Sterling Franklin

The Bible is much more than a simple book. It’s the Book that shows us more about God Himself, shows us how to live Life the way God intended and teaches us how we can be Born Again by the Grace of God.

2 Peter 1:20-21
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

40 authors, 66 books, all centering on Jesus Christ. This book is still the #1 Bestseller and is the #1 Bestseller of all time.

Translated into thousands of dialects, and currently being translated into over 400 other dialects for the first time, this book shows us the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

People have taken effort in printing this Book in mass, splitting up the text into chapters (1189) and verses (31,173), and translating it so that many more might enjoy the Gospel.

1 Corinthians 1:18 - "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."

God’s Word is often offensive to those who don’t believe. It’s the best book that anyone will ever put together, and joy and peace can be obtained by its overall author - God.

The Bible shows us a ton of things. First of all, God opens up the door to His Mind so that we can enter in and discover some of what He is like and what He wants us to be.
 

I. The Bible Reveals attributes of God

As you read through each page of the Bible, you realize more and more how God has reached down to man out of true Love.

Even though we have messed up along the way - messing up by falling into temptation and sin, failing to obey the Old Covenant, rebelling against Him by sinning - He still offers us eternal Salvation through His Son.

Just looking at Psalms, we see a great deal of Praises written through the hands of mainly King David, and other singers such as Asaph, displaying and highlighting some amazing attributes of God...

He is Good and Faithful with His Word: Psalm 100:5 - "For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

He hears our prayers: Psalm 102:7 - "He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer."

He satisfies us and protects us: Psalm 23:1 - "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."

He guides us, uses us, and sustains us: Psalm 23:3 - "He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake."

His ways are just, He is compassionate and merciful: Psalm 24:8-10 - "8 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies."

He is worthy of our Praise, our utmost Exaltation, and is Holy: Psalm 99:9 - "Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy."
 

God sent His Son that we might live - and the ultimate sign of Love was shown - the Cross.

Romans 5:8 - "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

He was innocent, yet MADE guilty, yet He wasn’t truly guilty.

Therefore, the Bible has shown us what He did for us. It’s up to us to accept what He offers us - Salvation.
 
 

2 Timothy 3:15 - "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
 

II. The Bible Reveals how we can be Saved from what we deserve

The Bible is wonderful! The Good News of Salvation is here! Jesus Himself has bore our sins, died on the cross, and rose again so that we might Live not a boring old hopeless life, but LIFE more abundantly!

1 Corinthians 15:3-4
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

If you were hanging from a ledge of a cliff, dangling 5,000 feet off the ground with no ground in between, would you cry out for the help you need and be pulled up onto the firm and safe ground of earth?

We are in the same situation: if we haven’t asked Jesus to be our Savior yet, we are dangling from a cliff. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, and if we don’t have Him as our Savior, we are dangling from that cliff, a mile above the ground. If we let go, we die. However, if we have Jesus to pull us out of the trouble and to forgive our sins, we are on a firm foundation - the Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ!

There is nope and there is hope. Without Him, it’s nope. With Him, it’s Hope, and not Hope in Vain.

Ask Jesus to be yours today if you haven’t already. Choose Life, and Life Everlasting.

If you want Him in Your Life, pray this prayer with me...

"Dear Jesus, be my Savior today, forgive my sins, cleanse me, make me whole. Thank You for Your work on the cross, dying and rising again that I might Live! Let me please You, Jesus, and thank You for Saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen."

That’s how to inherit Life eternally in Heaven! Proven by Romans 10:9 - "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Amen!
 

III. The Bible Reveals how to live this life

Psalm 119:4 - "Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently."

What a lot of people don’t consider is that God COMMANDED us to follow His Laws. The Tablets Moses was given by God on Mount Sinai did not infer "Ten Suggestions", but "Ten Commandments."

His heart is for our best interests. If we follow His Commandments, He will bless us richly. If and when we disobey His commandments, we sin.

The benefits of sin are only for a season, but then the consequences come. Guilt and strife are felt and retributions are usually in order for those whom you have offended.

