425 Sermon Illustrations on Bible

Dwight L. Moody had it right when he said, "The Bible wasn't given

for our information but for our transformation." God did not give us

the Bible just to tell us what happened in the past. He gave it to

equip us to live in the present in light of the future.

- Dr. Bruce H. Wilkinson, "When a Magic Marker Revolutionized My

Preaching and Teaching," {Proclaim, }(Nashville: Sunday School

Board, Oct.-Dec. 1996) 6

A little girl noticed that her grandmother was reading the Bible a

lot. When a vistor asked why, the little girl said, "I think she's

cramming for her finals."

If some Christians knew as little about their jobs as they do about

the Bible, they would have to be guided to their work benches every

morning.

- Ernest H. Gross, Sr.

There are only two ways you can study the Bible:

1. Studying it with your mind made up.

2. Studying it to let it make up your mind.

There is a story about a teenage boy who was deeply interested in

scientific subjects, especially astronomy. So his father bought him a

very expensive telescope. Since the young fellow had studied the

principles of optics, he found the instrument to be most intriguing.

He took it apart, examined the lenses, and made detailed calculations

on the distance of its point of focus. The youth became so absorbed

in gaining a technical knowledge of the telescope itself that he never

got around to looking at the stars. He knew a lot about that fine

instrument, but he missed seeing the wonders of the heavens.

As Christians, to know all the facts and figures contained in the

Bible is not the end for which God has given us this Book. The

purpose is that we might see God and know Him.

Mortimer J. Adler, in {How to Read a Book,} has observed

that the one time people read for all they are worth is when they are

in love and are reading a love letter. They read every word three

ways. They read between the lines and in the margins. They read the

whole in terms of the parts, and each part in terms of the whole.

They grow sensitive to context and ambiguity, to the order of phrases,

and the weight of sentences. They may even take the punctuation into

account. Then, if never before or after, they read carefully and in

depth.

So should believers read the "love letter" that the Eternal Lover

of our souls has given to us so that we may better know him and his

purposes.

A story is told of a devout father whose son was studying for the

ministry. The son decided to go to Europe for an advance degree, and

the father worried that his simple faith would be spoiled by

sophisticated, unbelieving professors. "Don't let them take Jonah

away from you," he admonished, figuring the swallowed-by-a-great-fish

story might be the first part of the Bible to go.

Two years later when the son returned, the father asked, "Do you

still have Jonah in your Bible?"

The son laughed. "Jonah! That story isn't even in your Bible!"

The father replied, "It certainly is! What do you mean?"

Again the son laughed and insisted, "It certainly is! What do you

mean?"

Again the son laughed and insisted, "It's not in you Bible. Go

ahead, show it to me."

The old man fumbled through his Bible, looking for the jBook of

Jonah, but he couldn't find it. At last he checked the table of

contents for the proper page. When he turned there, he discovered the

three pages comprising Jonah had been carefully cut from his Bible.

"I did it before I went away," said the son. "What's the

difference whether I lose the Book of Jonah through studying under

non-believers or you lose it through neglect?"

A.C. Gabaeline rates J.N. Darby as one of the great teachers of the

Word of God. Dr. Darby for many years lived amont the rustic country

people of Ireland - preaching the gospel to these farm families and

living at their modest level.

One day an infidel who was very well known in those times

challenged Darby, saying, "You claim that all Scripture is

profitable. What possible earthly value could a verse like

\reference{1 Timothy 4:13}{1 Timothy 4:13} have - 'The cloak that I

left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the

books, but especially the parchments'?" To which Darby replied, "Do

you know that when I left my exclesiatical position to come here to

live among these very simple persons, it was that very verse that dept

me from selling my own theological library? Make no mistake about

it," said Darby, "all Scripture is inspired of God and all of it is

profitable!"

The following lines are attributed to Martin Luther:

The Bible is alive, it speaks to me.

It has feet, it runs after me.

It has hands, it lays hold of me.

John Wesley once wrote: "I am a creature of a day, passing through

life as an arrow through the air. I am a spirit, coming form God, and

returning to God; just hovering over the great fluff; a few months

hence I am no more seen; I drop into an unchangable eternity! I want

to know one thing - the way to heaven . . . God Himself has

condenscended to teach the way. He hath written it down in a book. O

give me that Book! At any price, give me the Book of God!"

