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The Word of God
1 Peter 1:23-25 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Introduction
Lots of Christians neglect or lost their interest in reading the Bible. Others reasons out that they are too busy and too tired from their daily activities and work schedule that they just don’t have time to read and meditate God’s written Word. The sad fact is they have time to spend watching television and reading their messages on their face book or tweeter but no time to open their Bible. I hope that this lesson will encourage some to read their Bible.
I. The power of the Word of God
A. We are born again by the Word of God – 1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1. The Word of the Lord Jesus Christ is very clear in John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
B. Assurance of eternal life comes from the Word of God – 1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
C. We can have comfort from the Word of God – 1 Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
D. The Word of God can cleanse us – John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
E. The Word of God can reveal the thoughts and intents of the heart – Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
F. The Word of God is the best weapon on our Spiritual Battle – Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
G. Faith comes from hearing the Word of God. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Illustration: Transforming Ability
One of the most dramatic examples of the Bible’s divine ability to transform men and women involved the famous mutiny on the “Bounty.” Following their rebellion against the notorious Captain Bligh, nine mutineers, along with the Tahatian men and women who accompanied them, found their way to Pitcairn Island, a tiny dot in the South Pacific only two miles long and a mile wide. Ten years later, drink and fighting had left only one man alive—John Adams. Eleven women and 23 children made up the rest of the Island’s population.
So far this is the familiar story made famous in the book and motion picture. But the rest of the story is even more remarkable. About this time, Adams came across the “Bounty’s” Bible in the bottom of an old chest. He began to read it, and the divine power of God’s Word reached into the heart of that hardened murderer on a tiny volcanic speck in the vast Pacific Ocean—and changed his life forever. The peace and love that Adams found in the Bible entirely replaced the old life of quarreling, brawling, and liquor. He began to teach the children from the Bible until every person on the island had experienced the same amazing change that he had found. Today, with a population of slightly less than 100, nearly every person on Pitcairn Island is a Christian.
II. Uniqueness of the Bible
A. Unique in its continuity
1. Written over 1500 year span.
2. Written over 40 generations.
3. Written by more than 40 authors from every walk of life – including kings, fishermen, doctor, tax collector, cupbearer, herdsman.
4. Written in different places – Moses wrote it in the wilderness, Jeremiah in the dungeon, Paul in prison walls, John in the isle of Patmos.
5. Written at different times – David in times of war, Solomon in times of peace.
6. Written in different moods – some writing from the heights of joy and others from the depths of sorrow and despair.
7. Written in three continents – Asia, Africa, and Europe.
8. Written in 3 languages – Hebrew, the language of the Old Testament, also called the language of Judah (2 Kings 18-26-28), Aramaic, the common language in the near East until the time of Alexander the Great, Greek, the New Testament language (international language in the time of Christ).
9. Finally, its subject matter includes hundreds of controversial topics. Yet, the Biblical authors spoke with harmony and continuity from Genesis to Revelation. There is one unfolding story: “God’s redemption of man”.
B. Unique in its Circulation
1. The Bible has been read by more people and published in more languages than any other book in history.
C. Unique in its survival.
1. Survival through time – being written on materials that perishes and having to be copied and recopied for hundreds of years before the invention of the printing press did not diminish the style, correctness, or existence of the Bible.
2. Survival through persecution – The Bible has withstood vicious attacks of its enemies. Many have tried to burn it, ban it, and “outlaw it” from the days of the Roman emperors to present day communist dominated countries
3. Survival through criticism – the Bible has withstood all the attacks of infidelity and scepticism. The Bible can defend itself against its enemies. No other book is like the Bible.
D. Unique in its Teaching
1. Prophecy – Prophecies written in the Bible have been fulfilled exactly to the letter.
2. History – historical events written in the bible have all been proven true and even supported by archaeology.
3. Personalities – The Bible deals very frankly with the sins of its characters without any cover up or overlooking or ignoring the shady part of the people. David’s sins have been exposed, the lies which Abraham and Isaac committed, the hypocrisy of Peter. ( A Ready Defense by Josh McDowell)
Illustration: The Mind of God
An unknown writer said, “This Book 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 is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. 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.
III. Conclusion:
By reading the Bible, lives have been changed, hearts had been comforted, people got saved and much more which I cannot write here anymore. Will you read your Bible now? Will you spend time meditating on God’s Word? Try it, time spent reading it is never a loss but a bountiful gain.

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