Have you paused to think about how amazing the Bible is? Do you struggle to believe that it is truly the inspired written Word of God? Do you believe in its authenticity? Our pastor (Tim Kennell) preached on this today and I just have to share some thoughts gleamed from his message (now he will know that I was listening!) along with my own pondering.
First let me share some facts:
- The Bible is a collection of 66 different books.
- It was written by 40 different authors. The earliest being Job or Moses and ending with John in Revelation. These were men of many different occupations (shepherds, prophets, kings, fishermen, etc.), backgrounds (educated, uneducated), and nationalities.
- It was written over a period of 1500 years.
- It was written in 3 languages: Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek.
- It was written from 3 different continents: Africa, Asia and Europe.
- There is 1 storyline-1 theme: the Story of God’s Redemptive Plan.
Is there any other book written with such amazing facts? 1 theme-1 storyline going from cover to cover with so many authors, so much distance, 3 different languages and such a long period of time. How can this be unless it is the amazing, miraculous, inspired work of God!
Scripture tells us about these words, written so we as broken, sinful people can be reconciled to a loving Heavenly Father.
- II Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Scripture is the inspired word of God, words that God breathed into being. They are not a haphazard collection of writings. These words are for our correction so that we can be restored into a right relationship with God.
- Hebrews 4:12 “For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” God’s greatest desire is for us to know Him, to enjoy a relationship with Him, to be His sons and daughters. His Word corrects and restores. It lays bare the hidden thoughts and intents of our sinful hearts. It equips and prepares us for faithful, purposeful living.
- Psalms 12:6 “the words of the Lord are pure words…“
- Psalms 19: 7 “the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”
- John 17: 17 “Your word is truth.” God’s word is the basis for truth-all truth.
- John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” In verse 14 it says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory…” Maybe these are heavy and confusing words. But it shows us Jesus. Jesus is the living Word of God. He was with God in the beginning of time. In the beginning God spoke the world into existence. In the gospels (New Testament) God spoke His final word through the living Word, Jesus.
At the very end Revelations (22:18-22), is a final word from God, a strict warning is given to those who add or subtract from the Words of God. They will lose their place in the heaven. What a sad day that will be. It should cause us to stop and ponder.
Do you read your Bible? If not, I encourage, beg, plead with you to begin reading, daily, the words of a living God.
The pastor’s sermon (“The Bible” on April 22, 2012) can be listened to at http://www.pmchurch.net/Sermons.htm
