“But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matt. 4:4 ESV)
The fundamentals
The late Vince Lombardi, the celebrated coach of the Green Bay Packers professional football team, faced a difficult challenge one Monday morning on the practice field. A day earlier, the team had suffered a humiliating defeat. In Lombardi’s view, the loss was due to the players’ failure to focus on the basics in carrying out their assignments—things in which they had been drilled over and over again. In his memorable manner, Lombardi met the challenge head-on. Picking up a familiar air-filled, oblong-shaped object, he went directly to the heart of the matter, calling everyone’s attention to the “basics” with five simple words, “Gentlemen, this is a football.”
THIS IS THE BIBLE!
Just as Vince Lambardi did by holding up a foot-ball, we could hold up a Bible and and say, “THIS IS THE BIBLE” and then talk about the importance of biblical foundational basics which will keep us strong. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must never stray from the basic fundamental truths found in the Bible. These truths will keep us strong and help us succeed in that which God has created us for.
THIS IS THE BIBLE—it’s the Word of God!
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1 ESV)
THIS IS THE BIBLE—it will equip you for every good work!
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17 ESV)
THIS IS THE BIBLE—it is living and active!
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12 ESV)
THIS IS THE BIBLE—it will stand forever!
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” (Isa. 40:8 ESV
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Matt. 24:35 ESV)
THIS IS THE BIBLE—it always succeeds! “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isa. 55:11 ESV)
Therefore…
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Col. 3:16 ESV)
“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalms 119:11 ESV)
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22 ESV)
