The Inspired Word of God The Bible The Inspired Word of God Reasons to Rejoice - #1

What does it mean? “Thus says the Lord” is used 425 times in the Old Testament. The authors of the Old Testament knew what they were writing was from God. Isaiah 45:18-19

Isaiah 45:18-19 “For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited), "I am the Lord, and there is none else. "I have not spoken in secret, In some dark land; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, 'Seek Me in a waste place'; I, the Lord, speak righteousness, Declaring things that are upright.”

What does it mean? In the Old Testament, “Thus says the Lord” is used 425 times. Isaiah 45:18-19 New Testament writers believed Old Testament was inspired. 2 Timothy 3:15-16

2 Timothy 3:15-16 “and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;”

2 Peter 1:20-21 “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

What does it mean? What about the New Testament? 2 Peter 3:16

2 Peter 3:16 “as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.”

2 Peter 3:16 “as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.”

“…for the laborer is worthy of his wages…” 1 Timothy 5:18 “For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages."” Luke 10:7 - Words of Jesus “…for the laborer is worthy of his wages…”

What does it mean? What about the New Testament? 2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18 The way the New Testament writers wrote indicated they knew what they were writing was from God. 1 Corinthians 14:37

1 Corinthians 14:37 “If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment.”

1 Corinthians 2:10-13 “For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. …”

1 Corinthians 2:10-13 “…Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.”

Developing a Deeper Appreciation By looking at its past. The Bible came from God Himself Revealed to around 40 men over 16 centuries. 2 Peter 1:21 “for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

Developing a Deeper Appreciation By looking at its past. The message of God’s word is that there is hope and deliverance from sin. Romans 5:6-8

Romans 5:6-8 “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Developing a Deeper Appreciation Looking at it in the present. Think of how the Bible has been attacked by those in society. The Bible tells us of the wonderfulness of faith in God … all the while demonstrating mankind’s struggle to grow in faith and trust in God.

Developing a Deeper Appreciation Looking at it in the present. The Scriptures reveal to us some important things for today’s world. Genesis 1:26-27

Genesis 1:26-27 “Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

Genesis 1:26-27 “Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

John 14:1-3 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”

1 Peter 1:13-16 “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."”

Developing a Deeper Appreciation Looking at it in the present. The meaning of life is rooted in glorifying God by obedient living and sharing what we have in Jesus with others.

Developing a Deeper Appreciation By looking at the future. It is indestructible. Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”

John 12:48-49 “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. "For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak.”

“For the word of God is living and active …” Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active …”

Romans 5:6-8 “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”