Tuesday 19 February 2013

Can I Trust the Bible?


WHY CAN I TRUST THE BIBLE?
40 Days In The Word – Part 1
February 17.2013
Listen to Sermon at https://www.facebook.com/middlesackvillebaptistchurch

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
 2 Tim. 3:16-17 (NIV)

“All of your commands can be trusted.”  Ps.119:86 (NCV) 

I CAN TRUST THE BIBLE BECAUSE…

1.   It Is Historically Reliable
      “The Word of the Lord is right and true.”   Ps. 33:4 (NIV)    

2.   It Is Scientifically Reliable
“Every word of God is flawless.”   Prov. 30:5 (NIV) 

“The words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay and purified seven times!”  Psalm 12:6 (NIV) 

3.   It Is Prophetically Reliable
      “No prophecy ever originated from humans. Instead, it was given by the Holy Spirit as humans spoke under God's direction.” 2 Peter 1:21 (GW) 

      “But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures."                   Matt. 26:56 (NLT) 

      “The angel said to me, ‘These words are trustworthy and true.     The Lord … sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.’”      Rev. 22:6 (NIV) 

4.   It Is Thematically Unified
      “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, Jesus explained to them what was said in ALL the Scriptures concerning himself.”  Luke 24:27 (NIV) 

      “You search the Scriptures because you believe they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!”  John 5:39 (NLT) 

5.   It Is Confirmed by Jesus
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished!”
Matt. 5:18 (NIV) 

6.   It Has Survived All Attacks
      “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Matt. 24:35 (NIV)  

      “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.”                                   1 Peter 1:24-25 (NIV) 

7.   It Has Transforming Power
      Jesus said, “If you continue in my Word, then you are my disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free!”  John 8:31-32 (KJV)

THE BIG QUESTION:
WHAT WILL BE THE AUTHORITY FOR MY LIFE?

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good,
pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 (NIV)
     
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly!”  Col. 3:16 (NIV)

Friday 8 February 2013

40 Days in the Word Primer


Sunday, February 10, marks the beginning of a spiritual journey which will build up all of us as disciples of Jesus Christ. This post is designed to let you know how this spiritual growth campaign works. This information is meant to give you an overview of your plan of action during 40 Days in the Word. I trust this information is clear and useful. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact myself.

11.       SUNDAY WORSHIP:  Each week we will examine why and how the Bible is authoritative in our lives. The audio and outline for these messages will also be available online each week at www.facebook.com/middlesackvillebaptistchurch .

22.       MEMORIZE:  Each week there is a short Scripture verse to memorize. These are all listed on the bookmark, and will also be listed on the sermon notes page each week. These are verses you can recall during the day to remind you of God’s promises.

33.       DEVOTIONAL:  There is an audio devotional for each day to help you digest God’s truth in new ways. You can listen online or download them at www.40ditw.com or you can obtain them on a CD each week at church.

44.       SMALL GROUPS:  You are strongly encouraged to join a home group for this six week spiritual campaign. Only within these groups will you be able to maximize your growth using the materials. Also, each group provides an avenue for connection and service together. As a group you will learn Bible study methods and work on a “Micah 6:8 Assignment.”

55.       STUDY METHOD:  In the Small Groups you will learn how to meditate on a passage of Scripture until the Holy Spirit shows you how to apply it. These methods of Bible meditation will be employed each day of the week as you use the suggested verse of the day. There are pages in the workbook for your reflections.

66.       READING:  Each week you will be asked to read a larger portion of Scripture. The daily study verse will be drawn from these portions. The passage for the week is displayed at www.40ditw.com and will also be listed on the sermon notes page. The selections will be Philippians, Mark, James and Psalm 1.

Tuesday 5 February 2013

40 Days in the Word "Kickoff"


BUILDING MY LIFE ON THE BIBLE               40 Days In The Word Kickoff
Vernon Vickruck                                                      February 3, 2013
Listen to the sermon online at https://www.facebook.com/middlesackvillebaptistchurch  

HOW DO I BUILD MY LIFE ON THE BIBLE?         JAMES 1:19-25

1.   I HEAR IT WITH MY EARS
      “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.”  Romans 10:17 (NIV)

“Everyone should be QUICK TO LISTEN, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.  Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly ACCEPT THE WORD planted in you, which can save you.”  James 1:19-21 (NIV)

For “Good Reception” I need to be …
h QUIET
 “Be quick to listen and slow to speak …”
h CALM
 “and slow to become angry …”
h CLEAN
 “get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent”                                     
h HUMBLE
 “humbly accept the Word planted in you which can save you.”

 2.  I READ IT WITH MY EYES
Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.  Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like!  But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.”  James 1:22-25 (NIV)

                  Get a Bible Reading Plan

3.  I STUDY IT WITH MY HANDS AND MY MOUTH
       Bible “STUDY” requires
                  - writing down what I learn
                  - talking about what I learn

“You search the Scriptures because you believe they give you eternal life.  And the Scriptures point to me!”  John 5:39 (NLT)

“The people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul's message.  They searched the Scriptures day after day to check up on Paul and Silas, to see if they were really teaching the truth.”  Acts 17:11 (NLT)

4.  I MEMORIZE WITH MY MIND
      “The man who looks intently into the perfect law … and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard but doing it, he will be blessed in what he does.”
      James 1:25 (NIV)

       The Bible term for remembering & reviewing God’s Word is “MEDITATION”


“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.”       Joshua 1:8 (NIV)

5.  I RESPOND TO IT WITH MY ACTIONS
“Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves.  DO what it says!” 
James 1:22 (NIV)

“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  BUT everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”  Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)

Adapted from www.saddlebackresources.com