GIVE ME THE BIBLE

Introduction:

A. We often hear the plea to go "Back to the Bible."

B. Why is the Bible important? Let's answer it this way…

Body: 2 Timothy 2: 15

I. First, Lets Answer The Question "What Is The Bible?"

A. It Is The Word Of Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5: 19).

"That is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation."

B. It Is The Word Of Truth (2 Corinthians 6: 7).

"By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left."

C. It Is The Word Of Life (Philippians 2: 16).

"Holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain."

D. It Is The Word Of God (1 Thessalonians 2: 13).

"For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe."

E. It Is The Word Of Righteousness (Hebrews 5: 13).

"For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe."

II. How Is The Bible Symbolized?

A. It is a Light (Psalm 119: 105). It enlightens and guides us through this life.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path."

B. It is a Mirror (James 1: 23 - 25). It helps us to see the imperfections we need to correct.

"For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does."

C. It is a Fire (Jeremiah 23: 29, 1 Peter 1: 22). It motivates, purifies, and prepares for growth.

"'Is not My word like a fire?' says the LORD, 'And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?'"

"Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart"

D. It is a Hammer (Jeremiah 23: 29). It is able to break open the hardened heart.

""Is not My word like a fire?" says the LORD, "And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?"

E. It is a Sword (Ephesians 6: 17, Hebrews 4: 12). It protects us and exposes weaknesses in the enemy.

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

"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."

F. It is the Seed (Luke 8: 11). It is what we plant (in our hearts and in others) to produce fruit.

""Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God."

III. What Is Our Responsibility? (2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV)

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

A. Be Focused Upon, Put An Emphasis Upon, Make It A High Priority.

B. Seek God's Approval. We are to be concerned about pleasing God, not men.

C. Work for God. We work for God, not for self or for anyone else.

D. Understand Correctly What God Has Revealed. We must make sure we hear what God has said.

Conclusion:

A. The Bible.

Is Where We Can Come To Know What God's Will And Truth Is For Our Life.

B. Have You Done What God Says To Do?