Evans, Our God is Awesome: The Word of God

Doing wrong is like a
joke to a fool,
but wisdom is
pleasure to a man of
understanding.
Proverbs 10:23
Friday 18 February 2011

Doing wrong is like a
An empty-head
joke to a fool,
thinks mischief is fun,
but wisdom is
but a mindful person
pleasure to a man of
relishes wisdom.
understanding.
Proverbs 10:23

The Word of God

1 session EBI


For some years now I have read
through the Bible twice every year. If
you picture the Bible to be a mighty
tree and every word a little branch, I
have shaken every one of these
branches because I wanted to know
what it was and what it meant.
Martin Luther


Some people like to read so many
[Bible] chapters every day. I would not
dissuade them from the practice, but I
would rather lay my soul asoak in half
a dozen verses all day than rinse my
hand in several chapters. Oh, to be
bathed in a text of Scripture, and to let
it be sucked up in your very soul, till it
saturates your heart!
Charles Haddon Spurgeon

What does the WOG play second ﬁddle
to in your life?
We believe it is the inerrant way God
communicates and accomplishes his
will in the world throughout history.
Job 23:12 - in the midst of trials and
sufferings said,
“I have not departed from the
commands of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his
mouth more than my daily bread.”


Hosea 4:6
...my people are destroyed from
lack of knowledge.
“Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also reject you as my priests; because
you have ignored the law of your God, I
also will ignore your children.
People (many Christians) do not like the
idea of the authoritative WOG telling
them how to live - they act as if it was
something a cult does!
God is not into suggestions - he is into
commandments.


“The Bible, and only the
Hosea 4:6
Bible, is the absolute,
...my people are destroyed from
lack of knowledge.
deﬁnitive, errorless,
“Because you have rejected knowledge,
authoritative, priests; because
I also reject you as my
comprehensive and
you have ignored the law of your God, I
also will ignore your children.
eternal Word ofdo not like the
People (many Christians) God.
idea of the authoritative have two
God does not WOG telling
them how to live - they act as if it was
or threecult does! - he has
something a books
one deﬁnitive revelation
God is not into suggestions - he is into
for mankind - the Bible”
commandments.


1. God’s word is divine in origin
God’s word came directly
from God, 2 Tim 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-
breathed and is useful
for teaching, rebuking,
correcting and training
in righteousness, so
that the servant of God
may be thoroughly
equipped for every
good work.


1.a. It’s inspired

Inspired = theopneustos =
God breathed
It is the word breathed out by
God - whether you
acknowledge it as such or not
Because of this fact it is unlike
any other book you will ever
read.


1.b. It’s consistent
1,600 years
40 authors - ﬁshermen,
prophets, tax collectors,
politicians, a doctor...
66 books - yet 1 book
Containing a single consistent
message
2 Peter 1:21 - For prophecy
never had its origin in the human
will, but prophets, though
human, spoke from God as they
were carried along by the Holy
Spirit.

1.c. It’s alive
Heb 4:12-13 - For the word of God is
alive and active. Sharper than any
double-edged sword, it penetrates
even to dividing soul and spirit, joints
and marrow; it judges the thoughts
and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in
all creation is hidden from God’s sight.
Everything is uncovered and laid bare
before the eyes of him to whom we
must give account.
It has the power to change your
life.
Peter’s testimony to the greatness of
the WOG is found in 2 Peter 1:16-23

We weren't, you know, just wishing on a star when we laid the
facts out before you regarding the powerful return of our Master,
Jesus Christ. We were there for the preview! We saw it with our
own eyes: Jesus resplendent with light from God the Father as
the voice of Majestic Glory spoke: "This is my Son, marked by my
love, focus of all my delight." We were there on the holy mountain
with him. We heard the voice out of heaven with our very own
ears.
We couldn't be more sure of what we saw and heard—God's
glory, God's voice. The prophetic Word was conﬁrmed to us.
You'll do well to keep focusing on it. It's the one light you have in
a dark time as you wait for daybreak and the rising of the
Morning Star in your hearts. The main thing to keep in mind here
is that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private opinion.
And why? Because it's not something concocted in the human
heart. Prophecy resulted when the Holy Spirit prompted men and
women to speak God's Word.

