The Simple (not easy) Process

1. Hear what God says
2. Believe what God says
3. Do what God says

A Bad Example - Genesis3:1-7

A Good Example - Luke 5:1-11

Simple question . . . simple answer - Luke 18:18-26

A second look

4 rules of interpreting

• consider context: who is being spoken to and why?
• Define key words
• Interpret scripture with scripture
• Look for most obvious meaning

Ruler's self-confidence (vs 18-21)

John 1:1, 14, 10:30

Romans 3:10-12

Matthew 5:27-28

James 2:10

Romans 3:23

Dismantling of a self-righteous man (vs 22-25)

The impossible becomes possible - grace (vs 26-27)

Titus 3:5

1 Peter 3:18

Romans 3:19-24

Observation - What does it say?

Interpretation - What does it mean?

Cross Reference - What other verses explain it?  (www.crosswalk.com)

Jesus Connection - (NT) What does this teach me about Jesus?  (OT) How does this point to Jesus?

Application - What does God want me to do?

Family Challenge - Skittles and M&Ms

Spirit's Part - "Illumination" of the Word

Counselor & Teacher - John 14:25-26

Guide to experiencing Jesus - John 16:12-14

Eyes of the heart enlightened - Ephesians 1:17-18

My Part - Cooperate with God & His Spirit

Make sure I've accepted Christ as Savior - 1 Corinthians 2:14 (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

Ask & depend on God to open my eyes - Psalm 119:18, Matthew 5:6 & 7:7

Seek His will and glory in my life - Proverbs 3:5-6

Cleanse my heart of known sin and rebellion - Matthew 5:8, 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, 1 John 2:11 & 1:9

Obey (put into practice) what I already know - James 1:22, Hebrews 5:11-14

God's Word is Truth - Genesis 1:3, Psalm 33:6, John 17:17

God's Word is Life - John 6:63, Hebrews 4:12

How God's Word Changes Us

Re-creates Life - 1 Peter 1:23

Cleanses Us from Guilt - Romans 8:1-2, 1 John 1:9, Ephesians 5:26, Matthew 5:23-24

Stimulates Growth & Transformation Through Our 3-Fold Response

Hear - Matthew 7:24

Believe - Hebrew 4:2

Put Into Practice / Obey - Matthew 7:24

Activates Our Faith - Romans 10:17

Illuminates Us / Gives Insight - Psalm 119:130, Psalm 119:105

Liberates Our Potential / Sets Us Free - John 8:31-32

Introduction - 2 Timothy 3:16, Psalm 119:86

7 Reasons to Trust the Bible

1)  The Bible is historically accurate - Hebrews 6:17-18, Psalm 33:4

• Eyewitness accounts
• The test of history - copies (Dead Sea Scrolls)
• Archeology
• The book of Acts - 54 cities / 39 countries / 9 islands
• Solomon - Megiddo
• Hittites

2)  The Bible is scientifically accurate

• Never gives bad science
• Truth never changes / Science constantly changes
• The Laws of the Universe are God's Law - Psalm 148:1-6
• In 1861 - 51 Incontrovertible Proofs that the Bible is Scientifically Inaccurate
• The Earth is Flat - 2,600 years ago - Isaiah 40:22
• How is the Earth held up? - Job 26:7
• How many starts? - Jeremiah 33:22
• Sickness / Blood - Leviticus 17:11
• Bubonic plague - Leviticus 13:4
• Proverbs 30:5

3)  The Bible is prophetically accurate

• 2 Peter 1:21
• Matthew 26:56
• Revelation 22:6

4)  The Bible is thematically unified

• 66 books
• 40 different authors
• 12 countries
• 3 continents
• 3 languages
• over 1600 years
• by people from all walks of life
• Luke 24:27

5)  The Bible is confirmed by Jesus

• Matthew 5:18
• Noah - Luke 17:26-27
• Sodom & Gomorrah - Matthew 11:23-24
• Jonah - Matthew 12:39-41
• Daniel - Matthew 24:15

6)  The Bible has survived all attacks

• Matthew 24:35
• 1 Peter 1:24-25

7)  The Bible has transforming power

• John 8:31-32

Resources:

Cold-Case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace

The Case for Faith by Lee Strobell

New Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell

Jesus Among Other Gods by Ravi Zacharias

What's So Great About Christianity by Dinesh D'Souza

Listen - Matthew 7:24, Romans 10:17, James 1:19-21

Read - James 1:22-25

Research - John 5:39-40, Acts 17:11

Review & Remember 0 James 1:25, Joshua 1:8

Respond - James 1:22, Matthew 7:24-27