a Christian.
V. Scientific - The Story of Creation
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
From Lutzer’s book, [135]
“In these ten words we have the foundation concept of time; this refers to a specific point in a continuum when Creation took place.
“God” is the basis for personality; “created” introduces the concept of energy, those forces in the universe that play such a large part in explaining life and the secrets of the planets. Finally, “the heaven” refers to the vast regions of space and “earth” affirms the existence of matter.
Lutzer continues,
In his book The Genesis Record Henry M. Morris points out that this opening statement in Genesis refutes (1)atheism because the universe was created by God. It refutes (2) pantheism, for God is transcendent to that which He created. It refutes (3) polytheism, for one God created all things. It refutes (4) materialism for matter had a beginning.
It refutes (5) dualism, for God was alone when He created. It refutes (6) humanism, for God, not man, is the ultimate reality. It refutes (7) evolution because God created all things.
VI. Providential - The Canonical Process
Luke 1:3-4 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Textual criticism studies the existing copies of Bible in an attempt to determine the original wording. Several thousand existing Greek manuscripts exist and have been studied so that we can be sure of having an accurate text. The oldest existing fragment of the New Testament (a portion of John 18) is only 25 years from the original.
2. "Canon of Scripture" refers to the books that are regarded as part of a complete and divine revelation. The word "canon" comes from the Greek language and means a measuring rod or rule. It eventually came to mean a list, or a catalogue.
3. A book to be included in the canon had to pass a test or had to measure up to a standard. Some of these tests included:
"(1)Was the book written or approved by an apostle?
(2)Were its contents of a spiritual nature?
(3) Did it give evidence of being inspired by God?
(4) Was it widely received by the churches?"
B. Why are no more sacred writings necessary?
The writer of the Book of Hebrews said God has spoken unto us in these last days by His Son.
Hebrews 1:1-2
"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe."
There is no other revelation for faith in Christ. The entire body of revealed truth has been once for all delivered to the saints.
Jude 3
"I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints."
The Scriptures were written to explain how man and God could be reconciled. The question is, does it accomplish that purpose? If so, why add anything else to its inspired pages? Anything else would either be useless or contradictory and God will have no part with either. What is the point of having more “scripture”which simply corroborates what the Old and New Testaments already teaches? What is contained in the Bible is sufficient to both know God and grow complete in our lives.
II Peter 1:3
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
VII. Personal - The Power of the Word
Hebrews 4:12
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.
From a commentator
4:12. For the Word of God is living (zon) and active (energes). Not only that, its penetrating power is greater than any double-edged sword and reaches the innermost being of a person so that it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. In doing this, it is able to discriminate successfully between what is spiritual in man and what is merely “soulish” or natural (it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit), and does so even when these often-contradictory inner elements are interwoven as closely as joints and marrow.
The inner life of a Christian is often a strange mixture of motivations both genuinely spiritual and completely human. It takes a supernaturally discerning agent such as the Word of God to sort these out and to expose what is of the flesh. The readers might think that they were contemplating certain steps out of purely spiritual motivations when, as God’s Word could show them, they were acting unfaithfully as did Israel of old.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty.
Imagine that you are with your family on a trip to Disneyland. You get completely lost and end up with in South Central Los Angeles with your car breaking down at 10:00 o’clock at night. You pull out your cell phone to call AAA. Then looking at the dead phone and you remember having forgotten to charge it and you had no car adapter. You have this sinking feeling that you need to walk back 15 block to a Seven -Eleven in order to find a phone.
At ten o’clock its dark and you notice by the light of a street light a block away a group of about a dozen young men who were talking loudly and enjoying themselves. They notice you and your family in the car, they quiet up and start walking directly toward your car.
How do you feel at that moment?
They get closer and closer to your car. You tell everyone to make sure your doors are locked. You tell everyone to start praying.
This group of young men arrive at your car and knock on the window.
[pause]
Then you notice these men are all carrying Bibles.
How do you feel now?
A car load of atheists in south Central Los Angeles in similar conditions would be just as relieved as you are.
The Bible is reliable, it is completely trustworthy.
We have reason for the hope that is within us.
That act of faith is not blind. It is a reasoned faith.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Outline today is based on Erwin Lutzer’s book, “Seven Reasons Why You Can Trust the Bible.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
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.
On one level faith is a one sense a subjective response.
But genuine faith is a subjective response based upon an objective reality.
1 Corinthians 15:14 (NKJV)
“And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.”
Jesus tells us.....
Mark 12:30
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'”
Love God with all your being and as the Apostle Peter tells us :
1 Peter 3:15
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”
I. Logic - The Claims of the Bible
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Yeah, but what about other writing that to be inspired?
Is it circular reasoning to accept the Bible because it claims to be God’s Word as God’s Word?
In evaluating the Bible, you start with what it says about itself.
If it didn’t claim to be inspired, we wouldn’t be having this message.
A. Unity of Scripture
1.In Genesis God creates the universe (Genesis 1:1).
In Revelation the universe is destroyed and replaced by a new one (Revelation 21:1)
2. Death enters the world (Genesis 2:17).
Death is abolished (Revelation 21:4).
3. Man is cursed (Genesis 3:17).
The curse is removed (Revelation 22:3).
4. Satan appears as the deceiver of men (Genesis 3:1-4).
Satan disappears forever (Revelation 20:10).
II. Historical - The Reliability of the Bible
Archaeology....
III. Prophetic - The Predictions of the Bible
Deuteronomy 18:21-22 “You may say to yourselves, "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?" If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.”
