How the Bible was Received
“I’ve often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front saying this is fiction.”
— Ian McKellen“When you align yourself with God’s purpose as described in the Scriptures, something special happens to your life.”
— Bono (Lead Singer of U2)“For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
— 2 Peter 1:16-21
The Inception of Scripture
The Scriptures are God’s
The Scriptures are God’s
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”
— 2 Timothy 3:16
The Bible is Truthful
If the Bible came from God then it must be without
“The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy”
— Psalm 119:138
The Bible is Helpful
“…useful for teaching, correcting, reproof, rebuke, training in righteousness.”
— 2 Timothy 3:16
Jesus was right when he said,
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will be no means pass away”
— Mark 13:31
The Inspiration of Scripture
The inspiration of Scripture speaks to how it was that God used
In spite of its diversity, the Bible presents a single unfolding story: God’s redemption of human beings.
“For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
— 2 Peter 1:21
God is the master
The Implication of Scripture
Honor the Scriptures
To honor the Word is to
“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding – indeed, you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding”
— Proverbs 2:1-6“God is more interested in how we act on His Word than in what we know about the Word.”
— Lawson W. Murray
Hike the Scriptures
To honor the Word is to navigate and
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful”
— Joshua 1:8“The man whose Bible is falling apart usually isn’t himself.”
— Charles Spurgeon“The more we discuss the Bible, the more we read it – and the more we read the Bible, the more we discuss it.”
— Lawson W. Murray
Hope in the Scriptures
To hope in the Word is to
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight”
— Proverbs 3:5,6
Do you trust the Bible enough to let it speak to you?
The motivation for reading, reflecting, remembering and responding to the Word is only as strong as our love for Christ.