Proverbs 30:5-6
Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.
The Bible claims to be Flawless.
“Flawless” = Without Imperfection, Blemish or Defect.
1. Where the Bible came from:
Every book of the Bible was written by a Prophet, an Apostle, or someone with a Direct Link to one.
…built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets… Ephesians 2:20
2. How the Bible is Unique:
A. In Its Composition.
1. It was written over 1600 years.
2. By 40+ authors.
3. With different Backgrounds.
4. In 3 different languages, from 3 different continents.
5. With Unmistakable Continuity and Agreement from cover to cover.
B. In Its Circulation.
It’s the single most Published book in the history of the world.
C. In Its Translation.
It’s the single most Widely Translated book in the world.
D. In Its Durability.
1. It has survived Bans, Burnings, Ridicule, and Criticism.
2. Emperors and Kings have tried to eradicate it.
John 16:33
"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
7 Truths:
1. We need to Remember this is Not Heaven.
2. God is not the Creator of Evil and Suffering.
3. Though Suffering is Not good, God Can and Does use it to Accomplish good.
a. God can use Pain to Draw people to Himself.
b. God can use Trials to Sharpen the Character of His children.
c. God sometimes Disciplines His children to Teach them the Right Path to take.
d. God uses Bad Circumstances to bring about Good Ends.
4. The day is coming when Suffering will Cease and Evil will be Judged.
5. Any suffering we Experience in this life Pales in comparison with the Good God has in Store for His Followers.
6. You and I Decide whether our Pain in this world is going to Harden us or Soften us.
7. God Promises to Walk with us in our Pain and Suffering, if we Will let Him.
John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
The World’s Top 10 Religions:
#10 = Juche. (“Self-Reliance”). Followers = 19 million. Founder = Kim Il Sung, 1950’s
#9 = Sikhism. Followers = 23 million, chiefly in Punjab, India. Founder = Guru Nanak, 1469. View of God = Monotheism. Means to God = The Five “K’s”: 1. Kesa (“long hair”) 2. Kangha (“comb”) 3. Kacha (“short pants”) 4. Kachu (“metal bracelet”) 5. Kirpan (“weapon”)
#8 = African Tradition Religion. Followers = 95 million, in Africa. View of God = Animism/Polytheism. Means to God = Sacrifices.
#7 = Primal-Indigenous. Followers = 300 million, including shamans (Siberia) and pagans, (in Asia and India) and smaller, pre-literate tribal belief systems. Views = Similar to #8.
#6 = Buddhism. Followers = 376 million. Founder = Siddharta Gautama (563-483 BC). View of God = Not Stressed. Means to God = The Four Noble truths.
#5 = Chinese Traditional Religion. Followers = 394 million (mostly in China). Founders = Lao-Tse (604-531 BC) and Confucius (551-479 BC). View of God = No Particular Deity/Impersonal Force. (though Lao-Tse did become venerated generations later). Means to God = Not Stressed, more Ethical system.
#4 = Hinduism. Followers = 900 million. Founded 1800 – 1000 B.C. View of God = Pantheism. Means to God = The Transmigration of Souls/Reincarnation. View of Afterlife = Nirvana (“blown away”)
#3 = Secularism/Nonreligious/Agnostics/Atheists. Followers = 1.1 billion (nonreligious Westerns, agnostics and atheists in current and formerly-communist countries)
#2 = Islam. Followers = 1.3 billion. Founder = Mohammed. View of God = Monotheism. Means to God = The Five Pillars. 1. Shahada (“declaration of faith”) 2. Salat (“prayer 5 times a day”) 3. Zakat (“giving to the poor”). 4. Sawm (“fasting during Ramadan”). 5. Hajj (“pilgrimage to Mecca”). View of Afterlife = Paradise.
#1 = Christianity. Followers = 2 billion. Founder = Jesus Christ. View of God = Monotheism. Means to God = Atonement/Substitution. View of Afterlife = Heaven.
Psalm 19:1-2
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
Everyone wonders about God from Time to Time.
It’s the Nature of Faith.
Pointers to God’s Existence:
1. The Existence of “Stuff”.
The Universe is Real. Where did it come from? Cause and Effect.
…the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1
2. The Nature of “Stuff.”
From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature. Romans 1:20 (NLT)
3. My Sense of Right and Wrong.
Even when Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, instinctively follow what the law says, they show that in their hearts they know right from wrong. They demonstrate that God’s law is written within them, for their own consciences either accuse them or tell them they are doing what it right. Romans 2:14-15 (NLT)