So what do you say to the person who says, "I don't believe in the Bible?" The coaches in training have recently watched the following video, but for any newcomers, it's vital that you be able to know why you believe in the Bible, even if the skeptic refuses to bow his knees to the Truth. So please watch the following video and take notes to share something you gleaned. If you've already watched it, and remember how to stand up well for the Scriptures, then you can skip it and just read the material below it. (Who are you seeking to enrich and enlist? Perhaps share this video with him.)
Here's a simple way to prove the trustworthiness of the Bible. It's based on our Lord's resurrection.
-Jesus taught that the Scriptures were trustworthy and that they predicted His crucifixion and resurrection (Remember Ps.22; Is.53 clearly prophesied it).
-Since He was crucified and rose again according to the Scriptures, He is trustworthy and so are the Scriptures.
See how everything hangs on the Scriptures and the One who hung on the cross for our sins and then rose again?! "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures" Christ was "raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures" 1 Cor.15:3,4. The Scriptures predicted Christ's death and resurrection, and our resurrected Christ proved the Scriptures true. So if someone wants to dismiss the Bible, then they have to disprove the resurrection of Christ. You've seen that's impossible to do. You can also pass on videos we've watched that clearly set forth the evidence for the resurrection of Christ. You can also tell them all they have to do is explain away the OT prophecies, Jesus predictions, His empty tomb, the more than 500 eye witnesses including those that touched him and ate with him, the transformed lives of the once fearful disciples, the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, the miracles that he and the apostles performed, the explosion of the early church and your own transformation. I'd say you are an armed and dangerous warrior, not to be trifled with.
-Jesus taught that the Scriptures were trustworthy and that they predicted His crucifixion and resurrection (Remember Ps.22; Is.53 clearly prophesied it).
-Since He was crucified and rose again according to the Scriptures, He is trustworthy and so are the Scriptures.
See how everything hangs on the Scriptures and the One who hung on the cross for our sins and then rose again?! "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures" Christ was "raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures" 1 Cor.15:3,4. The Scriptures predicted Christ's death and resurrection, and our resurrected Christ proved the Scriptures true. So if someone wants to dismiss the Bible, then they have to disprove the resurrection of Christ. You've seen that's impossible to do. You can also pass on videos we've watched that clearly set forth the evidence for the resurrection of Christ. You can also tell them all they have to do is explain away the OT prophecies, Jesus predictions, His empty tomb, the more than 500 eye witnesses including those that touched him and ate with him, the transformed lives of the once fearful disciples, the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, the miracles that he and the apostles performed, the explosion of the early church and your own transformation. I'd say you are an armed and dangerous warrior, not to be trifled with.
Now let's review what to say to the person who says that he doesn't believe in the Bible, or the resurrection, or any other skeptical response he may give you. You would kindly ask-
What led led you to believe that?
Are you a person who wants the truth?
Would you then read through the gospel of John and simply follow the truth wherever it leads?
Both skeptics and seekers can even read the gospel of John for free at http://www.livingwater.org/booklet/index.html Open this up to see how nice this is. Please pass this on to the right person when you think it's appropriate. The gospel of John is the best gospel tract ever written. Notice this is why John said he wrote it, "These are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." John 20:31. If they refuse to read and heed the Scriptures, then you know you are dealing with a stubborn fool and you can save your breath for when their life is falling apart and they may be open.
How powerful are the Scriptures? Paul said that their gospel message "is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" Rom.1:16. What is more powerful than the Scriptures to convince an unbeliever of their need to repent? Read Luke 16:19-31.
"Moses and the Prophets" was a common way of referring to the OT (Old Testament), which was all the people had of the Bible at the time that Christ was teaching.
So what is more powerful than the Scriptures to convince an unbeliever of their need to repent? Answer: Nothing!
1.-Share one thing you got from today's readings and or the video.
2.-Write out Luke 16:31 on your MP3 card. You can skip the "Did It" from now on. I trust that you will do this from now on without needing to be asked to verify such. You can also skip the beta test idea of putting your initials on the Contacts tab. It was a good idea, but I don't want to add more to your plate. We welcome any ideas to help us stay on target, especially in the area of encouraging one another. We don't want anyone to be inadvertently overlooked.
