Psalm 138:2
I.
Introduction
A.
This
lesson will introduce you to the great truth of the absolute authority and power
of the Bible!
B.
The
Foundation is most important
1.
Example
of House near coast during storm
2.
What is
the foundation a church is built upon?
a.
The word
of God
b.
A
spiritual leader
c.
The Holy
Spirit
d.
Jesus
Christ – which Jesus? The one in the Bible!
C.
Why God
Needs the Bible
1.
Example
of an adult playing hide-and-go-seek – would usually do better than their
kids, so they have to “sneeze” or “cough” to give them hints of where
they are
2.
Same with
God – sin has driven a wide gap between us and God
3.
He gave
us His word, the Bible to reveal all about Himself
4.
With it,
and with it ALONE, we can know the truth about
a.
Heaven,
hell
b.
Sin, and
forgiveness
c.
Eternity
d.
God –
whether He is Allah or Jehovah!
D.
Baptists
have always held the Bible above Pope, Prince, and Preacher
E.
Let’s
look at why
II.
Lesson - Biblical Authority (1Cor 1:10)
A.
The Authority Established by God (Psalm 138:2) – His Own Words
1.
According
to Jesus (Mt 4:4; Lk 24:25-27; 32, 38-47; John 17:17)
2.
According
to the Bible itself (Psalm 119:160)
B.
The Authority of a Church therefore is:
1.
Not in
apostles (Acts 17:1,2,11)
2.
Not in
experience (1Cor 1:17-23)
3.
Not in
its leaders
4.
It is
ONLY in the words of almighty God (2Tim 4:1,2)
C.
What Other Authorities Does The Bible Say Exist?
(Rom 13)
1.
Your
parents
2.
The
government – Garda, TD’s, councillors
3.
Pastors,
Sunday School teachers
D.
What Do Baptists Do When Authorities Conflict
(Acts 4:18,19)?
1.
We Stay
by the Bible
a.
Won’t
call a religious man “father”
b.
We
don’t waste time trying to pray to Mary
c.
We dump
idols and religious statues – dump them
d.
We love
each other – even when it is hard to – because God says to
e.
We go out
and tell a lost world how to get saved!
f.
And if it
costs us our lives to obey this Book, so be it!
2.
We do
what the Bible says over and above what the world says:
a.
Preach
about heaven – not nirvana
b.
Preach
about hell – not the grave, or a state of mind
c.
Preach
what is right to do and what is wrong to do - wickedness
d.
Train up
our kids to be like Jesus, not Madonna
e.
We aim to
get hot, and stay hot – avoid lukewarmness!
E.
If You Have A Church That Has As Their Authority The Bible, The
Following Will Be True:
1.
Every
person in that church will have their OWN Bible
2.
Every
person will be taught to BELIEVE their Bible
3.
Every
person will be trained to identify religious hustlers, and reject them
4.
Every
person will search their Scriptures and study them every day
5.
The
Pastor has to stay on his toes to make sure what he preaches and teaches always
matches what the Bible clearly and plainly says!
F.
If You Find A Church Like THAT, You Have An Old Time Baptist-Kind Of
Church
III.
Conclusion – Next Week, the Autonomy of the Local Church