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Wonderful Things In The Bible I See |
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Wonderful Things In The Bible I See |
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Robert Summer in his book, "The Wonders of the Word of God," tells about a man in Kansas City that was severely injured in an explosion. The victim's face was badly disfigured and he lost his eyesight as well as both hands. He was a Christian and one of his greatest disappointments was that he could no longer read the Bible. Then he heard about a lady in England who read Braille with her lips. Hoping to do the same, he sent for some books of the Bible in Braille. Much to his dismay, however, he discovered that the explosion had destroyed the nerve endings in his lips. One day, as he brought one of the Braille pages to his lips, his tongue happened to touch a few of the raised characters and he could feel them. Like a flash he thought, I can read the Bible using my tongue. At the time Robert Sumner wrote his book, the man had "read" through the entire Bible four times. George Mueller, after having read the Bible through one hundred times with increasing delight, made this statement: "I look upon it as a lost day when I have not had a good time over the Word of God." Many like the man in Kansas City and George Mueller have found that God's Word is a delightful book to read and study. Why? The songwriter said it well:
One of the joys of reading the Bible is the many wonderful things in the Bible we see. The Bible is a book of God's revelation of the many wonderful things God has for His children. An unknown writer has said, "This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand 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, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity. Yes, the Bible is indeed a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is a book in which there are many wonderful things to see. In the passage before us, we are reminded that God's revelation of truth, His Holy Word, the Bible, is a book that reveals the many wonderful things God has for His people. From our text, let's consider certain wonderful truths about God's Word. First, there is: 1. THE TESTIMONY OF GOD'S WORD! In verses 6-7, we see the testimony or certain characteristics of God's Word. First, we that: A. God's Word Is Distinctive Truth. We read in verse 6, "Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:" Paul speaks of the wisdom of this world (age) and the wisdom of the princes of this world. Paul is speaking of all the wisdom of the great thinkers of the ages. Also in verse 7 we read, "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:" Paul speaks of the wisdom of God. The conjunction "but" sets God's wisdom in contrast to all the wisdom of man. In verse 6 Paul states that the wisdom of the great thinkers of the ages often "come to nought." The wisdom of man is often "disapproved." Think of the early theories of medicine that have been disproved. I think of the day when the wise men of this world taught that the earth was flat. The wisdom of this world often comes to naught. But, the wisdom and truth of God is set in contrast to the wisdom of man. God's Word is eternal truth. It never comes to naught or is disproved. The Bible is distinct from the works of the wisdom of man. The Bible is in a category all of its own. It is the only book known to man that is without error, contradiction, flaw, or mistake. Often men have tried to discredit and disprove the Bible, but every attempt has failed. It is eternal truth. The Russian Dictionary defines the Bible as a "collection of fantastic legends without scientific support. It is full of dark hints, historical mistakes, and contradictions. It serves as a factor for gaining power and subjugating unknowing nations" Yet I remind you that the power, influence, and philosophies of Russia have wilted and crumbled with time, but the Bible has never waned in its power or influence. It is not of man but of God. ("The Tale of Tardy Oxcart" by Charles Swindoll) Will H. Houghton, former president of the Moody Bible Institute, wrote in his book "Let's Get Back to the Bible," "How well I remember the day, when sitting in my office with my Bible open before me, I looked up at the books surrounding me on the wall and said something like this: "Books, some of you have been my companions for many years…I value you for what you are and for what you have meant to me. As I look at you, ranged on the shelves, I think of each one of you as a bottle of pure spring water. Thirsty, I reach up to drink from your pages…" And then taking a Bible into his hand he continued, "But, books, this is more than a bottle of spring water! This is the spring itself, and you have anything of truth in your pages, that truth was first in embryo here!" The Bible is not only distinctive truth, but we also see that: B. God's Word Is Disclosed Truth. In verse 7 Paul speaks of the Word of God in the form of a mystery or hidden. The word "mystery" is based on an ancient word which conveyed the ideal of shutting the mouth. Its biblical usage refers to that which was hidden in the past and has now been revealed. It speaks of Divine truth that was unknown but now revealed. We read in verse 8 "Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." Paul gives an example of how certain truth was