Your encouragement of others is a GREAT thing.( Little people are only focused on themselves. Great people focus on others. As it's been said, "A person wrapped up in himself makes a pretty small package.":)
Hope you can join us at mi casa this Sunday to watch AD. Please shoot me a text soon or at the latest by Sunday 2:00 PM. Come on over around 7:30 or thereafter. It starts at 8:00. See ya then! 9541 S.Oakley Ave. c.708-543-6544.
1.-Share one thing you got from today's readings and or the video.
2.-Write out Luke 16:31 on your MP3 card. You can skip the "Did It" from now on. I trust that you will do this from now on without needing to be asked to verify such. You can also skip the beta test idea of putting your initials on the Contacts tab. It was a good idea, but I don't want to add more to your plate. We welcome any ideas to help us stay on target, especially in the area of encouraging one another. We don't want anyone to be inadvertently overlooked.
Your encouragement of others is a GREAT thing.( Little people are only focused on themselves. Great people focus on others. As it's been said, "A person wrapped up in himself makes a pretty small package.":)
Hope you can join us at mi casa this Sunday to watch AD. Please shoot me a text soon or at the latest by Sunday 2:00 PM. Come on over around 7:30 or thereafter. It starts at 8:00. See ya then! 9541 S.Oakley Ave. c.708-543-6544.
1. God in His wonderful mercy and love for us has provided His Living Word so that people that listen to it and believe may be saved from eternal damnation. Unfortunately just like in Bible times many people today refuse to believe in the existence of the true living God even though they have the Bible available to them.
ReplyDeleteLuke 16:31 "He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'"
May we boldly proclaim the good news of the true living God to the people around us that have no hope without Jesus.
Thank You Lord for my brother Roger. He is a good and faithful brother!
Delete1.Luke 16:31 "He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'"
ReplyDeleteInteresting to note that this story points out, if people don't want to be convinced they can just simply ignore the evidence that's already available to them. Some people are more interested in maintaining their lifestyle instead of changing their ways and making Christ the Lord of their live. As we have been learning there is tons of evidence in the OT that points to Jesus. Like you said Dave, we have a lot of weapons and are armed and dangerous , being able to present the case of Christ. Ultimately, like all of us, people have to make a choice. Accept His invitation or decline.
2. Did it.
Right you are Eddie! Thank You Lord for my brother Eddie. May You continue to fill and flow through him for even greater influence and impact.
Delete1.My favorite explanation of the Bible is found in the Gideon's pocket testament in the front page.
ReplyDelete"The bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers. It's doctrines holy, it's precepts are binding, it's histories are true, and it's decisions our immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practices to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you and comfort to cheer you. It's the travelers map the pilgrims staff the pilots compass the soldiers sword and Christian's charter. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened and the gates of hell this disclosed.
Christ is it's grand subject, our good the design and glory of God it's end. It should fill the memory rules the heart and guide the feet. Read it slowly frequently, and prayerfully. It is mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be open at the judgement, and be remember forever. It in it involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor and will condemned also trifle with it sacred content.
Thanks for sharing the description. Well put indeed.
DeleteI've always liked that great quote as well George! See you Sunday!
DeleteGeorge your an inspiration to me. I see what you have gone through and your still strong in the Word of God. You are a great example to your children and others around you.
DeleteThe bible was given to us so we could know God and he loves us and what's to teach us
Deletehow to live are life's. It also tells us some people do not believe in the bible and that Jesus Christ is the son of God. It also tells us of people who refuse to believe in bible
And that scriptures are true, they are like stubborn fools we can save are breath telling
them about Jesus and that he died to pay the price for are sins.
1. "If they refuse to read and heed the Scriptures, then you know you are dealing with a stubborn fool and you can save your breath for when their life is falling apart and they may be open."
ReplyDeleteEzekiel 33:4 "then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head."
God is a perfect gentleman! He's not going to drag anyone into Heaven who's kicking, screaming and reluctant against their own free will.
PS We are His on the basis of love, not captivity!
DeleteGreat thoughts as usual Robert!
DeleteWhat I noticed from Luke is that we are not to have idols on this earth, regardless of what it is.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I got from the video is that we are responsible for what is written in the bible whether we believe it or not.
You can't be against it if you have never opened it. You would not know what you are against to begin with.
Awesome stuff Sam!
DeleteVery good point Sam!
