Why We Believe the Bible Is Gods Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

I. Introduction. A. Orientation: So far in series, seen 1. Some evidence for Gods existence. 2. Also that this God is Triune. B. Preview. 1. This morning, consider that Bible is His Word. a. God not only exists, b. But has revealed Himself: (i) In nature, as weve seen. (ii) But also in words (iii) He has given us a book: the Bible. 2. Lets look at eight arguments that show the Bible is Gods Word: a. Because it says it is. b. Because it reveals the future. c. Because all its authors agree perfectly. d. Because it doesnt contain any absurdities. e. Because of the miracles God did to authenticate it. f. Because its the only book able to transform the heart. g. Because its the only book that reveals the God we see in nature. h. Because Gods Spirit confirms it. II. Sermon. A. First, because it says it is. 1. Out of all religious books in world, a. Why do we believe Bible is His Word? b. Therere actually several reasons. 2. First, and simplest, a. Because Bible says it is. b. Is this valid argument? Yes! c. Why? (i) Because Bible is His Word, (ii) What God says is true (iii) And He says all Scripture God-breathed. (iv) If didnt claim to be so, wouldnt take it so. d. Why isnt this true of other books (i) That claim to be Gods Word? (ii) And there arent that many.

2 (iii) Because they arent His Word, (iv) So shouldnt believe what says. e. This is a simple argument; (i) But is valid. (ii) There are other arguments (iii) That show Bible His Word. B. Second, because it reveals the future (prophecy). 1. Bible shows itself to be Gods Word a. By predicting future. b. God told prophets (i) What would take place years before, (ii) So when happened (iii) Would know God was speaking. (a) In Amos, read, Surely the Lord GOD does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets (Amos 3:7). (b) And Moses, When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him (Deu. 18:22). 2. Bible contains many predictions a. That already come true by which can test. b. Here are a couple of examples (i) Predictions made about Jesus (ii) Hundreds of years before were fulfilled, (iii) Whose fulfillment was recorded by eye-witnesses: (a) Where Jesus would be born: (1) But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity (Mic. 5:2). (2) Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:4-7). (3) Micah wrote about 700 BC. (4) Even Luke recorded took place about 3 BC. (b) How would come into world:

3 (1) Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel (Isa. 7:14). (2) Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL, which translated means, GOD WITH US (Matt. 1:18-23). (3) Isaiah wrote around 700 BC. (4) This was fulfilled around 3 BC. (c) What He would do: (1) Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious heart, Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; the recompense of God will come, but He will save you. Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will shout for joy (Isa. 35:3-5). (2) Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to Him, Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else? Jesus answered and said to them, Go and report to John what you hear and see: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM (Matt. 11:2-5). (3) Again, written about 700 years before the event. (d) How He would die: (1) David writes, For dogs have surrounded me; a band of evildoers has encompassed me; they pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots (Ps. 22:16-18). (2) And John records, They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between. . .

4 . Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece. So they said to one another, Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be; this was to fulfill the Scripture:, THEY DIVIDED MY OUTER GARMENTS AMONG THEM, AND FOR MY CLOTHING THEY CAST LOTS (John 19:17-18, 23-24). (3) David wrote this around 1000 BC. (4) The events John records were about 30 AD. (e) That would be raised again: (1) Again David, I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely. For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay (Ps. 16:8-10). (2) And Peter says, Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. And so, because he was a prophet and knew that GOD HAD SWORN TO HIM WITH AN OATH TO SEAT one OF HIS DESCENDANTS ON HIS THRONE, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that HE WAS NEITHER ABANDONED TO HADES, NOR DID His flesh SUFFER DECAY. This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses (Acts 2:29-32). (3) Again, about 1000 years before event. (iv) There are over 300 such prophecies Jesus fulfilled. (a) Only the One who controls future (b) Can tell what will happen in future. (c) Bible is Gods Word. C. Third, because all its authors agree perfectly. 1. Can hardly get two people a. To agree on anything b. Especially in controversial matters (i) And nothing more controversial (ii) Than religion. 2. But authors of Scripture a. Men God used, b. Moved by Spirit (2 Pet. 1:21) c. All agree, (i) Even though over forty authors, (ii) From many walks of life (a) From fishermen, farmers, and shepherds,

