Why We Need The Bible

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                             "WHY WE NEED"

                               The Bible

INTRODUCTION

1. We began this series of lessons by illustrating why we need God...
   a. He is our Creator, who knows us better than we ourselves
   b. He is our Redeemer, who seeks to save us from ourselves
   c. He is our Provider, who is willing to meet our every need

2. Now I wish to focus our attention on why we need the Bible...
   a. Both the Old and New Testaments
   b. As the guide to salvation and comfort

[Assuming that one believes in the Bible as the Word of God (see "Why I
Believe In The Bible"), we need the Bible because...]

I. IT IS GOD'S POWER TO SAVE

   A. BY CREATING FAITH...
      1. Without faith it is impossible to please God - He 11:6
      2. Without faith in Jesus we cannot be saved - Jn 8:24
      3. It is the Word of God that produces such faith - Ro 10:17
      4. For example, the gospels were written to produce faith - Jn 20:
         30-31

   B. BY CAUSING ONE TO BE BORN AGAIN...
      1. Jesus taught the necessity of being born again - Jn 3:3-5
      2. The rebirth involving water and the Spirit is produced by:
         a. Receiving the "incorruptible seed" of God's Word - 1Pe 1:
            23-25a
         b. In particular, that word proclaimed in the gospel of Christ
            - 1Pe 1:25b
      3. Which gospel calls for one to be baptized - Mk 16:15-16
         a. As proclaimed by Peter - Ac 2:38
         b. I.e., the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy
            Spirit - Tit 3:5

   C. BY KEEPING ONE SAVED...
      1. Paul emphasized this value of the Scriptures
         a. To the Corinthians - 1Co 10:11-12
         b. To Timothy - 2Ti 3:14-17
      2.    The saving value of the Word of God is for both young and
            old
         a. The young can keep their ways pure by it - Ps 119:9
         b. Elders were commended to the Word for their salvation - Ac
            20:32

[Lack of knowledge concerning God's Word destroyed Israel (Hos 4:6).
But when received with meekness into our hearts, the Word of God has the
power to save (Jm 1:21)!  But notice also...]

II. IT IS GOD'S POWER TO COMFORT

   A. THROUGH THE HOPE IT GIVES...
      1. Paul wrote of the hope provided by the OT scriptures - Ro 15:4
      2. The OT provides assurance of our hope in Christ, because it
         illustrates how God always keeps His promises
      3. How much more so the NT, providing hope by revealing the grace
         to be shown when Christ comes again! - cf. 1Pe 1:13

   B. THROUGH THE PEACE IT GIVES...
      1. Especially as it reveals the means and source of true peace
         - cf. Php 4:6-9
      2. With such inner peace, nothing causes one to stumble - Ps 119:
         165,92-93
      3. "In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never
         failed to give me light and strength." - Robert E. Lee

   C. THROUGH THE HAPPINESS IT GIVES...
      1. Blessedness (happiness) through the stability and nourishment
         it provides - Ps 1:1-3
      2. Note that this comes to the one engaged in daily Bible reading
         ("day and night")

CONCLUSION

1. To fulfill our need for God, we need the Bible...
   a. For God has spoken through prophets and His Son - cf. He 1:1-2
   b. He has made His Word accessible to every nation and tongue - Ro
      10:17-18

2. With the aid of the Bible, we can experience God's power in our
   lives...
   a. As we learn the way of salvation, and accept it with an obedient
      faith
   b. As we walk in the way of salvation, and receive the hope, peace,
      and happiness God gives

Great men have spoken of the value of the Bible:

   "Within the covers of this one single book, the Bible, are all
   the answers to all the problems we face today. If only we would
   read it and believe." - Ronald Reagan

   "I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man.
   All the good from the Saviour of the world is communicated to us
   through this book." - Abraham Lincoln

   "The Bible is worth more than all other books which have ever
   been printed." - Patrick Henry

Is that our attitude toward the Bible...?
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