THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE

INTRODUCTION: The Bible is the book of our knowledge of God. It is the textbook of divine truth, the guide to everlasting life Jn 17:3, Jn 5:24. The Bible contains 66 chapters divided into two main sections.
The Old Testament with 39 chapters and the New Testament 27 chapters. The Bible was written by 36-40 authors over a period of 1600 years. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew with some parts in Daniel and Ezra written in Aramaic. The New Testament was written in Greek. May God give us deeper revelation into His Word in Jesus name.
1.WRITTEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD
*The writing of the Holy Bible was supernaturally controlled by God. The Bible is “Theopneustos”
(God-breathed) 2 Tim.3:16.
*A strong conscious inbreathing of God into men. Holy men of God were overshadowed by the Holy Spirit and wrote at His command, thus they were kept from all error as they recorded things known or unknown to them. 2 Pet 1:21, 2 Sam 23:2, 1 Cor. 2:13, 2 Pet. 3:2
2.WONDERS OF THE BIBLE
*The wonder of its formation; one book written in one place in one language, another book written in another country centuries later in another language.
*The wonder of its age; it is the most ancient of all books. John 1:1-3, Isa 40:8, Matt 24:35
*The wonder of its language; written by largely uneducated men, yet it is a literary masterpiece.
*The wonder of its preservation; it has been most hated of all books. Kings and governments have sought to burn and abolish it. Yet God has preserved it for us and generations to come. John 6:63
3.SYMBOLS USED TO ILLUSTRATE THE WORD OF GOD
*A sword: The Bible is a pointed Word that convicts the hearer Heb. 4:12.
*A Hammer: The Bible is powerful and breaks the resistance of the hearer. Jer. 23:29
*A Seed: The Bible is a living Word regenerating the hearer.
*A Mirror: The Bible is a faithful Word, revealing the individual to himself
Jam. 1:23-25, 2 Cor 13:5.
*A Fire: The Bible is burning Word, consuming the dross in the hearer
Jer. 23:29, 20:9, Hosea 6:5, Jer 5:14.
*Food: The Bible is nourishing food, feeding the soul 1 Pet. 2:2, Heb. 5:12-14, Rom. 10:17.

4.HOW CHRISTIANS SHOULD TREAT THE BIBLE
*Read it lovingly. The Bible is the Word of the Savior to us - Psa. 119:47-48,127,140
*Read it reverently: The Bible is the Word of God, the Almighty Savior and judge.
John 1:1-3, John 12:48
*Read it prayerfully: The Bible is God’s message to our lives. 1 Cor 2:10-13
*Read it meditatively: Be like the men of God of old and meditate in the Word of God.
Psalms 119:97, Josh 1:8
*Read it systematically: Read through the Bible not just selected portions.
*Read it RESOLUTELY. I will obey that which my Father teaches me from His Book.
Josh 1:8, James 1:22, Luke 6:46
*Read it daily: Not just on Sundays but every day of your life read a portion Josh 1:8
CONCLUSION: Make the Bible your constant guide and companion in life. Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you understand the sacred pages. The Word of God, if neglected, will be our judge on the last day John 12:48. May the Holy Spirit give us His wisdom, knowledge and understanding as we search His Scriptures in Jesus name.