The Church Search Part Three

The B-I-B-L-E. That's the book for me.

Many of us sang that little ditty in Sunday School growing up. But the truth is, we need to take a close look at how the churches we visit view the B-I-B-L-E.

It's easy for church to proclaim that holds God's Word in high regard. That it's a "Bible-believing fellowship." But does the rubber really meet the road? Here are a few questions that can help us as we move through Church Search when it comes to how a certain church views Scripture.

1. Is the Bible seen as the inspired Word of God?
If God has truly inspired the Scriptures, they can be trusted as divine and without flaw. Translations can be questioned. Interpretations can be doubted. But with the Holy Spirit as its source and inspiration, the truth of the Bible is perfect.

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. (2Peter 1:21 NIV)

2. Is the Bible the ultimate standard of truth?
In other words, is God's Word the only truth or is it seen as one of many sources of truth? There is only ONE measure of divine truth: The Bible.

The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight to life. (Psalm 19:8 NLT)

3. Is the Bible used as the basic source of teaching?
It's OK if other curriculum is used, but is the source of that material scripturally based. One of the clear purposes of God's Word is to instruct His people.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do. (2Timothy 3:16-17 NLT)

4. Is all of the Bible taught?
This might be a little harder to determine in a few short visits, but is the church committed to teach ALL of Scripture. Do they avoid hard or difficult passages? Some churches make a point of preaching and teaching through the entire Bible over a period of time. That's certainly something to consider.

"For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God." (Acts 20:27 NKJV)

When you visit, pay attention to how the Bible is used. Is it used to teach during worship? Is it read aloud? Are the songs based in Scripture? Does the pastor use it as the basis for teaching or simply as a launching pad for expressing his own opinion?

And let me know if they ever sing, "The B-I-B-L-E. That's the book for me."

In Christ,
Jay

119

Psalm 119.

The longest chapter in the Bible.  176 verses.  Considering the psalmist's focus on the power and importance of Scripture, it seems appropriate.  Check out verse 18...

Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in Your law.  

The topic probably tested the writer's thesaurus (did they have a thesaurus?).  When he speaks of God's Word, he uses terms like precepts, laws, commandments, judgments, statutes.

I was chewing on 119 this morning, when something hit me like a ton of bricks.  Three verses that spoke to the benefit of God's discipline in my life.  Let's face it, God's good discipline is NOT a real hot topic of sermons and Bible searches.  But here's what I belted me between the eyes this morning...

I used to wander off until You disciplined me; but now I closely follow Your word.  (Psalm 119:67)

The suffering You sent was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to Your principles.  (Psalm 119:71)

I know, O Lord, that Your decisions are fair; You disciplined me because I needed it.  (Psalm 119:75)

The point is crystal clear.  God DOES disciplines us...and He does it for a reason.  It is good for us.  It calls us back to His Word.  It's fair.  And we need it.

These verses remind me of Paul's words in 2 Corinthians...

For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation.  We will never regret that kind of sorrow.  But sorrow without repentance is the kind that results in death.  (2 Corinthians 7:10)

When you get a moment, crack open Psalm 119.  You'll find some of the richest and deepest truth about truth anywhere in the Bible.

In Christ,

Jay