The Descriptive Word of God
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon OutlinesINTRODUCTION
A. “Born in the east and clothed in oriental form and imagery, the Bible walks all the world with familiar feet and enters land after land to find its own everywhere. It has learned to speak in hundreds of languages to the heart of man. Children listen to its stories with wonder and delight, and wise men ponder the as parables of life. The wicked and the proud tremble at its warnings, but to the wounded and the penitent it has a mother’s voice. It has woven itself into our dearest dreams; so that love, friendship, sympathy, devotion, memory, and hope, put on the beautiful garments of its treasured speech. No man is poor or desolate who has this treasure for his own.”
1. This is a very beautiful description of the Bible
2. It tells us that the Bible:
a. Has something for all ages
1) “The Bible is an ocean of knowledge that little children can wade around in, and yet, no man can fathom the depths thereof.”
2) There is no one too old, too young, to wise, or too dumb that they can’t gain great treasures from this great book.
b. No one is poor when they have this great book in their possession.
B. Many men have described the Bible very beautifully in their writings, but no description of the Bible can be found anywhere that is more beautiful than the one found in Psalm 19:7-14
1. This beautiful psalm speaks of the Bible as being able to:
a. Convert our soul
b. Make us wise
c. Enlighten us
2. The Psalmist describes God’s word as being:
a. Right and sure
b. More precious than gold
c. A warning devise
C. With all this in mind I want us to look to the Bible and let us examine some of the descriptive terms that the Bible uses to describe itself, and in doing so we will understand the nature and content of this great book – THE BIBLE.
1. The describes itself in two ways:
a. Literally
b. Symbolically
2. Let us begin by looking at the literal descriptions of the Bible
DISCUSSION:
A. Literal Terms Describing the Bible
1. The Word of God
a. 1 Thessalonians 2:13
b. Ephesians 6:17
c. Hebrews 4:12
d. We do not have the word of men, BUT THE WORD OF GOD!!!
1) How powerful is God’s word?
2) Through His word the world was created ….. (Genesis 1)
3) Romans 1:16
2. The Bible
a. Hebrews 10:7
b. Notice that it is called “THE BOOK” – there is no other book that can come close to comparing to it
c. For example:
1) It is the best selling book of all times
2) The Bible out sells the best seller 200 to 1
3) 2 million Bibles are sold every year
4) In 1929 there were 32 million Bible sold
3. The Scriptures
a. John 5:39
b. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
c. These inspired scriptures are all we need …. 2 Peter 1:3
1) We don’t need man’s doctrine
2) We don’t need man’s tradition
3) The Bible has ALL that we need, and we don’t need anything else to be pleasing in the sight of God.
4. The Oracles of God
a. Romans 3:2
b. Hebrews 5:12
c. 1 Peter 4:11
d. “Oracles” comes from logion which denotes a divine response or utterance
1) We have the utterances of God!!!
2) We have the actual words of God!!!
B. Symbolic Terms Describing the Bible
1. Lamp and Light
a. Psalm 119:105
b. Proverbs 6:23
c. We need God’s word to direct our paths
d. When we are not directed by God’s word we are in darkness
e. God’s light is able to deliver us out of the power of darkness ….. Colossians 1:13
f. Would you drive at night without your head lights on?
1) Why then stumble through life in darkness?
2) Why drive through life without the light of God’s word to direct your path?
2. Mirror
a. 2 Corinthians 3:18
b. James 1:23-25
c. The as a mirror reveals our faults
d. We look into the mirror to correct our blemishes
3. Fire
a. “Is not my word like fire, saith the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:29)
b. 1 Peter 1:22
1) As fire is a purifying agent, so is God’s word
2) Fire purifies gold
3) The Bible purifies our soul
c. Jeremiah 20:9
1) Fire is an energizing force, and so is the word of God
2) The word of God should burn in our hearts
4. Hammer
a. “God word is like a hammer that breaketh the rock into pieces” (Jeremiah 23:29)
b. Sometimes we have to use God’s word like a hammer to soften the hearts of men
c. Mom hammering the meat …..
5. Sword
a. “The sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17)
b. Hebrews 4:12
c. A sword is a symbol of warfare
d. We must use the sword of the Spirit to war against unbelievers
e. God’s word is sharp and able to pierce the hearts of men
1) Acts 2:37
2) Acts 7:54
6. Seed
a. Luke 8:11
b. Hosea 10:12
c. We the seed of God is planted in good hearts a harvest is produced
CONCLUSION:
A. Notice that the word of God is constantly depicted as an instrument
B. Instruments are useless if they are not used
C. We MUST use the instrument that God has given us
D. “The old book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its histories are true, its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveller’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the sailor’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and theChristian’s charter. Here paradise is restored, heaven is opened and the gates of hell are disclosed. Christ is its 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, and prayerfully. It is a mind of wealth, a paradise of glory and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and will be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor, and condemns all who would trifle with its holy contents.”