Scripture
Readings: Psalm 119: 12-16, 105; 2 Timothy 3:10-17
If someone who
did not know anything about the Bible should ask you, “What’s the Bible about
and what makes it so special?” how would you respond? That’s the question I
considered in developing this sermon in addressing the topic of “scriptures” as
a part of the Lenten series on Five
Essential Practices for a Vital Christian Life.
A pastor visited a
children’s Sunday school class and asked this question: “Who tore down the
walls of Jericho?” The class looked blank. So he asked Tommy, “Don’t you know,
Tommy?” Tommy replied, “Not me Pastor! I didn’t have anything to do with it!”
Surprised at the response, he asked the teacher, “How is it that I get a
response like that?” The teacher was quick to defend Tommy and said, ”Well Pastor,
Tommy is a good honest boy, and if he said he didn’t do it, I believe him.” The
pastor was equally surprised at the teacher’s response and the apparent lack of
biblical knowledge. At the next Board meeting he told church members about his
experience in the Sunday school class. One man responded, “Well, Reverend, we
will probably never find out who did it, so let’s just get it fixed and mark it
off to vandalism.”
In this sermon I want
to answer the question, “What is so special about the Bible?” I recall an old favorite children’s song some
of you may remember. It goes like this: “The B-I-B-L-E,
Yes that’s the book for me. I stand alone on the word of God, the B-I-B-L-E!”
The word Bible
comes from the Greek word, biblio, which means “books.” Here’s a good overview:
“The Bible was written on two continents in several languages by more than100
different writers. Some of its pages were written in a palace, some in a simple
cottage, some on a hillside, and some in a prison cell. The authors include
persons from all walks of life. They were kings, shepherds, fishermen,
statesmen, missionaries, and even a physician. The writings were compiled over
a period of 1000 years, dating back to the events which are more than 3000
years removed from our day. Yet the Bible remains the most popular book ever
written.”
To own a Bible
is to have a library of rich literature in all forms. We find in its pages
history, romance, short stories, poetry, biography, fables, drama, parables,
and mystery. The Old Testament is based on God’s act of deliverance as revealed
in the Exodus story of Moses being selected to lead his people out for bondage in
Egypt to a promised land. Old Testament writings are enriched by the writings
of David known as the Psalms. One of the most popular scriptures of the Old
Testament are those we know as the Twenty-third Psalm, also known as ”the Shepherd’s
Psalm.” In picturesque words, David describes the unique relationship between
God and God’s people. This Psalm, one that many have learned to recite, pictures a caring God who provides and cares
for his people, rather than a god of wrath to fear.
As Christians
we focus mostly on the New Testament and God’s story of the birth, life,
teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus, the promised Savior and the gift of
salvation. That story from beginning to end composes what has been called “the
greatest story ever told.” Simply put, the core message of the Bible tells us
who God is, what God has done on our behalf, and what God desires of us. One
thing is for certain -- knowledge of scripture is crucial for faithful living.
I have
hundreds of books in my personal library. I consider them tools of my trade as
a minister for more than 50 years. Most of my books center on the Christian
faith, the church, discipleship, Christian behavior, and roles and
responsibilities of believers. My
collection includes more than a dozen Bibles of various translations. Some were gifts with special words inscribed
by the giver. One of my favorite possessions from my collection is a Bible
given me by my parents on Christmas Day 1951. The front and back covers are
held on by black “duck tape.” It looks worn and fragile, but the message inside
is as strong as ever!
I was
fortunate to have been raised in a Christian home, and brought up in a
Methodist Church. I was exposed to the great stories of the Bible at an early
age. My mother read from her Bible regularly and it both formed and informed
her faith. That’s what scriptures do for us. They hold up a mirror for us to
see who we are and offer a glimpse of who God desires us to become.
On the
occasion of her tenth birthday, Sarah received a special gift from her
grandmother. It was a copy of the Children’s Bible, complete with highlighted
stories of famous biblical characters and colored pictures. She took it with
her to Sunday school and proudly showed it to her teacher and classmates. She
became even more excited when her teacher asked her to look up Genesis 21:1. There
she found her name. When she got home she immediately told her mother about her
discovery. She opened her Bible, and read the passage: “The Lord dealt with
Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as he had promised. Then Sarah
said, “I learned today what the Bible is about!