During the time of his wilderness temptation, Jesus proved once and

for all that the Word of God hidden deeply in the heart and mind is

the best defense against sin. It is also the best offense in service

to God, for once it is proclaimed it does not return without

accomplishing its purpose.

Introduction:

1. "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the

Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17).

2. Regarding the text:

1) This passage clearly pictures God's word as a sword.

2) The sword is used both as an offensive weapon and a

defensive weapon.

3) Jesus used this sword successfully in His battle with

Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:10-11).

4) When Stephen used this sword, it "cut to the heart"

(Acts 7:54).

5) This sword is sharper than any other sword (Hebrews 4:12).

6) Peter used this sword mightily to "prick" the hearts of

those Jews who heard him on the first Pentecost after the

resurrection of Jesus (Acts 2:37).

7) This sword has a unique power--the power to save the

souls of lost men (Romans 1:16).

8) The Lord did not intend that this sword should be hung on

the wall as an ornament, but rather that it should be used

throughout the world (Matthew 28:18-20).

9) Is this sword really what it claims to be? Did Jesus

send us out to do battle with Satan with only half a sword?

10) It is clearly the case that the Bible claims to be all

that we need in our warfare against Satan (2 Peter 1:3).

11) The New Testament claims to be THE FINAL revelation from

God to man!

DISCUSSION:

I. THERE IS NO OTHER (Galatians 1:6-9).

1. Who were the people to whom Paul wrote the Galatian

letter?

1) The people were mainly Gauls (French).

2) Concerning these people, Julius Caesar said, "The

infirmity of the Gauls is that they are fickle in their

resolves and fond of change, and not to be trusted."

3) Thierry said: “Frank, impetuous, impressible, eminently

intelligent, but at the same time extremely changeable,

inconsistent, fond of show, perpetually quarreling, the

fruit of excessive vanity."

2. The Galatians had accepted Paul and received his

instructions at first (Galatians 4:14-15).

3. After Paul’s departure, certain Judaizing teachers had

come to them and perverted or added to the teaching

Paul had done, requiring them to submit to circumcision.

4. In this passage, Paul says that these Galatians were

turning to another gospel which was not a gospel.

1) The Greek language has two distinct words for the

English word “another.”

2) One word means another of the same kind (allos);

the other word (heteros) means another of a

different kind.

3) Both of these Greek words are used in this passage.

4) Paul says that they were removing from the gospel

of Christ unto another gospel of a different kind,

which is NOT a gospel of the same kind.

5. This gospel the Galatians were turning to went beyond

(added to) what was required by God for salvation.

6. By accepting the teaching of the Judaizing teachers, the

Galatians evidently felt that the sword (gospel)

delivered by Paul was not dependable, that it was

inadequate, and susceptible to change.

7. Paul begins his letter to them by correcting that

misconception.

8. The gospel delivered by Paul was dependable, it

was adequate, and it was not susceptible to change--

Paul says that in accepting this false teaching they

had “fallen from grace” (Galatians 5:4).

9. Paul illustrates forcefully his meaning by saying

that even if Paul himself, or an angel from heaven

tried to change the gospel which they had received,

that the curse of God would rest upon them.

10. Paul wanted these Galatians once and for all to

get the message that the gospel he preached was

dependable and unchanging in its nature.

11. This passage destroys the idea that God is

still revealing Himself to man today through

anything other than the Bible.

II. GOD REVEALED HIMSELF THROUGH JESUS.

1. Read Hebrews 1:1-3.

2. This passage shows that God spoke to the

fathers by means of the prophets.

3. A contrast is shown between the revelation IN PART

through the prophets and the COMPLETE revelation

in Jesus.

4. Each prophet had only revealed a part of the truth.

5. The prophets uttered many prophecies which they

did not understand themselves.

1) 1 Peter 1:10-12.

2) Ephesians 3:1-6, Ephesians 3:10-11.

3) Romans 16:25-26.

6. Jesus was (is) truth (John 14:6) and He delivered the

whole truth to His apostles.

