It gives us all the information that we need regarding the existence of man. It tells us where and how man originated. It provides the purpose of man in this life. It tells us where all men are heading for our final destination. What is it?

It gives us all the information that we need regarding the existence of man. “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence.” - 2 Peter 1:3, ESV

It tells us where and how man originated. “…then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” - Genesis 2:7, ESV

It provides the purpose of man in this life. “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” - Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, ESV

It tells us where all men are heading for our final destination. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” - 2 Corinthians 5:10, ESV

Why God Gave Us the Bible Church of Christ at Medina March 15 th, 2015

The Bible is from God! Evil men would not have written it. Good men – uninspired men – could not have produced the Bible. The Bible must have come from God, and it claims it. –“For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21, 2011 NIV) –“I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11-12, 2011 NIV) –“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the faith and correcting error, for re-setting the direction of a man’s life and training him in good living. The Scriptures are the comprehensive equipment of the man of God, and fit him fully for all branches of his work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, J.B. Phillips Translation)

Why Did God give the Bible to us? 1.So that men may know they are lost… –Sin in the lives of men is a fact. Romans 3:23 James 4:17 –This sin causes us to be lost or separated from God. The Bible reveals this to us in plain language. Isaiah 59:1-2 –Without this knowledge, man would not have a true incentive to learn and then obey God. –“…since God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” (2 Thess. 1:6-8, ESV)

Why Did God give the Bible to us? 2.So men may know that God wants them to be saved… –“This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4, ESV) –God does not want men to perish away from His presence. (2 Peter 3:9) “Their punishment will be eternal exclusion from the radiance of the face of the Lord, and the glorious majesty of His power. But to those whom He has made holy His coming will mean splendour unimaginable. It will be a breath-taking wonder to all who believe – including you, for you have believed the message that we have given you.” (2 Thessalonians 1:9-10, J.B. Phillips Translation) –Therefore, God calls for men to repent (Acts 17:30) –His love and invitation is for all men. (John 3:16, Matthew 11:28-30, Revelation 22:17)

Why Did God give the Bible to us? 3.So men may know what God has done to save them. The Call of Abram Genesis 12:1-3

Why Did God give the Bible to us? 3.So men may know what God has done to save them. The Giving of the Law of Moses Exodus 20:1-17

Why Did God give the Bible to us? 1.So men may know what God has done to save them. The Message of the Prophets

Why Did God give the Bible to us? 3.So men may know what God has done to save them. Ministry of John the Baptist

Why Did God give the Bible to us? 3.So men may know what God has done to save them. Death of Christ

Why Did God give the Bible to us? 3.So men may know what God has done to save them. Burial of Christ

Why Did God give the Bible to us? 3.So men may know what God has done to save them. Resurrection of Christ

Why Did God give the Bible to us? 3.So men may know what God has done to save them. Ascension of Christ

Why Did God give the Bible to us? 3.So men may know what God has done to save them. Establishment of the Church

Why Did God give the Bible to us? 4.So men may know what God requires from them in order to be saved… –God alone has the right to forgive sins, and the Bible alone has the instructions God has given man to receive this forgiveness. –To reject the words of God means that one would be eternally lost. Acts 3:22-23: “Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.” (ESV) John 20:30-31: “…and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

Why Did God give the Bible to us? 4.So men may know what God requires from them in order to be saved… –God requires belief in His Son, Jesus Christ. (John 8:24) –God requires repentance from sins. (Acts 2:38, Matthew 18:3, etc.) –God requires confession of the precious name of Jesus. (Matthew 10:32-33) –God requires burial in the Lord in baptism. (Mark 16:16) –God requires a faithful, Christ-like life. (1 Peter 2:21)

Why Study the Bible? 1.It is a command of God. (2 Timothy 2:15, Colossians 3:16) 2.We need God’s guidance, because we cannot trust ourselves. (Jeremiah 10:23, Proverbs 14:12, Psalm 119:105, 119:130, 2 Peter 1:19) 3.Studying the Scriptures gives us hope, which anchors our souls. (Romans 15:4, Hebrews 6:19) 4.Studying helps us to identify false teachers. (1 John 4:1, 2 Corinthians 11:14-15) 5.Studying God’s Word is a feast for the soul that leads to spiritual maturity. (Matthew 4:4, 1 Peter 2:2, Hebrews 5:11-14) 6.Studying the Word of God helps us to understand what Jesus will use to judge us. (John 12:48, Rev. 20:12)

Conclusion God gave us the Bible for a number of reasons, but they are all for our good. Without God’s revelation, we would have no hope.