Reflections: On the Bible
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Things to ponder
Things to ponder
As we start a new topical series this morning that will stretch over the next quarter I hope if gives you some things to reflect on (hence the title of series). God gave us our brains as well as our emotions and our maturity comes from knowledge of Him, but the wisdom comes from Him.
God given things (Jm1:5; Php4:8-9; Col3:2) our brain!
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
He gives it, so we can grow in Him and for Him. He has given us His Word the Bible and it is always good to reflect on that.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
These things, what things, the Bible things as noted in the passage before.
When you think of the the word “reflect” what do you think about it?
Reflect (v): to give serious thought or consideration.
In some versions of Php4:9 it says reflect, some dwell, some consider, some meditate on so you may see the use of several of these throughout the message tonight.
See what it says in
2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
As we take time this morning to reflect on the bible we will see a few different things. So hold on as we take this short journey to give us things to ponder, consider, reflect, meditate on.
I. Reflections on the Bible.
I. Reflections on the Bible.
Can the bible bring you, joy, peace, contentment, blessings?
Reflect on Psm1:1-3
1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.
Blessed, the Bible brings blessings to the one who
delights in the law (word) of the Lord
And on the word he meditates (considers, ponders, reflects) on day and night.
How do you delight in something?
Do you delight in your wife, your husband, your family, grand-kids? How about your job, your hobbies or your church (being the people)? (be ready to expand on this; to delight in something you have to take time to do it, you will want to do it, etc.)
What does it mean to meditate?
As we delight in the Word as we meditate on the Word we will see that it have many Virtues
Some virtues found in the Bible (Psm19:7-11)
Invite everyone to turn there since will spend a few minutes there.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.
Let’s take a few minutes and see some of the virtues
Perfect, and can restore, convert soul (v.7)
It is sure, making wise simple (v.7)
Right, and brings rejoicing in the heart (v.8)
It is pure and it enlightens the eyes (v.8)
It is clean, able to endure forever (v.9)
It is true, and it is righteous together (v.9)
It is desirable (v.10); it is sweeter (v.10)
It is rewarding to those who keep it (v.11)
It is able to help the young (Ps119:9)
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.
Capable of keeping the young man pure by keeping the word!
It can help guard against sin (Ps119:11)
How can the Word help guard you against sin?
11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.
It can make you wise (Ps119:97-100)!
97 O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Your precepts.
Now wisdom takes effort, it takes diligence, so wisdom comes
to the one who asks for it (Jam1:5) if you feel you are lacking
to the one who meditates on it; wiser than enemies
Give you understanding and insight if you are willing to observe the words (which means apply)!
It is a lamp to show us the way (Ps119:105)
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Lamp to the feet so you don’t trip; a light on the path so you know what way to go!
It is a source of great peace (Ps119:165; 1The5:23)
165 Those who love Your law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble.
For God is the God of peace.
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
What does this God of peace do??
Sanctify you entirely
preserve you completely
make you blameless
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
This God of peace, surpasses all comprehension will, guard your hearts and your minds
Now that leads us to.
A Source of great comfort and hope (Rom15:4)
4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
For our learning, for our encouragement, so we may have hope!
The Bible is the Word of God and it is alive, strong and active. (Heb4:12)
12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
What is the word according to this verse?
living, active
sharper than any sword, it is piercing of the soul, spirit and able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
The Word, the Bible is life giving (Jm1:21; 1Pt1:23-25)
21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.
23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, “All flesh is like grass, And all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, And the flower falls off, 25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word which was preached to you.
From life giving, to instruction giving (1Pt2:1-2)
1 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
Able to save a soul; for it is incorruptible, imperishable, it is enduring and it is able to help you grow!
How can the Word guide your life, or help you grow, consider (2Tim3:16-17)?
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
For it is inspired
It is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction,and for training
So that you may be equipped for every good work
I think thus far we have had the bible speak for itself, and we are called to share the word of God with others so they can have the blessings and the benefits the Bible has to offer them. Faith, hope, salvation and assurance to start, but we have a few minutes let me give what a few people have to say about the Bible.
II.What others have to say
II.What others have to say
Patrick Henry, one of the forefathers of our Country who said “give me liberty or give me death” said this about the Bible
“The Bible is worth more than all others books which have ever been printed”
Theodore Roosevelt
“A through knowledge of the Bible is better than any college education”
Charles Dickens, novelist
“The New Testament is the very best book that ever was or will be known in the world.”
Abraham Lincoln, failure in many things but a successful President.
“I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book.”
Then let me finish with the words of Ronald Reagan
“Within the covers of this one single book, the Bible, are all the answers to all the problems we face today. If only we would read it and believe”
Summary and Conclusion
We have seen that the Bible, when we reflect on it, is
The way to true happiness and source of joy
Shows us, teaches us many virtues
Is a helper to the young
A guard against sin
Able to make one wise
It is a lamp, a light to show the way
It is a source of peace, comfort and hope
It is alive and powerful, life-giving and life-guiding
(lead to encouragement) - Hopefully this morning if you don’t have an outline you grab one so you can reflect on the scriptures we looked at, for the Bible is a great treasure. The Psalmist wrote
162 I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure.
May we rejoice, may we glean from the great treasure you have in your hand when you hold the bible in your hand. May these short sayings, short reflections encourage you to reflect more and glean more from studying the Bible more.
For the word saves (Jm1:21); it brings faith (Rom10:17); Faith brings repentance (Lk5:32; 2Cor7:10)
10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
(insert invitation slide- surrender used previously)
Repentance leads to surrender (Heb12:1) willing to throw off anything that hinders us from being reconciled to God and running the race God has set before us.
For in Him we have redemption (Eph1:7); and that redemption is made available to all who are willing to come to Him in belief, in faith, in repentance, in surrender to be born again (Jn3:3, 3:5): born again so we can walk in the newness of life (Rom6:4); to walk by the Spirit, in step with the Spirit (Gal5:25) for we are called to worship in spirit and in truth (Jn4:24)
(Below is not to be read, just put on the outline)
Other scriptures to consider and look for key words for your own notes
Heb12:1 _____________________________________
Eph1:7 ______________________________________
Jn3:3, 5 _____________________________________
Rom6:4 _____________________________________
Gal5:25 _____________________________________
Jn4:24 ______________________________________
(Now, return to reading, proclaiming, explaining)
Is your white flag up? Are you hands for universal surrender up? If not and you need to surrender or surrender something so to not be burdened by it anymore we offer that opportunity now.
Think on these things; as we stand and sing.
(Song) (Prayer) Close)