Section 1: Will you go back to the Bible?

    I.    Is there a need to go back to the Bible?                                                                                  

          ·      The Bible is God’s completed revelation to man.

          ·      Consider the words of the Bible:

    2 Peter 1:20-21 20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

    2 Timothy 3:16 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

    2 Peter 1:3 3According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 
          ·      God will judge the world by Christ.

          ·      Consider the words of the Bible:

    2 Corinthians 5:10 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

    Acts 17:31 31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.    
          ·      Christ sent the Holy Ghost to deliver His words to the inspired writers of the New       
                 Testament.

          ·      Consider the words of the Bible:

    John 14:26 26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

    John 16:12-14 12I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

    Acts 2:33 33Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

    1 Corinthians 14:37 37If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.    
          ·      Christ’s words as given in the New Testament are the standard by which the world will be    
                 judged.

          ·      Consider the words of the Bible:

    John 12:48 48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.    
    II.    Are you willing to go back to the Bible?

          ·      In order to go back to the Bible, one must deny the beliefs of his family.

    Luke 14:26 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple

    Matthew 10:37 37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.    
          ·      In order to go back to the Bible, one must deny the beliefs that he has been taught that are 
                 based on the traditions and doctrines of men.

    Matthew 15:2-3, 7-9, 12-14 2Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 7Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 12Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? 13But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch    
          ·      In order to go back to the Bible, one must deny his own beliefs.

    Luke 9:23 23And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.    
    III.    How would you define your heart?

          ·      Those who have a good and honest heart will accept God’s word and obey it.

    Luke 8: 15 15But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.