Why and How Should I Read the Bible

Why and How Should I Read the Bible?

Bible readings: Acts 17:1-15 (Page 785) Matthew 7:24-29 (Page 686)

1Wednesday, 29 April 2015

Why Read the Bible?

• Why do so many value the Bible so highly?

• Why do so many risk so much to own a copy?

• Why is the Bible such a dangerous book?

• Why does the Bible have power to change lives?


Why Read the Bible?

• God is the ultimate author of all that recorded in the Bible.

• Written by 40 men over more than 1,500 years yet a complete integrated message system.

• How can we be certain?


The Testimony of the Bible

• “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the Law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.” (Matthew 5:17–18, NLT)



• “May God receive glory. He is able to strengthen your faith because of the good news I preach. It is the message about Jesus Christ. It is in keeping with the mystery that was hidden for a very long time. The mystery has now been made known through the writings of the prophets. The eternal God commanded that it be made known. He wanted all nations to believe and obey him.” (Romans 16:25–26, NIrV)



• “We never stop thanking God for the way you received His word. You heard it from us. But you didn’t accept it as a human word. You accepted it for what it really is. It is God’s word. It is at work in you who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13, NIrV)



• “You have known the Holy Scriptures ever since you were a little child. They are able to teach you how to be saved by believing in Christ Jesus. God has breathed life into all of Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right.” (2 Timothy 3:15–16, NIrV)


The Test of Prophecy

• If a book predicts something is going to happen and it doesn't you can not trust the author or the authority he claims.

• Jesus applied this test to explain to the disciples the meaning and the purpose of His death and resurrection:“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27, NIV84)


The Test of Prophecy

• There are more than 48 direct prophecies concerning Christ in the OT.

• The chances of one man fulfilling just 8 of these prophecies by coincidence is 1 chance in 100,000,000,000,000,000.(Peter Stoner - Mathematician)


The Test of Personal Experience

• Try living for the next 6 weeks as if every word of the Bible were true.


The Question of Authority

• What authority does the bible have over me?

• Either man is over the Bible or the Bible is over man.



• What authority does the bible have over me?

• Either man is over the Bible or the Bible is over man.

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I decide what I will

accept.

The Word of God

Lord help me to understand and apply.

The Word of God

or

Wednesday, 29 April 2015


• Jesus accepted the absolute authority of the written word over His life.

• His whole life was shaped by what God had caused to be written before he was born.

• Since this is how Jesus treated the Bible, how can we do less?


Why I should Read the Bible• The reason we read the Bible

and seek to understand it is because it has God's authority and power behind it.

• By reading it and seeking to understand and apply it, His presence and power can flow into our lives.

• Unless you read and seek to understand the Bible you will not learn the ways and mind of the Lord who loves you and died for you.


Why I should Read the Bible• [The Scriptures are]

“useful for teaching us what is true.

• It is useful for correcting our mistakes.

• It is useful for making our lives whole again.

• It is useful for training us to do what is right.”(2 Timothy 3:15–16, NIrV)


Why I should Read the Bible• To start reading the Bible give

yourself a modest, achievable goal.

• “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” (John 8:31–32, ESV)

• “Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31–32, NLT)


Why and How Should I Read the Bible

Spiritual

Transcript of Why and How Should I Read the Bible