We are no longer slaves to sin once Saved. Paul even says in Romans 6:2, "How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"

If we all obeyed God’s Word perfectly, revival would take place, and everyone would be at peace with one another.

Such a statement rings true, ’No Jesus, No Peace; Know Jesus, Know Peace.’

God in the Old Testament is sometimes referred to as Jehovah Shalom - The Lord our Peace. When Gideon was afraid of the battle to come, God revealed Himself as Jehovah Shalom, and Gideon was settled. He even made an altar to God which said "The LORD is Peace." (Judges 6)

In a general sense, when we please God, He gives us His Peace. Even when trials arise, as they will, when we trust in Him, His Peace is with us. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1) Thank the Lord for that attribute!

1 John 3:4 - "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."

Sin comes from an archery term, meaning to miss the mark. If somebody shot an arrow and missed the target, that was ’sin.’

Likewise, we miss the mark when we disobey God’s commandments. We all sin, because all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) and if we say that have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the Truth is not in us (1 John 1:8).

Even more shocking: in 1 John 1:10, it makes known, if we say that we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His Word is not in us! We obviously know that this cannot be since God has never lied and will never lie. He keeps His Word, Glory to God!

Jesus commanded us in the Sermon on the Mount,

Matthew 5:46 - "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

Now you may think, ’What an outrageous request!!!’ But...the Holy Spirit is our Sanctifier, and He brings us closer and closer to that request.

Even though we are imperfect beings and stumble in our Walk, He is faithful and just to forgive us of all our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Though we may stumble as Christians, we will not fall.

Psalm 119:1 - "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD."

One of King David’s earnest pleas found in Psalm 119: "O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments." (verses 5-6).

The Bible has often been described as ’Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth’ (B.I.B.L.E.) The Word of God is a road map of how to live life correctly.

We can live a life of power, and it’s through Jesus Christ. Through the Bible, through Prayer, through Sharing the Gospel with others.

We are more than conquerors through Him, He will supply our EVERY need according to His Glorious Riches, and we can do ALL things through Him!

Psalm 119:11 - "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."

The more of the Bible we consume, the less prone we are to sin. We are putting on the full armor of God when we use His Word in our lives.

Ephesians 6:11 - "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

If we are Saved, we have Jesus’ Blood covering us, and His Word Strengthens us.

Get your Belt of Truth, your shoes of the Gospel of Peace, your Breastplate of Righteousness, the Sword of the Spirit, your Shield of Faith, and your Helmet of Salvation and meet me at the corner! We are battling principalities in Jesus’ Name, coming to tear the devil’s kingdom down!

Joshua 1:8 - "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

and the promise in verse 9...

"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
 

We must share others the Love of Christ in our daily lives, also. We cannot fathom how deep the love of Christ is, but we can share what He’s revealed to us, even Saving us! What a miracle that is!

Even though we deserve hell due to our sin, He allows us into Heaven through Him! No regrets, just Jesus.

We need to keep in the Word of God and find out what it actually says and means. Good doctrine is what all Christians should have, no matter what denomination church they go to. The Body of Christ has a lot to do about witnessing the Truth of Jesus Christ.

Titus chapter 2 talks a lot about good doctrine. Old men are supposed to be sound in Faith, and Young men good in doctrine. Old women are supposed to teach the younger women how to live according to God’s Word, that it isn’t blasphemed.

Titus 2:1 - "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:"

Prayer before reading the Bible is key, also. Pray that the Holy Spirit shows you what is in a passage, and things will click. However, we don’t have this power of Discernment without the Holy Spirit, and that comes upon asking Jesus to be your Savior!

Thank the Father for all His Wonderful gifts - "Every good and perfect Gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." (James 1:17)

The Bible is Wonderful! Pick it up today! When you ask Jesus to Save you, there will be no regrets! Glory to God! Amen.

Category: Sermon

Note: Given at a 'Weekly Meeting' at Jesus is Waiting Chat.

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