Some things necessary to human life Gravity Sunlight Water Air
Man has spiritual needs too Different than animals, Gen. 1:26, 27 Eternal soul Morality, conscience Awareness of death
Asking if the Bible is relevant is like asking if… Gravity is relevant Sunlight is relevant Water is relevant Air is relevant
Of course the Bible is relevant Gives a standard Addresses the problem of sin Key to happiness in life Key to happiness in death
Some say no Do what you think is right Do what the situation calls for Act in your own best interest No absolute truth Chaos
Rational people believe there is a standard Science ∙ Speed of light ∙ Boiling point ∙ Freezing point
Rational people believe there is a standard Commerce ∙ Weights ∙ Measurements ∙ Currency
Rational people believe there is a standard Moral – Spiritual, Titus 1:10-14 ∙ Murder ∙ Adultery ∙ Worship ∙ Doctrine
Bible example of a long-lasting standard Law of Moses, B.C., Ex. 20 Still in effect 1,000 years later, Mal. 4:4 Gospel given A.D. Still in effect today
Believe in God, must believe in a standard Does God exist? ∙ No, Psa. 14:1 ∙ Yes, Heb. 3:4 ∙ I don’t know – cop out
Believe in God, must believe in a standard Did God leave mankind alone or not? ∙ Yes, Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:12 ∙ No, Heb. 1:1, 2; 1 Pt. 1:22-25
Nature of man has not changed Self-willed, Gen. 3:6 Blame others, Gen. 3:12, 13 Envious, Gen. 4:3-8 Violent, Gen. 6:11 Arrogant, Gen. 11:1-9 Liar, Gen. 12:11-13 Sexually immoral, Gen. 19:1-11
Men continue to live in wickedness 1 Jn. 2:15-17; 5:19 Divorce rate near 50% High murder rates Abortions Pornography Robbery Alcohol & drug use
The NT addresses false doctrine Forbidding marriage, 1 Tim. 4:1-5 Use of religious titles, Matt. 23:9 Deny Jesus’ deity, Jn. 1:1-3; Heb. 1:8 Deny the person of the Holy Spirit, Acts 5:3, 4 Premillennialism, Jn. 18:36 Faith-only salvation, Jas. 2:24 Many churches/paths, Mt. 16:18
Positive precepts for our duties Husbands & wives, Eph. 5:22-33 Children, Eph. 6:1-3 Parents, Eph. 6:4 Employees & employers, Eph. 6:5-9
It gives the answers to life Where did I come from, Gen. 1:26, 27 Why am I here, Ecc. 12:13, 14 Where am I going, Lk. 16:19-31
It provides for a clear conscience, Heb. 10:19-22 Corruption to purity, Eph. 4:17-24 New life, 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 6:3, 4 Freedom in Christ, Rom. 6:5-13
Death is a reality; a part of life Appointment with death, Heb. 9:27 Quickly arrive, Jas. 4:14
There is hope beyond this life Some do not have it, 1 Thes. 4:13 Not possible outside Christ, Eph. 2:12 Resurrection, Acts 23:6; Eph. 1:17-20 Through Scripture, Rom. 15:4 Anchor, Heb. 6:18, 19