It’s about God’s promises.” From
the lips of child came a profound truth: the Bible is about God’s promises toward the faithful who chose to live by the
Biblical faith.
It was not
until my teens that I realized how important the Bible was for life’s
journey. I discovered that the stories
were about what God had to offer for my life. I came to realize that It included
instructions for Christian living, what God’s desires for our lives as Christian
disciples, and the mandates Jesus gave
us so that we might live by his example according to God’s purposes.
There was once
a devotional booklet written for teenagers called Power. One story particularly has stuck with me all these years. A man was shopping several days before
Christmas. The lines were long, and some customers were tired, impatient, and irritable
while waiting and even rude when waited upon. He observed how the sales clerk
dealt with each one with a smile and kind words. Her gentleness seemed to be a
calming influence. When it came his turn, he complimented the salesclerk for
how she was doing her job. She smiled and thanked him. Then he said to her, “May
I asked you a question?” “Of course,”
she replied. “Are you a Christian?” he asked. “Why yes, I am,” she said. Then
he said, “I thought so. It shows. You know, you’re the only Bible some people
will ever read.” How true that is! Our challenge
as Christians is to become “the living Word of God” through our actions toward
others.
So what do I
consider special about the Bible? It helps us understand the nature of God,
grace, forgiveness and the depth and power of God’s reconciling love. It contains
valuable information through its timeless truths that are applicable to life. It provides insights about how we are to live
in relation to God and each other. It not only gives meaning and purpose to life,
but direction for life’s journey as well. The hymn writer knew the role of scripture
when he wrote: “Thy words are a lamp unto my feet...”
The Bible is
also special to me because it provides inspiration and comfort. There is a
passage of scripture that applies to every human situation; words that can turn
sorrow into joy, darkness into light, despair into hope and valley experiences
into mountaintop ones.
The Bible is
also special to me because of its transforming power to change lives. About
twenty-five years ago a quiet transforming revival began in many churches
across the nation, especially in United Methodist Churches. The revival came
about from church members using resources written by UM Bishop Richard Wilke, Disciple Bible study. Participants made
a commitment to a 34-week study of scriptures in a small group setting. I know
first-hand how leading a group through that study transformed lives, restored broken
relationships, mended aching hearts, and reestablished Christian community in
the life of a church that I pastored. Studying God’s word can become
transforming in many ways: it can heal grief, offer hope, and pave the way to
reconciliation. This is what God’s Word continues to offer for life’s journey
whatever circumstances we face.
Let me remind all
of us what someone once said, “The Bible is not worth the paper it is printed
on, unless it is read and applied to daily living.” It has also been said, “Owning a Bible doesn’t
make someone a Christian any more than owning a piano makes one a pianist. It
is what you do with it that makes the difference.”
People from
all walks of life and from every position in society have found the Bible to be
the most important book ever published. Former President of the United States,
Herbert Hoover, wrote: “There is no other book so various as the Bible, not one
so full of concentrated wisdom. Whether
it be law, business, morals, or that vision which leads the imagination in the creation
of constructive enterprises for the happiness of mankind, he who seeks for
guidance in any of these things may look inside its covers and find
illumination.” May it be so for us as well!
I close with a
quotation by an unknown author. “The Holy Bible is the book that reveals the
mind of God, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, the joy of believers.
Its doctrines are holy; its precepts are biding; its history revealing; its message
inspiring. Read it to be wise: believe it to increase faith, practice it to
become holy. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully for inspiration. Owned
it is a treasure book. Studied it increases wisdom. Trusted it leads to
salvation. It contains guidance to direct your path, food to feed your soul, a
road map for this life and for preparing for the next one as a reward to the
faithful.”
May we
continue to read and reflect upon God’s Word so that our lives can be all God
desires for us. And may we also become “the
living Word” for others. In Jesus name, Amen.
