The Word of God

The Word of God

1 session EBI

Wednesday 16 November 2011

For some years now I have read
through the Bible twice every year. If
you picture the Bible to be a mighty tree
and every word a little branch, I have
shaken every one of these branches
because I wanted to know what it was
and what it meant.
Martin Luther


Some people like to read so many
[Bible] chapters every day. I would not
dissuade them from the practice, but I
would rather lay my soul asoak in half a
dozen verses all day than rinse my
hand in several chapters. Oh, to be
bathed in a text of Scripture, and to let
it be sucked up in your very soul, till it
saturates your heart!
Charles Haddon Spurgeon

What does the WOG play second
ﬁddle to in your life?
We believe it is the inerrant way God
communicates and accomplishes his
will in the world throughout history.
Job 23:12 - in the midst of trials and
sufferings said,
“I have not departed from the
commands of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his
mouth more than my daily
bread.”


Hosea 4:6
...my people are destroyed from lack
of knowledge.
“Because you have rejected knowledge, I
also reject you as my priests; because you
have ignored the law of your God, I also
will ignore your children.
People (many Christians) do not like the
idea of the authoritative WOG telling them
how to live - they act as if it was
something a cult does!
God is not into suggestions - he is into
commandments.


“The4:6
Hosea Bible, and only the
Bible, is are destroyed from lack
...my people the absolute,
of knowledge.
deﬁnitive, errorless,
“Because you have rejected knowledge, I
authoritative,priests; because you
also reject you as my
comprehensive and
have ignored the law of your God, I also
will ignore your children.
eternal Word ofdo not like the
People (many Christians) God.
idea of the authoritative have two
God does not WOG telling them
how to live - they act as if it was
or threecult does! - he has
something a books
one deﬁnitive revelation
God is not into suggestions - he is into
commandments.
for mankind - the Bible”

1. God’s word is divine in origin

God’s word came directly
from God, 2 Tim 3:16-17
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.


1.a. It’s inspired

Inspired = theopneustos = God
breathed
It is the word breathed out by
God - whether you
acknowledge it as such or not
Because of this fact it is unlike
any other book you will ever
read.


1.b. It’s consistent

1,600 years
40 authors - ﬁshermen, prophets,
tax collectors, politicians, a
doctor...
66 books - yet 1 book
Containing a single consistent
message
2 Peter 1:21 - 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.


1.c. It’s alive

Heb 4:12-13 - For the word of God is
alive 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. Nothing in all
creation is hidden from God’s sight.
Everything is uncovered and laid bare
before the eyes of him to whom we must
give account.
It has the power to change your life.
Peter’s testimony to the greatness of the
WOG is found in 2 Peter 1:16-23


We weren't, you know, just wishing on a star when we laid the
facts out before you regarding the powerful return of our Master,
Jesus Christ. We were there for the preview! We saw it with our
own eyes: Jesus resplendent with light from God the Father as the
voice of Majestic Glory spoke: "This is my Son, marked by my
love, focus of all my delight." We were there on the holy mountain
with him. We heard the voice out of heaven with our very own
ears.
We couldn't be more sure of what we saw and heard—God's
glory, God's voice. The prophetic Word was conﬁrmed to us. You'll
do well to keep focusing on it. It's the one light you have in a dark
time as you wait for daybreak and the rising of the Morning Star in
your hearts. The main thing to keep in mind here is that no
prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private opinion. And why?
Because it's not something concocted in the human heart.
Prophecy resulted when the Holy Spirit prompted men and
women to speak God's Word.

1.d. It comes from God

Many people say the Bible is the
product of human beings - they
even might like it, but still they
argue it is a book written by sinful
men and so has errors in it.
This is where we go back to 1
Peter 1:20-21
Scripture was written by men -
under the inﬂuence of the Holy
Spirit - they recorded the very
thoughts of God.


"The word of God is like a lion; you
don't have to defend it, you just turn it
loose"
Charles Haddon Spurgeon


Evans says that writing scripture is like
light coming through a stained glass
window - the light is the same through
each panel, but we see a different
colour because of the colour of the
glass.
John, James, Peter all had different
writing styles but all recorded the mind
of God.
Evans makes the point that the WOG is
intricately tied to God - so much so that
he simply allows a vehicle to transmit it -
even a donkey - Num 22:28-30 - even
animals know what to say when
God is speaking


2. God’s word is absolute truth

In this it simply reﬂects
God himself - he is truth
so his word will be too.
This is important as it
makes God trustworthy
- if he makes a mistake
on one thing we can
question him on
everything.


2.a. The whole truth

We all have trusted people who
have let us down - we don’t need a
God who lets us down too.
John 17 - After Jesus said this, he
looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify
your Son, that your Son may glorify
you. For you granted him authority
over all people that he might give
eternal life to all those you have
given him.


Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true
God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have
brought you glory on earth by ﬁnishing the work you
gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your
presence with the glory I had with you before the world
began.
“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of
the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and
they have obeyed your word. Now they know that
everything you have given me comes from you. For I
gave them the words you gave me and they accepted
them. They knew with certainty that I came from you,
and they believed that you sent me.


