W E B ELIEVE John 20:31 W E B ELIEVE John 20:31 The Bible 2013 Barna Survey: 88% own a Bible 80% think the Bible is sacred 4.4 Bibles in the average household

WE BELIEVEJohn 20:31

The Bible

2013 Barna Survey:

• 88% own a Bible• 80% think the Bible is sacred• 4.4 Bibles in the average household• 61% wish they read it more• 57% only read their Bibles four times a year

or less


2 Tim 3:16-17, “16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Luke 16:29-31, “29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”


We Believe in the Sufficiency of Scripture

“The sufficiency of Scripture means that Scripture contained all the words of God he intended his people to have at each stage of redemptive history, and that it now contains everything we need God to tell us for salvation, for trusting him perfectly, and for obeying him perfectly.”

Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 127.


We Believe in the Sufficiency of Scripture

Some Thoughts:

1. We are not to add to or take away from God’s Word. Deut. 4:2, 12:32; Prov. 30:5-6; Rev. 20:18-19.

2. God’s revelation has been delivered. No need for additional revelation. Tradition or experience is not equal to God’s Word.

3. God’s Word informs us what to do and what not to do.


Deuteronomy 17:18-20 18 “And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, 20 that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.”


Deuteronomy 17:16-17

What was not commanded:

1. To accumulate horses or a strong army. (v 16)2. To accumulate wives or use earthly wisdom to create

strong alliances with surrounding kingdoms which may turn his heart away from God. (v 17)

3. To accumulate gold or a large treasury for himself avoiding greed or a reliance on material possessions. (v 17)



What was commanded:

1. To write or obtain a copy of God’s law.2. To have it approved by the Levitical priests.3. To keep it with him all of his days. 4. To read in it all of his days.

If God’s Word is this important to a king, shouldn’t it be that important to us?



The results of reading God’s Word faithfully:

1. Learn to fear God which is the beginning of wisdom. 2. To learn and maintain humility. 3. To follow God’s laws without turning away from God.4. A lasting legacy.


Application 1. We should read God’s Word.

Deut. 17:18- 20, 18 “And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, 20 that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.”

Bible Reading Plan

• We rolled a four year Bible reading plan at the beginning of the year intended to encourage a positive habit of being in God’s Word

• It was given to new freshmen and their parents

• A new plan will be available to each incoming freshman class in the future

• We rolled out a four year Bible reading plan at the beginning of the year intended to encourage a positive habit of being in God’s Word

• It was given to new freshmen and their parents

• A new plan will be available to each incoming freshman class in the future

Bible Reading Plan


Application

2. We should memorize God’s Word.

Psalm 119:9-11, “9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.


Application

3. We should talk about God’s Word.

Deut. 6:6-9, “6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”


Application

4. We should meditate on God’s Word

Joshua 1:7-8, “7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”


Application

SUMMARY OF APPLICATION

• We should read God’s Word: Deut. 17:18-20• We should memorize God’s Word: Psalm 119:9-11• We should talk about God’s Word: Deut. 6:6-9• We should meditate on God’s Word: Joshua 1:7-8

Documents

W E B ELIEVE John 20:31 W E B ELIEVE John 20:31 The Bible 2013 Barna Survey: 88% own a Bible 80% think the Bible is sacred 4.4 Bibles in the average household