Bible Text:

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.                                              (Romans 15:4)

A preacher tells the story of a Sunday when he stood up to present his message to the congregation. He said, “My sermon this morning is very short. Our dog ate my notes last night.” 

He preached very briefly and then greeted the people at the back of the church. One lady who was a visitor to the church that Sunday said to him at the door, “Reverend, if your dog has puppies, could I have one to give to my preacher?” 

I tell you that story this morning because I could answer the question phrased in the sermon title with one word. The word is “VERY!” Or perhaps two words: “How seriously should I take the Bible? Very seriously.” 

John Wesley said, “I am a man of one book. At whatever price, give me that book.” 

Most of you are here today because at some measure you value the Bible. But many of you have questions. Some of you have lots of questions. I know that because you have told me. What about this interpretation, or that other interpretation, or yet another interpretation? 

A clergy colleague, Rod Wilmoth, tells a story of being on a plane one day when a young woman sat down in the seat next to him. In the course of their initial conversation the “m” word slipped out. (She found out he was a minister.) He said she lit up. She said, “I have several things to say to you. First, I do not go to church. Secondly, I am thrilled to be sitting next to a minister. And thirdly, I have some questions.” 

Rod said he knew at that point it was going to be a long trip. She began her first question. “What really bugs me is why there are so many different interpretations of the Bible.” He reports that that question took them all the way to Los Angeles. 

You may not understand some of the Bible. You may not understand a lot of the Bible. You may hold different views from the person sitting next to you. Do you remember a couple of years ago when Tony Campolo and his wife openly differed on an interpretation of a passage of scripture? Their marriage is solid and intact, but they had completely different viewpoints on a particular passage. 

You may have questions about certain passages. Did you know, for example, that in the Old Testament it says God spoke to Moses and told him, “You shall not touch the skin of a dead pig.” (Leviticus 11:8) What does that mean? If we take it literally, that means no more football! Or again, the Lord said, “Everything in the water that does not have fins and scales is detestable to you.” (11:12) What does that mean? I don’t much care for oysters, but I do sort of like clams. Yet they do not qualify. Or in the third passage the Lord says, “You shall not put on a garment made of two different materials.” (19:19) What does all of this mean? Is this God’s strict command? 

Or Paul makes this statement in one of his letters: “It is shameful for a woman to speak in church… what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord.” (I Corinthians 14:35ff.) Paul was a servant of the risen Christ. He was a man of enormous faith. I am thankful for his correspondence to the young churches. But he may have gotten his message wrong on this point. 

You and I may have questions at times. However (and that word is a big word) we simply cannot take this book lightly. As a person of faith it is your book. As a community of believers it is our book. As a preacher and proclaimer of the Good News, it is my book. 

We have an open Bible on the altar. It is the focal point of worship. To the best of my recollection it has been open every Sunday on this altar for the past 23 years. (I finish year number 23 in my appointment to Christ Church this morning.) I take the Bible very seriously. Why is that? 

THE STORY OF MY FAITH HISTORY 

One of the reasons is that the Bible is clearly the story of my own faith history. One of my teachers said it is the story of the Great Tradition. Another says there is an “unfolding drama”. I believe those things. It stands 2500 years, from Abraham and Moses to Jesus and Paul. It began in 2500 BC and lasted until about 70 AD, perhaps a little later. 

The Bible is the inspired record of our faith history. It tells us of Abraham’s conviction that there was only one God—not a plethora of lesser gods out there. Abraham was the first recorded person to have a monotheistic faith. The Bible tells us that the fullest revealing of that God is in the person of Jesus. The Bible tells us that from Creation to Revelation, God is in charge. 

The Bible is the story of a people who struggled with faith. Abraham almost sacrificed his son Isaac on an altar. Moses led the people through the wilderness for over 40 years, but wondered at times if God was with him on that 40-year trek. The Bible tells the agony of the prophets who wanted to convey the fact that God wants us to live our lives justly. “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice…” is the fairly consistent message of the prophets. 

The Bible tells us about multiple questions of the 12 disciples, the inner circle, those who were closest to Jesus. How many times did they say to one another, “Who is this man?” The Bible tells us the story of Paul, who longed to go and be with Jesus, but he would like to skip the “dying” part. The Bible is the story of you and me—the things we struggle with.  

