Psalm What is the bible? 2. What can the bible do? 3. What we must do with the bible? I. What is the Bible?

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1 Psalm 119 Psalm 119: Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. 2Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. 3 They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways. 4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. 5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! 6 Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. 8 I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me. 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. 10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Martin Luther (diet worms April 18, 1521) Since then your majesty and your lordship seeks a simple answer, I will give it in this manner... Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the scriptures or by clear reason, for I do not trust either in the pope or in the councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves, I am bound by the scriptures I have often quoted and my conscience is captive to the word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen. 1. What is the bible? 2. What can the bible do? 3. What we must do with the bible? I. What is the Bible? John Welsey I want to know one thing the way to heaven. God himself has condescended to teach the way. He has written it down in a book. Oh, give me that book. At any price give me the book of God. I have it here is knowledge enough for me. In His presence I open, I read His book, for to this end to find the way to heaven. If someone asks me to surmise this book in one statement, I would have to say it is God s map to heaven. In this book, God says, there is only one path, one road and it s through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6). 1. The Word 2. The Law (25 times) 3. The Sayings 4. The Statutes 5. The Way 6. The Commandments 7. The Path 8. The Testimonies (23 times) 9. The Precepts 10. The Judgments Psalm 119:137

2 137 Righteous are you, O LORD, and your laws are right. Acts 2:42 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Matthew 5: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 2 Timothy 3:16 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 2 Peter 1:21 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. B. God s Word is Permanent (vs. 89) Psalm 119:89 89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Isaiah 40:8 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." B. God s Word is Permanent (vs. 89) C. God s Word is Proven (vs. 140) Psalm 119: Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. Psalm 119: The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy. B. God s Word is Permanent (vs. 89) C. God s Word is Proven (vs. 140) D. God s Word is Precious (vs. 103, 127) Psalm 119:103, How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 127 Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold, I. What is the Bible? II. What can the Bible do for us?

3 Psalm 119:1-3 1 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. 2Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. 3 They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways. Psalm 1:1-2 1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. B. This book will purify its readers. (vs. 9-11, 37) Psalm 119:9-11, 37 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. 10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Romans 12:2 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Psalm 119:34 34 Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Psalm 119: I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes. Dr. James Montgomery Boice Without a mental understanding of God s attributes worship becomes only an emotional binge in which we indulge our feelings. Apart from a right use of the mind, faith becomes only a feeling or, worse yet, wishful thinking. B. This book will purify its readers. (vs. 9-11, 37) C. This book will comfort its readers. (vs. 50, 52, 76) Psalm 119:50, 52, My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. 52 I remember your ancient laws, O LORD, and I find comfort in them. 76 May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. B. This book will purify its readers. (vs. 9-11, 37) C. This book will comfort its readers. (vs. 50, 52, 76) D. This book will counsel its readers. (vs. 24, 35, 105, 133) Psalm 119:24, 35, 105, Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors. 35 Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.

4 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. 133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. 2 Peter 1:19 19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Psalm 119: The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. I. What is the Bible? II. What can the Bible do for us? III. What Must We Do with the Bible? Psalm 119: 47-48, 97, 103, 113, 119, 127, 159, 163, for I delight in your commands because I love them. 48 I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees. 97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. 103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 113 I hate double-minded men, but I love your law. 119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross; therefore I love your statutes. 127 Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold, 159 See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your love. 163 I hate and abhor falsehood but I love your law. 165 Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. B. Study It (18, 26-27, 33-34, 64, 66, 73, , 171) Psalm 119: 18, 26-27, 33-34, 64, 66, 73, , Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. 26 I recounted my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees. 27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders. 33 Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. 34 Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. 64 The earth is filled with your love, O LORD; teach me your decrees. 66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands. 73 Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. 124 Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees. 125 I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes. 171 May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. Matthew 4:4 4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' " 1 Peter 2:2 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, Psalm 119:16 16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

5 B. Study It (vs. 18, 26-27, 33-34, 64, 66, 73, , 171) C. Obey It (vs. 4-5, 8) Psalm 119:4-5, 8 4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. 5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! 8 I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me. John 14:15 15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command. Luke 6:46 46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? B. Study It (vs. 18, 26-27, 33-34, 64, 66, 73, , 171) C. Obey It (vs. 4-5, 8) D. Memorize It (vs. 11) Psalm 119:11 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 1 Corinthians 13:4 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Ephesians 4:29 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. James 4:17 17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. B. Study It (vs. 18, 26-27, 33-34, 64, 66, 73, , 171) C. Obey It (vs. 4-5, 8) D. Memorize It (vs. 11) E. Proclaim It (vs. 13, 26) Psalm 119:13, With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. 26 I recounted my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees. Romans 1:16 16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. Romans 10:14 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

6 Psalm 119:16 16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.