How to Read the Bible, Part 1: Reading Between the Lines

Victory Fellowship Church Podcast

What's so special about the Bible? In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally shares key things that set the Bible apart

What is the Bible?

1. Practically speaking, the Bible is a collection of 66 books by 40 authors written on three continents, in three languages over 1,500 years.

2. Spiritually speaking, The Bible is the written word of God.

Jesus: the living word of God. Holy Spirit: the spoken word of God.

Bible: the written word of God.

The written word exists to lead us to the Living Word.

John 5:39 "You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!"

Ultimately, the goal of the written word is to get to know the author.

If you read the Bible and it doesn't bring you closer to Jesus, you did it wrong.

How did the Bible as we know it come into existence?

The existence of the Bible is a miracle, but it didn't just fall out of the sky.

Three major things happened:

1. The Holy Spirit breathed on the authors and inspired their writings.

2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives."

It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

2. Early church leaders compiled the list of possible books into one library of books.

3. The Bible was translated into English.

What's in the Bible?

The Bible contains story of God's pursuit of humanity.

1 John 4:14

The Bible is not magic.

It has to be understood and applied.

James 1:22 "But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves."

Why should we read the Bible?

1. It's powerful.

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires."

When you read the Bible, the Bible reads you. It exposes your heart so you can be changed for the better.

2. It protects us from error.

Galatians 1:9 "I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed."

3. It's precious.

Romans 15:4 "Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled."

Imagine if your distant relative passed away and left you a treasure map. What would you do with it? The Bible is the treasure map, Jesus is the treasure.

Are you reading the bible?

Are you using the treasure map?