Fulfilled Prophecy
1. Isaiah prophesied the virgin birth of Jesus (Isaiah 7:14).
This prophecy is fulfilled 700 years later (Matthew1:18,22,23).
2. Micah predicted the exact birthplace of the Messiah (Micah 5:2)
This prophecy was fulfilled 500 years later Luke 2:4,6,7).
3. David predicted Christ's crucifixion in detail hundreds of years before this method of death was used(Psalm 22)
4. Isaiah foretold Christ's suffering and atonement 700 years before Christ's death (Isaiah 53:4-6).
IV. Christological - The Authority of Christ
Matthew 28:18 “Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
The Testimony of Christ Concerning the Scriptures.
1. He believed the Law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17-19)
2. He believed in Solomon (Matthew 6:28-29).
3. He believed in Moses (Matthew 8:4).
4. He believed in Abraham (Matthew 8:11).
5. He believed the story of Sodom and Gomorrah (Matthew 10:15).
6. He quoted the Old Testament (Matthew 21:13,16,42; 22:28-33;36-40).
If you claim to be a Christian, and then claim that the Bible contains errors, is untrustworthy and has been mistranslated, then you have a different attitude toward that Bible than Jesus does.
If you claim to be a Christian, you should have the same attitude toward the Bible that Jesus had. Jesus said the Bible was trustworthy, true, and accurately preserved.
The Lord Jesus Christ
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Luke 21:33
If I claim to be a Christian, I should have the same attitude toward Scripture that Jesus did. Any other view calls into question my claims to be a Christian.
V. Scientific - The Story of Creation
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
From Lutzer’s book, [135]
“In these ten words we have the foundation concept of time; this refers to a specific point in a continuum when Creation took place.
“God” is the basis for personality; “created” introduces the concept of energy, those forces in the universe that play such a large part in explaining life and the secrets of the planets. Finally, “the heaven” refers to the vast regions of space and “earth” affirms the existence of matter.
Lutzer continues,
In his book The Genesis Record Henry M. Morris points out that this opening statement in Genesis refutes (1)atheism because the universe was created by God. It refutes (2) pantheism, for God is transcendent to that which He created. It refutes (3) polytheism, for one God created all things. It refutes (4) materialism for matter had a beginning.
It refutes (5) dualism, for God was alone when He created. It refutes (6) humanism, for God, not man, is the ultimate reality. It refutes (7) evolution because God created all things.
VI. Providential - The Canonical Process
Luke 1:3-4 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Textual criticism studies the existing copies of Bible in an attempt to determine the original wording. Several thousand existing Greek manuscripts exist and have been studied so that we can be sure of having an accurate text. The oldest existing fragment of the New Testament (a portion of John 18) is only 25 years from the original.
2. "Canon of Scripture" refers to the books that are regarded as part of a complete and divine revelation. The word "canon" comes from the Greek language and means a measuring rod or rule. It eventually came to mean a list, or a catalogue.
3. A book to be included in the canon had to pass a test or had to measure up to a standard. Some of these tests included:
"(1)Was the book written or approved by an apostle?
(2)Were its contents of a spiritual nature?
(3) Did it give evidence of being inspired by God?
(4) Was it widely received by the churches?"
B. Why are no more sacred writings necessary?
The writer of the Book of Hebrews said God has spoken unto us in these last days by His Son.
Hebrews 1:1-2
"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe."
There is no other revelation for faith in Christ. The entire body of revealed truth has been once for all delivered to the saints.
Jude 3
"I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints."
The Scriptures were written to explain how man and God could be reconciled. The question is, does it accomplish that purpose? If so, why add anything else to its inspired pages? Anything else would either be useless or contradictory and God will have no part with either. What is the point of having more “scripture”which simply corroborates what the Old and New Testaments already teaches? What is contained in the Bible is sufficient to both know God and grow complete in our lives.
II Peter 1:3
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
VII. Personal - The Power of the Word
Hebrews 4:12
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.
From a commentator
4:12. For the Word of God is living (zon) and active (energes). Not only that, its penetrating power is greater than any double-edged sword and reaches the innermost being of a person so that it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. In doing this, it is able to discriminate successfully between what is spiritual in man and what is merely “soulish” or natural (it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit), and does so even when these often-contradictory inner elements are interwoven as closely as joints and marrow.
The inner life of a Christian is often a strange mixture of motivations both genuinely spiritual and completely human. It takes a supernaturally discerning agent such as the Word of God to sort these out and to expose what is of the flesh. The readers might think that they were contemplating certain steps out of purely spiritual motivations when, as God’s Word could show them, they were acting unfaithfully as did Israel of old.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty.
Imagine that you are with your family on a trip to Disneyland. You get completely lost and end up with in South Central Los Angeles with your car breaking down at 10:00 o’clock at night. You pull out your cell phone to call AAA. Then looking at the dead phone and you remember having forgotten to charge it and you had no car adapter. You have this sinking feeling that you need to walk back 15 block to a Seven -Eleven in order to find a phone.
At ten o’clock its dark and you notice by the light of a street light a block away a group of about a dozen young men who were talking loudly and enjoying themselves. They notice you and your family in the car, they quiet up and start walking directly toward your car.
How do you feel at that moment?
They get closer and closer to your car. You tell everyone to make sure your doors are locked. You tell everyone to start praying.
This group of young men arrive at your car and knock on the window.
[pause]
Then you notice these men are all carrying Bibles.
How do you feel now?
A car load of atheists in south Central Los Angeles in similar conditions would be just as relieved as you are.
The Bible is reliable, it is completely trustworthy.
We have reason for the hope that is within us.
That act of faith is not blind. It is a reasoned faith.
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