DeleteThe Bible is the greatest book of all times! The fulfillment of its many prophecies proves its right. The Bible predicted over 2000 incidents that have already happened. 60 prophecies were made about Jesus before He was even born. The Bible teaches me that Jesus died for us and was resurrected. Whoever repents and believes receives eternal life. The Bible is guidance for successful living. That's what i got out of the video!
ReplyDeleteExcellent Phil!
Delete1.-Share one thing you got from today's readings and or the video.
ReplyDeleteToday's reading and video provides all the proof and affirmation to the authenticity of Christ, his resurrection and the promise of eternal life if one abides in His precepts. God gives us free will for us to make the decisions and direction of life we decide to go, "but" he clearly states he is our creator and He demands that we live and abide to His life principles. God provides the the truth in the bible and wants us to learn and strengthen our knowledge of Him and His accepted way. God wants us to live peaceably and joyous life's. Ultimately God is telling us, "I am the way", do you want to be with me in the eternal afterlife or do you want to take the highway road to eternal death. God is great, good, merciful, forgiving, loving...... , God gives us everything at our disposal to make the right choice. Which choice to you wish to make? Do you want to be in the position of the rich man mention in today's lesson, "And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us." Luke16:26
Easy choice for me, I know where I like to be! 1 Co.5:1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands."
ReplyDeleteExcellent Armando!
DeleteVideo/song Recommendation= www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORu53qh0mGw
ReplyDeleteThe bottom line is some people are ready for God, some are not ready for God and some don't believe in God. But it is stated in the bible that “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” Romans 14:11. We may or may not see that day but we have to do our part to help God for God's glory not ours.
ReplyDeleteYes Mike- for God's glory!
DeleteI had watched the video before but I wanted to watch it again and I liked the point that stated. "The bible has predicted over 2000 incidences that have occurred"
ReplyDeleteVery good Ricardo!
Delete1. The Word of God is truth and it will give us God's own direction on how to have eternal life. Also we have only 1 idol and that is our lord and all these false idols will perish over time on earth, but the 1 true idol is forever. So believe and have faith and follow The Lord Jesus only.
ReplyDelete2. Did it
Jack, it's encouraging to see your love of the Word and your great desire to share it with others through your awesome hospitality.
DeleteYes Jack- The Word of God is truth and it will give us God's own direction on how to have eternal life. And we are to have no idols. Not even American Idol! :)
Delete1.-Share one thing you got from today's readings and or the video.
ReplyDeleteI liked what Dave G. said in the video. “If you read the Bible, not from your own interpretation in mind, but really seeking to understand what God has clearly said, you'll be surprised how clear it is. God guided the writings of the Bible to reveal Himself. He wants us to know Him. He's not trying to confuse us.“
This experience was true for me. When I first peeked into the Bible, I had my own agenda in mind. I went to the Book of Revelation because I was only curious about what the Bible said about the future. It totally freaked me out and left me worried and confused about where I stood in the midst of the terrifying things that would happen. That drove me to go to a Bible study were I learned to seek and to try to understand what God Himself was revealing in His Word.
2. Did It
Thanks Dave for sharing a bit of your journey to Jesus. That's very enlightening and how the word is enlightening.
DeleteIts true that we have everything to lose if we don't believe in what the Bible says. We have one lifetime to give ourselves to Christ. The example of the rich man changing his mind once he was in hell shows how much there is to lose not believing in the Bible. He wanted the angels to show his brothers that heaven and hell is real .If God made it that easy for people to want to believe, then there would be no punishment for what Adam and Eve did.
ReplyDeleteYes Chuy, and even apart from Adam and Eve, men are punished for what they chose to do. If we were there instead of them, we would have done the same thing. Just ask a person to go 24 hours without sinning.
DeleteStubbornness can be quite common. The living word is indeed the power of God unto salvation. It has the power to awaken and remove scales from eyes as well as open deaf ears. It is by the word that the Holy Spirit is activated and a person can engage to obey and experience God.
ReplyDeleteThank you again Dave for the question response provided. These are not to throw someone off or make someone stumble but a lead in to truly thinking rather than going with the mold of the world's process.
There is nothing more powerful which will lead to repentance.
Yes Gary! The power and prominence of the word is amazing!
