Why the Bible?

May 25, 2008

Pastor Vera Johnson

Have any of you ever seen the PBS "Antique Roadshow" program on Television? The show features everyday people who ask experts to determine the value of their family heirlooms. For instance, someone might say, "This bowl has been in my family for generations. My great-grandmother brought it with her when she emigrated from Norway."

The expert examines the glazing, the shape, the markings on the bottom and pronounces the value. "This is no ordinary bowl. It's worth five thousand dollars!" Makes you want to dig through your kitchen cabinets and find out if you have any "ancient" treasures hiding there . . .!

Brothers and sisters, while we may not have valuable antiques in our living rooms . . . or masterpieces hanging on our walls, each of us has an invaluable ancient treasure . . . sitting on our bookshelves . . . lying on our bedside table or somewhere packed away in our basement. Do you know what that is . . .? It's this book right here - the Bible! It doesn't matter if it's paperback or leather-bound, written in King James English or today's English, the Bible is a priceless ancient treasure.

Given its antiquity, people often think the Bible is culturally outdated and irrelevant to life today. It belongs in a different time . . . a whole different world. As we live in today's world, a world that has advanced way beyond the imagination of the writers of this ancient book, it's only natural for us to ask, "Why, the Bible?" What can it possibly do for us or teach us today?

Well brothers and sisters, where do you suppose we would find the answer to that question . . .? You got it, right here, in this book! Let's check it out, shall we . . . ? If you have a Bible, turn to 2Tim. 3. In this section we see, as the apostle Paul mentors and prepares Timothy for ministry, he gives Timothy the 411 so to speak on the challenges he would face.

Toward the end of the chapter, Paul reminds his protégé i.e., Timothy, about all that he had learned during his time with Paul. Finally, in verses 14-16, (our text for today) you can follow along as I read, Paul says, "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you have learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through Jesus Christ. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."

I'd like to go back to the beginning of the chapter and highlight some things Paul says to describe the ways of the people Timothy would encounter - they will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, abusive, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

Not a pretty picture, is it? Wait a minute. No, it can't be, that's impossible! These words were written centuries ago . . . in a different time . . . a different culture . . . in a whole different world. Yet, it seems like Paul is describing our world . . . today! How can this "ancient" book be in tune with our world?? It's hard to believe isn't it?

In reality, it shouldn't surprise us at all. You see brothers and sisters, as humans, no matter who we are and what time period we may live in, we are by nature sinful. We'd much rather do things to please ourselves, not God. No one knows that, better than God, our Creator, the real Author of this book. Is it any wonder then, that everything is says, fits us to the "T"?? "Why the Bible?" Because it's the Book of the times, whatever time that might be! The Bible is timeless; it crosses all borders, cultures and generations.

When it comes to the Bible then, not only does it reveal who we are in terms of our inherent sinful nature and our need for a Savior, but it also addresses our basic dreams and desires in life. We all want the best for ourselves . . . our children. We want our lives to count for something and be successful. We want to become better people, to make a difference in our community, our world and pass on good morals and values to our children, the next generation. You know what, that's what God wants for us too.

I've often heard people refer to the Bible as a "Book of Rules" that comes from a God who simply wants to control us. That isn't true at all. The Bible shows us over and over again that God isn't just some entity out there, but someone who loves us deeply and is intimately involved in our daily lives. Because of His deep love for us, God not only wants the best for each one of us, but the Bible also says, God promises to be there for us as a loving Father, to guide us through life.

Brothers and sisters, given who God is, a loving Father who wants nothing but the best for His children, how would you expect Him to relate to us, as a parent would, right? Would that mean doing whatever it takes to keep us safe, to discipline and teach us things that would prepare us for life? Absolutely! Isn't that what a parent does? It's something you would do with your children, right? Well, that's what God does with us through the Bible.

He knows the challenges we will face in life. He knows that the world we live in is filled with all kinds of negative things and messages that impact our minds and our lives 24/7. God knows the harm they can do to us and even cause us to stray away from Him. Where do we turn for help? How do we know what's right and what's wrong? How do we know what's really true? It's all right here, in this book.

God gave us the Bible to keep us grounded in Him and His truth. That's not all. The Bible also tells us about God's deep love for us; that He willingly gave His Son, Jesus to die for us so we might be saved and have new life in Him. "Why, the Bible?" Because the Bible gives us wisdom, it leads us to salvation and teaches us how to live.

Brothers and sisters, we also know through the Bible, that's not the only reason why God sent Jesus into our world. Jesus came, so you and I could know and understand God in a more personal way, as a loving Father, and have a closer relationship with Him.

To be a Christian, a believer in Jesus Christ, is about becoming more like Him. We hear story after story about people coming to faith in Jesus Christ through the Bible and being transformed into new creations. I'd like to share with you one such testimony, that I came across recently.
A converted cannibal living on an island in the Pacific Ocean was sitting in the jungle one day, by a large boiling pot reading his Bible, when an archeologist approached him and asked, "What are you doing?" The cannibal replied, "What does it look like I am doing, I'm reading my Bible."

The archeologist scoffed and said, "Don't you know that the modern civilized man has rejected that silly book? It does nothing that it's supposed to do. You should not waste your time reading it." The former cannibal looked him over slowly, from head to toe and replied, "Maybe you should read this book and give thanks to God, because if it weren't for the life-changing power of this book, you would be in that pot."

"Why, the Bible?" Because it has life-changing power. The Bible is for transformation, not just information. But there's a whole lot more to this power. You see brothers and sisters, when it comes to being our loving Father, God doesn't just promise to be our guide through life, but like any other parent, He also promises to walk with us every step of the way, supporting and encouraging us when things get rough. How does He do it? By speaking to us through His written words in the Bible.

This is no ordinary Book. It is the living Word of God Almighty. It has the power to heal and restore; the power to deliver us from the bondage of sin and change us from the inside out ; the power to bring forgiveness and healing; the power to give us hope and peace in the midst of despair. Brothers and sisters, that's the power of this Book. "Why the Bible?" Because the Bible is a "power-filled" book. Like I said before, this is no ordinary book. It has the power to give life.

In Matt. 4:4 Jesus says, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." The words in this book are "God-breathed." They come from the very mouth of God, to give us life. God gave us the Bible as a guide for life - to inform and to transform us; to bring us hope and encouragement in times of crisis; to give us wisdom and answer our questions when we need direction; to help us discern the truth; to be our defense against spiritual warfare and the power of Satan.

The Bible is our basic food for life. It helps us become everything God wants us to be . . . if we follow it. "Why, the Bible?" Because the Bible is God's living word for daily life. You cannot live without it. You don't want to die without it. The Bible is the Book of life, for life! Amen.