Can we defend the Bible?

Many people base their opinion on the Bible on hearsay.

14 "You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is [a]inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for [b]training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:14-17

#1 Continue in what you have learned. Don't stop. Don't get stagnate in your study.

A lot is first-person witness.

All in Bible is God-inspired.

14" Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this in [a]a book as a memorial and [b]recite it to Joshua, [c]that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” Exodus 17:14

9 Then he *said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he *said to me, “These are true words of God.” Revelation 19:9

God told them to write it down.

New Testament quotes Old Testament (Matthew 15:4, 1 Corinthians 2:13, 2 Corinthians 13:3)

Biblical Accuracy - - three tests:

Bibliographic tests, Internal tests, External tests.

Bible stood up to all these tests. 

Masoretic texts -- 7th century

Supporting texts  -- Septuagent -- 3rd century Greek translation of Old Testament.

Samaritan Pentatuch

Targums -- ancient paraphrases of O.T.

Talmud -- Hebrew teachings and comentaries

Quality of Manuscripts:

Reverence -- every line, word and letter counted in copying the O.T.

Dead Sea Scrolls -- predate masoretic texts by 1000 years and they are virtually the same!

New Testament:
5000 Greek Copies of NT
8000 Latin Copies of NT
(These are all handwritten)
Tens of thousands of references to the NT by early church fathers.

Comparison: Plato, Aristotle, Caesar and Tacticus -- only 1 to 20 copies of each.

Quality of NT Manuscripts:

Small variations on translations, interpretations, reconstruction -- none of which are abnormal.

Scholarly review= 99.5% pure copies!

Papyrus copies to 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D.  Most copies written between 100 and 200 years after Christ.

Better than any other ancient document!

Internal Tests:

Many of the books are woven together.

Timelines, genealogies, places and dates accurate.

Most books are primary sourced -- eyewitness authors.

Original NT texts written between 47 -- 70 A.D.

Nobody shines in the O.T. but God.

External Tests:

Archeology -- there is something found almost daily even now that proves the Bible!

Josephus and Roman Historian Tacticus and other writers validate Jesus Christ and the facts of His life.

There has NEVER been an archeological find that disproves the Bible. 

No Ancient text is more validated by fact than the Bible.

6 Billion Bibles have been sold.

Translated in more languages than any other writing (including Klingon -- yes from Star Trek). 

It was written over 1600 years, 40 different authors, on 3 continents, in 3 languages. Consistent message, God's love, God's grace.

​Am I choosing willful ignorance?

15 "Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the [a]people any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over.
19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for [b]last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death. 21 But the governor [c]said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate *said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all *said, “[d]Crucify Him!” 23 And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “[e]Crucify Him!” Matthew 27:15-23

Barabbas (insurrection, rebel, murderer, thief). Nothing redeeming about him. He was guilty and condemned.

I'm Barabbas. We're all Barabbas.

18 "No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him." John 1:18

 "for all [a]have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

Without the cross we're all Barabbas. We're rebellious, murderers, thieves. 

Jesus was enough. Jesus lived the life we wouldn't and died the death we should have died.

The Law is an impossible standard.

All or none.

Sin or no sin.

We are no different than Barabbas.

18" But they cried out all together, saying, “Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!” 19 (He was one who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection made in the city, and for murder.)" Lukw 23:18-19

Take Jesus. We don't want him. GIve us Barabbas.

Who does the world put up on a pedestal? The worst of the worst. People cheer for the bad guy.  

Jesus said, "Take me instead."

Centurion in charge of 100 men. Best of the best. An experienced man. 

He was given the task of executions. Seen it happen a lot.  

54 "Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, “Truly this was [a]the Son of God!” Matthew 27:54

What changed him?

The sky went black and there was an earthquake. He saw Jesus mocked and whipped. He saw Jesus stay silent. He heard Jesus talk to his mother from the cross -- caring for her while he was being killed. He heard Jesus talk to the thief on the cross and tell him he'd be with Jesus in paradise. He heard Jesus ask God to forgive forgive the ones who crucified Him.

This was not normal -- never happened before during an execution.

Like the centurion we're holding the hammer in our hands.

Neither Barabbas or the Centurion are ever mentioned again.  Both were at a decision point. 

Now that you know, you have a decision to make. We know we're condemned.  

Celebrate the resurrection.  Completion of the sacrifice.

To accept or deny.

What is your decision?
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Great sermon today! I hope you take time to listen!

Being exposed, being open and bare is hard. We don't like being exposed.

We learn to insulate ourselves. Some of us use possessions, careers, achievements. We often use these to cover up the core, our inner selves -- just like Adam and Eve did when they hid from God in the garden. 