1) Luke 24:44-49.

2) John 16:13.

4) Acts 1:5-8.

7. The apostles then delivered the whole truth both

orally and in written form.

1) 2 Peter 3:14-18.

2) Hebrews 2:3-4

8. We know that the revelation given to the apostles of

Jesus was complete because Jesus Himself was God

in the flesh (John 1:1-3, John 1:14, John 1:17-18).

9. It was the times PAST in which God revealed Himself

through the prophets that His revelation was not

complete.

10. The contrast made in this passage between the partial

of the old covenant and the complete revelation, through

Jesus, of the new covenant, is very clear.

11. The “last days” of the passage began with the first

coming of Christ (Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 9:26) and will end with

His second coming (Matthew 13:39-43, Matthew 13:49; 2 Peter 3:1-4).

12. To summarize:

1) Revelation was completed in Jesus Christ.

2) The old covenant was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

3) The new covenant (the PRESENT covenant) was

begun by Jesus Christ in the first century.

4) The present system will end with Jesus’ second

coming.

5) The sword of the Spirit is complete and dependable

and fully capable of defending those who would use

it, and it will not change.

III. IT IS PERFECT (James 1:21-25).

1. In this passage are four references to God’s revealed

word...

1) “engrafted word.”

2) “doer of the word”

3) “hearer of the word”

4) “perfect law of liberty”

2. This implanted or engrafted word is able to save the

souls of men when the soil is suitable for the seed

(Luke 8:9-15).

3. However, in order to be saved we must continue to

look into the perfect law of liberty.

4. This perfect law of liberty is the gospel of Christ

(James 2:8 + Matthew 7:12).

5. The Greek word for PERFECT in this passage

means “fully accomplished or developed.”

6. If the gospel is complete and able to save the souls

of men, what need is there for any further

revelation?

7. We have no need for a new weapon to replace

the sword of the Spirit, our need is to use that

sword in the saving of lost souls and defending

the faith.

IV. IT IS THE MYSTERY REVEALED (Ephesians 3:1-6).

1. In this passage Paul mentions revelation specifically.

2. Paul had written down part of this revelation.

3. Paul was the one chosen to preach the gospel to

the Gentiles (Acts 9:15).

4. In verse 3 Paul refers to the mystery.

5. Jesus had revealed the mystery to Paul.

1) Acts 26:16-18.

2) Galatians 1:11-12.

6. The mystery was the fact that salvation through

obedience to the gospel was to be preached to

the Gentiles as well as the Jews (v. 6).

7. This mystery was the fact that salvation through

obedience to the gospel was to be preached to

the Gentiles as well as the Jews (v. 6).

8. Clearly it is the case that God’s plan of salvation

was to be open to ALL men.

9. An implication which can be drawn from this

passage (esp., v. 4) is that what was formerly only

partially revealed (a mystery), is now fully

revealed (not a mystery).

V. IT WAS ONCE FOR ALL DELIVERED (Jude 1:3).

1. This verse very clearly indicates that Jude had

intended to write this epistle to deal with the

“common salvation.” Evidently Jude had received

word that those to whom he was writing were

facing some false teachers. Jude therefore changes

the thrust of his message and very strongly urges

them to resist any change of THE faith which had

been delivered to them.

2. The Greek word for “earnestly contend” is a word

which appears only once in the New Testament,

that is in this passage.

3. The form of the word is the present tense of the

infinitive which indicates there is no end to the

contending.

4. The presence of the definite article (the) before

“faith,” in the Greek text indicates that Jude is

referring to the objective body of truth which

God has revealed to man.

5. The fact that the Greek word for “delivered” is

an aorist participle shows that “the faith” was

delivered in the PAST.

6. The rendering of the ASV and other versions is

more correct regarding “once for all” than is the

KJV “once.”

1) The Greek word is an adverb of time, meaning

“once, one time; emphatically ONCE and no

more, once for all, already...” (Robinson,

LEXICON OF THE NEW TESTAMENT).

2) Considering the context, along with other key

words and phrases in Jude 1:3, “once for all” is

the more accurate translation.

7. Jude 1:3 clearly shows that the revelation from God

to man HAS BEEN DELIVERED and is not

being delivered today.

