1. What Is the Bible?

Pastor Ron Swanson
Feb. 11, 2019

The word “Bible” comes from the Greek word “biblia”, which means “books”.  The Bible is a Divine Library of sixty-six books, written by over forty different authors from all walks of life. Most of these men never saw each another, or knew what the others wrote, yet when their writings were brought together into one Volume, they contained one central message:  The creation of man, his fall into sin, and God’s offer of salvation through the shed Blood of Christ.

GOD’S WORD OR MAN’S?

Since the Bible was recorded by men, some have wondered why we call it the Word “of God”.  We call it that because the Bible claims Divine Authorship. 

Peter explains, “Understand this first: no part of the Holy writings was ever made up by any man.  No part of the Holy writings came because of what man wanted to write.  But, holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit ...” (2 Peter 1:20-21)

According to this verse, not one verse of Scripture came from a human source!   While it’s true that men recorded the Bible, the real Author “behind the scenes” was God Himself.  Notice again, the last part of verse 21, “Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit”.

MOVED BY THE SPIRIT

The word “moved” in this verse is interesting. In the Greek, the word is “phero”, which means, “to be swept along”. It’s the same word the Bible uses to describe Paul’s experience in a storm at sea. “But soon, a very strong wind blew down from the island. It hit the ship, and since it was impossible to keep the ship headed into the wind, we gave up trying and let it be carried along (phero) by the wind ...” (Acts 27:14-15)

This is a good illustration of what happened to the men who wrote the Bible.  They were “caught up” in the Spirit and were “swept along”. The Spirit controlled them, to the point that it would have been impossible for them to write anything but what the Spirit inspired them to write. That’s why Peter could declare: “God is the ultimate source of what they spoke ...” (2 Peter 1:21 - Wuest)  And, that’s why we call the Bible the Word of God.

2. Inspired By God

Pastor Ron Swanson
Feb. 18, 2019

The theme of Divine Inspiration is continued in the following verse from Second Timothy: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable ...” (2 Timothy 3:16)

Once again, I think we’ll find it helpful to look into the Greek. The word “inspiration” is translated from the word “theopneustos”, which literally means: “God-breathed”. The thought expressed here is that God “breathed into” these men, exactly what they “breathed out” in their writings.

While it’s true that each man wrote in his own particular style, that didn’t affect the content of letters. God “breathed” His Message into them, and they “breathed” it out in their writings. The Bible, in its entirety, was inspired by God. It is “God-breathed”.  Therefore, it stands to reason that the Bible is completely reliable.

That’s what we believe as Christians!  If the Bible is the Word of God, (and it is!), then it must also be trustworthy.  Both Paul and David expressed their absolute confidence in the Word.

“Trustworthy is the Word, and worthy of unqualified acceptance …”  (1 Timothy 1:15 – Wuest)

“For the Word of the Lord is right ...” (Psalm 33:4)

“Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right ...” (Psalm 119:128)

God has given us a sure foundation to base our lives on! An absolute standard of right! Therefore, the Bible can, and should, be our final authority.  Ultimately, the Bible is God speaking to you.

(a) The Bible Reveals God’s Expectations

The Word of God is the “Creator’s Handbook” for life on this earth! In it, you’ll find everything you need to please God in this life, and to be prepared for the next. It’s interesting that people spend so much time preparing for a career … but so little time preparing for eternity.

While it’s true that accepting Christ gets us into Heaven, it’s also true that our works and obedience determine our rewards when we get there. Not everyone gets the same rewards in Heaven. What we do here, determines what we’ll have there. Death is an appointment that we all must keep.  After that, we’ll stand before God.  Everything we do between now and then is preparation for that moment.

(b) The Bible Reveals What God Is Like

You can’t know God through your feelings, or by what others tell you about Him. You know God, primarily, through His Word.

3. The Power of God

Pastor Ron Swanson
Feb. 25, 2019

“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God …” (Romans 1:16)  “For the word of God is full of life and power …” (Hebrews 4:12 – Weymouth)

The above verses reveal a very important truth:  God’s Words are filled with Power.  To illustrate this point, look at the following passage from Matthew.

“Immediately afterwards, (Jesus) made the disciples go on board the boat and cross to the opposite shore, leaving Him to dismiss the people. When He had done this, He climbed the hill to pray in solitude.  Night came on, and he was there alone.  Meanwhile the boat was far out on the Lake, buffeted and tossed by the waves, the wind being adverse.  But towards daybreak He came toward them, walking on the sea.  When the disciples saw Him walking on the waves, they were greatly alarmed.  ‘It’s a ghost’, they exclaimed, and they cried out with terror. But instantly Jesus spoke to them, and said, ‘There is no danger; it’s Me: do not be afraid’. ‘Master’, answered Peter, ‘if it is you bid me come to you upon the water’. ‘COME’, said Jesus. Then Peter climbed down from the boat and walked upon the water to go to Him. (Matthew 14:22-33 – Weymouth)

This is one of the most amazing accounts in the Bible! For a few moments, Peter actually walked on water! Now, most of us have heard this story from childhood.  But, did you ever stop to think about it?

What gave Peter the ability to walk on water? Was it the fact that Jesus was on the water with him? No, it couldn’t have been that, because Jesus was still there a few moments later, when Peter began to sink!  So, what gave Peter the ability to walk on the water? The word “Come”. That one word from God, when believed and acted upon, had enough power in it to enable Peter to do the impossible! Peter did the impossible on the power from one word from God!

“For with God nothing is ever impossible, and no Word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.” (Luke 1:37 Amplified)

According to this verse, every Word in the Bible is filled with power.  How is that power released into our lives?  We need to believe it and act on it, just like Peter did.