Delete1) It's amazing to know that people believe certain things because many other people believe that same thing. When it comes to things of God there is so much doubt. There are so many people that are saved and yet there is still people who don't believe in the bible. The video inspires me to get more into Gods word. Hey I believe in it why not dig into the word freely.
ReplyDeleteExcellent Vince! Prov.2 is for you!
Delete1. This verse has always stuck out to me from that parable in Luke 16:19-31: "He said to them,' If they did not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'" It really is a sobering passage.This does show how hard people can be when things have to do with God and the Bible. Really, all you can do is tell a person about the Truth (which is what we are called to do), but it is only God who can soften their hardened heart.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the video, I really like when you mentioned about the fulfilled prophecies as proof for the Bible. I think of that as one of the biggest proofs of the Bible. Anyway, the video really reminded me of this verse about seeking God. Jeremiah 29:13 "You will seek me and find me when you seek for me with all your heart."
Very good Alex! O to seek You with all my heart O Lord.
Delete1.-Share one thing you got from today's readings and or the video.
ReplyDeleteLuke 16:31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” This verse stuck out to me today, with the videos we've been watching over the last week it shows that God knew some people would just not want to believe even with everything in the Old Testament pointing to Jesus.
Very good George! That verse also strikes me as a foreshadowing of the Pharisees- they saw another man named Lazarus, raised from the dead, but didn't believe (John 11). Then a few weeks later when the guards came and told them that an angel came and rolled away the stone in front of Jesus' tomb, they refused to repent, but paid them off to spread a lie.
DeleteThis is for Thursdays blog (sorry Brothers, but tag along with today's message)
ReplyDeleteDuring the last days of march and entering April I was mentoring a young man at work(observing,asking questions, knowing the field,the service, knowing customer)... during the early days I did not bother to quickly jump and say "I am a believer of Jesus Christ"... no no learned from my past experiences from other men i was mentoring, but instead asked questions kindly about him and slowly he opened up. Somehow we got in topic of bible (I think he was mentioning parables on how he had to break them down in his English literature class) that's when I gently said "you know i am a folower of Jesus Christ", he with a loud voice said "I knew there was something different from you and the rest of co workers that I got to talk to, the way you carry yourself"!! I just leaned on a smirk, and after a moment of pause(now keep in mind were in a truck, just me and him) hr himself asked the priceless question... "what led you to your faith that you proclaim"? Man talking about on the spot he put me on, alot was rushing through my head (being the light,sowing a seed,sharing the Gospel, the truth, intimidation,fear, opportunity) well said a quick prayer and said " Father you have prep me for a day like this to be used for your glory,to share your message" like scripture says always be prepared to give an answer on account of what I believe in"... so I started with my testimony, he asked more questions about it and was moved by testimony, but he he digged deeper about why he doesn't believe as he pit it "I more of an agnostic"... I encouraged to read John, but I also digged deeper into his life and he opened up, there I'd definitely root to why he is not fully blown away from believing or following... After gave him card for miniclips to watch and invited him to churcj, he kindly said " I won't promise you that I'll watch or go but you got me thinking", in my head I'm saying " all you God"!! Let's always make the Living Word of God "attractive" and continue to point back to the cross.
I'm smiling with joy Ismael! We could use this as a textbook way of interacting with an unbeliever. Excellent!
DeletePraising God and rejoicing with you Ismael. Heavenly Father, thank you for using your servant, Ismael in this great way. As the ice is broken, and a new relationship is being forged, continue to guide Ismael as Your ambassador to his friend. May You draw Ismael's friend to yourself, as he sees You in Ismael's life and the truths that Ismael shares. We pray that that You call this man to begin his journey to the cross of Christ our Savior and back to You.
Delete1. Luke 16:31 says, "But Jesus said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” -- the rich man in torment thought that his 5 brothers would surely believe a Messenger Who had been raised from the dead. This is an ironic statement by Jesus to the religious leaders, as He said this before His own crucifixion and Resurrection! He warned them. Unfortunately, some people are set in their ways and will not believe and accept God, despite the Awesome Resurrection of Christ!
ReplyDelete2. did it
1. Luke 16:31 ESV He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’” This verse tells me many will choose to deny god even tho they know deep down in their hearts he's real. It hurts knowing people will deny what is true and what could save them from hell. Good informational video on why the bibles true.
ReplyDelete