Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, March 25, 2001, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
IF YOU HAVE FOUND THE BOOK
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 34:8-33
Text: 2 Chronicles 34:15
2 Chronicles 34:15 And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.
Introduction: One of the advantages of reading the Bible through from cover to cover is that of getting to enjoy passages like this one. Many Christians will never read the book of 2 Chronicles in their entire lives. I love this chapter. The priest found God’s book of the law, the king read it, he got scared to death, turned to God, made a covenant with God to obey Him, and he made all of the people of the kingdom to adhere to his covenant. Glory!
Five words in verse 8 are among my favorites in all of the Bible: “I HAVE FOUND THE BOOK.” Amen! I like that!
In a country that has more English translations of the Bible than a dog has fleas, I know where the word of God is: it’s the KING JAMES 1611 AUTHORIZED VERSION BIBLE! Yes! I have found the Book, and it is NOT the NIV, the New International Version. I have found the Book, and it is NOT the Good News Bible. I have found the Book, and it is NOT the New American Standard Version.
This Book from which I preach tonight is the pure, powerful, piercing, plain, providential, pleasant, precious, and PRODUCTIVE word of God!
Oh, yes, it’s productive. This morning five precious souls came to the Savior, four people made public professions of faith, five converts were baptized, and two people joined the church. God’s WORD did that!
The king got a hold of the Book, the Bible, and it made a difference in his thinking. It made a difference in his life. It made a difference all around him. It made a difference in his kingdom.
Have you found “the Book”? If you have, some things should change about you!
I. IF YOU HAVE FOUND THE BOOK SEARCH IT DAILY
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
A. Plan to read it
B. Persevere in reading it
II. IF YOU HAVE FOUND THE BOOK STORE IT DEEP IN YOUR HEART
Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
A. It will prop up your defenses
B. It will protect you against Satan
III. IF YOU HAVE FOUND THE BOOK STUDY IT WITH DILIGENCE
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
A. Look to the Lord for wisdom
B. Listen to the man of God
C. Live in its pages
IV. IF YOU HAVE FOUND THE BOOK SUBMIT TO ITS DECREES
Romans 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
A. Confront your own beliefs and behavior with it
B. Conform to it
V. IF YOU HAVE FOUND THE BOOK STAND UPON IT WITH DETERMINATION
Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
I don’t just believe all things which WERE written; I believe all things which ARE written in the Bible. I don’t just believe the Bible WAS given by inspiration of God; I believe the Bible IS given by inspiration of God.
STAND UPON THE BIBLE:
A. Even when its accuracy is challenged
B. Even when its appearance is counterfeited
VI. IF YOU HAVE FOUND THE BOOK SPREAD IT TO THOSE IN DARKNESS
Ecclesiastes 11:1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
Psalms 68:11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.
A. Witness persistently
B. Witness prayerfully
VII. IF YOU HAVE FOUND THE BOOK SHOW IT BY YOUR DEEDS
2 Corinthians 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: