EMBRACING GOD

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EMBRACING GODS WORD AND LIVING BY IT
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• New believers who unite with a Biblical church
  will be encouraged to study the Bible because it
  is the inspired word of God.
• However, in those times when they are out in the
  secular world they will often hear statements of
  disbelief and denial that the Bible is the
  inspired truth of God. Too often this results in
  shaking the faith of the new believer.

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• Opposition to belief that the Bible is Gods word
  is to be expected. Satan and his legions of
  fallen angels have made it their highest priority
  to create doubts about the teachings of the
  Bible.
• Fallen man, whose natural instincts are contrary
  to
• Gods teachings are inclined to not believe
  the Bible because they dont want to believe.
• In the brief time available I would like to give
  some reasons why every true Christian can
  confidently embrace the Bible as Gods word and
  live a full and abundant life according to its
  teachings.

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• THE BIBLE CLAIMS TO BE INSPIRED BY GOD
• The Bible claims to be the inspired word of God
  some 2500 times. Our response might be, That
  doesnt make it so. True, but from Gods side it
  is a challenge. God knew that this challenge
  would arouse the most brilliant minds in every
  age to put it to the test. Following are some of
  those claims

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• So Moses came and told the people all the words
  of the LORD. . . Exodus 243a.
• And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD. . .
  Exodus 244a.
• When we read the writings of Moses we are reading
  The words of the Lord.
• I (God) have written for him (The Israelite
  tribe of Ephraim) the great things of My law, but
  they were considered a strange thing. Hosea
  812.

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• All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,
  and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
  correction, for instruction in righteousness that
  the man of God may be complete, thoroughly
  equipped for every good work. 2nd Timothy 316,
  17.
• . . .Knowing this first, that no prophecy of
  Scripture is of any private interpretation
  (origin) for prophecy never came by the will of
  man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved
  by the Holy Spirit. 2nd Peter 120, 21.

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• JESUS AFFIRMED THE SCRIPTURES TO BE INSPIRED BY
  GOD (Twenty-two different times).
• When tempted by Satan Jesus answered, It is
  written. . . and He quoted Old Test6ament
  Scripture. Matthew 44, 7, 10.
• In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, Do not
  think that I came to destroy the Law or the
  Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to
  fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till
  heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle
  will by no means pass from the law till all is
  fulfilled. Matthew 517, 18

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• When Jesus referred to the Old Testament He used
  terms such as
• the commandment of God (Mark 78),
• The Word of God (Mark 713 John 1035)
• Scripture (Luke 421).
• Jesus endorsed the persons and events of the Old
  Testament as historical revelation
• Adam and Eve Matthew 194, 5.
• Noah, the Flood and the Ark, -Matthew 2437-39.
• Lot, Lots wife and Sodoms destruction,- Luke
  1728-32
• Jonah Matthew 1238-41

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• Jesus made clear that people will be held
  accountable for knowing and practicing
• the teachings of Scripture.
• See Matthew 123-8.

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• PROPHETIC FULFILLMENTS AFFIRM THE BIBLE TO BE
  INSPIRED BY GOD
• The Bible records hundreds of prophecies about
  scores of nations and events.
• Over 90 of these prophecies have been fulfilled
  exactly as stated.
• Some examples are. . .

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• When Israel established their possession of
  Canaan Joshua called the leaders of all tribes
  together and reminded them,
• Not one of the good promises which the LORD
  had made to the house of Israel failed all came
  to pass. Joshua 2145.
• An unnamed prophet called King Josiah by name
  over 300 years before he was born and 360 years
  before Josiah fulfilled the prophecy. 1st Kings
  131-3. The fulfillment is recorded in 2nd Kings
  2315-16.

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• Through the prophet, Isaiah, God called Cyrus of
  Medo-Persia by name 250 years before he appeared
  in history and told of his victory over Babylon
  and his special kindness to Israel.
• Isaiah 4428-45-4 (also
  Jeremiah 2410).
• Fulfillments are recorded in the 5th chapter of
  Daniel
• 2nd Chronicles 3621-23
• Ezra l1-8 37 43,5
  513-17 61-5,14.

