May 19, 2024

Background:

• The purpose of the Bible is to reveal the whole counsel of God's Word to man both what we are to believe concerning God and what God requires of us
• God sent his Son Jesus to die upon the cross and on the 3rd day to get up with all power in His hand
• Jesus sits at the right hand of God
• Heaven is our destination
• God requires of us to walk humbly with Him and to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Micah 6:8; Matthew 22:37-40)
• Everything has a purpose in this life (even though we may not understand the purpose)

Key Sermon Points:

1. The Bible is a map to us
   1. The Psalmist says he's a foreigner on earth and needs some guidance
   2. We are not here forever
   3. Almost all long trips require a map...as we travel through life, the Bible should be a roadmap
   4. The Bible should guide us to where we're headed...point out the safety routes and the obstacles to avoid the pitfalls
   5. We are pilgrims traveling through
   6. We are to learn the way through the Bible
   7. It is important for us to understand that we need the Bible as a roadmap/guide through life (1 Peter 3:11)
2. The Bible gives us wisdom
   1. God's Word makes us wiser than those that ignore God's Word (Psalm 119:99)
   2. True wisdom goes beyond aimless knowledge, but applying knowledge
   3. Wisdom comes from allowing God to teach us and guide us through life
   4. If we ignore the counsel of God, then we are foolish
   5. The wisdom of God always surpasses man's wisdom
   6. Wisdom of God means having a basic attitude that affects every aspect of our lives
   7. Wisdom is living according to God's Word
   8. The foundation of knowledge is the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7)
   9. We become wiser as we become more like Christ...the more we die to self
   10. Wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit
   11. It is important to understand that all of the knowledge and understanding comes from God
3. The Bible is a light for our life
   1. We need a light to walk safely
   2. In this life, we walk through a dark forest of evil...we can't see the pitfalls
   3. The Bible can be our light to show us the way ahead so that we won't stumble (Psalm 119:105)
   4. The Bible shines light on what we should and shouldn't do
   5. We should not fornicate, we ought not to be gossiping or lying...we ought to love God and only God
   6. It is important for us to understand that we must walk in the Light and be the children of the Light
   7. Our eyes must be open to see (Psalm 119:18)
4. The Bible is basic equipment
   1. We can't go to work without basic equipment
   2. We need the Bible as our basic equipment in this world
   3. We must never forget the purpose of the scripture: to equip us to do well
   4. We should study the Bible to know how to prepare to serve God...it should strengthen our faith and to lead us to good works
   5. It enables us to meet the demands of God's ministries
   6. God has given all of us an assignment to read His Word and to grow by His Word
   7. The Word allows us to live righteously
   8. The Word is for believers
   9. It equips us to work (2 Timothy 3:14-17)