Sunday, February 19th, 2006

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The Case for God’s Word – The Bible

2 Tim. 3:14-17
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.


2 Peter 1:19-21
And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, 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. 20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.


The Bible is a SUPER - NATURAL gift.


JUST DO IT!

The Teaching of the Bible is as much about APPLICATION as it is KNOWLEDGE.

James 1:22-25
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But 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.


Romans 2:13
For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.

Luke 8:21
He replied, "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice."

Luke 11:28
He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."

John 5:24
"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.


JUST ACT ON GOD’S Word and Expect :

1. Answered Prayer.

John 15:7 (NIV)
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

1 John 3:22
and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.


2. Unshakable Peace and Joy

Philip. 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 19:8
8The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.


3. Profound Insight

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.

Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)
For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are.

4. Victorious, God honoring Living

Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.

5. Vitality and Wisdom
When we think of the law, we often think of something that keeps us from having fun. But here we see the opposite—law that revives us, makes us wise, gives joy to the heart, gives light to the eyes, warns us, and rewards us. That’s because God’s laws are guidelines and lights for our path, rather than chains on our hands and feet. They point at danger and warn us, then point at success and guide us.

Psalm 19:7
The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.


DON’T ACT ON GOD’S WORD and:

Experience the empty wagon syndrome!

2 Tim. 3:5
having a form of godliness but denying its power.

Isaiah 29:13
The Lord says:

"These people come near to me with their mouth
and honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship of me
is made up only of rules taught by men.

Matthew 15:8
" 'These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.

Do Act on God’s Word and Demonstrate Your Love!

2 John 1:6
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

1 Samuel 15:22
But Samuel replied:

"Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

John 14:15
"If you love me, you will obey what I command.

John 14:23-24
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24He who does not love me will
not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.


John 15:10
If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.