8. We can depend on that word TODAY!

CONCLUSION:

1. By looking into these 5 passages, we have seen that

God’s revealed word makes certain claims for itself.

2. All claims made by men today which argue against

the Bible’s own claim for itself--that it is ALL

SUFFICIENT--are false claims!!!

To As Many As Received Him

(John 1:12)

By Ney Rieber

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have you ever read John 1:12 carefully? I wish you would read it again with me.

John 1:12, But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12 KJV.

As I was growing up, I was taught that in order to become a child of God, I must accept Jesus as my personal savior, and John 1:12 was one of the most commonly used passages used to prove the point. Because I loved the old man who was the preacher, I never questioned his assertions. If Reverend Lee said it, it had to be right. One Sunday, when I was about twelve years old, I determined that I was going to become a Child of God and responded to the invitation. Reverend Lee put his arm around me, gave me a fatherly hug, and with tears in his eyes, asked me if I accepted Jesus as my personal savior. Tearing up with him I responded, “Yes, I do.” Reverend Lee then told me, “Ney, because you have received Jesus into your heart, you are now a “Son of God.” He then told me that in about three weeks we were going to have a “baptizing” and asked me if I wanted to be baptized at that time, to which I responded that I did. I never questioned the teaching I had been given, until I began some serious Bible study some twelve years later. Let's examine John 1:12 carefully and see what it really teaches.

First, what does it mean to “receive him?” While many might give us a long theological explanation, the verse itself says simply, “even to them that believe on his name.” We can't argue with that. To “believe on the name of Jesus” is to “receive him.” That is not too complicated, and we do not need someone with Doctorate of Theology to explain it.

Second, what happens when someone “receives Jesus?” Again, read the text carefully. I was told that when I believed in Jesus I became a son of God. Is that what the verse says? Again, it is not too hard to understand. It says that when a person receives Jesus, they were given the “power to become” the sons of God. Please, in your mind emphasize the phrase “power to become.” There is a significant difference between having the power to do something and actually doing that thing.

Let me give you an illustration. In North Carolina, when a person turns sixteen, the state grants them the “power to become” licensed automobile drivers. Now just because they are sixteen, and have that power, does not automatically confer the privilege of driving upon them. There are certain conditions that must be met to realize that power.

1. They must take a "driver's education" course in high school.

2. They must pass the course.

3. They must pass the state written exam.

4. They must pass the state driving exam.

5. They must pay the state some cold hard cash for the privilege

of driving.

6. After all of this, it might seem ridiculous to observe that they

must also have a car to drive.

7. Then there is a probationary period during which they must have

a fully licensed driver in the front seat while they are

driving.

But when they turned sixteen, they had the “power to become” licensed drivers. When a person believes in Jesus, they have “the power to become” a son of God, but like the sixteen year old who wishes to become a licensed driver, there are some conditions that the one who has received Jesus must meet. He must exercise that power according to God's instructions in order to realize the potential of that power.

Matthew 10:32-33, Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. (KJV).

Romans 10:9-10, Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (KJV).

2 Peter 3:9, 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (KJV).

Hebrews 5:8-9, Hebrews 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (KJV).

Galatians 3:26-27, Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (KJV)

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Expository Files

Edited by Warren E. Berkley

and Jon W. Quinn

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\webpage{http://www.geocities.com/Athens/4051}/

\webpage{http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1681}/

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WORD STUDIES

BIBLE BELIEF

by Toby D. Miller

"He that BELIEVETH on the Son hath everlasting life: and he the

BELIEVETH NOT the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth

on him." (John 3:36)

In this verse, the English word "believeth" appears twice, yet each is

from a different Greek word with similar, but distinct definitions. The

King James translators did not make a distinction between these two

words in this verse and others, e.g. Hebrews 3:18, as did the translators of

the American Standard. An understanding of the difference in these two

words should make our teaching more precise and demanding.

Furthermore, the very fact that these two different words are used together

to form an "either/or" conclusion, a "life/death verdict, lays concrete

credence to the fact that if one does not obey, he is not a believer.

