"What Book Would You Take?"
September 26, 2004

The New Testament Lesson: II Timothy 3: 10 - 17

Scripture Alone: We rest our authority for belief and action squarely on the Bible, rightly interpreted.

I.  Bible is the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus and God’s Word to us
   A. You’ re marooned on a dessert island: What Book would you take?
        1. That could be a difficult decision for many reasons.
            a. These days, few people do much reading.
            b. Couldn’t name any book they’d like to have
            c. I know that there are some who might take a Nintendo Manuel.
        2. Others do lots of reading and have many favorite books
        3. Of course, this is church so the correct answer is…
            a. The Bible.
            b. That is the most frequently given answer to that question.
        4. Book sales back up that answer.
            a. Not only is the Bible the historical best seller in the world…
            b. Every year it is at the top of the list.
            c. Last year, sold more copies than even the DeVinci Code!
   B. The Bible is a wonderful book.
        1. It is filled with powerful poetry.
        2. It contains tales of terror overcome by God’s power.
        3. It is a wellspring of wisdom
        4. It can keep one entertained, informed and inspired spiritually.
        5. But it is also far more than just a wonderful book
   C. As Christians we claim the Bible to be the Word of God!
        1. Through this book, God has spoken to us in superior ways.
        2. Through the Holy Spirit, the message of the Bible is inspired.
            a. That word, inspired, means breathed into.
            b. God has filled the Bible with a witness to His work in the world.
            c. There is no other document that is its equal.
        3. Most importantly, The Bible is the way we come to know Jesus.
            a. PC USA says the Bible is the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ.
            b. God created the Bible so we can develop a relationship with Him.
            c. As we read the Bible, the Spirit of God speaks in our hearts and puts us in contact with the living Jesus.
            d. We don’t just come to know about Jesus, we come to know the real person!

II.  The reformation revised our guidance to Sola Scriptura, Scripture alone!
   A. There are three principles that sum up the Reformation.
        1. Sola Fides: We come to God through Faith alone.
        2. Sola Gratia: The only work necessary for our salvation was accomplished by Christ and we are saved by Grace alone.
        3. Sola Scriptura: The only true source for our knowledge of God is Scripture alone.
        4. We will talk about the first two later in this series.
        5. Today, as you have guessed, our focus is on Scripture since it is the start of our Christian Education year.
   B.  The Bible came to its present form after 300 years of development.
        1. Early in the life of the church, the word Scriptures referred to the O.T.
            a. The first Christians were Jewish as was Jesus.
            b. Jesus knew well and used the Old Testament in his teaching.
            c. The church followed his lead early on.
        2. But more was needed after Jesus entrusted the church to disciples.
            a. The apostles wrote instructions to the first churches.
            b. They taught students who in turn recorded that teaching.
            c. The apostles also wrote the history of Jesus’ life and teaching.
        3. Very early, Apostolic writings were used as scripture
            a. Read at their gatherings for worship.
            b. Carefully preserved and passed on.
            c. Eventually gathered and recognized as the Bible.
   C. But the Church known as Roman Catholic added to Scripture.
        1. They accepted the traditions and the teachings of Bishops.
        2. began to treat these as parallel to the Bible
        3. Many common beliefs of Heaven, Hell, and angles falls into this cat.
   D. The Reformers found that the Church had clouded the Bible.
        1. Some clear meanings of scripture received different interpretation.
        2. In order to reform the Church, they reduced the authority of tradition.
        3. Declared Scripture was God’s instructions without equal.
   E. Today, the Bible is our guide in both faith and life!

III.  Christians are called to know and understand the Bible and accept it as their authority in faith and life!
   A. The Bible isn’t much good to us however, if we don’t know it!
        1. In order for Scripture to be a source of grace, we must study.
        2.. There are a lot of things that you can pick up through just reading.
            b. Many of the ethical guides are quite simple.
            c. It doesn’t take study to understand, Thou shalt not steal.
            d. Not difficult to figure out what Jesus meant: Love your neighbor or even love your enemies!
            e. But, Reading alone is not enough!
        3. To get the full value God intends through Scripture, we must study it.
            a. By Study, I mean go to classes taught by people who know it.
            b. I mean, use commentaries to dig deeper than the surface.
            c. Really question what Scripture is saying and how to apply it.
   B. There will be times at which you find yourself at odds with Scripture.
        1. There are many beliefs in our society that are contrary to Scripture.
        2. The Bible calls us to radical devotion to Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
            a. We are called to value Jesus above all!  That can be irritating.
            b. At times, we are called to leave certain behaviors behind.
            c. At other times, we are called to action when we’d rather be passive.
        3. Really understanding the Bible is not comfortable, but it is necessary.
   C. The Christian life rests on this foundation.
        1. Many have not experienced the joy of Christ because they haven’t begun to live His way.
        2. Many have no power in their faith, because they don’t understand it.
        3. Many have no peace because they don’t know the path to peace.
        4. All these things find their solution in truly knowing the Bible.

I have often used the story of the man desperate for guidance in my teaching.  He turned to the Bible, but knew nothing of it except that it was the “Good Book.”  So he prayed, “Dear God, show me what I should do.”  He let the Bible flop open and stuck down his finger to read “And Judas went out and hung himself!”  Knowing that couldn’t be right he tried again to read, “Go Thou and do likewise!”

Don’t let this happen to you!  Learn what the Bible really says so that when you have a need, you will already know the wisdom that the Bible contains!  Read the Bible.  Study the Bible.  Let it give to you the grace for living God intends!

And as you go from this place, may you walk in the way of Christ Jesus and May God always find you faithful!