5 (b) To physicians, governors and kings (iii) And even though wrote over period of 1500 years. (iv) All center on common theme: Jesus Christ. d. Not only do they agree (i) Regarding who God is, (ii) And what He says regarding salvation (iii) And many other things; (iv) Even historic facts they record are accurate. (a) Each time someone has tried to prove something wrong, (b) Discovered they were wrong. (c) There have even been those (d) Who offered a reward (e) If someone could prove one factual error. (f) Those rewards never collected. D. Fourth, because it doesnt contain any absurdities. 1. Such as world is flat, 2. Or rides on the backs of elephants. a. Everything consistent b. With what see and know about the world. E. Fifth. because of the miracles God did to authenticate it. 1. God gave those He sent a. Ability to perform miracles b. To show were His spokesmen c. Because only God can work outside laws of nature. 2. Jesus preached and taught, a. But also did many miracles b. Not the kind people claim today (i) That cant be seen (ii) But those that can and amaze. (a) As they were going out, a mute, demon-possessed man was brought to Him. After the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds were amazed, and were saying, Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel (Matt. 9:32-33). (b) Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, Let us go over to the other side of the lake. So they launched out. But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger. They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, Master, Master, we are perishing! And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. And He said to them, Where is your faith? They were

6 fearful and amazed, saying to one another, Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him? (Luke 8:22-25). c. These miracles were recorded (i) By eye-witnesses. (ii) They prove Jesus is the Son of God, (iii) And that Jesus was undoubtedly correct (iv) When says the Scriptures are Word of God. F. Sixth, because its the only book able to transform the heart. 1. Its only book able a. To reveal the true nature of mans heart, b. And how far short we fall c. Of what is good and right. 2. It reveals a standard a. That agrees with our conscience b. As to what is right and wrong. 3. Its only religious book a. That condemns man b. Where other religious books c. Paint him in virtuous colors. d. Men dont write books to condemn selves. 4. And its also the only book God uses a. To transform lives b. From a life of sin c. To one of righteousness/love, d. As so many can testify e. Through the Gospel. G. Seventh, because its the only book that reveals the God we see in nature. 1. God says in Word a. That He is clearly seen in the creation (Rom. 1:18-20). b. Nature reveals a God that is, (i) Infinite, (ii) Eternal, (iii) Unchangeable, (iv) A single God who is (a) All powerful, (b) All knowing, (c) Wise, (d) Personal, (e) Purposeful,

7 (f) And moral. 2. The God we see in the Bible a. Is the God revealed in nature. b. Its only book that reveals the same God. H. Finally, because Gods Spirit confirms it. 1. Here is one further thing a. That proves Bible Gods Word b. Beyond doubt: c. Gods Spirit! 2. I dont have to prove to you a. That Bible Gods Word; b. God is perfectly capable (i) Of showing you Himself (ii) If thats what He wills. c. If He hasnt already, (i) May He open your eyes (ii) By His Spirit this morning (iii) To see the truth (a) Of what the Bible says (b) Of your danger (c) That youre sinner in need of salvation, (d) That judgment is coming, (iv) And what it says of God (a) Of His great love for sinners, (b) That Hell receive and save (c) All who come to Him (d) Through His Son (e) In faith and repentance (v) And that you will come (a) And receive His love and mercy (b) In Jesus Christ. (vi) The Bible has been right about everything so far. (a) Its right about this as well. (b) Come to Jesus for safety (c) From coming judgment. 3. For you who know Him already, a. Realize same true for evangelism: (i) Dont have to prove Bible Gods Word

8 (ii) Before use it to evangelize others. (iii) Just use it! b. God able to make it powerful to save (i) Simply by your sharing with others. (ii) As Spurgeon said, (a) Dont try to prove its powerful, (b) Allow God to show that it is (c) By communicating its truth to others (d) Let the lion out of its cage! (iii) God will convince whom He wills, (iv) By His Word and Spirit. Amen. http://www.graceopcmodesto.org