The first "believeth" is from the Greek word "pihs-too-oh," meaning

"to believe, give credit to, firm conviction, to believe in or on" (Analytical

Greek Lexicon, page 314; see also Arndt & Gingrich, pages 665 - 667).

"Believeth not" is translated from the Greek word "op-ay-theh-oh"

(from op-ay-thace) meaning, "one who will not be persuaded, disobedient,

to refuse conformity" (AGL, page 37; see also A & G, page 82). Rienecker

says in his "Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament," that this word

means "disobedience; disbelief is regarded in its activity." That is, because

of one's inactivity in regards to obeying the Gospel, one is counted an

"unbeliever."

Just about everyone these days will claim to be a believer, then point to

John 3:16 and claim to be saved. John 3:16 is not the only verse in the

Bible that speaks of salvation. When we "study to show ourselves

approved unto God...rightly dividing the word of truth" (2Timothy 2:15),

we learn that the Bible's definition of a believer is not the same as the

world's definition of a believer. The Bible's definition of a believer is one

whose conviction motivates him to obey. Certainly, if we are a believer

according to the Bible's definition, then we "shall not perish, but have

everlasting life."

Summary: One can throw his arms into the air, jump up and down,

and shout all day long that he is a believer, but the truth is, if he doesn't

OBEY, he is not a believer in the eyes of God. And, if one is not a

believer, he will die in his sins (John 8:24). There is no such thing as God-

pleasing faith (cf. Hebrews 11:6), without obedience. James speaks of

this in 2:17, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."

These are "works" of obedience.

from Electronic Gospel Herald, Vol 1, Issue 18-A, 30aug98.

Acts 9:32-43

THIS IS YOUR LIFE

Ralph Edwards used to host a television show called "This Is Your

Life". It was a testimonial given to surprised guests, who had their

lives reviewed, and were reunited with old friends and loved ones.

Our text here is a biography of two individuals. It is as if God is

saying, "This is your life!"

AENEAS, THIS IS YOUR LIFE Vss. 32-35

A life that is DIFFICULT Vs. 33

A life that became DIFFERENT Vs. 34

A life that DECLARES God's grace Vs. 35

DORCAS, THIS IS YOUR LIFE Vss. 36-42

A life that is FULL OF GOD'S GOODNESS. Vs. 36

A life that .is FASHIONED FOR GOD'S GLORY Vss. 37-41

A life that FURTHERS THE GOSPEL Vs. 42

Sermon Seeds, A49 Pastor Jack Peters.

1. More about Jesus would I know,

More of His grace to others show,

More of His saving fullness see,

More of His love who died for me.

Chorus

More, more about Jesus,

More, more about Jesus;

More of His saving fullness see,

More of His love who died for me.

2. More about Jesus let me learn,

More of His holy will discern;

Spirit of God, my teacher be,

Showing the things of Christ to me.

3. More about Jesus—in His Word

Holding communion with my Lord,

Hearing His voice in ev’ry line,

Making each faithful saying mine.

4. More about Jesus on His throne,

Riches in glory all His own,

More of His kingdom’s sure increase,

More of His coming, Prince of Peace.

*

My Source: DRL's Clippings

Author: Herbert W. Mitchell

========================================

THE BIBLE IS

by Herbert W. Mitchell

B... eautiful in Its Language (Psalms 23).

I... ncorruptible in its Nature (1 Peter 1:23).

B... lessed in its Bestowments (Psalms 32).

L... oving in its Message (John 3:16).

E... nlightening in its Guidance (Psalms 119:105).

I knew this guy who, several times a week, would suddenly make this announcement: “Attitude check!” That never meant much to me until I began to have some friends who are private pilots. Up to that point, the only pilot I knew was Pontius. But that word “attitude” can be a life-or-death word for a pilot. One of my friends described a plane's attitude to me as its position relative to the ground, to the horizon - or, as he says, your angle of attack. After decades of flying, including landing on aircraft carriers, he summarized the importance of a plane's attitude this way - “Right attitude, you keep flying. Wrong attitude, you stop flying.”

Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Your Attitude and your Altitude.”

