The Bible: God's Divine Guidance and Authority

 

Summary

In the sermon, the focus is on the profound significance of the Bible as the divine word of God. The message begins by highlighting God's intimate involvement with humanity, emphasizing that despite His grandeur, He chooses to engage with us, rebuking and guiding us through His word. The Bible is presented not merely as a collection of writings by various authors but as a unified work authored by God Himself, with every word inspired by the Holy Spirit. This divine authorship gives the Bible its unparalleled authority and truthfulness, making it a book that demands reverence and obedience.

The sermon challenges the congregation to reflect on their relationship with the Bible, urging them to read and cherish it as God's letter of mercy. It warns against the neglect and superficial treatment of the Scriptures, emphasizing that every part of the Bible holds significant meaning and is essential for understanding God's will. The message also addresses the tendency to alter or dismiss parts of the Bible that are uncomfortable or challenging, urging believers to accept the Bible in its entirety as the ultimate truth.

Furthermore, the sermon underscores the Bible's role in revealing the great themes of God's law, such as ruin, redemption, and regeneration. These themes encapsulate the essence of the Gospel, highlighting humanity's fall, the redemptive work of Christ, and the necessity of spiritual rebirth. The message concludes with a call to action, encouraging the congregation to read their Bibles diligently and to allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate their understanding, leading them to salvation and eternal life.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Intimate Involvement: Despite His majesty, God chooses to engage with humanity, offering guidance and correction through His word. This demonstrates His gracious disposition and desire for a relationship with us. We are never beyond His notice, and His word is a testament to His love and care for each of us. [02:15]

2. Divine Authorship of the Bible: The Bible is not merely a human creation but the inspired word of God. Each word is penned by the Almighty, making it a book of unparalleled authority and truth. This divine authorship demands our reverence and obedience, as it is the ultimate guide for our lives. [06:01]

3. The Bible's Comprehensive Truth: The Scriptures contain profound truths that surpass human understanding, addressing themes like the Trinity, creation, and providence. These truths are essential for our spiritual growth and understanding of God's will, and they must be embraced in their entirety. [09:04]

4. The Great Themes of God's Law: The Bible reveals the essential themes of ruin, redemption, and regeneration, which encapsulate the Gospel message. Understanding these themes is crucial for recognizing our need for salvation and the transformative power of God's grace. [30:10]

5. Call to Action: Believers are urged to read and cherish the Bible as God's letter of mercy. Neglecting the Scriptures leads to spiritual impoverishment, while diligent study, guided by the Holy Spirit, leads to salvation and eternal life. [45:02]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to God's Complaint
- [00:30] - God's Gracious Disposition
- [01:22] - God's Intimate Knowledge of Us
- [02:51] - God's Plea with Humanity
- [03:59] - The Sin of Neglecting the Bible
- [05:10] - The Divine Authorship of the Bible
- [06:01] - The Bible as God's Writing
- [08:06] - The Bible's Incomparable Grandeur
- [09:37] - The Folly of Infidel Arguments
- [10:39] - Personal Testimony of Faith
- [14:27] - The Authority of the Bible
- [20:19] - The Merciful Nature of God
- [22:18] - The Importance of Reading the Bible
- [35:39] - The Bible as a Strange Thing
- [45:02] - Call to Action and Conclusion

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Hosea 8:12

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Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, how does God demonstrate His intimate involvement with humanity through the Bible? [02:15]

2. What does the sermon say about the authorship of the Bible, and how is it described as different from other books? [06:01]

3. How does the sermon describe the common treatment of the Bible by people, and what are some examples given? [35:39]

4. What are the "great themes" of God's law mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to the Gospel message? [30:10]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the significance of accepting the Bible in its entirety, even the parts that are challenging or uncomfortable? [19:26]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Bible reveals God's law and the themes of ruin, redemption, and regeneration? How are these themes essential for understanding salvation? [30:10]

3. What does the sermon imply about the consequences of neglecting the Bible, and how does this neglect affect one's spiritual life? [23:49]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in illuminating our understanding of the Bible, and why is this important for believers? [45:02]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current relationship with the Bible. How often do you read it, and what steps can you take to cherish it more as God's letter of mercy? [23:49]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of accepting the Bible in its entirety. Are there any parts of the Bible that you find challenging to accept? How can you approach these parts with an open heart and mind? [19:26]

