G IVE M E T HE B IBLE

Introduction: A. Ps. 119.105, Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. B. Do you really want the Bible? 1. When do you want the Bible? 2. Do you want Bible authority when preachers preach, or do you want your ears tickled? 3. Do you want the Bible if it is different than your beliefs or practices? 4. Do you want the Bible more than feeling or experience? Body:

I. R EASONS F OR WANTING T HE B IBLE

A. The Bible is from God, 1. John 12.49, For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandmentwhat to say and what to speak. 2. 2 Pet. 1.21, For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. B. The Bible produces faith, Rom. 10.17, So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. C. The Bible is powerful, Heb. 4.12, For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. D. The Bible gives life, Ps. 119.50, This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise (word, ASV) gives me life. E. The Bible begets (to generate life; a mother gives birth, a father begetsto supply the seed that causes conception and birth) 1. Jas. 1.18, Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 2. {1 Pet. 1.23, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;} F. The Bible frees from sin, John 8.31-32, So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, If you abide in my word, then you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. G. The Bible saves, 1. Jas. 1.21, Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 2. Rom. 1.16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. H. The Bible sanctifies (set apart, make holy), John 17.17, Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

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Give Me The Bible

I. The Bible purifies, 1 Pet. 1.22, Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, J. The Bible gives light, Ps. 119.130, The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. K. The Bible provides necessary nourishment for life, Matt. 4.4, But he answered, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. L. The Bible builds up, Acts 20.32, And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. M. The Bible stands forever, 1. Matt. 24.35, Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 2. 1 Pet. 1.24, for All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever. And this word is the good news that was preached to you. N. The Bible will judge us 1. Joh 12.48, The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 2. {Rev 20.12, And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.}

II. H YMN , G IVE M E T HE B IBLE (P RISCILLA J. O WENS )

Give me the Bible, star of gladness gleaming, To cheer the wandrer lone and tempest tossed; No storms can hide that radiance peaceful beaming Since Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Give me the Bible, when my heart is broken, When sin and grief have filled my soul with fear; Give me the precious words by Jesus spoken, Hold up faiths lamp to show my Savior near. Give me the Bible, all my steps enlighten, Teach me the danger of these realms below; That lamp of safety oer the gloom shall brighten, That light alone the path of peace can show. Give me the Bible, lamp of life immortal, Hold up that splendor by the open grave; Show me the light from heavens shining portals, Show me the glory gilding Jordans wave.

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Give Me The Bible

Give me the Bible, Holy message shining, Thy light shall guide me in the narrow way; Precept and promise, law and love combining, Till night shall vanish in eternal day. Conclusion: A. Do you want to be a strong Christian? Let, Give me the Bible be your motto. B. A church is only as strong as the preaching it demandsdemand, Give me the Bible.

John R. Gentry, www.HaveBibleWillPreach.com For audio and other study helps visit http://sierraleone.havebiblewillpreach.com Originally aired on BBN in Freetown, Sierra Leone on 2008.12.07

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