Every pilot knows if your attitude is incorrect, there will be tragic results. Every person knows that - or at least we should. If your attitude is right, you can make it through almost anything. If your attitude is wrong, you're going to start losing altitude, tumbling, and eventually crashing. In life, we usually don't get to choose our circumstances, the kind of stuff we have to fly through. A lot of that is determined by forces or people beyond our control. But we can choose our attitude. And it will be our attitude, not our circumstances, that determine whether we stay up or go down.

Pilots tell me that when you're flying by your instruments - in those times when conditions won't let you fly visually - you adjust your attitude based on an instrument called your artificial horizon. It actually shows you where the real horizon is. But when you can't see any points of reference, your senses start playing tricks on you. One veteran pilot friend of mine said that even he has to sometimes fight his instincts and feelings that are telling him lies about whether he's going up or down. The only thing that's telling him the truth is his artificial horizon.

For us, the horizon is the Word of God. After the loss of the Shuttle Columbia and its crew, I heard an interview in which it was reported that Commander Rick Husband read a Scripture passage to his crew on the night before their launch. It's our word for today from the Word of God. Joshua 1, beginning with verse 7, says, “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 ... Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; 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.”

Every new day, we've got to set our attitude based on quality time in God's Book - not just where we read the Bible, but where we let the Bible read us. For me, that means setting my attitude on “horizons” like these: “Jesus is Lord” - over everything that's going to come up today. “Love covers a multitude of sins.” If I love people, I'll overlook their mistakes today, not record them. That's a right attitude for the day. Then, there's those Biblical words, “Whatever you do, do it with all your heart.” (Colossians 3:23) Whatever I have to do today, whether I particularly like it or not, do it with all my heart. When you're setting your attitude, set it on this, as well: “The battle is the Lord's” (2 Chronicles 20:14) - every battle you'll face today. And finally, “Fix your eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) - don't let anything or anyone distract you from Jesus as your focus.

Set your attitude by the “horizon” of God's unchanging Word - even when your feelings and your surroundings are screaming to go another way. If your attitude is right, you'll hold your course, fly steady as she goes, and complete your mission. So choose your attitude.

________________

Copyright © Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc., PO Box 400, Harrison, AR 72602. Used by permission. Written by Ron Hutchcraft. "Practical Answers to Real Life Issues"

*

[Original illustration at this number was a duplicate of HolwickID #15296]

Loran Bulla hated God when he was young. In high school he was a hard-headed atheist. He once ran into a lady in a church parking lot and taunted her, "How do you believe in a God you can't see? You must be nuts." In 1971 he enlisted in the Army and joined the Airborne. The morale in the Army was very low at that time and his own life reflected it. He was a smart alec and got into some serious trouble. He could see himself going down a path of destruction. He should have gone to jail but he "dodged the bullet."

In this time of personal upheaval he came across the album "Jesus Christ Superstar." He bought it. Although many Christians found it controversial, Loran found it depicted a Jesus that was different than the wimpy religious leader he had thought he was. He sheepishly asked a chaplain's assistant (whom he detested) for a Bible and received a soldier's Gideon New Testament.

A month later Loran decided he had to talk to God. One starry night he walked through the woods to a clearing. He fell to his knees and talked to God. "God, I've been reading about your son. I've been wrong. God, I don't want to be apart from you anymore." He knew in his heart he had been heard and he sensed God's presence and peace. His life began changing dramatically and today he himself is a chaplain in the Army. He credits the Word of God for his conversion.

Recently, 50 of America's leading citizens selected the Bible as the number one piece of literature.

America is great today because our forebearers believed in this Book, and established the foundation of our country upon its precepts. Most American presidents have been ardent students of the Bible.

The survival of our nation today, in this hour of world crisis, will be due to the faith of our citizenry in the Bible, and in the God of the Bible.

The best carpenter in the county was asked, "Which is your best tool?"

Instead of pointing to a costly power saw or drill, he picked up a simple square and said, "This is the best tool; it makes all the others work."

Let us not overlook our best tool; the simple gospel (Romans 1:16). In this verse, Paul gives four reasons why the gospel is our most effective weapon: First, it is power. The original word is similar to our word for dynamite.

Second, it is of God. Though Rome with her imperial power was great, the power of God was greater. However sincere the motive, any alteration or substitution of that power only weakens it.

