The Bible: Our Foundation for Faith and Mission

The Bible is not just a book; it is the very foundation of our faith and the source of all we know about Jesus, ourselves, and the world. Without it, we would be lost, unable to gather as a church or even know the truth about salvation. The Bible is the record of God’s work in history, revealing the salvation that comes not by our own efforts, but by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This salvation is not a vague hope or a man-made idea, but a reality rooted in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, foretold by the prophets and fulfilled in history.

God’s Word is trustworthy because it is not the product of human imagination or wishful thinking. The prophets of old, inspired by the Holy Spirit, searched diligently to understand the coming of Christ and the grace that would be revealed. Their prophecies were not for themselves, but for us, so that we might know the truth and have no excuse for unbelief. The Old Testament is filled with promises and prophecies that have come true in Jesus, and the New Testament confirms and proclaims that fulfillment. No other religious text can claim such a record of fulfilled prophecy and unity across centuries.

Jesus himself affirmed the sufficiency of Scripture. When he walked with the disciples on the road to Emmaus, he pointed them not to his wounds, but to the Scriptures to show that he was the promised Messiah. Even in the story of the rich man and Lazarus, the message is clear: if people will not listen to the Word of God, they will not be convinced even by miracles. The Bible is enough. We have the full revelation of God’s plan, and with it comes both privilege and responsibility.

We live in a time of unprecedented access to God’s Word. With Bibles in our homes and on our phones, we have no excuse not to know, believe, and share the gospel. The call is clear: trust in Jesus, let the Word transform your life, and take the message to a world in need. We are made for more, and God has placed us here, now, for such a time as this.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Bible is the unique and authoritative revelation of God, providing the only true account of salvation through Jesus Christ. Its prophecies and promises, fulfilled in history, set it apart from all other writings and leave us without excuse for unbelief. The events it records are not distant myths, but the foundation of our faith and hope. [35:20]
• 2. God’s Word is not the product of human invention, but the result of the Holy Spirit’s inspiration. The prophets sought God, and in seeking Him, they received truth and grace to share with future generations. This means our faith rests on a sure foundation, and we are called to seek God in His Word with the same diligence and humility. [42:23]
• 3. The sufficiency of Scripture is affirmed by Jesus himself, who pointed to the Word rather than to physical evidence to reveal his identity as Messiah. If we will not believe the clear testimony of Scripture, no miracle or sign will convince us. The Bible is enough for faith, for life, and for mission. [53:42]
• 4. With unprecedented access to the Bible, we bear a greater responsibility to know it, obey it, and share it. We must be like the Bereans, testing every teaching and every claim by the Word of God, and not settling for secondhand faith. Our generation is blessed with resources, but with that blessing comes the expectation to steward it faithfully. [52:21]
• 5. The call to share the gospel is urgent and personal. We are surrounded by people—at home, across the street, and around the world—who need to hear the message of Jesus. Even if we feel inadequate or unworthy, we are called to share what we know: Jesus is alive, sin is deadly, and salvation is available to all who believe. The Bible equips us for this mission, and we have no excuse to remain silent or stagnant. [61:40]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [33:58] - Why the Bible Matters
• [35:20] - The Impact of God’s Word
• [37:53] - The Nature of Salvation
• [40:47] - The Bible’s Unique Testimony
• [42:23] - Prophecy and Fulfillment
• [48:54] - Jesus: The Fulfillment of Prophecy
• [50:01] - The New Testament’s Assurance
• [51:03] - Is the Bible Enough?
• [52:21] - The Bereans and Bible Checking
• [53:42] - Jesus and the Road to Emmaus
• [59:07] - The Rich Man and Lazarus: The Sufficiency of Scripture
• [60:47] - Our Responsibility with God’s Word
• [62:18] - Living Out the Bible’s Call
• [63:28] - A Privileged Generation
• [65:44] - The Next Generation’s Opportunity
• [66:59] - Prayer and Commissioning
• [69:15] - Invitation and Response

Bible Reading

1 Peter 1:10-12 (ESV) — > Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

Luke 24:25-27 (ESV) — > And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Acts 17:10-12 (ESV) — > The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Peter 1:10-12, what did the prophets do as they looked forward to the coming of Christ? What was revealed to them about their role?
2. In Luke 24, when Jesus walked with the disciples on the road to Emmaus, what did he use to show them who he was? Did he rely on physical evidence or something else? [53:42]
3. What made the Bereans in Acts 17 different from others who heard Paul’s message? How did they respond to the teaching about Jesus? [52:21]
4. The sermon mentioned that the Bible is not just a book, but the foundation of our faith. What are some things the Bible tells us about that we wouldn’t know otherwise? [33:58]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why is it significant that the prophets in the Old Testament were not serving themselves, but future generations—including us? How does this affect the way we view the Old Testament? [42:23]
2. Jesus pointed to the Scriptures, not his physical wounds, to reveal his identity to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. What does this say about the sufficiency and authority of the Bible for faith? [53:42]
3. The Bereans were called “noble-minded” because they checked everything against Scripture. What does this teach us about how we should approach teaching, sermons, and spiritual claims today? [52:21]
4. The sermon said, “We have the Bible. We have no excuse not to trust Jesus for this salvation that the Bible tells us we so desperately need.” What does it mean to have “no excuse” in light of the Bible’s availability and message? [40:47]

Application Questions

1. The sermon compared living without the Bible to living without electricity—life would be completely different. How would your daily life or faith look different if you didn’t have access to the Bible? Are there ways you take the Bible for granted? [35:20]
2. The prophets and apostles searched the Scriptures diligently. How much time do you spend seeking God in his Word? What is one practical step you can take this week to be more intentional about reading or studying the Bible? [42:23]
3. The Bereans checked everything they heard against Scripture. Do you tend to accept spiritual teaching at face value, or do you “Bible check” what you hear? What is one area where you need to be more discerning? [52:21]
4. Jesus said that if people won’t listen to the Scriptures, they won’t be convinced even by miracles. Are there areas in your life where you are waiting for a “sign” instead of trusting what God has already said in his Word? [59:07]
5. The sermon emphasized that we have unprecedented access to the Bible—on our shelves, on our phones, in many translations. What are some distractions or habits that keep you from engaging with God’s Word? What can you do to change that this week? [01:00:47]
6. The call to share the gospel is urgent and personal. Who in your life—at home, across the street, or at work—needs to hear the message of Jesus? What is one step you can take to share what you know, even if you feel unqualified? [01:01:40]
7. The pastor said, “We are made for more, and God has placed us here, now, for such a time as this.” What do you think God might be calling you to do with the privilege and responsibility of having his Word? How can you respond this week? [01:05:44]