THE BOOK!

THE BOOK!                                                        

 

Adapted from a Lee Roberson Message by Pastor Rick Jackson

 

HEB. 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

As he lay dying, the British poet, Sir Walter Scott, said, "Bring me the Book!" When asked what book he replied, "There is but one book."

 

I. THE BIBLE IS THE GREATEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN

 

1. IT HAS A DIVINE ORIGIN [2 Tm. 3:16, Peter 1:21] All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

 

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

The Word of God is the Book that is Divine yet is very human. It is the Book that reveals the thoughts of God in the language of men. We do not say that the Bible contains the Word of God- the Bible IS the Word of God. There are 66 books in the Bible- 39 in the OT and 27 in the NT- but the Bible is one Book, and God is the Author.

 

2. IT HAS A DIVINE SUBJECT - THE LORD JESUS CHRIST [Col. 1:18] …that in all things he might have the preeminence.

 

The Bible contains the greatest fact and story of history. Here we read about Christ the Saviour- His birth, his life, His death, His resurrection, His ascension, His work at the Father’s right hand, and His coming again. It is His story!

This world of infidels tries to say Jesus was a failure. But was He? Born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth He only lived 33 years. He had no pull or connection of any kind with the world. Yet Christ began a work which continues until this day, a work which is the greatest business on the face of the earth.

 

3. IT HAS DIVINE AUTHORITY [John 12:48]

 

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

Men don’t really judge it, the Bible judges them. You read the Bible and follow it or the Bible condemns you. God has spoken, and this Word stands. You cannot ridicule the Word of God and get rid of it. Men have tried this. Hell will doubtless be filled with those who thought they could make light of God’s Holy Word. The Word of God must be received and believed. This is God’s Holy, infallible, dynamic message to mankind.

II. THE BIBLE IS THE WARMEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN                      The Bible has a message for every person. First…

 

1. IT HAS A MESSAGE OF COMFORT [Romans 15:4 …comfort of the scriptures…]

 

We live in a world of tears. The Bible speaks and gives comfort to every heart. In the hour when your heart is broken, you are not concerned about the philosophies of sinful men. You want the Word of God and to know that He is by your side. Ps. 23, John 14, 1 Cor. 15, 1 Th. 4, Rev. 21 & 22 give comfort as do countless other Scriptures. Second…

 

2. IT HAS A MESSAGE FOR THE DEFEATED & THE DOUBTING HEART [Mark 11:22]

 

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

Thomas, one of the 12, who was called Didymus went through a period of doubt. Jesus appeared and said, “Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.” It was then that Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God” [Jn. 20]

How wonderful that the Lord Jesus Christ has a word for this doubting one! Jesus said, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

Abraham, Moses, Joshua and David knew defeat even as we all know it. God spoke to them and God will speak to you and to me.

Jonah played the coward and tried to run from God. But in the providential work of God, Jonah was brought back and did the task that God had called him to do.

John Mark tried to escape his duty. God spoke to his heart and brought him back. Yes, here is the Word of encouragement for your defeated heart. If you feel you have gone just as far as you can go, then, my friend, it is time to come in touch with God’s message. Third…

 

3. IT HAS THE MESSAGE OF SALVATION [John 5:39]

 

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

 

Within the covers of this Book, there is a message so clear, “the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein” [Is. 35:8]. Simply stated the message is this: He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. [Jn 3:36]

 

The Bible message must reach us and chance us. Here is the greatest message of all the earth. Here is the book that tells of Jesus Christ who alone has the power to save and transform. Here is the Book that gives us a message that will lead us along the way in the dark valleys, through trying circumstances; in the midst of opposition, we can have victory through our blessed Lord.

 

III. THE BIBLE IS THE TOUGHEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN

 

Why? This is a book of black and white. There are no gray spots in the Word of God. There are no shades of compromise. It is a Book setting forth that which is right and that which is wrong. It is a Book of salvation or damnation, Heaven or Hell, Christ or the Devil.

 

1. IT HAS THE SAME MESSAGE FOR EVERY CENTURY [Psalm 119:89] For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

 

The message of the Bible has not changed from the 1st century to now. Many have been the efforts of man to “update” the Bible. This is the day of multitudes of translations and new versions. Bibles are written omitting certain portions. What foolishness! You cannot change the word of God. This is God’s eternal Word, and it remains the same.

The Bible has very pointed things to say about those who try to change this Book. [Dt. 4:2, Rev. 22:18-19]

Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

 

2. THE BIBLE HAS THE SAME MESSAGE FOR EVERY NATION [Proverbs 14:34]

 

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

When nations set themselves against God they are destroyed [Ps. 2]. When nations ignore God they soon come to weakness. When we defy God and turn away from these plain teachings then we are courting disaster. This nation has been blessed of God for one reason- the Lord has been recognized; but when the nation turns away from God, our sins will not be overlooked. We have suffered and we will suffer.

 

3. THE BIBLE HAS THE SAME MESSAGE FOR EVERY PERSON [Acts 10:34]

 

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

The Bible is tough on sin. The Bible plays no favorites. The Bible pictures man exactly as he is. There are many people who hate the Bible because of this. But you see, the Bible is tough.

Jesus spoke to the Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees and called them “blind guides”, “hypocrites,” and “serpents”. When you read through the Gospels you begin to see how tough the Bible is.

The Bible is also tender. The Bible is the voice of God calling men to repent and be saved. The Bible is calling Christians to a life of fulfillment and joy by following Christ. Simply come to Him in faith believing.