This Not That Week 1
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Intro
Intro
As we begin this new series on the Bible I thought I’d share some Biblical Bloopers with you. These are s-lightly skewed scriptural insights from children of Christian and Jewish faiths:
- In the first book of the Bible, Guinessis, God got tired of creating the world, so he took
the Sabbath off.
- Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree.
- Noah’s wife was called Joan of Ark.
Now, a decade or so later, the elderly lady was ready to spend a few sweet moments handing down the big old family Bible, in the time-honored King James Version, to her only grandchild.
- Lot’s wife was a pillar of salt by day, but a ball of fire by night.
- Moses led the Hebrews to the Red Sea, where they made unleavened bread, which is
bread made without any ingredients.
- The Egyptians were all drowned in the desert.
- Afterward. Moses went up on Mount Cyanide to get the Ten Amendments.
Understandably excited, the youngster was asking a number of questions, both about the family members whose births and deaths were recorded therein, and about various aspects of the Scriptures themselves.
- The First Commandment was when Eve told Adam to eat the apple.
- The Fifth Commandment is "Humor thy father and mother."
- The Seventh Commandment is "Thou shalt not admit adultery."
- The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed
him.
Her grandmother was endeavoring to answer all the child’s questions in terms she could understand, but the one that stopped her cold was this sincere inquiry:
- Solomon, one of David’s sons, has 300 wives and 700 porcupines.
- When Mary heard that she was the mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta.
- When the three wise guys from the east side showed up, they found Jesus and the
manager.
- Jesus was born because Mary had an emaculate contraption. St. John, the Blacksmith,
"Which Virgin was the mother of Jesus? Was it the Virgin Mary, or the King James virgin?"
dumped water on his head.
- Jesus enunciated the Golden Rule, which is "Do one to others before they do one to
you."
- The Bible says a man is only supposed to have one wife. This is called monotony
When we examine the life of Jesus it is obvious that he had a high regard for Scripture. He used the Scriptures in his teachings and quoted the Scriptures in numerous occasions
A survey from Lifeway in 2017 had some shocking results.
For the next 4 weeks we are specifically going to be looking at some big ideas about the Bible and why we can trust it. Text next four weeks we will think about these questions:
Today- What IS the Bible?
Why do we need the Old Testament and the New Testament?
Why do some passages seem to contradict each other?
Is the Bible still relevant? Can someone add to the Bible?
Why should I study the Bible?
What the Bible is NOT
What the Bible is NOT
In order to think about what the Bible IS, it may be helpful to first name what the Bible is NOT.
The Bible is NOT merely a dictionary of holiness
The Bible contains everything that we need to live a godly life. Just before the passage we read today in Peter says that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness. These things are given to us through the Word of God.
The Bible is not primarily given to us to be a Rolodex or dictionary of holiness. We can turn to certain pieces of Scripture when we struggle, but these passages also belong in a larger context or story.
Example of - We often see this verse applied in the world of sports. Many athletes claim when they are playing for the big game or trying to break a record. While this verse can be a helpful inspiration in these times, we also need under understand and be influenced by Paul’s original intent. was originally writing this verse while sitting in jail for his faith, and he was talking about how he had learned to live in poverty by God’s grace. It is alway peculiar to me to hear an athlete making 100million a year who is trying to win the Super Bowl quote a man who was starving in jail....
The Bible is NOT merely a road map
Yes, the Bible can give us direction- but if we only approach the Bible as a way to make decision we are missing a big part of the Bible.
Example of the Prodigal Son from Kids Night at WHCOB
The Bible is NOT God’s legal code
While the Bible does contain many laws and mandates, it is much more than that. There are entire books that do not contain a single law, but they tell us about God, His character, and His plan.
613 Laws in OT alone.
What IS the Bible?
What IS the Bible?
The Bible is a book with dual authorship
That Bible is a historical document
Listen to some of the ways that the books of the Bible begin:
English Standard Version Chapter 1
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
“Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”
“The word of the LORD that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Josiah, king of Israel.”
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. “
2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .
Biblical writings belong in a certain place in history. They have a backdrop that is important to the story you are reading. Let’s take for example- a very notable piece of Scripture. This is a wonderful promise of God that we can hold on to and make our own- but at the same time it also is tied to specific person- Jeremiah a specific audience- The Nation of Judah and a specific time- around 600 BC just before Judah is about to be in exile.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .
The Bible is a Spiritual document
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work
"The sufficiency of Scripture means that Scripture contained all the words of God he intended his people to have at each stage of redemptive history, and that it now contains all the words of God we need for salvation, for trusting him perfectly, and for obeying him perfectly." Wayne Grudem
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .
The Bible is different than any other book ever written. It is not just knowledge for your head, or wisdom for your heart, the Bible contains the transformative voice of God.
The Bible is not merely a book that was written by men- the Bible is a book written by the Holy Spirit. In the church we used the word inspired for this- that the Scriptures are inspired by the HS. Notice is it not dictated by the HS- God did not whisper the exact words in the ears of writers, but God influenced their writings.
This makes the Bible different that any other text. While reading Job we can read a historical account of Job’s trials, we can also have our hearts molded to understand more about God and transform our lives.
The Bible is a multi-authored library
Genesis is dated at 1400BC (Job is considered earliest book, but there is no date) and Revelation is dated at 96AD so over 1400 years
At least 40 different Authors
Today’s passage Peter gives his qualification to be a writer of Scripture- HE WAS WITH JESUS! Specifically at the Transfiguration. When the Cannon was being chosen, one of the qualifications was the book had to be written by a recognized apostle or prophet, or one of their closest associates.
No one book of the Bible has everything to say about faith. Each book is a piece of a puzzle telling the story of Jesus.
When the Cannon was being chosen, one of the qualifications was the book had to be written by a recognized apostle or prophet, or one of their closest associates.
The Bible is a book with one common theme- JESUS!
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me”
The Bible is
The #1 prerogative of the Bible is to point to Jesus and testify about Jesus. Everything else is an offshoot of that.
Some passages PREDICT Jesus and his ministry
Other passages PREPARE for Jesus’ ministry
Some Passages REVEAL Jesus and his ministry
Some Passages tell the RESULTS of Jesus and his ministry
The Bible is our primary tool for meeting with and hearing from God
“So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
It is impossible to grow your faith in Christ and be absent from the Scriptures- period.
"Tomorrow morning I'll open up your heart" the surgeon said to the 8 year-old-boy."You'll find Jesus there," the boy said.The surgeon continued, "I'll open your heart and check the damage.""You'll find Jesus there," the boy said."When I see the damage, I will suture you back up and then think about the next step," said the surgeon."You will find Jesus in my heart because my Sunday school teacher told me so. She said it says so in the Bible. Besides that, our Sunday school songs say He lives there," said the boy.The surgery took place the next day. After the surgery the surgeon began to make notes of what he found. In his mind there was no hope and no cure. The little boy would die within a matter of months.The thought began to get to the doctor and all of a sudden the doctor shouted to God, "Why did you do this to the boy? Why can't he live a normal life?"God spoke to the surgeon's heart and said, "The boy is a part of my flock and will always be a part of my flock. When he is with me there will be no more suffering and pain. He will have comfort and peace. One day his parents as well as you will join him and my flock will continue to grow." The next day the surgeon went to the boy's room and sat down with the parents beside the bed. In a moment or two, the boy opened his eyes and asked very quietly, "What did you find in my heart?"With tears flowing down his cheeks, the surgeon said, "I found Jesus there."
"You'll find Jesus there," the boy said.
The surgeon continued, "I'll open your heart and check the damage."
"You'll find Jesus there," the boy said.
"When I see the damage, I will suture you back up and then think about the next step," said the surgeon.
"You will find Jesus in my heart because my Sunday school teacher told me so. She said it says so in the Bible. Besides that, our Sunday school songs say He lives there," said the boy.
The surgery took place the next day. After the surgery the surgeon began to make notes of what he found. In his mind there was no hope and no cure. The little boy would die within a matter of months.
The thought began to get to the doctor and all of a sudden the doctor shouted to God, "Why did you do this to the boy? Why can't he live a normal life?"
God spoke to the surgeon's heart and said, "The boy is a part of my flock and will always be a part of my flock. When he is with me there will be no more suffering and pain. He will have comfort and peace. One day his parents as well as you will join him and my flock will continue to grow."
The next day the surgeon went to the boy's room and sat down with the parents beside the bed.
In a moment or two, the boy opened his eyes and asked very quietly, "What did you find in my heart?"
With tears flowing down his cheeks, the surgeon said, "I found Jesus there."
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .