Give Me The Bible - Why I Love The Bible

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                          "GIVE ME THE BIBLE"

                          Why I Love The Bible

INTRODUCTION

1. In this series ("Give Me The Bible"), thus far we have explored...
   a. The Problem Of Biblical Illiteracy
   b. Why I Read The Bible
   c. Why I Believe The Bible

2. But I don't just read and believe the Bible, I love the Bible...!
   a. It is my favorite book
   b. It is my constant companion when I travel
   c. I read it daily, with the goal of reading through it at least once
      each year

[Like the Psalmist, I love the Word of God (cf. Ps 119:97-104)  Why?
First of all, because...]

I. THE BIBLE GAVE ME NEW LIFE

   A. THE THEME OF THE BIBLE...
      1. Is God's plan for the redemption of man from sin
      2. Beginning with promises made in Genesis - Gen 3:15; 12:1-3;
         22:18
      3. Fulfilled with the coming of Jesus Christ - Ac 3:25-26; Ga 3:16

   B. THE GIFT OF THE BIBLE...
      1. It tells us how we can be reconciled to God - Ro 5:8-11
      2. It reveals the gospel whereby we can be saved - Ro 1:16; 1Co
         15:1-4
      3. A gospel with both commands and promises - Mk 16:15-16; Ac
         2:38-39; 3:19; 22:16
      4. Through the Word of God, I was given a new life in Christ - 1Pe
         2:22-23; 2Co 5:17
         a. Freedom from the guilt of sin by the blood of Christ- Ep 1:7
         b. Freedom from the power of sin by the Holy Spirit - Ro
            8:11-14
         c. The opportunity to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus
            Christ - 2Pe 3:18
      5. As Jesus promised, I was given the opportunity for an abundant
         life! - Jn 10:10

[I became a Christian early in life (at 13 years of age).  For more than
45 years, I have sought to live as the Bible directs.  I therefore love
the Bible because of the benefits I receive as...]

II. THE BIBLE GUIDES ME THROUGH LIFE

   A. DURING MY YOUTH...
      1. I was inspired by young role models in the Bible
         a. Joseph, who resisted temptation - Gen 39:9
         b. Daniel, who purposed in his heart to do what was right - Dan
            1:8
         c. Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-nego, with faith in the face of fire
            - Dan 3:16-18
         d. Timothy, who served as an example despite his youth  - 1Ti
            4:12
      2. I was given wise counsel from:
         a. Proverbs - encapsulating the wisdom of Solomon - Pr 1:1-4
         b. Ecclesiastes - the meaning of life and how to live it - Ec
            11:9-10; 12:1
         c. Jesus - regarding the proper priorities in life - Mt 6:33;
            16:26
         d. The apostles - showing me how to live for Christ - 1Co 11:1;
            2Pe 1:5-11
      3. With the Bible as my guide...
         a. I avoided many of the pitfalls that plague youth
            (immorality, materialism)
         b. I made good choices involving life (friends, marriage,
            family, work)
      4. And whenever I stumbled, the Bible...
         a. Offered me grace and forgiveness in Jesus Christ - 1Jn 1:9;
            2:1-2
         b. Gave me encouragement to get back up, to press on - Php
            3:12-14

   B. INTO MY OLD AGE...
      1. I am inspired by aged role models in the Bible
         a. Moses, who at 80 accepted a new calling - Exo 7:7; cf. Psa
            90:10
         b. Joshua, who starting at 80 led Israel for 30 years - Josh
            24:29
         c. Caleb, who said "Give me this mountain!" at age 85 - Josh
            14:6-12
         d. Daniel, who continued to serve God and man into his 90s
            - Dan 6:1-3,10
         e. Anna, who though 84 continued to serve God with prayers and
            fasting - Lk 2:36-38
         f. Paul the aged apostle, who continued to write letters and
            travel - Phm 1:9,21-22
      2. I continue to receive wise counsel from:
         a. Proverbs - always increasing in understanding - Pr 1:5-6
         b. Ecclesiastes - always reminding me what is important - Ec
            2:24-26; 9:9
         c. Jesus - always keeping my priorities straight - Lk 10:40-42;
            12:22-40
         d. The apostles - guiding my life as a disciple of Christ - Php
            4:4-9
      3. With the Bible as my guide...
         a. I can face the future with confidence - 2Co 4:16-18
         b. I can look forward to what the Lord will provide - 2Ti 4:6-8
      4. And as this life comes to an end, the Bible...
         a. Offers me the hope of the resurrection - 1Co 15:50-58
         b. Promises a heavenly city, a new heavens and earth - He
            13:14; 2Pe 3:13-14; Re 21:1-7

CONCLUSION

1. Yes, I love the Bible, because it...
   a. Introduced me to God and His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ
   b. Taught me the way of salvation through an obedient faith In Jesus
   c. Guides me to experience abundant life now, and receive eternal
      life hereafter - Ps 119:105

2. And so I concur with sentiments expressed by two great men...

   "I believe that the one chief reason that I have been kept in happy
   useful service is that I have been a lover of Holy Scripture.  It has
   been my habit to read the Bible through four times a year; in a
   prayerful spirit, to apply it to my heart, and practice what I find
   there.  I have been for sixty-nine years a happy man; happy, happy,
   happy." - George Muller, who established orphanages in England

   "I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this Book
   that you can by reason and the balance by faith, and you will live
   and die a better man. It is the best Book which God has given to
   man." - Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the United States

Many people love the Bible.  Don't you?  I hope I have encouraged you to
truly love the Word of God...
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