Some people have the idea that the Bible is just for those who are mentally weak, not too smart, those who are not well educated. Others think that the Bible is for elderly people and shut-in who nothing else to do but read. Some people have the idea that the Bible is just for children. They memorized it as boys and girls in Sunday School, but when they were a bit older they quit going to Sunday School and church and so they quit reading and memorizing the Word of God.
Actually the Bible has been on the "best-seller" list for years. Of all books written, only the Bible is found in nearly every home. It really makes little difference whether or not a person is saved or not, somewhere there is a Bible! Now, if this is the world’s greatest Book, and it is, then why don’t we read it? This morning, consider with me some of the reasons why the Gideon’s make such an effort to distribute it, and why we should make it a vital part of our lives.
I. The Bible: God’s Word has the answer for the problem of mankind: SIN.
A. God’s Word will turn us from sin.
1. If we will honestly read and study the Bible, we will turn away from those things that are sinful.
2. The Bible shows us what we should do and it will never lead us wrong.
3. It is able to accomplish this because of its great power.
"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." (Heb 4:12)
B. The Bible shows us what sin really is.
1. It is the transgression of the law.
2. Satan tries to minimize the awfulness of sin, but the Bible will show its tragic reality.
3. When we see how repulsive sin really is, we will want to turn away from it.
4. Advertisements and the media paint a picture of sin that is false!
C. The Bible shows us what sin does.
1. We will see what sin did in the life of Simon Peter.
2. We will see the pain and tragedy of David, a man after God’s own heart.
3. We will see how that sin drained the strength out of Samson, a mighty man of God.
4. We will see how that Elijah, a man who could call fire down from heaven, was made weak and trembling as a result of sin.
D. The Bible shows us the way of cleansing.
1. Just as there is only one way for salvation, there is but one way for cleansing from sin.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
2. There can be no other way...cleansing comes only through confession and repentance.
II. The Bible: God’s Word provides what we need for our daily lives.
A. The Bible gives us direction.
1. God wants us to do certain things.
2. The only way that we can know what He wants for us to do is to read His instructions.
3. If there is doubt, read on until we are clear on what God would have us do.
4. We must learn to be patient and not run ahead of God, but wait upon Him.
5. Note the good advice given by the prophet Micah.
"Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: ... Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me." (Micah 7:5a;7)
B. The Bible will increase our faith.
1. "So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God" Ro. 10:17
2. It isn’t enough just to read about the Bible...we need to read and apply the Word of God daily!
C. The Bible will bring us comfort.
1. When the hours of difficulty and doubt come, we need to go to the Word of God and find comfort.
2. Darkness is a powerful force, but it can be overcome by a tiny little match.
3. One small verse can make all the difference in the world to you in time of need.
"This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me." (Psa 119:50)
III. The Bible: God’s Word always points us to Heaven.
A. The world will point you away from godly things.
1. The enticement to sin is all around us.
2. That should not surprise us, because the world is at enmity with God.
"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (James 4:4)
3. John wrote that "...If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15b)
B. The Bible will constantly point us to Jesus Christ.
1. We can find Jesus in every book, chapter, and verse of the Bible.
2. He is the Word. cf Jn 1:1
3. He and His finished work on Calvary is the focal point of the entire Bible.
C. The Bible points us to the return of Christ.
1. It tells us where He came from and why He came.
2. It tells us what He did and where He is now.
3. It tells us that He is coming back and why He is coming.
The Bible is not an old-fashioned book. It is more contemporary than any other book that has been or ever will be written. The Bible will guide us and bless us. We can rest upon it and know that God never fails.
What place does the Word of God have in our lives? What place should it have? Have you placed your trust in the Christ of the Bible? You can today. Christian, why not commit yourself to the Word of God and make it a part of your daily life?