Third, it is unto salvation. In addition to being a past event and a future hope, salvation is a present reality. It can turn hate into love, despair into hope, and defeat into triumph.

Fourth, it is for everyone. The saving power of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is for all!

1. Thy Word is lamp to my feet,

A light to my path alway,

To guide and to save me from sin

And show me the heav’nly way.

Chorus

Thy Word have I hid in my heart,

That I might not sin against Thee;

That I might not sin,

That I might not sin,

Thy Word have I hid in my heart.

2. Forever, O Lord is Thy Word,

Established and fixed on high;

Thy faithfulness unto all men

Abideth forever nigh.

3. At morning, at noon and at night

I ever will give Thee praise;

For Thou art my portion, O Lord,

And shall be through my days!

4. Through Him whom Thy Word hath foretold,

The Saviour and Morning Star,

Salvation and peace have been brought

To those who have strayed afar.

*

I Know The Author

Read: Psalm 119:97-104

I know whom I have believed. --2 Timothy 1:12

In his letter to Timothy, Paul did not say, "I know in whom I have believed," although this also was true. He did not say, "I know what I have believed," although this also was true. But Paul said, "I know whom I have believed" (2 Tim. 1:12).

Not only did Paul know something about Christ, but he also knew Him personally. Salvation is not merely a matter of knowing something but believing Someone.

Do you know Him? Then do you enjoy reading what He says? If you know the author of the Book, you will love His Book.

A young woman laid aside a certain book she was reading because she thought it was dull. Some time later she became engaged to be married. One evening she said to her fiancŽ, "I have a book written by a man with the same name as yours. Isn't that a coincidence!" The man replied, "That's not a coincidence. I wrote that book!"

That night she sat up until 3 o'clock in the morning reading the book she once found dull. It was now the most thrilling book she had ever read. She had fallen in love with the author.

Is the Bible a dull book to you? Then maybe you should meet the Author. --M. R. De Haan

Oh, Christ, He is the fountain,

The deep sweet well of love!

The streams on earth I've tasted,

More deep I'll drink above! --Cousin

To know Christ, the Living Word, is to love the Bible, the Written Word.

The Forgotten Book

Read: Psalm 119:129-136

I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your Word. --Psalm 119:16

A young boy noticed a large, dust-covered book on a high shelf in his home. His curiosity was aroused, so he asked his mother about it. Embarrassed, she hastily explained, "Oh, that's a Bible. That's God's Book." He thought for a moment and then said, "Well, Mom, if that's God's Book, why don't we give it back to Him? Nobody around here uses it."

In many homes the Bible is seldom opened. In fact, it's hardly noticed or even thought about. The only time it's read is when there's sickness or a death in the family. And other than the 23rd Psalm, it's unlikely that the person knows where to look for the help that's needed.

How long since you've picked up your Bible and studied it? Yes, it is God's Book--but He doesn't want it back. He wants you to keep it, to ponder it, to understand it, to believe it, and to obey its message.

That's the primary reason for this booklet, Our Daily Bread. Each devotional article is intended to help you understand God's Word, and it should be used for that purpose. Did you read today's Scripture? If not, why not do so right now? Don't let the Bible become the forgotten Book in your home. --RWD

O let me love my Bible more

And take a fresh delight,

By day to read these wonders o'er

And meditate by night. --Watts

If your Bible is in good shape,

you probably aren't.

BIBLE

(NO REVISIONS)

All speeches on the floor of Congress or in committee meetings become part of the Congressional Record. But you can't always be sure that what was originally spoken or decided will be in the Record. This is due to the exercise of one of the most rigidly guarded privileges of House and Senate members: the right to "revise and extend" their remarks. It was granted originally to allow minor technical corrections in bills and speeches. Congressmen now use it to delete erroneous statements and claims and to add to or subtract from bills that are passed.

The Bible's author wrote, and, having written His record, never changed a word. He is never embarrassed by an untimely remark; He never apologizes for anything He said. He never said anything in haste and, consequently, never has to repent in leisure. What is written stands written. We may teach all that God has revealed through Christ in His Word--nothing less and absolutely nothing more.

Speakers Sourcebook Of New Illustrations

Virgil Hurley, Word, p. 19.