Have you changed?
As a pastor I always love to hear what people take away from a sermon. This past Sunday someone said: "I learned one thing for sure today. I will never ride in a car with you driving!" I also found out that I wasn't the only lucky one who drove a Ford EXP back in the day.
But I know there were far more take-aways.... We learned this Watermark Essential: The Bible is God's word to us. It was written by people who were inspired by God. Because it is given to us by God, it is absolutely true, and is the final authority for beliefs and living.
If that is true, we must trust it, study it and obey it! There are many reasons to trust the Bible as God's Word to us... Here are three:
Because of it's miraculous nature!
Because of the commitment and integrity of it's human authors!
Because of it's life-changing impact on countless people for thousands of years!
What does the Bible claim about itself? 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16
God's Word has much to teach us - But to be clear, knowledge without life-change is useless. The question to ask ourselves is: Have we been changed by the truths offered in the Bible? Life-change is what makes it's teaching/doctrine vital and useful to us... It rebukes or convicts us for wrong beliefs and behaviors. It corrects us, getting us back on track. And it trains us to make right, God-honoring choices! The Bible is God's life-changing message for you! For much more, listen to Essential Part 4 - Bible.
