September 30, 2007

Why?

Why the Bible?

2 Timothy 3:14-17

Opening Words: There are five basic questions. There is who, what, when, where and why. Each question is important but the most probing question is the question of why. When you ask why it means you are digging below the surface. It means you are trying to understand the complete situation or concept. It means you are using the mind that God has given you. Never underestimate the question of why?

This is the second sermon in a seven part sermon series I have called, Why? Why does the church cling to certain practices and beliefs? There is more to it then simply tradition. Last week we looked at why we value the life of Jesus. In the weeks to come we are going to look at why we observe the sacraments of communion and baptism? Why do we spend so much time talking about missions and trying to develop fellowship? Why is the church itself important? There are Biblically based reasons behind all these questions. In short, they are in place to develop you as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Today, we look at why we value the Bible above all other publications. We are instructed this morning from Paul’s second letter to Timothy.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

In the year A.D. 303, the Roman Emperor Diocletian issued a decree which he hoped would extinguish the spreading flames of Christianity. One of his primary objectives was the destruction of the Christian Scriptures. One of the individuals who resisted that decree was Felix, the Bishop of Tibjuca, near Carthage. He refused to surrender the Word of God at the insistence of mere men. On August 30, 303 Felix was executed by the Roman authorities for not surrendering his Bible.

Anatoli Shcharansky was a dissident Soviet Jew. In 1974 the authorities sent him to him to prison for his crimes against the state. Those were long years. His only personal possession was a miniature copy of the Psalms. Once during his imprisonment, his refusal to release his copy of the Psalms and cost him 130 days in solitary confinement. In February 1986, as the world watched, Shcharansky was allowed to walk away from Russian guards toward those who would take him to freedom in Jerusalem. But in the final moments of captivity, the guards tried again to confiscate his copy of the Psalms. Anatoli threw himself face down in the snow and refused to walk on to freedom without it. He said later, “Those words had kept me alive during my imprisonment. How could I go onto freedom without them?”

What did Felix and Anatoli Shcharansky know about the Bible that most of us miss? We all know the Bible is the all time best seller but how often is the Bible really read? How great of an impact does the Bible have on our society today? How great of an impact does the Bible have on your life today? Maybe this is the most revealing question. How often do you read the Bible? Felix and Anatoli Shcharansky were willing to lay down their lives for the Bible. Why is it so many are not even able to pick up the Bible and read it?

Accept this message today as a challenge. My challenge for you today is not to tithe or go on an international mission trip. My challenge for you today may be harder. My challenge for you today is simply to read the Bible! Put down your newspaper and read the Bible. Put down your favorite magazine and read the Bible. Put down that romance novel and read the Bible. Put down your most recent copy of The Star or The National Enquirer and the read the Bible. I don’t want to shock anyone but turn off your television and read the Bible. (The highlights of last week’s football games will still be on when you come back.) Read the Bible not because you have to. Read the Bible because you want to. The Bible separates the church members from those who truly are disciples. Church members have an opinion about everything. That takes no real spiritual maturity. Disciples read the Bible because they want to learn more about Jesus. This morning’s scripture said it best. Today, I challenge you to read the Bible and be prepared for God to change your life. The scriptures are God breathed and equip us to do God’s work. My challenge is simple. Yet, my challenge is hard. Read the Bible! And all of God’s Bible reading people said, “Amen!”

Today, I want to talk about three reasons why the Bible is important to your spiritual development. As I said last week about Jesus, this list is not complete. The Bible touches our souls in many ways. However, these three are at the top of my list. Each one begins with the letter P. Each one will help you to become more like Jesus. So if you are ready to answer the question, why the Bible? Say, “Amen!”

Perspective

The Cathedral in Milan, Italy is magnificent! Worshippers are welcomed by three huge gates that lead into the main sanctuary. Over one gate there is an inscription in marble under a beautiful flower bouquet that says, "The things that please are temporary." Over the second gate, there is a cross with this inscription: "The things that disturb us are temporary." However, over the central gate, there is a big inscription saying, "Eternal are the important ones."

My first word is perspective. The Bible teaches us to develop an eternal perspective. The Bible teaches us how we live today is important. The choices we make today are important but the Bible also teaches us to not just look at the details of your life. The Bible encourages us to remember those eternal issues of the rule of God and salvation, itself. The Psalmist says, “From ever lasting to everlasting, thou art God.” (Psalm 90) The Bible encourages us lives balanced lives.

One of the great duties in my life is walking my dog, Rosie. Walking my dog is my identity in my neighborhood. I walked her for several reasons. First, she needs to go outside from time to time. Second, I like walking her. Third, I work at home and walking the dog gives me a little break from writing or talking on the phone. I will not be humble. I am an expert know walking. I am a responsible dog walker. I never leave my house without a plastic bag in my hip pocket. (We call them “Rosie bags.”) It never fails every time I bend over to use my “Rosie bag” a car drives passes by filled with teenagers, who laugh at me. (It is had to look professional using your Rosie bag.) There are days I am tired of using the bag. There are days I am tired of cleaning up the mess. I don’t do it but I just want to leave the mess.

Have you ever had a day when you are tired of cleaning up the messes in your life? Have you ever had a day when you are tired of dealing with life’s details? Is anyone here tired of going to work? Is anyone here tired of going to school? Is anyone here tired of paying bills or taking bills? Is anyone here tired of cleaning the house or running to the gas station? Is anyone here tired of cooking the same old thing? Is anyone one here tired of working on the same old issues? So to speak you are standing there with your bag on your hand. You are ready to clean up you mess and you know there is more to come. Has anyone here ever gotten tired of the details of your life?

Let me give you some pastoral advice. Don’t just look at the details of your life, look at the big picture. Look at the progress you have made to this point in your life. Look at the successes you have had in your life. Look at the dreams you still will experience and look at the things of God. From time to time consider what heaven will be like. The Bible teaches us to live balanced lives, where both the present and the future are important. My first word is the word perspective. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

Priorities

In the art gallery in Berlin is a painting by German painter Adolf Menzel (1815-1905). It is only partially finished. The painting was intended to show Fredrick the Great speaking with some of his generals. Menzel painted generals and background, left king until last. Put outline of Fredrick in charcoal, but died prior to finishing. Is the main character in your life missing? Is the main character in your life missing? Is God the top priority in your life?

My second word is priorities. The Bible teaches us to prioritize our lives. The Bible says the foundation of our lives should be God, himself. Do you remember how Psalm 27 begins? “The Lord is my rock and my salvation. The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid.” The reason that is true is everything in your life in this world is only temporary. The relationships in your life are temporary. Someday death will end your longest relationships. Your job is temporary. Someday you will retire! Your finances are temporary. If death doesn’t separate you from your things, taxes and inflation will. The only thing in life that is permanent is God. Are you building your life in such a way that God is your foundation? Are you making God the top priority in your life?

On Thursday night Kathy and I went to the Pittsburgh Sympathy at Stambaugh Auditorium. During the intermission we walked outside and stood at the top of the stairs overlooking Wick Park. Out of no where she said to me, “Do you remember coming here for all those dance recitals?” I said, “Remember, I am still trying to recover!” However, she was right. Our dance recitals with them are over! In one way those dance recitals seem like yesterday. In other ways they seem like a million years ago. Life goes fast. Changes come quickly. I really don’t miss our dance recital days but I mourn the end of that period of our lives. We are now in a new chapter. Our lives have changed. The only real consistency in your life is God. He doesn’t change. Is God the foundation of your life! My second word is the word priorities. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

Personal

One of the great theologians of the previous century was a man by the name of Karl Barth. He was once touring in the United States. A student asked him, “Dr. Barth, you are one of the greatest theologians of all times. You have written volumes and volumes of theology but can you summarize the faith into one sentence?” The great theologian said, “Yes! Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so.”

My third and final word is personal. The Bible teaches us God loves us personally. The Bible tells us the God of the universe, who made this world out of nothing, is passionate about you and me!” That is why He entered this world in the person of Jesus. My third word is the word personal. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!” Jesus wants a personal relationship with you!

You can go the Barnes and Nobles and find countless books on countless topics. There are some wonderful books in this world and I would encourage you to read as many as possible but there is one you can miss. It won’t make Oprah’s Book Club list. However, I would encourage you to read it anyway. Read the Bible! It is the inspired word of God. It is a must read for any true disciple of Jesus Christ.

An unknown writer once said, "This book (the Bible) is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

It is said that when the famous missionary, Dr. David Livingstone, started his trek across Africa with 73 books in 3 packs, weighing 180 pounds. After the party had gone 300 miles, Livingstone was obliged to throw away some of the books because of the fatigue of those carrying his baggage. As he continued on his journey his library grew less and less, until he had but one book left--his Bible. If you only could possess one book what would it be? I hope your answer is the Bible, God’s living word to us!