“ Give Me the Bible ”

2. “Give Me the Bible” We often sing it, do we really mean it? Psalm 119:97-105

3. We sometimes sing it, but... • How true to life is it for us? • Do we truly desire the Word the way the song demands? • Are we really like babes “longing for the pure milk of the Word”? 1Pet.2:2a • This longing is required to “grow in respect to salvation”. 1Pet.2:2b • Unfortunately, the answer is an disappointing but honest “no”.

4. Why should “Give Me the Bible” be our attitude and desire? • Because of what is accomplished by the Bible and only by the Bible. It only: >Begets, Jas.1:18 and 1Cor.4:15; spiritual birth >Sanctifies, John 17:17; spiritual consecration >Frees, John 8:32; spiritual liberation >Cleanses & Purifies, John 15:3; 1Pet.1:22; spiritual preparation for service >Saves, Jas.1:21; spiritual preservation >Builds Up & Gives Inheritance, Acts 20:32; spiritual edification

5. Why should “Give Me the Bible” be our attitude and desire? • Because of its Source: >God’s words, not man’s, 1Thess.2:13 This means that it is, -inspired, 2Pet.1:20-21; 2Tim.3:16-17 -infallible, Jas.1:25; Heb.6:18 -indestructible, Matt.24:35; 1Pet.1:25 -the standard of judgment, Rom.2:16; John 12:48

6. But many seem to say, “Give me the Bible whenor if….” • “It doesn’t conflict with my feelings or experiences.” Compare what the Bible says about salvation, Matt.28:18-19; Mark 16:15-16; Gal.3:26-27; 1Cor.12:13; John 3:3-5; Acts 22:16; 1Pet.3:21; and Luke 6:46, With what some men say: >saved at faith before & without water baptism. >saved by prayer at altar, cf. Acts 9:11 > 22:16 >saved by God speaking direct from heaven, Heb.1:2; Matt.17:5; 2Pet.1:3; Gal.1:8-9.

7. But many seem to say, “Give me the Bible whenor if….” • “It doesn’t conflict with my belief and practice.” Compare what the Bible says about the Church- that there is but One! Eph.4:4; Matt.16;18; Eph.5:23; and Acts 2:47, With what some men say: > “There are many churches; they’re all the Lord’s- take the one of your choice!” > “The church, or membership and participation in it are non-essential; one can be saved and go to heaven without any church.”

8. But many seem to say, “Give me the Bible whenor if….” • “It doesn’t conflict with my belief and practice.” Compare what the Bible says regarding worship, Matt.15:7-9; John 4:24; Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; 1Cor.4:6 & 16:1; Col.3:16; and 2John 9, With what some men say: > “It doesn’t matter what you believe, as long as you’re honest and sincere.” > Or, “It doesn’t matter what you do in worship, as long as you intend to praise God.” Really? Someone should have told Jesus! Matt.7:21

9. Many Brethren also say, “Give me the Bible….” • “Regarding the Plan of Salvation and the Work of the Church, but not on living a Christian Life.” -There are “in name only Christians,” Rev.3:1. -And then there are real Christians, Gal.2:20; Titus 2:11-14; Phil.1:21; 2Tim.2:3-5; Col.3:1-3; 2Pet.3:11-13; Gal.5:19-21. • “When distress, calamity or fear comes, give me the Bible when I’m about to die.” Prov.1:20-31; John 3:36; 2Thess.1:6-9; Heb.3:13-15

10. Many Brethren also say, “Give me the Bible….” • “When I die- preach it at my funeral.” -With but one exception (1Thess.4:15) all will die, Heb.9:27. -It is the time which is uncertain, Jas.4:13-15. -Preparation for that day is what’s needed, Amos 4:12. -If prepared, there are words of tremendous comfort at death, Rev.14:13; 2Tim.4:6-8; 1Thess.4:13-18; Phil.1:21; Psalm 116:15. -But if unprepared for death, the Bible also has words, John 8:21,24; Heb.10:29-31; Matt.25:41,46.

11. So…. Do you really want the Bible? or just the flavor of it enough to provide you with some measure of (false) security without really having to do what it says? >Either say it, sing it, and mean it, or reject it and suffer the consequences. >We really can’t have it both ways! “Give Me the Bible!”