1.d. It comes from God

Many people say the Bible is the
product of human beings - they
even might like it, but still they
argue it is a book written by
sinful men and so has errors in
it.
This is where we go back to 1
Peter 1:20-21
Scripture was written by men -
under the inﬂuence of the Holy
Spirit - they recorded the very
thoughts of God.


"The word of God is like a lion; you
don't have to defend it, you just turn it
loose"
Charles Haddon Spurgeon


Evans says that writing scripture is like
light coming through a stained glass
window - the light is the same through
each panel, but we see a different
colour because of the colour of the
glass.
John, James, Peter all had different
writing styles but all recorded the
mind of God.
Evans makes the point that the WOG
is imntricately tied to God - so much
so that he simple allows a vehicle to
transmit it - even a donkey - Num
22:28-30 - even animals know
what to say when God is speaking

2. God’s word is absolute truth
In this it simply reﬂects
God himself - he is
truth so his word will
be too.
This is important as it
makes God
trustworthy - if he
makes a mistake on
one thing we can
question him on
everything.


2.a. The whole truth
We all have trusted people who
have let us down - we don’t need
a God who lets us down too.
John 17 - After Jesus said this,
he looked toward heaven and
prayed:
“Father, the hour has come.
Glorify your Son, that your Son
may glorify you. For you granted
him authority over all people that
he might give eternal life to all
those you have given him.


Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true
God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have
brought you glory on earth by ﬁnishing the work you
gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your
presence with the glory I had with you before the world
began.
“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of
the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and
they have obeyed your word. Now they know that
everything you have given me comes from you. For I
gave them the words you gave me and they accepted
them. They knew with certainty that I came from you,
and they believed that you sent me.


So the process is, the word was:
Given to Jesus by the Father.
Jesus gave it to the disciples
The disciples wrote it down (along
with other authors)
We know they got it right because
Jesus promised;
Jn 14:17 - the Spirit of truth. The
world cannot accept him, because
it neither sees him nor knows him.
But you know him, for he lives with
you and will be in you.


So the process is, the word was:
Jn 16:13 - But Father.
Given to Jesus by the when he,
JesusSpirit ofthe disciples
the gave it to truth,
The disciples wrote it guide you
comes, he will down (along
with other authors)
into all they got it right because
We know
the truth. He will
not speak on his own;
Jesus promised;
Jn 14:17 speak only what
he will - the Spirit of truth. The
world cannot accept him, because
he hears, and he will him.
it neither sees him nor knows
tell
you what is yet to lives with
But you know him, for he come.
you and will be in you.


2.b. The God of truth
The perfect God has overseen this
process - and Jesus prays Jn 17:17 -
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is
truth.
If God makes mistakes the Bible would be
mistaken - and God would not be God -
God does not lie, Titus 1:2 -in the hope of
eternal life, which God, who does not lie,
promised before the beginning of time,
So, if we claim there is an error in the Bible
it is like staring into God’s face and calling
him a liar!
You need to be able to trust what God
says in the Bible - eternity depends on it

2.c. The word of truth
An argument used by people who
say the Bible has errors:
1 Cor 10:8 says - We should not
commit sexual immorality, as some
of them did—and in one day
twenty-three thousand of them
died.
Numbers 23:9 - but those who
died in the plague numbered
24,000.
Different numbers = contradiction.
Answer:...one day...


Evans also suggests that
different people call numbers
in different ways:
“How many students were
there in class today?”
rdc: “20 or so”
Student: “19 with 2 absent”
Did rdc lie - or give an
approximation?
Is the Bible allowed to use
rounded off approximations?


Joshua 10:13 - So the sun stood
still, and the moon stopped, till the
nation avenged itself on its
enemies, as it is written in the Book
of Jashar.
The sun stopped in the middle of
the sky and delayed going down
about a full day.
Did the sun stop - or did the writers
use poetic language?
We know the sun does not rise -
the earth rotates - but still we use
the expression. Is God simply
communicating to us in a way we
can / could understand?