3. Consider the themes of ruin, redemption, and regeneration. How have you experienced these themes in your own spiritual journey, and how can they guide your understanding of the Gospel? [30:10]

4. The sermon warns against the superficial treatment of the Bible. What practical changes can you make in your daily routine to ensure that you engage deeply with the Scriptures? [35:39]

5. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to illuminate your understanding of the Bible during your study time? What specific prayers or practices might help you in this process? [45:02]

6. Think about a time when you neglected reading the Bible. What were the consequences, and how did it affect your spiritual life? How can you prevent this from happening again? [23:49]

7. The sermon calls believers to action. What is one specific action you can take this week to deepen your relationship with God through His word? [45:02]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Gracious Engagement with Humanity
God, in His infinite majesty, chooses to engage intimately with humanity. Despite His grandeur, He offers guidance and correction through His word, demonstrating His gracious disposition and desire for a relationship with us. This engagement is a testament to His love and care, showing that we are never beyond His notice. The Bible serves as a conduit for this divine interaction, providing us with the wisdom and direction needed to navigate our lives. It is through this sacred text that God communicates His will, offering us a path to follow that leads to spiritual growth and fulfillment. [02:15]

"For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" (Isaiah 57:15, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively seek to engage with God's word today, allowing it to guide and correct you in your daily life?


Day 2: The Divine Authorship of Scripture
The Bible is not merely a collection of human writings but is the inspired word of God, with each word penned by the Almighty. This divine authorship grants the Bible unparalleled authority and truth, demanding our reverence and obedience. As the ultimate guide for our lives, the Scriptures provide a foundation upon which we can build our faith and understanding of God's will. By recognizing the Bible as God's own writing, we are called to approach it with humility and a willingness to be transformed by its teachings. [06:01]

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper reverence for the Bible in your daily routine, acknowledging its divine authorship and authority?


Day 3: Embracing the Comprehensive Truth of the Bible
The Scriptures contain profound truths that surpass human understanding, addressing themes such as the Trinity, creation, and providence. These truths are essential for our spiritual growth and understanding of God's will, and they must be embraced in their entirety. The Bible challenges us to move beyond superficial readings and to delve deeply into its teachings, allowing them to shape our beliefs and actions. By accepting the Bible as the ultimate truth, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's word, which guides us toward a more profound relationship with Him. [09:04]

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take to ensure that you are embracing the full truth of the Bible, rather than selectively choosing parts that are comfortable or familiar?


Day 4: Understanding the Great Themes of God's Law
The Bible reveals the essential themes of ruin, redemption, and regeneration, which encapsulate the Gospel message. These themes highlight humanity's fall, the redemptive work of Christ, and the necessity of spiritual rebirth. Understanding these themes is crucial for recognizing our need for salvation and the transformative power of God's grace. By engaging with these core concepts, we gain a deeper appreciation for the Gospel and its implications for our lives, leading us to a more profound relationship with God and a greater sense of purpose. [30:10]

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:1-5, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively reflect on the themes of ruin, redemption, and regeneration in your life, allowing them to deepen your understanding of the Gospel and its impact on your spiritual journey?


Day 5: A Call to Cherish and Study the Bible
Believers are urged to read and cherish the Bible as God's letter of mercy. Neglecting the Scriptures leads to spiritual impoverishment, while diligent study, guided by the Holy Spirit, leads to salvation and eternal life. By approaching the Bible with a sense of reverence and dedication, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's word, allowing it to shape our thoughts, actions, and beliefs. This call to action encourages us to prioritize our relationship with the Scriptures, recognizing their vital role in our spiritual growth and development. [45:02]

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." (Psalm 1:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to prioritize the study and meditation of the Bible, allowing it to guide and enrich your spiritual life?

Quotes

God's Intimate Involvement: "It is no mean proof of his goodness that he Stoops to rebuke his hering creatures it is a great argument of his gracious disposition that he bows his head to notice terrestrial Affairs he might if he pleased wrap himself with night as with a garment he might put the Stars around his wrist for bracelets and bind the Suns around his brow for a Coronet he might dwell alone far far above this world up in the seventh heaven and look down with calm and silent indifference upon all the doings of his creatures." [00:21:20]

God's Intimate Involvement: "But it is not so beloved our God is of another order he notices every one of us there is not a sparrow or a worm but is found in his decrees there is not a person upon whom his eye is not fixed our most secret acts are known to him whatsoever we do or bear or suffer the eye of God still rests upon us and we are beneath his smile for we are his people or beneath his frown for we have heard from him." [00:28:48]

