The Bible consists of 66 books and letters written by 40+ different authors (farmers, fishermen, tent-makers, shepherds etc). Because of this many believe that it is old and outdated; mythical; morally disconnected; contradictory and inconsistent; culturally specific even though it spanned political, cultural and economic climates. It took over 1500 years time span to write and was penned in 21 countries on three different continents.
What is culture: It is the way a community of people think and subsequently act. It underpins their standards of what is acceptable.
The key here is what people “think”
Satan Still the Same
2 Corinthians 2:11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Revelation 12:9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
1 John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
The Bible describes our ongoing spiritual fight in this way:
Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
We have to first realize that this is a battle of the mind – for how and what we think. Satan and his demons are hard at work for control of our mind – exerting the influence that we allow them to have in the moral decisions that we make
2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
2 Corinthians 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness….
Lies and Deception he is a liar and the father of it John 8:44
The devil does this because of his salacious appetite for your eternal life
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
For the most part the world at large is losing this battle because
CITE: 2 Corinthians 4:4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe
Because of this
Mankind still the same at its core
we may know more in aggregate but sometimes I wonder just how much more we do know individually and how significant that is
But here is the crux of the matter
we still act the same
problems the same just different name
Addictions: sex drugs alcohol
addictive drugs from way back: opium 2400 yrs ago mushrooms 4000 yrs ago today: meth; video gaming
influences still the same
still needs God’s word – now more than ever
human needs have not changed
interpersonal conflict, financial woes, family problems
still dealing with most of the same exact issues – these are the troubles that the Bible addresses
Instruction manual
God breathed
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
2 Timothy 3:17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
1 Peter 1:24 because “ALL FLESH IS AS GRASS, AND ALL THE GLORY OF MAN AS THE FLOWER OF THE GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND ITS FLOWER FALLS AWAY,
1 Peter 1:25 BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
Matthew 5:18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
We are to continue on this path of displacing who we were with who we are to become. We are transitioning from being the way that Satan always is and has been to what God is and always has been.
God the Same
Hebrews 13:7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.
Malachi 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.
Malachi 3:7 Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from My ordinances And have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” Says the LORD of hosts. “But you said, ‘In what way shall we return?’
That’s why the Bible is still relevant
God is not going to change – He has not and will not
Old does not mean outdated or obsolete
Truth is the truth
Spiritual laws do not change
There are values that are timeless; God has written them down for us
Wisdom of God’s Word
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:19 For it is written: “I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND BRING TO NOTHING THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE PRUDENT.”
1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
1 Corinthians 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
1 Corinthians 1:22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
1 Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,
1 Corinthians 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1 Corinthians 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1 Corinthians 1:26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
1 Corinthians 1:27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
1 Corinthians 1:28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,
1 Corinthians 1:29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.
1 Corinthians 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—
1 Corinthians 1:31 that, as it is written, “HE WHO GLORIES, LET HIM GLORY IN THE LORD.”
Isaiah 40:13 Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has taught Him?
Isaiah 40:14 With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, And taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, And showed Him the way of understanding?
Isaiah 40:21 Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
Isaiah 40:27 Why do you say, O Jacob, And speak, O Israel: “My way is hidden from the LORD, And my just claim is passed over by my God”?
Isaiah 40:28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.
Now more than ever it is important to know God and His ways – His nature as defined by the way He wants us to act
A way of life that works
Proof is in the pudding
Mankind has been trying every form of government and every type of philosophy APART from God for millennia — what has been the result? It has not been what most have wanted and sought — Peace! (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25)
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death”
God wants us to live a happy, healthy, and full life. His way has been proven time and time again that it is the only way that works when followed. (John 10:10; Matthew 4:4)
We can do what is right in our own eyes or trust that God, when He created us, knew what He was doing and knew what we needed.
Most do not know what is in the Bible – this is the greatest contributing factor to the worlds’ woes
Deuteronomy 30:14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.
Deuteronomy 30:15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil,
Deuteronomy 30:16 in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess.
Psalms 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.