So the process is, the word was:
Given to Jesus by the Father.
Jesus gave it to the disciples
The disciples wrote it down (along
with other authors)
We know they got it right because
Jesus promised;
Jn 14:17 - the Spirit of truth. The
world cannot accept him, because it
neither sees him nor knows him. But
you know him, for he lives with you
and will be in you.


So the process is, the word was:
Jn 16:13 But when
Given to Jesus-by the Father. he,
JesusSpirit to the disciples
the gave it of truth, comes,
The disciples wroteyou into all
he will guide it down (along
with other authors)
the truth. He itwill not
We know they got right because
speak on his own; he will
Jesus promised;
speak - the Spirit of he
Jn 14:17 only whattruth. The
world cannot accept him, because it
hears, and he knows him. But
neither sees him nor
will tell you
what is yet to lives with
you know him, for hecome. you
and will be in you.


2.b. The God of truth
The perfect God has overseen this process -
and Jesus prays Jn 17:17 -Sanctify them by
the truth; your word is truth.
If God makes mistakes the Bible would be
mistaken - and God would not be God -
God does not lie, Titus 1:2 -in the hope of
eternal life, which God, who does not lie,
promised before the beginning of time,
So, if we claim there is an error in the Bible it
is like staring into God’s face and calling him
a liar!
You need to be able to trust what God says
in the Bible - eternity depends on it


2.c. The word of truth

An argument used by people who
say the Bible has errors:
1 Cor 10:8 says - We should not
commit sexual immorality, as some of
them did—and in one day twenty-
three thousand of them died.
Numbers 23:9 - but those who died
in the plague numbered 24,000.
Different numbers = contradiction.
Answer:...one day...


Evans also suggests that
different people call numbers
in different ways:
“How many students were
there in class today?”
rdc: “20 or so”
Student: “19 with 2 absent”
Did rdc lie - or give an
approximation?
Is the Bible allowed to use
rounded off approximations?


Joshua 10:13 - So the sun stood
still, and the moon stopped, till the
nation avenged itself on its enemies,
as it is written in the Book of Jashar.
The sun stopped in the middle of the
sky and delayed going down about a
full day.
Did the sun stop - or did the writers
use poetic language?
We know the sun does not rise - the
earth rotates - but still we use the
expression. Is God simply
communicating to us in a way we
can / could understand?


This is important - we have to accept
the Bible as authoritative absolute
truth.
If you accept it on this basis and walk
according to it you will beneﬁt from its
truth - if you don’t, it is still true!
The Bible is not a science book - but
when it speaks scientiﬁcally it speaks
perfectly - it is not a history book, but
when it speaks historically it speaks
perfectly.
The WOG is absolute truth.
Make sure what you are living your life by
is in the Bible - not just some old saying
from your grandmother.


2.d. An enduring standard
1 + 1 = 2, Or does it?
What would happen if you decided that 1
+ 1 = 5?
Chaos! There would be no foundational
truth that we agree upon to work it out.
In the same way when we decide to
worship anything we decide to call gods
there is no foundational standard in what
we call or worship as ‘God’
So morals, ethics etc. have no standard
to be measured by - our rebellion says
we can make it what we want


2.d. An enduring standard
1 + 1 = 2, Or does it?
Christians believe if you decided that 1
What would happen they have the
foundational standard.
+ 1 = 5?
Chaos! There would be agree - they
The world does not no foundational
truth we are agree upon to work it out.
say that we fanatics.
In the same way when we “what is
decide to
In the words of Pilate,
worship anything we decide to call gods
truth?”no foundational standard in what
there is
we call or worship as foundational
Only if you have a ‘God’
standard ethics etc. have no standard
So morals, to measure this by can
to beagree on an - our rebellion says
you measured by answer.
we can make it what we want


3. God’s word accomplishes his
sovereign will
Isa 55:10-11
As the rain and the snow come down
from heaven, and do not return to it
without watering the earth and making
it bud and ﬂourish, so that it yields seed
for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my
mouth: It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire and
achieve the purpose for which I sent it
God’s word is accompanied by
God’s power


3.a. God’s will
Gen 1:3 - And God said, “Let there be
light,” and there was light.
No vote or decision making process.
God spoke and it happened.
Ps 147:15-18 - He sends his command
to the earth; his word runs swiftly. He
spreads the snow like wool and scatters
the frost like ashes. He hurls down his
hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his
icy blast? He sends his word and melts
them; he stirs up his breezes, and the
waters ﬂow.
God commands the weather!


3.a. God’s will
Gen 1:3 - And God said, “Let there be
light,” and there was light.
Jeremiahdecision See, today I
No vote or 1:10 - making process.
appoint you over nations and
God spoke and it happened.
kingdoms to - He sends his command
Ps 147:15-18 uproot and tear down,
to the earth;andword runs swiftly. He
to destroy his overthrow, to build
and to plant.” like wool and scatters
spreads the snow
the frost over nations
Power like ashes. He hurls down his
hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his
Mark 5:1-20sends his word and melts
icy blast? He
them; heover up his breezes, and the
Power stirs demons
waters ﬂow.
God commands the weather!