In the end all there is is God. 
17 "You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." Revelation 3:17-20

God sees the real us.

He puts us in a position to receive His Grace. He doesn't force grace on anyone.

15 "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin."  Hebrews 4:15

Jesus knows what we're going through.

There are times others wrong us. We aren't responsible for their behavior. We are responsible for how we respond.

13 "No temptation[a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[b] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[c] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

God is the way out.

God's with us, not against us.

14 "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,[a]Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess." Hebrews 4:14

Hold onto this no matter what.

Have a grasp on your faith always so when life wants to buck you off you can stay on.

God knows it's going to get rough.

6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6

Pray I need you to help me need you!

16 "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

God's grace extends to today.

The world will intentionally lead us astray.

As bad as it gets Jesus has been there.

"Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
Unity and Diversity in the Body12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ."
1 Corinthians 12:1-12

Have a passion for God.

Have a gift.

Find your style.

Don't be ignorant of the Spirit.

Don't be ignorant of the gift(s) God has given you.

7 "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." 1 Corinthians 12:7

Everyone has at least one.

No one is without a gift.

It is something you'll find joy in.

It will be fulfilling.

An ability you'll perform with ease and effectiveness.

Do a search for spiritual gift inventory and you'll find sample quizzes you can take to find out your gift(s). Then ask God how you can put them to use for His kingdom.

(Shannon handed out a spiritual gifts inventory checklist to the congregation which we did in church).

4"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:4-10

Handiwork = masterpiece, made complete, perfectly

Made to work for God.

All of us are called.

We are all tools in the toolbox.

All of us have a role to play.

10 "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10

There is a difference.

Everyone gets at least one gift.

We have to discover it and develop it.

Gifts are meant to share with each other.

"Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good."  1 Corinthians 12:1-7

Recognize your gift. Develop it.

Do you love me? Get to work.

God will take care of the ability. He's concerned about your availability. Are you willing?

'making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.' Ephesians 5:16

If you don't use what you've been given, there might be a time you no longer can. What a sad day that will be.

Oh, you lazy lazy servant. You could have done something for me. We will be held accountable for how we used the gifts God gave us.

4 "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body,and each member belongs to all the others."
Romans 12:4-5

You're hurting the church if you aren't doing what you're called to do. We've been given a lot. We are His hands.

11 "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christmay be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Ephesians 4:11-13

This is not a spectator sport. You have to be engaged. What am I doing with what God has given me? 

Are you willing? Are you available?

"Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy." 1 Corinthians 14:1
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It's easier to continue than to stop and start again.

​"If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them." 2 Peter 2:20-21

We know people who were once on fire for God but are no longer walking with Him. None of us can look at that and say it's a good thing.

Life becomes painful.

You don't know what you have until it's gone.

Lfe getes in the way. We let life get in the way.

God knows what is good for us -- it's Him. That's what is best.

A successful life is walking through life with God.

God gave us a personal trainer. He is the Holly Spirit.  He's there.

What we want is to be one with God. We all want God to say, "Well done good and faithful servant."

14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money." Matthew 25:14-18

According to his ability.

God gives us different abilties. In the area you have, in your realm of influence God has give you what you need to make a difference for Him.

All people get something. We all get a chance to do something for God, to be active.

Our life is meant to be used.

19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.Come and share your master’s happiness!’" Matthew 25:19-23

There's no difference. Same blessing comes to both of them.

You take what you got. Run with what you have. Don't worry about what others have.

26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’" Matthew 25:26-30

God has offered His Son to every person. Everyone has the opportunity. You will get what you have chosen.  

You chose not to do anything with what I gave you.

Imagine a farmer inheriting a field but letting it go to weeds.

1. Spend time in the Word. That's one of the bags of gold. Am I wasting His investment?

2. Time with God in Prayer. Jesus spent time alone with God. If he did, we should too. We need to treat our lives as gifts.

3. Sacrifice -- a form of worship

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." Romans 12:1

Worship should be even greater now that we have salvation.

Our lives should be a sacrifice. What we do is worship to God (or can be). Our work is meant to be active.

18"But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." James 2:18-19

Faith without works is burying that bag of gold in the ground.

22 "God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be headover everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of himwho fills everything in every way." Ephesians 1:22-23

If the church is empty how can it fill anything up?

Why go to church?

1. God tells us to.

2. We share in learning the Word.

3. Fellowship.

Where you spend your time is what you will look like.

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

What you spend your time on is what you value.

Are you too tired for God?

The most precious thing is a relationship with God.

Others lose if we don't use the talents God has given us.

Do what you can in your sphere of influence.

Take what God has given you and run with it or lose the gifts He has given you.