TITLE: That’s Your Interpretation: How do you make sense of the Bible?

TEXT: Psalm 119, Acts 17:11

THEME: When studying the Bible you should discern the author’s one intended meaning.

The ability to listen and understand a person is one of the

greatest things we can learn in life and can help us avoid many

of life’s problems.

Before we can follow a person we must be able to listen and

understand what they are saying and in some cases why they are

saying it.

I. The Premise: The Bible was written long ago is not relevant to modern

society

I. The Premise: The Bible was written long ago is not relevant to modern

societyA. Since it is not divine revelation the Bible has nothing important to teach us.

I. The Premise: The Bible was written long ago is not relevant to modern

societyA. Since it is not divine revelation the Bible has nothing important to teach us.

B. People of the past did not understand science and logic like we do today.

I. The Premise: The Bible was written long ago is not relevant to modern

societyA. Since it is not divine revelation the Bible has nothing important to teach us.

B. People of the past did not understand science and logic like we do today.

C. The absolute truth of claims of the Bible is outdated.

I. The Premise: The Bible was written long ago is not relevant to modern

societyA. Since it is not divine revelation the Bible has nothing important to teach us.

B. People of the past did not understand science and logic like we do today.

C. The absolute truth of claims of the Bible is outdated.

D. Everyone has their opinion of what the Bible means and they often conflict.

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Like Pandora Radio.

We tailor and customize our view of Scripture and, ultimately, our view of God. It's like we have our own internal algorithm all the time, sorting through and processing the biblical data to say, "Oh, I accept this part, I'll preach this part, this part is useful to modern society; but this other part I'm embarrassed—even ashamed—of.”

II. The Problem: The Bible has much to teach us about God and reality.

II. The Problem: The Bible has much to teach us about God and reality.

A. Most only show their ignorance of scripture when they speak of it.

II. The Problem: The Bible has much to teach us about God and reality.

A. Most only show their ignorance of scripture when they speak of it.

B. You must understand something before you can fairly critique it.

II. The Problem: The Bible has much to teach us about God and reality.

A. Most only show their ignorance of scripture when they speak of it.

B. You must understand something before you can fairly critique it.

C. Once we accept the Bibles authority we still need to know how to understand it.

II. The Problem: The Bible has much to teach us about God and reality.

A. Most only show their ignorance of scripture when they speak of it.

B. You must understand something before you can fairly critique it.

C. Once we accept the Bibles authority we still need to know how to understand it.

D. There are basic rules of interpretation used in all literature.

Peanuts cartoon

Don’t bother me. I’m look for a verse of Scripture to back up on of my preconceived

notions!”

Two approaches to scripture

• “eisegesis” in which we read something into the text that may not really be there.

Two approaches to scripture

• “eisegesis” in which we read something into the text that may not really be there.

• “exegesis” in which we try to find out draw the meaning out of the text.

III. The Biblical Response: God has made himself known by

revealing Himself to us.A. “The Communication Process”

III. The Biblical Response: God has made himself known by revealing Himself to us.

A. “The Communication Process”

B. To find Gods will in His Word we must discern the one intended meaning of the author.

III. The Biblical Response: God has made himself known by revealing Himself to us.

A. “The Communication Process”

B. To find Gods will in His Word we must discern the one intended meaning of the author.

C. We understand the Bible by studying its words and contexts.

What does this mean?

“HAVEYOUSEENABUNDANCEONATABLE”

What does this mean?

“HAVEYOUSEENABUNDANCEONATABLE”

“HAVE YOU SEEN ABUNDANCE ON A TABLE

What does this mean?

“HAVEYOUSEENABUNDANCEONATABLE”

“HAVE YOU SEEN ABUNDANCE ON A TABLE

Or

HAVE YOU SEEN A BUN DANCE ON A TABLE.

Rev. 21:6-17

“He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.”

Revelation 21:13-16

“13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city….16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

Hebrews 6:4-6

“4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance.”

III. The Biblical Response: God has made himself known by revealing

Himself to us.A. “The Communication Process”

B. To find Gods will in His Word we must discern the one intended meaning of the author.

C. We understand the Bible by studying its words and contexts

D. There is one intended meaning but there may be many applications.

APPLICATION

Take the time to listen to God in His Word and let

Him speak.