Divine Authorship of the Bible: "Our holy religion answers no this volume is the writing of the Living God each letter was penned With An Almighty finger each word in it dropped from the Everlasting lips each sentence was dictated by the Holy Spirit allbe it that Moses was employed to write his histories with his fiery pen God guided that pen it may be that David touched his harp and let sweet Psalms of Melody drop from his fingers but God moved his hands over the living strings of his Golden Harp." [00:06:01]

Divine Authorship of the Bible: "Everywhere I find God speaking it is God's voice not man's the words are God's words the words of the Eternal the invisible the almighty the Jehovah of this Earth the Bible is God's Bible and when I see it I seem to hear a voice springing up from it saying I am the book of God man read me I am God's writing open my leaf for I was penned by God read it for he is my author and you will see him visible and manifest everywhere." [00:07:27]

The Bible's Comprehensive Truth: "I might insist upon it that the subjects of which it treats are beyond the human intellect that man could never have invented the grand doctrines of a trinity in the godhead man could not have told us anything of the creation of the universe he could never have been the author of The Majestic idea of Providence that all things are ordered according to the will of one great Supreme Being and work together for good." [00:08:06]

The Bible's Comprehensive Truth: "Oh if you could ever remember that this Bible was actually and really written by God oh if he had been let into the secret chambers of Heaven if you had beheld God grasping his pen and writing down these letters then surely you would respect them but they are just as much God's handwriting as if you had seen God write them this Bible is a book of authority it is an authorized book for God has written it oh tremble tremble lest any of you despise it Mark its Authority for it is the word of God." [00:15:56]

The Great Themes of God's Law: "I remember an old friend of mine once saying ah you you preach the three hours and God will always bless you I said what are the three hours and he answered ruin Redemption and regeneration they contain the sum and substance of divinity are for ruin we were all ruined in the fall we were all lost when Adam sinned and we are all ruined by our own transgressions we are all ruined by our own evil hearts and our our own Wicked wills and we all shall be ruined unless Grace saves us." [00:30:10]

The Great Themes of God's Law: "Then there is a second R for Redemption we are ransomed by the blood of Christ a lamb without blemish and without spot we are rescued by his power we are ransomed by his merits we are Redeemed by his strength then there is our for regeneration if we would be pardoned we must also be regenerated for no no man can partake of redemption unless he is regenerate let him be as good as he pleases let him serve God as he imagines as much as he likes unless he is regenerate and has a new heart a new birth he will still be in the first R and that is ruin." [00:30:50]

Call to Action: "If this be the word of God what will become of some of you who have not read it for the last month month sir I have not read it for this year I there are some of you who have not read it at all most people treat the Bible very politely they have a small pocket volume neatly bound they put a white pocket handkerchief around it and carry it to their places of worship when they get home they lay it up in a drawer till next Sunday morning then it comes out again for a little bit of a treat and goes to Chapel that is all the poor Bible gets in the way of an aing that is your style of entertaining this heavenly messenger." [00:22:18]

Call to Action: "What will God say at last when you shall come before him he shall say did you read my Bible no I wrote you a letter of Mercy did you read it no rebel I have sent thee a letter inviting thee to me did thou ever read it Lord I never broke the seal I kept it shut up wretch says God then thou deservestore let it not be so with you be Bible readers be Bible searchers." [00:24:10]

Call to Action: "I charge you with this you do not read your Bibles some of you never have read it through I know I speak what your heart must say is honest truth you are not Bible readers you say you have the Bible in your houses do I think you are such heathens as not to have a Bible but when did you read it last how do you know that your spectacles which you have lost have not been there for the last 3 years many people have not turned over its Pages for a long time and God might say unto them I have written unto you the great things of my law but they have been accounted unto you a strange thing." [00:35:39]

Call to Action: "Let us go home and practice what we have heard I have heard of a woman who when she was asked what she remembered of The Minister's sermon said I don't recollect anything of it it was about short weights and bad measures and I didn't recollect anything but to go home and burn the bushel so if you will remember to go home and burn the bushel if you will recollect to go home and read your Bibles I shall have said enough and may God In His Infinite Mercy when you read your Bibles pour into your soul The Illuminating rays of the son of righteousness by the agency of the ever adorable Spirit then you will read to your prophet and your soulle salvation." [00:45:02]

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Transcript
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