This is important - we have to
accept the Bible as authoritative
absolute truth.
If you accept it on this basis and walk
according to it you will beneﬁt from its
truth - if you don’t, it is still true!
The Bible is not a science book - but
when it speaks scientiﬁcally it speaks
perfectly - it is not a history book, but
when it speaks historically it speaks
perfectly.
The WOG is absolute truth.
Make sure what you are living your life
by is in the Bible - not just some old
saying from your grandmother.

2.d. An enduring standard
1 + 1 = 2, Or does it?
What would happen if you decided that
1 + 1 = 5?
Chaos! There would be no foundational
truth that we agree upon to work it out.
In the same way when we decide to
worship anything we decide to call
gods there is no foundational standard
in what we call or worship as ‘God’
So morals, ethics etc. have no
standard to be measured by - our
rebellion says we can make it what we
want

2.d. An enduring standard
1 + 1 = 2, Or does it?
What would believe they have the
Christians happen if you decided that
1 + 1 = 5?
foundational standard.
Chaos! There would be no foundational
The world does not agree - they
truth that we agree upon to work it out.
say we are fanatics.
In the same way when we decide to
In the words of Pilate, “what call
worship anything we decide to is
truth?”
gods there is no foundational standard
in what we call or worship as ‘God’
Only if you have a foundational
So morals,to measure this by can
standard ethics etc. have no
standard to be measured by - our
you agree on an answer.
rebellion says we can make it what we
want

3. God’s word accomplishes his
sovereign will
Isa 55:10-11
As the rain and the snow come down
from heaven, and do not return to it
without watering the earth and
making it bud and ﬂourish, so that it
yields seed for the sower and bread
for the eater, so is my word that goes
out from my mouth: It will not return
to me empty, but will accomplish
what I desire and achieve the
purpose for which I sent it
God’s word is accompanied by
God’s power

3.a. God’s will
Gen 1:3 - And God said, “Let there
be light,” and there was light.
No vote or decision making process.
God spoke and it happened.
Ps 147:15-18 - He sends his
command to the earth; his word runs
swiftly. He spreads the snow like wool
and scatters the frost like ashes. He
hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who
can withstand his icy blast? He sends
his word and melts them; he stirs up
his breezes, and the waters ﬂow.
God commands the weather!


3.a. God’s will
Gen 1:3 - And God said, “Let there
be light,” and there was light.
Jeremiahdecision See, today I
No vote or 1:10 - making process.
appoint you over nations and
God spoke and it happened.
kingdoms to uproot andhis
Ps 147:15-18 - He sends tear
down, to destroy andhis word runs
command to the earth; overthrow,
to build and to plant.”
swiftly. He spreads the snow like wool
and scatters the frost like ashes. He
Power over nations
hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who
Mark 5:1-20 his icy blast? He sends
can withstand
his word overmelts them; he stirs up
Power and demons
his breezes, and the waters ﬂow.
God commands the weather!


3.b. God’s sword
Eph 6:17 - Take the helmet of
salvation and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God.
It can cut through and deal with
the spiritual root of any
problems - physical, spiritual,
emotional etc.
Jesus defeated satan with the
WOG - Luke 4 - it has power
that your words, thoughts or
ideas will never have Excalibur – King Arthur’s sword, given
Acts 19:1-6 -Sons of Sceva - to him by the Lady of the Lake; the
problem, they had no power, no sword itself as well as the scabbard
word! were magical.

4. God’s word sufﬁcient for every
spiritual need

Life is complex -
God’s word is
sufﬁcient to address
every spiritual need.

No man is an island
entire of itself;
every man is a piece
of the continent, a
part of the main;
John Donne 1630


4.a. Everything we need
Psalm 19 - things the WOG can do for you:
The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing
the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, giving
joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes. (the right path)
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring
forever.
The decrees of the LORD are ﬁrm, and all of
them are righteous.

4.a. Everything we need
Psalm 19 - things the WOG can do for you:
The law of theESV is perfect, refreshing
Psalm 19 - LORD
the soul.
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
the testimony of simple.
making wise the the LORD is sure, making wise the
simple;
The precepts of the LORD are right, giving
joy to the heart. the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
the precepts of
The commandment of the are radiant,
the commands of the LORD LORD is pure, enlightening
giving light to the eyes. (the right path)
the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring
the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
forever.
the rules of of the LORDare true, and all of
The decrees the LORD are ﬁrm, and righteous altogether.
them are righteous.

