God demonstrates His love and concern for us by bestowing amazing promises and fulfilling them. The Bible is where we can find help for every circumstance of life.
Sermon Outline
THE BIBLE—MORE THAN A BOOK
KEY PASSAGE: Psalm 119:105
SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES: Isaiah 40:8 | John 3:3 | John 3:16 | Romans 3:23 | Romans 6:23 | Romans 10:9 | Ephesians 2:8-9 | Hebrews 9:27
SUMMARY
When trouble strikes, we have a variety of places to turn for help—but our first option should always be the Bible.
After all, it’s no ordinary book; it is the unfolding revelation of almighty God. From beginning to end, the Lord demonstrates His love and concern for His people. He gives us amazing promises and has the infinite power to fulfill them. Help for every circumstance of life is found within the Scriptures.
SERMON POINTS
What is the purpose of the Bible?
God has given us His written Word for the following reasons:
To reveal the one true God. Without the revelation of Scripture, we’d have a very limited, if not erroneous, concept of the Lord. Through His Word, we learn of His attributes, character, and power.
To lead us to salvation. The Bible reveals our sinful condition and God’s plan to rescue us. Because of His love, grace, and mercy, He made a way to forgive sins and reconcile us to Himself.
To understand how to live a godly life. Many passages of the Bible, especially the Epistles, instruct us how to live holy and obedient lives that display Christ’s character and works. When we sin, His Word teaches us how to experience restoration through repentance.
To know how to serve the Lord. The Scriptures tell us how to minister to one another and share His Word with other people.
The Bible is a trustworthy book.
The Scriptures are a message given to us by the Almighty. And since it is the Word of our Creator and Savior, we can trust that it is true. He says His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path; and therefore, it always leads us the right way (Ps. 119:105). And though our world constantly changes, “the word of our God stands forever” (Isa. 40:8). Because He wants us to know how to live in a manner that honors Him and benefits us, He’s given us words of promise, joy, and peace as well as instructions and warnings.
The Bible is more than just another book because it …
Is timeless. The truths of Scripture are never outdated and are still applicable for any situation we might face.
Is infallible. Since Scripture is the revelation of the one true God, it has no errors. Because He is all-powerful, He has the ability to speak through men, guiding them to write only what is true. There may be concepts we don’t understand, but that never invalidates the fact that God’s Word is inerrant.
Is a trustworthy guide. The Bible is adequate for every need. Because it’s infallible, we can confidently depend on it for wise guidance in every circumstance of life.
Exposes man’s sin and hopeless condition. According to Romans 3:23, we all “fall short of the glory of God”—His perfect standard. Although we may not want to face our sinful condition, we can’t simply decide to discard this passage. The good news is that even though we deserve death as the wages for our sin, God’s gift of salvation grants us eternal life (Rom. 6:23).
Warns us of the consequences of sin. At the beginning of creation, before sin entered the world, God warned Adam and Eve of the consequences of disobedience. Throughout Scripture, this warning continues. We may not want to think about the results of our sinful choices, but the principle of sowing and reaping cannot be altered. Although the consequences of sin may not be obvious immediately, we will eventually reap what we’ve sown and more of it.
Tells of God’s unconditional love for us. It’s His very nature to love. Because He loved the world, He gave His Son so those who believe in Him could have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Tells how we can be saved from our sins. Although sin condemns us, the Lord doesn’t want us to stay in that condition. That’s why He’s provided a means for our salvation on the basis of faith (Eph. 2:8-9).
Tells us why Jesus came to earth. Christ came to rescue us from the destruction of sin by providing a way for forgiveness.
Shows why a virgin birth was necessary. Every person born since Adam has inherited a sin nature, but the only acceptable sacrifice for sins had to be flawless. Since Jesus was born of a virgin without an earthly father, He was the perfect Lamb of God.
Explains why Jesus died on the cross. He came as the sacrificial Lamb to bear the sins of the world in His body, so we could be forgiven.
Explains His resurrection. God raised Him from the dead as proof that Jesus truly is the Son of God whose sacrifice was sufficient to pay for sins. The resurrection also confirms that the Lord has the power to keep every promise He’s made.
Tells where Jesus is now. After His resurrection, Christ ascended to heaven where He is seated at the Father’s right hand interceding for us.
Reveals where God the Father is. He is still on His throne in heaven, actively reigning over the affairs of mankind.
Explains the person of the Holy Spirit and His work in our lives. After His ascension, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to indwell His followers. He’s the one who explains the Scriptures to us and empowers us to impact the world and accomplish His work. The Spirit also seals us, guaranteeing our salvation until the day of redemption when Christ returns.
Tells us how to be wise. The books of Psalms and Proverbs, along with many other passages, teach us how to handle our responsibilities and relationships wisely.
Teaches how to endure difficulty and hardship. From the Scriptures (particularly Paul’s epistles), we learn to respond to trials as the Lord desires.
Offers encouragement. God’s Word is an ever-flowing fountain of encouragement. For every situation we face, there is an applicable passage of Scripture that offers help and hope.
Is a promise book. Every promise of God in His Word is backed up by His awesome power to fulfill it.
Removes the fear of death. If we are saved by the grace of God, we know that we’ll immediately join Christ when we die.
RESPONSE
Where do you turn when trouble strikes? If the Bible is not your first choice, why not? If wondering where to look in the Scriptures is the problem, what steps can you take to become more familiar with the Bible?
Think back to the last time you found comfort or guidance in God’s Word. What passage did you read? How did the Lord encourage you with that Scripture?
What promises in the Bible have you seen God fulfill in your life? How has this affected your trust in Him?
