Living Between
The Lines
Steve W. Reeves
stevesermons.blogspopt.com
INTRODUCTION:
A. Last
weekend the sports world was stunned by the death of Kobe Bryant, one of the leading scorers in NBA history. Bryant along with his teen-aged daughter and seven
others were killed when the commuter helicopter they were flying in crashed. It
appears that poor visibility was a deadly factor in that accident.
1. Imagine yourself driving along a narrow highway during a torrential rainstorm or
dense fog. The shoulders are narrow and on either side of the road are deep
embankments. To further complicate matters there are no lines in the center or on
the sides of the road. How difficult it would be to safely drive in such a situation.
2. You and I live in a world where spiritual vision is difficult. The fog of our pluralistic,
relativistic society and the torrential downpour of humanism and materialism make
it extremely difficult to navigate the twists and turns of life.
a. On one side is the embankment that we know everything about life and have no
need to learn and grow. This embankment leads us to believe we have
everything figured out.
b. On the other side is an embankment that is equally as dangerous. It leads us
to believe that life is a great mystery that cannot be understood. Since we
cannot understand it, truth becomes subjective and must be determined by each
individual for themselves.
3. Do you see why we need lines to avoid these two extremes?
B. Is there a proper source for guidance in life?
1. The answer is found in a book that is as ancient as the ages and as relevant as
today’s newspaper: The Bible.
2. No other book in the history of the world is like the Bible. The Old Testament
prophet Isaiah said, “The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8).
a. No other book is supported by evidence from history and archaeology like the
Bible.
b. No other book in the world was written by so many different authors over such a
great expanse of time while presenting a message with such continuity and
unity.
c. No other book has been ridiculed, scoffed and threatened like the Bible.
However, it still remains the most widely read book in the whole world.
d. Such a statement cannot be made regarding the Koran of Islam, the Vedas of
the Hindu religion, the Pali-Cannon of Buddhism or the sacred texts of
Shintoism.
e. No other collection of writings in the history of the world has transcended time
and culture to influence the world like the Bible.
C. What makes the Bible a reliable guide for “Living Between the Lines?”
I. IT IS INSPIRED BY GOD
A. Dr. Everett Ferguson, one of the foremost scholars of early church history in the
world states, “Inspiration provides assurance that divine authority stands behind
the words of scripture.”
1. The Bible stands or falls on the question of inspiration.
2. If it is inspired, as it claims to be, it must be followed.
3. If it is not inspired by God, it means no more than an old Sears catalogue.
B. What evidence exists to support the inspiration of the Bible?
1. Internal evidence for inspiration.
a. In Hebrews 1:1-3 the Bible says, “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers
in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has
spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom
also He made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact
representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power.
When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the
Majesty on high.”
1.) This passage teaches that God is the source of what has been spoken.
2.) It also teaches that He has spoken in various ways throughout history
culminating in what has been revealed by His Son.
b. Notice 2 Timothy 3:15-17. “from childhood you have known the sacred
writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through
faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable
for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that
the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
1.) The word “inspired” comes from the Greek “theoneustos” meaning “God-
Breathed.” As Jim Bill McInteer used to say, “God’s breath is in every word
of the Bible even as your breath is in every word you speak.”
2. External evidence for inspiration.
a. Secular history testifies to the reliability of the Bible. The books of the Bible
speak of people and places that are well documented in other ancient books.
No less than seven ancient historians from the first century or shortly
afterward write about Jesus and His wonderful works. They also testify about
the persecution of early Christians.
b. Archeological evidence testifies to the reliability of the Bible. It is estimated
that 85 to 90% of the archaeological discoveries made in Israel today confirm
the Biblical record.
c. The writers of the New Testament provide perfect descriptions of the culture,
customs and geography of first
century Palestine. How did they know? They
had no text books, internet or
maps in the back of their Bible. They knew
because they were eye-witnesses
(or received testimony from eye
witnesses).
C. Since the Bible isinspired by God we
must accept it as authoritative.
1. Paul said the purpose of Scripture
was that we might be “perfect (mature), thoroughly furnished unto every good work (2 Timothy 3:17).
2. Peter wrote, “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and
Godliness.”
3. Jude urged Christians to, “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all
handed down to the saints (Jude 3).”
4. If the Bible is sufficient (and it most certainly is) you do not need anything else.
II. IT HAS THE AUTHORITY OF THE SON
A. Returning to Hebrews 1:2 notice, “in these last days has
spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things”
1. On one occasion during Jesus’ life He appeared on a mountain with Moses and
Elijah (two Old Testament prophets). When Peter wanted to honor all three of
them a voice came from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son. Hear Him”
(Matthew 17:4-5).
2. Following His death, burial and resurrection Jesus told His followers, “All
authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).
B. Jesus never claimed that He was speaking for Himself. On the contrary, He
repeatedly emphasized that everything He said came from His Heavenly Father.
1. According to John 5:30, Jesus said, “I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I
hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but
the will of Him who sent Me.”
2. In John 7:16 Jesus said, “My teaching is not mine but His who sent me.”
3. John, who writes so his readers may believe (John 20:31) also records in 12:49,
“For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me
has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak.” In verse
50 Jesus went on to say, “The things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told
me.”
C. In the book, Evidence That Demands A Verdict, Josh McDowell wrote that there
are only three options we have with regard to Jesus.
1. He is a liar who willfully deceived people.
2. He is a lunatic who was mentally deranged.
3. He is Lord! He is exactly who He claimed to be. “The way, the truth and the life,
no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).
III. IT WAS REVEALED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. Jesus promised the apostles that they would receive the Holy Spirit following His
death, burial and resurrection.
1. In John 14:26 He said, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will
send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance
all that I said to you.”
2. Why did Jesus do this?
a. To lead the apostles into a full understanding of His truth.
b. To provide them with evidence that their teaching was by the authority off
Jesus. Hebrews 2:3-5 says, “After it was at the first spoken through the Lord,
it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also testifying with them,
both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy
Spirit according to His own will.”
B. The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Son of God and reveal the message
Jesus received from the Father. He has done this through the inspiration of the
Bible.
1. The purpose of the Holy Spirit is not to add to what Jesus taught but to confirm
what Jesus taught.
2. If anyone says the Holy Spirit told them to say something contrary to or in
addition to what Jesus taught as revealed in Scripture they are lying through
their teeth and are of the Devil.
CONCLUSION:
A. It’s fashionable today for people to say things like, “think outside the box,” or “color
outside the lines.” We need to recognize that, like the narrow road on a foggy night,
there is a need for lines and boundaries.
B. Kobe Bryant never won a game by ignoring the lines on the court. You will never
know eternal life without respecting the guidance God gives through His word.
1. His word teaches faith in Christ, repentance of sins, confession and Baptism.
2. His word admonishes us to live faithfully each day.
guidance in your life today
