Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, Dec. 22, 2002, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

BIBLE-BELIEVING FUNDAMENTALISTS RELISH THE BIBLE

By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Psalms 119:121-128

Text: Psalms 119:127

Psalms 119:127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

Introduction: Our church is a Bible-believing, fundamental, independent Baptist church. Our church paper is called “The Bible-Believing Fundamentalist.” Our website is also called The Bible-Believing Fundamentalist.

What IS a Bible-believing Fundamentalist? The last three Sundays I have said that Bible-believing fundamentalists 1. RECOGNIZE the Bible; 2. RESPECT the Bible; and RECEIVE the Bible. Today I want to say that another characteristic is

A RELISH FOR THE BIBLE

To relish is to enjoy, to take pleasure in, to delight in. That describes our attitude toward God’s word. WE LOVE THE WORD OF GOD.

Psalms 119:159 Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.

Psalms 119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

Psalms 119:113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

Psalms 119:163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.

Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Psalms 119:47-48 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. 48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

This morning I want to give you four reasons why the Bible is so precious to us.

I. WE RELISH THE BIBLE FOR ITS COMPANIONSHIP WHEN WE ARE DESERTED

Psalms 119:10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

Psalms 119:19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

A. The Bible STICKS with us – It is always faithful

B. The Bible SPEAKS to us

C. The Bible SOOTHES us

The Precious Bible

Though the cover is worn
And pages are torn,
And though places bear traces of tears,
Yet more precious than gold
Is the Book, worn and old,
That can shatter and scatter my fears.

When I prayerfully look
In the precious Book
Many pleasures and treasures I see;
Many tokens of love,
From the Father above
Who is nearest and dearest to me.

This Book is my guide,
‘Tis friend by my side,
It will lighten and brighten my way;
And each promise I find,
Soothes and gladdens my mind,
As I read it and heed it today.

II. WE RELISH THE BIBLE FOR ITS CLEANSING WHEN WE’RE DIRTY

Psalms 119:140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Through God’s word

A. We are FREE from the filth of sin and of the world

Psalms 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

B. We are FORGIVEN of our dirty transgressions

C. We are FRESH like the purest water!

III. WE RELISH THE BIBLE FOR ITS COMFORT WHEN WE ARE DISCOURAGED

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

The Bible brings comfort

A. As we read it

B. As we remember it

Psalms 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

C. As we repeat it to others

- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Bible-Believing Fundamentalists Relish The Bible