MAKE THE RIGHT APPROACH

REASONS TO BELIEVE – NUMBER 2                                                                         

Pastor Rick Jackson

Our approach to things can change depending on our circumstances. When I read the Gainesville Sun I approach it with some skepticism. When I read a book by John R. Rice there is a lot more trust in what I am reading. I remain fully aware that he is human but I also know where he stood on matters of faith. When I read the Bible I know that the author is none other than God Himself and I need not judge the Book, the Book judges me!

Approach the Bible with reverence for its Author, respect for its message, and realization for its intent.

I. APPROACH THE BIBLE WITH REVERENCE FOR ITS AUTHOR--- GOD!

"A light view of God produces a light view of sin." If you reverence His Person you will reverence:

1. HIS KNOWLEDGE - Acts 15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

As a Sunday school teacher once said, "Does He know? Sure He does! Ignorant and God don't go together!"

2. HIS CHARACTER - Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Psalm 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

Someone said, "God said it, I believe it, that settles it!" My friend, God said it and that settles it whether I believe it or not!

3. HIS ABILITY - Is. 46:9-10 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

II. APPROACH THE BIBLE WITH RESPECT FOR ITS MESSAGE

1. THE BIBLE IS HEAVENLY REVEALED (2 Peter 1:21)

2. THE BIBLE IS HISTORICALLY CORRECT (Mt. 19:3-6) The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

3. THE BIBLE IS SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE (1 Timothy 6:20)

"But the Bible's not a science textbook!" Good, then it doesn't have to be revised every few years. The Gainesville Sun isn't a science textbook either but it's generally accurate when it gives the times for sunrise and sunset. The Bible is more scientifically accurate than any document ever written or printed.

We believe that all true discoveries, whether "in heavens above, in the earth beneath, or in the waters under the earth, will harmonize with that which is written in the Word of God; and if they do not thus harmonize, they are perfectly contemptible in the judgment of every true lover of Scripture. This gives great rest to the heart in a day like the present, so productive of learned speculations and high-sounding theories, which alas! in too many instances, savor of rationalism and positive infidelity. It is most needful to have the heart thoroughly established as to the fullness, the authority, the completeness, the majesty, the plenary inspiration of the Sacred Volume. This will be found to be the only effectual safeguard against the rationalism of Germany and the superstition of Rome. ...May the Lord, in His great grace, abundantly increase in our midst... accurate acquaintance with, and profound subjection to, the Word..." - CHM

III. APPROACH THE BIBLE WITH REALIZATION FOR IT'S INTENT

Someone foolishly said "The book of Genesis... is not very much concerned with how things happened. But it is very concerned with who made them happen."

Balderdash and poppycock! That's just nonsensical gibber-jabber! The Bible clearly tells us Who created, how He created and how long He took to do it!

When you realize the intent of the Bible, recognizing its truth and reverencing its Author it does several things:

1. IT ALLOWS THE WORLD TO MAKE SENSE (Ps. 73:1-3, 17, 24-28)

2. IT ALLOWS THE WORD TO MAKE SALVATION KNOWN (Acts 4:12)

3. IT ALLOWS THE WILL TO BE SURRENDERED

Like Peter at the Sea, Luke 5:5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.