4.b. Better than gold

Psalm 19:10 - of the WOG:
They are more precious than
gold, than much pure gold;
What do you value more - the
Bible or your money?
David was a man after God’s
own heart - because his primary
value was in the WOG.
The WOG needs to be your
sufﬁciency - not your money


4.c. Purifying agent
Ps 119:11 - I have hidden your word in
my heart that I might not sin against
you.
Ps 19:13 - Keep your servant also from
willful sins; may they not rule over me.
God’s word puriﬁes us and keeps us
from addictions and bad habits.
The WOG searches our hearts and
minds - it reveals sin, enabling us to
confess and come clean
Ps 119:9 - How can a young man keep
his way pure? By guarding it according
to your word.

5. God’s word is beneﬁcial to
those who obey
Joshua 1:5-8
No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your
life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave
you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you
will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their
ancestors to give them.
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law
my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or
to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep
this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day
and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written
in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.


5.a. Success
Know, meditate upon and do the
WOG - then you will be successful
- easy!
The WOG becomes the filtering
process through which all thoughts
come
Success in God means simply
being obedient - this is what you
should aim for at the end of your
life.
Paul said -2 Tim 4:7 I have fought
the good fight, I have finished the
race, I have kept the faith.

5.b. Freedom

Jn 8:31-32
To the Jews who had
believed him, Jesus said,
“If you hold to my
teaching, you are really
my disciples. Then you
will know the truth, and
the truth will set you
free.”
The Bible offers the line
for judging if you are free


5.c. Spiritual Vitality
The Bible gives us:
1. Life Php 2:16
2. Makes us righteous - 1 Cor
15:1-2
3. Produces growth - 1 Pet 2:2
4. Sanctiﬁes us - Jn 17:17
5. Gives us wisdom - Ps 119:98
In effect the Bible is like a daily
does of vitamins for our spirits.
People need the Bible - the WOG,
today.


5.c. Spiritual Vitality
The Bible gives us:
2 Tim 4:2
1. Life Php 2:16
Preach the word;Cor
2. Makes us righteous - 1 be
prepared in season
15:1-2
3. Produces growth - 1 Pet 2:2
and out us - season;
4. Sanctiﬁes
of Jn 17:17
correct,wisdom - Ps and
5. Gives us rebuke 119:98
encourage—with
In effect the Bible is like a daily
does of vitamins for our spirits.
great patience and
People need the Bible - the WOG,
careful instruction.
today.


Responding to the WOG

"A Bible that's falling apart
3. Set yourself totarget of
usually belongs a someone
memorising Bible verses -
who isn't." Charles Spurgeon
e.g. 1/day, or 2-3/week
1. Work on thinking about and
4. Memorise Isaiah 55:1 -so
researching the ‘contradictions’
is my word that goes out
people might speak about
from my mouth: It will not
within the bIble. Get and
answerto me empty, but will
return thought out.
accomplish what Iin obedience
2. Are you walking desire and
achieve the-purposein
to the Bible are you for
which I against
rebellionsent it. some
commandments?

The Bible: The Word of God
The Bible: Inspired of God
The Bible: Its Subject and
Purpose
The Bible: As a Divine Revelation


Study chapters 1-2 in Our God Is
Awesome.
Study chapters 1-4 in Major
Bible Themes.


Go over this Syllabus and the Portfolio.
Grade and discuss Portfolio quiz questions.
Discuss and complete Portfolio journal reﬂections.
Group Activity: Create a visual summary of the doctrine of
the Bible.
Demonstrate examples of the following:
Panorama of Theology and Worship
Summary of Bible Doctrines Related to Worship
How to Apply Theology to Worship


Type answers to the Portfolio quiz and journal in
preparation for the class discussion and group activity.
Read the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy
http://www.namb.net/site/pp.asp?c=9qKI
LUOzEpH&b=238325
Read the Baptist Faith and Message
http://www.sbc.net/printfriendly.asp
Subscribe to the free online Preaching Connection
Newsletter
http://www.christianitytoday.com/lyris/sub
scribe/ptcom.html


Evans, Our God is Awesome: The Word of God

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