You can find yourself in this book. You can find yourself if you’re a doubter, or if you are an unwavering believer. You can find yourself if you’re more of a pietist, or more of a social activist. You can find yourself if you’re someone who believes in the feeding of the soul, or someone who believes in the feeding of the hungry. 

All of us are here in this book. Over the past few months I have had a great time holding our 1-year-old grandson up to a mirror. He is greatly entertained by that process. Lately he has begun to look at me as though to say, “Grandpa, that’s me in that mirror.” We are mirrored in this book. You can find a soulmate here. There’s nothing else like it anywhere in world history. 

STORY THAT PUTS ME INTO THE PRESENCE OF GOD 

A second reason that I value the Bible is because it’s a story that puts me into the presence of God. The Bible is important because it leads me into God’s presence. That’s part of the mystery and the majesty of the Bible. When you read and meditate and listen to the Scriptures, you are drawn into the presence of God. 

A new toy appeared in stores in the fall of 2002. It was a super-hero called “Bibleman.” Here’s the way it’s described. 

At first glance, Bibleman looks like other action figures. Like Superman and Batman, Bibleman uses his powers to fight evil in the world. He has rippled muscles, a cape, and a Robinlike sidekick named Cypher.

Clad in purple tights and yellow body armor, this action doll is a Scripture quoting hero. Kids can take a 12-inch version of him home for as little as $12.95. 

I don’t want to pre-judge this toy too harshly, but it does seem to detract from the mystery of scripture. Someone has said, “Every indication in Scripture—from Moses and Hannah to the Psalmists and the Apostles—suggests that being in the presence of God can affect us powerfully.” I believe that. 

Can you hear God speak to you when you read the Bible? I do at times. God somehow speaks in a new way through a verse or a story. 

This past week my Tuesday night men’s CBS group was reading through the Sermon on the Mount. We came to the part about the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” I was reminded that Jesus’ statement of this particular saying is different from any other form of which I am aware. 

The Jewish Talmud says, “What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man.” Buddha says, “Hurt not others with that which pains yourself.” A Hindu bible says, “Do naught to others which if done to thee would cause thee pain.” Two others are also illustrative. One says, “Whatever is disagreeable to yourself do not do unto others.” And the last one says, “Do not do unto others what angers you if done to you by others.” 

Do you see how Jesus is different? Jesus speaks for God. Jesus makes the statement proactive and initiating. The Golden Rule makes us God-inspired and empowered. “Do unto others.” This is what discipleship means. God is speaking here. 

STORY OF HOPE 

A third reason why the Bible is so important to me is that it becomes the story of hope. Chardin says, “The future belongs to those who give it the greatest hope.” I take the Bible seriously because it gives me great hope. The Bible sheds light on my path. 

In another church, third graders were being presented with their Bibles, much as we have done here this morning. In that church, as each child received his or her Bible, each was to quote a verse from scripture, perhaps a short verse that they had memorized. The minister handed the Bible to one boy, and he froze. He could hardly remember his name. He tried and tried to think of a verse. Finally his mother leaned forward and whispered loudly to him, “I am the light of the world.” The boy shouted out at the top of his voice, “My mother is the light of the world!”[i] 

The Bible is a light of hope, a beacon of hope. 

Notice how the Bible ends. Revelation is a mysterious book at best. But it has a clear message: God wins. No matter what else happens, God wins. 

A small nation in Eastern Europe emerged recently out of decades of Communist rule. Under Communism, the churches were closed. Christians had to worship underground. 

When Communism fell, one small United Methodist church planted a sign in the front yard. The sign simply read, “The Lamb wins.”  

That’s the message of the Bible. That’s the hope and the confidence of believers. The Bible is a book of great hope. That’s why the text for this morning is very important to me. “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.” 

I take the Bible very seriously. I don’t always take it literally. It was never written with that intent. But I do take it seriously. It is a holy and sacred book. Why? Because it is my story and our story… because it brings me into the presence of the Holy One… and because it gives me a great hope. 

Thanks be to God.