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• In the book of Daniel chapters two and seven,
  Daniel predicted the succession of four great
  world empires
• Babylon,
• Medo-Persia,
• Greece, and
• Rome.
• He also predicted the exact day the Messiah
  (Jesus) would present Himself to Israel to be
  accepted (or rejected) as their King. Daniel
  924-27. Fulfillment came on what we call The
  Triumphal Entry .
• Matthew 211-15 Mark 111-11 Luke
  1928-48 John 1212-50.

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• The Old Testament made 198 direct prophecies of
  Messiah (Jesus)
• and 333 indirect prophecies.
• Some examples are

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• PROPHECY FULFILLMENT
• Isaiah 714, Virgin-born Luke 126-35
• Micah 52, Birth in Bethlehem Matthew 21
• Isaiah 714, Called Immanuel Matthew 123
• Isaiah 91,2, Ministry in Galilee Matthew
  412-16
• Zechariah 99, Triumphal entry Matthew
  211-11
• Psalms 419, Betrayed by a friend Matthew
  2620-25
• Psalms 3511, Falsely accused Matthew
  2659-68
• Isaiah 537, Silent before accusers
  Matthew 2712-14
• Psalms 2216, Hands/Feet pierced John 2025
• Isaiah 5312, Crucified with robbers Matthew
  2738
• Psalms 2218, Lots cast for clothes
  John 1923,24
• Psalms 3420 Bones not broken
  John 1933
• Psalms 2215 Thirsted on the cross John 1928
• Isaiah 539, Buried in tomb of a rich man
  Matthew 2757-61

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• It is helpful to note that God informed the
  people of Israel that the test of how to know a
  prophet was speaking
• the word of the LORD was that
• his prophecy had to be fulfilled 100.
• Deuteronomy 1821,22.

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• WHAT WE LEARN WHEN WE EMBRACE GODS WORD
• The Bible is composed of 66 books.
• 39 in the Old Testament
• 27 in the New Testament.
• We can follow the historical record of the Old
  Testament which can be summarized as. . .

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• Creation of the Universe
• The Spiritual Fall and Death of Mankind
• The Great Judgment Flood on Corrupted Mankind
• The Patriarchs (Fathers) of Gods Chosen People
  Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (replaced by Israel).
• The History or Israel From Their Captivity in
  Egypt Until Their Return From Dispersion
• (Some 1500 years).

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• The details of this history are given in the
  following five divisions
• The Law (Genesis through Deuteronomy)
• History (Joshua through Esther)
• Wisdom (Job through Song of Solomon)
• Major Prophets (Isaiah through Daniel)
• Minor Prophets (Hosea through Malachi)
• Following the completion of the Old Testament
  there was 400 years in which there was no
  Scripture inspired by God.

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• Our New Testament begins with the birth of Jesus
  and His introduction by John the Baptist.
• There was a man sent from God, whose name was
  John. This man came for a witness, to bear
  witness of the Light. . .
• The words with which John introduced were. . .
• Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin
  of the world! John 129.

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• The four Gospels (Good News) provide us the
  record of the birth, life, ministry, death,
  resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. Each one
  writes from a unique perspective
• Matthew is especially addressed to Israel
  regarding Israels promised King and His Kingdom.
  The key words are It is written
• Mark emphasized the servant ministry of Jesus.
  The key word is straightway or immediately.

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• Luke emphasized the human compassion of Jesus
• Johns emphasis is on Christs deity.
• The Book of Acts records the promised coming of
  the Holy Spirit who gave birth to the church,
  which began with outward witness of salvation by
  faith in Jesus, from Jerusalem to the ends of the
  earth.

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• The 21 Epistles clarify our understanding of
  Jesus,
• His sacrificial redemption for lost sinners
  His ministry as Great High Priest,
• the composition and ministry of the church,
• beliefs that are true and beliefs that are
  false,
• and our relationship with God, one another and
  the unsaved.

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• The Book of Revelation reveals that status of the
  church,
• the end times of a false peace evolving
• into great tribulation,
• the defeat of Satan and his followers,
• the victory and reign of Jesus Christ and the
  eternal state of the lost in hell,
• and the believers of all ages in
• the New Creation.

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• In one sentence the Bible is Gods story from
  eternity past to eternity future.
• Jesus came into this world to save sinners and
  give them life abundantly.
• As we study Gods Word we learn how to be
  participants in this abundant life.

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