Not Just Talk 2 “Power of the Book”

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S.O.A.P. – “Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer”

How has the Bible recently impacted you?

King David writes to God: Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments. I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to your word. I haven’t turned away from your regulations, for you have taught me well. How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations. I have suffered much, O LORD; restore my life again as you promised. LORD, accept my offering of praise, and teach me your regulations. My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your instructions. The wicked have set their traps for me, but I will not turn from your commandments. Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight. I am determined to keep your decrees to the very end. Psalms 119:97–112 NLT

Sermon Insights:

The story of the Bible is how God worked in history to restore relationship with people like us.

Millions through the centuries and across ethnic lines tell how this book has changed their lives, revolutionized their thinking, and restored their relationships. When you read this book, it will convince you, convict you, change you, and compel you in a new direction. When applied to your life, it will transform you.

Consider your current difficulties—are you turning to God’s wisdom to illuminate your path?

What is an example of someone wrongly using Scripture?

What is an instruction from the Word of God that you need to follow today?

Lord, thank you for the privilege of receiving your Word in my language. Help me value your wisdom and give me the desire and power to do what pleases you!

Do you take bold risks or play it safe in life? Which is better?

Three Key Events of the Bible: 1) God longed for relationship with people like us. Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. Genesis 2:7 NLT

2) People like us broke the relationship. The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the LORD God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”

The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. Genesis 3:1-7 NLT

3) God moved to restore relationship with people like us. Then the LORD God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.” Then the LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live. And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:13–15 NLT

God is not needy. He is generous both in creating and relating. Is there an area of your life that needs healing so you can “let God in”? Consider talking honestly with someone you trust about a hurt, habit, or hangup and take the first step towards freedom.

Can you relate to taking something that isn’t yours, thinking it will bring you instant life only to find out it puts you on the path of guilt, shame, and remorse?

Lord, thank you for reaching through time to give us what we could not get for ourselves—forgiveness and a chance to live a new life with your power and grace. Thank you for Jesus!

What is your family known for?

Outline of the Bible-Part 1 of 3) A Savior is coming! (Old Testament)

The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:1–3 NLT

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. Isaiah 9:6–7 NLT

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all. Isaiah 53:4–6 NLT

Sermon Insights:

The story of the Bible is how God worked in history to restore relationship with people like us.

How has YOUR family been blessed through Jesus?

Human government is a sad and essential part of God’s plan for the broken human race. Those who invite Jesus to reign in their individual lives embrace Jesus’ “government and its peace will never end.” How does that cause you to live differently?

God laid your sins on Jesus so you could be forgiven and live a new life. What is your response today to that incredible truth?

Lord, thank you for working throughout history to bring us back to you. Thank you for sending Jesus and preparing forgiveness for me before I was even alive and became a sinner. I’m so grateful!

Who told you about Jesus?

Outline of the Bible-Part 2 of 3) The Savior has come! (New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John 1:1–14 NLT

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29 NLT

The world was (and is) full of ignorance towards Jesus—the Lamb of God, still full of unfailing love and faithfulness. Have you found that you mistrusted, misunderstood and disregarded Jesus? What about now?

Jesus, who already existed as God and with God, became human and made his home among us. Yet he showed his ultimate power not through control and force but through patient love and enduring service. Does that challenge your perception of God?

Lord, your kindness is hard to wrap my mind and heart around. Help me understand your nature and your love for me and humanity in a deeper way.

What do you personally imagine being the best thing about Heaven?

Outline of the Bible-Part 3 of 3) The Savior is coming back! (New Testament: Acts – Revelation)

This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.

This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world.

All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him—even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen! “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.” Revelation 1:1–8 NLT

John shared that those who read the book of Revelation would be blessed. Those who are being saved by Jesus long for his return. Time is always short for the Christian. How are you using the time you have left?

John encouraged all believers: “Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come” – how do these descriptions of Jesus encourage you even while the world continues to be uncertain and unfriendly to those who follow Jesus?

John said that Jesus “…has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever!” If you have given your life to Jesus, YOU are a “priest” – someone who helps people find God’s love and reconciliation! How should this impact how you love God and love people in your life?

Lord, thank you for promising to come back and for allowing me to be a priest of God! That is a humbling task. Use me to bring your love and light to the world!

Not Just Talk 2 “Power of the Book”

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