Deuteronomy 30:17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them,
Deuteronomy 30:18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess.
Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;
Deuteronomy 30:20 that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”
Look at the way that people act when trying to live by the Bible
No body minds living next to someone that is not going to kill them or steal from them.
Doing what is right in our own eyes
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
The Bible instructs, corrects, encourages, directs – those who have an ear to hear – this is the difference – this is why most of mankind does not change – but those who answer the Call have an obligation to change – we are to become like God.
2 Peter 1:3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
2 Peter 1:4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
If we heed our call and have an ear to hear we will do the following and more
2 Peter 1:5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
2 Peter 1:6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
2 Peter 1:7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
2 Peter 1:8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
When we start reading and living by this instruction manual
2 Peter 1:9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
This is the blindness that we have been talking about
2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
2 Peter 1:11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
1/3 Christian Living 1/3 History 1/3 Prophecy
In terms of Values
If the Bible is truly the word of God, then applying it in our life should prove advantageous and constructive.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.
In terms of History
Bible is nearly ½ and ½ as some put it positive and negative; success and failure; coming up short and knocking it out of the park. Not really an accurate
We can learn from the struggles of the Church in biblical times so we don’t have to make the same mistakes today.
In terms of Prophecy
Whats going to happen good and bad and how to be a part of it or avoid it
proof of god
Is 53 Mt 24
Isaiah 40:11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.
Isaiah 40:12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, Measured heaven with a span And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales And the hills in a balance?
Isaiah 40:13 Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has taught Him?
Isaiah 40:14 With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, And taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, And showed Him the way of understanding?
Isaiah 40:15 Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, And are counted as the small dust on the scales; Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing.
Isaiah 40:16 And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, Nor its beasts sufficient for a burnt offering.
Isaiah 40:17 All nations before Him are as nothing, And they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless.
Isaiah 40:18 To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to Him?
Isaiah 2:2 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it.
Isaiah 2:3 Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Isaiah 2:4 He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore.
Revelation 22:6 Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.
Revelation 22:7 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
These times predicted
Cultural / Technological / Societal changes
The world’s technological capacity to store information grew from 2.6 (optimally compressed) exabytes (EB) in 1986 to 15.8 EB in 1993; over 54.5 EB in 2000; and to 295 (optimally compressed) EB in 2007.[10][11] This is the informational equivalent to less than one 730-megabyte (MB) CD-ROM per person in 1986 (539 MB per person); roughly four CD-ROM per person in 1993; twelve CD-ROM per person in the year 2000; and almost sixty-one CD-ROM per person in 2007.[12] It is estimated that the world’s capacity to store information has reached 5 zettabytes in 2014,[13] the informational equivalent of 4,500 stacks of printed books from the earth to the sun.
The amount of digital data stored appears to be growing approximately exponentially,
This time was predicted
Daniel 12:4 “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
2 Timothy 3:1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
2 Timothy 3:2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2 Timothy 3:3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
2 Timothy 3:4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
2 Timothy 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
2 Timothy 3:6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,
2 Timothy 3:7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith;
2 Timothy 3:9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.
Matthew 24:21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Matthew 24:22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.
More Relevant Now
As time goes on more is revealed, so in a sense it is even more relevant today than it has been in the past.
Matthew 13:16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear;
Matthew 13:17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
1 Peter 1:10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,
1 Peter 1:11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.
1 Peter 1:12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.
Daniel 8:26 “And the vision of the evenings and mornings Which was told is true; Therefore seal up the vision, For it refers to many days in the future.“
Daniel 12:4 “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
conclusion
So yes it in todays world of every increasing problems where people do not see solutions… there could not be a time when the Bible is more relevant than it is today!
End:
9 Planets in the solar system example any more than the laws of physics have changed for the last 6000 years
Ad hominem attack – Bronze and Iron age slave trading goat herders; Christians are not good people; repetition of same old tired arguments that reveal that they have not read the book, much less studied it
Misuse of the Bible; making merchandise of the brethren
t tells us how to treat others, even those who mistreat us. It also tells us how all nations can, and some day will, get along with each other. All this wisdom is based on the simple but profound principle of love
What do you do when you’re faced with an interpersonal conflict? (See Matthew 5:23-24; 18:15-17.)
