The Bible
The Bible remains a timeless and essential book for all ages, providing hope, comfort, and guidance for living a virtuous life.
D.L. Moody passionately defends the Bible against modern skepticism, arguing that no other book can replace its value and truth. He emphasizes the Bible's role in providing hope, especially in the face of death, and criticizes the notion that society has outgrown its teachings. Moody draws parallels between the Bible and the sun, asserting that just as we would not forsake sunlight for artificial light, we should not abandon the Bible for contemporary ideologies. He highlights the historical consequences of nations that have disregarded the Bible, contrasting the prosperity of England with the decline of France. Ultimately, he calls for a return to the 'good old way' of faith rooted in Scripture.
Text
People say this Bible was good enough for ancient days, but we have men of culture, of science, of literature now, and its value has decreased to the people of our day. Now, give me a better book, and I will throw it away. Has the world ever offered us a better book? These men want us to give up the Bible. What are you going to give us in its place? O, how cruel infidelity is to tell us to give up all the hope we have, to throw away the only book which tells the story of the resurrection.
They try to tell us that it is all a fiction, so that when we lay our loved ones in the grave we bid them farewell for time and eternity. Away with this terrible doctrine! The Bible of our fathers and mothers is true, and the good old way is true. When man comes and tries to draw us from the old to the new way, it is the work of the devil. But men say we have outgrown this way. Why don't men outgrow the light of the sun? They shouldn't let the light of the sun come into their buildings; should have gas; the sun is old, and gas is a new light.
There is just as much sense in this as to take away the Bible. How much we owe the blessed Bible! Why, I don't think human life would be safe if it wasn't for it. Look at the history of the nations where the Bible has been trampled under foot. Only a few years ago France and England were pretty nearly equal. England threw the Bible open to the world, and France tried to trample it. Now, the English language is spoken around the world, and its prosperity has increased, while it stands foremost among the nations. But look at France. It has gone down and down with anarchy and revolution. Let us not forsake the old way.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Bible's Value
- A. A timeless book for all ages
- B. A source of hope and comfort
- C. A guide for living a virtuous life
- II. The Bible's Relevance
- A. A book that speaks to the heart
- B. A source of wisdom and knowledge
- C. A book that has stood the test of time
- III. The Consequences of Forsaking the Bible
- A. A path of destruction and chaos
- B. A loss of hope and guidance
- C. A decline in moral values
Key Quotes
“Give me a better book, and I will throw it away.” — D.L. Moody
“How much we owe the blessed Bible!” — D.L. Moody
“Let us not forsake the old way.” — D.L. Moody
Application Points
- We must not forsake the Bible, but instead, uphold its teachings and values in our lives.
- The Bible is essential for human life, and its value has not decreased in modern times.
- Countries that reject the Bible often decline, while those that uphold it tend to experience greater prosperity and success.