hidden or not comprehended. Those who crucified the Lord had no idea that they were crucifying the Savior of the world, or else they would not have done it. It was a truth they did not see or comprehend. Verse 7 tells us that God's Word existed before the world's creation. It was a Word that was progressively revealed in God's time and now revealed unto us. Paul is teaching us that God's Word has been disclosed. God has given us His Word. The Bible is the Word of God. It has been given to us progressively over centuries of time. Let me put emphasis on the words "has given." This book was given progressively and it has been given completely. There are not further words of revelation. God's Word is complete. This is the testimony of God's Word. It is a distinctive book and in a class all of its own. It is God's revealed truth given to man. Secondly, notice: 2. THE TREASURE OF GOD'S WORD! Paul also tells us that God's Word is a priceless treasure. The Bible is indeed a great treasure for it tells us of all God has given to us in His redemptive work for us in Christ Jesus. In this treasure we see: A. The Things God Has Prepared. Paul says in verse 9 "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." This is a verse that if often misused and misquoted. Rarely is it used correctly. Most of the time it is used to speak of heaven. Yet, the verse is not talking about things that we must wait until we get to heaven to enjoy. It is talking about things that God has prepared for his people that can be enjoyed and experienced now. Carefully notice verse 10, "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." We are told the Holy Spirit has revealed these things to us. What are these things that have been prepared for us. These prepared things are the things God's redemptive plan provides for every believer. Verse 9 tells us that the riches of God's redemptive plan are beyond human observation (eye hath not seen, nor ear heard) and beyond human contemplation (neither have entered into the heart of man). Paul also speaks of: B. The Things God Has Presented. We read in verse 12, "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." There are not only the things God has prepared for them that love Him, but the things He has freely given or presented to us. I think of what Paul said in Ephesians 1:3, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" We have been blessed with all blessings of the Spirit. These glorious blessings have been given to us by grace (freely given). It is in this sense that the Bible is a treasure. It is the book that teaches us and shows us what God has prepared and presented to His people to enjoy. It is a book that informs us of all that is ours to enjoy and experience. I think of the words that were found in Billy Sunday's Bible. "Twenty-nine years ago, with the Holy Spirit as my guide, I entered at the portico of Genesis, walked down the corridor of the Old Testament art galleries, where pictures of Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Isaac, Jacob, and Daniel hung on the wall. I passed into the music room of the Psalms where the Spirit sweeps the keyboard of nature until it seems that every reed and pipe in God's great organ responds to the harp of David, the sweet singer of Israel." "I entered into the chamber of Ecclesiastes, where the voice of the preacher is heard, and into the conservatory of Sharon and the lily of the valley where sweet spices filled and perfumed my life." "I entered into the business office of Proverbs and on into the observatory of the prophets where I saw telescopes of various sizes pointing off to far away events, concentrating on the Bright and Morning Star which was to rise above the moonlit hills of Judea for our salvation and redemption." "I entered into the audience room of the King of kings, catching a vision written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Thence into the correspondence room with Paul, Peter, James, and John writing their epistles." "I stepped into the throne room of Revelation where tower glittering peaks, where sits the King of Kings upon His throne of glory with the healing of nations in His hand, and I cried out:
This is a book that tells us all that is ours in Christ. It is for this reason, every believer ought to read and study the Bible on a daily basis. Barna Research Group found that only twelve percent of all American adults read the Bible every day of the week. He found that 52 percent do not read it at all. Another 33 percent read the Scriptures at least once during a typical week. More than one in four (26 percent) evangelicals read the Bible daily; another 50 percent read it weekly or more. But 22 percent of evangelicals report that they never read the Bible outside of church. (Barna Research Group, May 9, 1991. "To Verify," Leadership.) That is tragic when you realize that the Bible is the book that tells you what God has prepared and presented you. That is tragic when there is so much God wants you to know that He has given you to enjoy and experience. The third and final thing we see is: 3. THE TEACHER OF GOD'S WORD! Understanding the importance of the Bible, the means whereby God reveals what He wants us to enjoy and experience, then it is important to be able to understand the Bible. If we can not understand the Bible, then it stands to reason that we could never understand what God has prepared and presented. In