How should you treat the most important relationships in your life? (See Ephesians 5:22-33; 6:1-4.)
How can you put your foot down on an issue and still show compassion? (See Luke 17:3; Proverbs 10:12.)
It also deals with character traits worth developing (1 Corinthians 13:4-8; 2 Peter 1:5-8), habits worth avoiding (Proverbs 6:9-19), friends worth having (Proverbs 27:17; Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) and maybe a thousand other things essential to getting the most out of this life—and the next. Study its words for a lifetime, and you won’t stop uncovering wisdom until your final breath.
Dadlessness: Forty percent of American young people live in homes without their father. God says we can come to Him—He is a Father to the fatherless (Psalms 68:5) and He encourages the Church to be a supportive family to the fatherless and widows (James 1:27).
Peer pressure: In a recent poll on the drug habits of British young people, 22 percent said they tried drugs because of peer pressure (www.teachernet.gov.uk). The Bible has advice about choosing friends carefully, the effects of controlled substances and not following the mistakes of others (Proverbs 4:14-15; 12:26; 14:7; 20:1; 23:20-21, 29-35; 27:12).
Sex: The vast majority of teenagers who have had sex, 72 percent of girls and 55 percent of boys, admit regret over early sexual activity. The Bible teaches the blessings of saving sex for marriage and warns of the allure of illicit sex (Song Of Solomon 2:7; Proverbs 4:23; 5:3-23; 6:24-35; Hebrews 13:4).
Big decisions: Facing choices of college and career? How can you achieve success? Consider these verses: Proverbs 3:5-6; 15:22; 18:17; 21:5; 22:29.
Stress: One third of U.S. teens say they feel stressed out on a daily basis, reports Reuters Health. What can you do when the worries and pressures are mounting? Check out Matthew 6:25-34, 11:28-30, Hebrews 13:5-6 and 1 Peter 5:6-7.
LOVE OF PEACE
“Happy are the peacemakers, since they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9) “If possible, as far as it depends on you, be peaceable with all men.”—Romans 12:18.
MERCY, FORGIVENESS
“Happy are the merciful, since they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7) “Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely even if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Just as Jehovah * freely forgave you, you must also do the same.”—Colossians 3:13.
RACIAL HARMONY
God “made out of one man every nation of men to dwell on the entire surface of the earth.” (Acts 17:26) “God is not partial, but in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”—Acts 10:34, 35.
RESPECT FOR THE EARTH
“Jehovah God took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and to take care of it.” (Genesis 2:15) God will “bring to ruin those ruining the earth.”—Revelation 11:18.
HATRED OF GREED AND IMMORALITY
“Guard against every sort of greed, because even when a person has an abundance, his life does not result from the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15) “Let sexual immorality and every sort of uncleanness or greediness not even be mentioned among you, just as is proper for holy people.”—Ephesians 5:3.
HONESTY, HARD WORK
“We wish to conduct ourselves honestly in all things.” (Hebrews 13:18) “Let the one who steals steal no more; rather, let him do hard work.”—Ephesians 4:28.
THE IMPORTANCE OF HELPING THOSE IN NEED
“Speak consolingly to those who are depressed, support the weak, be patient toward all.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14) “Look after orphans and widows in their tribulation.”—James 1:27.
Are these outdated principles? The Bible, in practical ways, teaches us to value such principles and to apply them in our lives. If more people applied these teachings would they not help with mankind’s worst problems? The Bible’s principles are relevant right now and always?
Merciful Works: feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, heal the sick, visit the prisoner, clothe the naked, welcome the wanderer/stranger/immigrant, grieve with those in mourning
death, financial woes, poverty and various struggles with sin
Natural World
Hesitant to put this one in but there are still physical principles in the Bible that are very helpful to know that were way ahead of their time
Germs
Stars of the Sky
Answers big questions
Nobel Prize winning physicist can’t answer
meaning of life stuff