3.b. God’s sword
Eph 6:17 - Take the helmet of
salvation and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God.
It can cut through and deal with
the spiritual root of any problems
- physical, spiritual, emotional etc.
Jesus defeated satan with the
WOG - Luke 4 - it has power that
your words, thoughts or ideas will
never have
Acts 19:1-6 -Sons of Sceva - Excalibur – King Arthur’s sword, given to
problem, they had no power, no him by the Lady of the Lake; the sword
word! was magical.


4. God’s word sufﬁcient for every
spiritual need

Life is complex -
God’s word is
sufﬁcient to address
every spiritual need.

No man is an island
entire of itself;
every man is a piece
of the continent, a
part of the main;
John Donne 1630


4.a. Everything we need
Psalm 19 - things the WOG can do for you:
The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the
soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy
to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving
light to the eyes. (the right path)
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.
The decrees of the LORD are ﬁrm, and all of
them are righteous.


4.a. Everything we need
Psalm 19 - things the WOG can do for you:
Psalm 19 - ESV
The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;
soul.
the statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,making wise the
The testimony of the LORD is sure,
simple;
making wise the simple.
the precepts the LORD are are giving joy
The precepts ofof the LORD right,right, rejoicing the heart;
to the heart.
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the
The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving
eyes; the eyes. (the right path)
light to
the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.forever;
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring
the decrees of theLORD are ﬁrm, and allrighteous altogether.
The rules of the LORD are true, and of
them are righteous.


4.b. Better than gold

Psalm 19:10 - of the WOG:
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
What do you value more - the
Bible or your money?
David was a man after God’s own
heart - because his primary value
was in the WOG.
The WOG needs to be your
sufﬁciency - not your money


4.c. Purifying agent

Ps 119:11 - I have hidden your word in
my heart that I might not sin against you.
Ps 19:13 - Keep your servant also from
willful sins; may they not rule over me.
God’s word puriﬁes us and keeps us from
addictions and bad habits.
The WOG searches our hearts and minds
- it reveals sin, enabling us to confess and
come clean
Ps 119:9 - How can a young man keep
his way pure? By guarding it according to
your word.


5. God’s word is beneﬁcial to
those who obey
Joshua 1:5-8
No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life.
As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you
nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead
these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give
them.
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my
servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the
left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 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.


5.a. Success

Know, meditate upon and do the
WOG - then you will be successful -
easy!
The WOG becomes the filtering
process through which all thoughts
come
Success in God means simply being
obedient - this is what you should
aim for at the end of your life.
Paul said -2 Tim 4:7 I have fought
the good fight, I have finished the
race, I have kept the faith.


5.b. Freedom

Jn 8:31-32
To the Jews who had
believed him, Jesus said,
“If you hold to my
teaching, you are really my
disciples. Then you will
know the truth, and the
truth will set you free.”
The Bible offers the line for
judging if you are free


5.c. Spiritual Vitality

The Bible gives us:
1. Life Php 2:16
2. Makes us righteous - 1 Cor 15:1-2
3. Produces growth - 1 Pet 2:2
4. Sanctiﬁes us - Jn 17:17
5. Gives us wisdom - Ps 119:98
In effect the Bible is like a daily does
of vitamins for our spirits.
People need the Bible - the WOG,
today.


5.c. Spiritual Vitality

2 Timgives us:
The Bible 4:2

Preach the word; be
1. Life Php 2:16
2. Makes us righteous - 1 Cor 15:1-2
prepared in season
3. Produces growth - 1 Pet 2:2
and out us - Jn 17:17
4. Sanctiﬁes of season;
correct, rebuke and
5. Gives us wisdom - Ps 119:98
In effect the Bible is like a daily does
encourage—with
of vitamins for our spirits.
great patience the WOG,
People need the Bible - and
today.
careful instruction.

Responding to the WOG

"A Bible that's falling apart usually
belongs to someone who isn't."
Charles Spurgeon
1. Work on thinking about and
researching the ‘contradictions’
people might speak about within
the bIble. Get and answer
thought out.
2. Are you walking in obedience
to the Bible - are you in rebellion
against some commandments?


Responding to the WOG

"A Bible that's falling apart usually
3. Set yourself a target of
belongs to someone who isn't."
memorising Bible verses -
Charles Spurgeon
e.g. 1/day, or 2-3/week
1. Work on thinking about and
4. Memorise Isaiah 55:1 -so
researching the ‘contradictions’
is my word that goes out from
people might speak about within
the bIble. Get and answer
my mouth: It will not return to
thought out. but will accomplish
me empty,
what desire and achieve the
2. Are Iyou walking in obedience
to the Bible - are youI in rebellion
purpose for which sent it.
against some commandments?


The Word of God

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