verses 10-13, Paul tells us that God had provided a Teacher, the blessed Holy Spirit, to enable us to understand God's Word. We see: A. The Holy Spirit Is The Giver Of The Bible. Notice verse 10a, "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit..." Paul declares that it is through the Person of the Holy Spirit that God's Word was given. Here we have a statement concerning the inspiration of the Bible. We read in 2 Peter 1:21, "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." Also in II Timothy 3:16 we read, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God." The word "inspiration" means, "God breathed." The ideal is that God through the person of the Holy Spirit gave us the Bible. We must never forget that the Bible is not just another best seller or popular book. It is the Book of God. It is the Word of God. Secondly, we see: B. The Holy Spirit Is The Guide To The Bible. Notice verse 13, "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." There is not only the matter of inspiration, but also the matter of illumination. The Holy Spirit not only gave us the Bible, but is also the One to teach us the Bible. Again, notice verse 10, "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." The word "searcheth" does not carry the ideal of searching for information. The word means to penetrate. The Holy Spirit penetrates the deep things of God. He knows the deep things of God. We read in verse 11, "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." Nobody knows you any better than yourself. That is what Paul had in mind when he spoke of the spirit of man which is in him. I know myself better than anyone. Likewise, the Holy Spirit knows God better than anyone. Why? He is of God as declared in verse 12, "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God." Because He is so acquainted with God, He is the one qualified to teach us about God, Who has revealed Himself in His Word. Verse 12 also tells us that we have received the Spirit of God. He lives within us. He indwells us for many reasons and one of them is that He might help us to understand that which God has revealed in His Word. A lady once read a certain book and said it was one of the most boring books she had ever read. She fell in love with a man and learned that he was the author of the book. She read the book again and said it was one of the best she had ever read. What made the difference? She knew the author. If you know the author of the Bible, then you have the ability to understand the Bible. He is our Divine teacher and guide to the Bible. Someone once told me a wonderful story about Hyman Appleman. They were staying in the same motel. He went to visit Dr. Appleman in his room. When he walked into his room, Dr. Appleman was on his knees with his Bible before him. He would pray for a moment and ask God to help him to understand the Word. Then he would say something like, "Yes, I see. That's good," and then would write down what God had showed him. When I was in Bible School I took such courses as Hermeneutics, Principles of Bible Study and Biblical Interpretation, as well as courses in most of the books of the Bible. But may I say that one does not have to go to Bible School or Seminary to understand the Bible. If you are saved the Holy Spirit, Who is the teacher of the Bible, lives in you. You can learn and know the Bible. Some people's knowledge of the Bible is a tragedy. I think of the fellow who was preaching and said: "Once upon a time a man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among thieves and the thorns grew up and choked that man and he went on and he didn't have no money and he met the Queen of Sheba, and she gave that man - she gave that man, sir, a thousand talents of gold and silver and a hundred changes of raiment's. And when he was driving along under a big tree, his hair got caught in a limb and left him a hanging there. Yes, sir. And he hung there many days and many nights and the ravens brought him food to eat and water to drink. And one night while he was hanging there asleep, his wife, Delilah, come along and cut his hair off, and he dropped and fell on stony ground and it began to rain and it rained forty days and forty nights. And he hid himself in a cave. And the man went out into the highways and byways and compelled him to come in. He went on and come to Jerusalem and he seen Queen Jezebel sitting high up in the window and when she saw him she laughed and he said, "Throw her down out of there," and they threw her down. And he said, "Throw her down again," and they threw her down, seventy times seventy times and the fragments they picked up were twelve baskets full. Now whose wife will she be in the days of judgment?" It is obvious that the fellow knew his Bible but at the same time did not know his Bible. We must confess there is a lot of ignorance concerning the Bible. This ignorance is due to one of two things. Either one is unsaved and does not have the Teacher of the Bible living in them or they are not letting the Holy Spirit teach them. There is so much this Bible tells us. It tells us of the many wonderful things God has prepared and presented to the believer. For that reason, our prayer ought to be that of the Psalmist in Psalm 119:18, "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things from thy law." God's Word is a wonderful book. There are many wonderful things in the Bible to see. |
