This sermon emphasizes the vital facets of the Bible, highlighting its role as the source of salvation, the evidence of true faith, the importance of not neglecting it to avoid backsliding, and the necessity of soaking in its teachings for spiritual growth, renewal, and survival. It also underscores the Bible's significance as a moral compass, a means of daily renewal, a source of safe navigation, and a guide for prayer and testing of faith. The sermon stresses the power of God's word to comfort, strengthen, and instill hope in times of affliction, testing, and challenges, ultimately pointing to the essential role of the Bible in a believer's life.

Can we bow for a moment of prayer please? Father take this last message in this town here in Florida and speak to the depth of every single heart as only God can. Come wash me in the blood, fill me with the Holy Spirit, protect us from Satan and by thy Holy Spirit come minister to our hearts, every heart in Jesus Christ's sacred name. Amen. The Bible, the Bible, the Bible refers to itself, the Bible refers to itself as the Word of God. The Bible refers to itself as the Word of God. In Hebrews 6 verse 5 and in 2 Timothy 3 verse 16 we read that all scripture, all scripture is given by inspiration of God, all scripture is given by inspiration of God for instruction in righteousness, for instruction in righteousness. Verse 17, that the man of God may be complete, that the man of God may be complete and thoroughly equipped, thoroughly equipped. Now tonight I want us to carefully consider 16 facets of this book which is the sacred Word of God. Tonight I want us to carefully consider 16 facets, 16 facets of this book which is the sacred Word of God. The first thing, the first thing we must realize, the first thing we must realize is that it is, it is the source of our salvation. It is the source of our salvation. James tells us in chapter 1 verse 21 to receive with meekness the engrafted Word which is able to save your souls. Receive with meekness the engrafted Word which is able to save your souls, being born again, being born again by the Word of God, by the Word of God. 1 Peter 1 verse 23 and in 2 Timothy 3 verse 15 Paul refers to the holy scriptures, the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith. Ephesians 2 verse 8 and faith cometh by the Word of God, faith cometh by the Word of God. Romans 10 verse 17 tells us and so firstly, firstly we see that it is, it is the source of our salvation. It is the source of our salvation but secondly, secondly the keeping of it is the evidence that I am truly saved. The keeping of it is the evidence, the evidence that I am truly saved. Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only receiving your own selves. James warned in chapter 1 verse 22 and hereby we do know that we know him if we keep his commandments. He that sayeth I know him and keepeth not his commandments is a liar, a liar and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2 verse 3, 1 Peter 2 verse 23 says being born again, being born again not of corruptible seed, not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the Word of God. Now the seed, the seed is the Word of God. Jesus said in Luke 8 verse 11 but, but in the next verse he gave a fearful warning, in the next verse he gave a fearful warning, then cometh the devil, then cometh the devil and taketh away the Word out of their hearts lest they should believe and be saved. Then cometh the devil Christ said and taketh away, Satan can do that, taketh away the Word out of their hearts lest they should believe and be saved. Oh soul, soul whatever the devil does, whoever the devil uses, be careful what you do when you hear or read the Word of God. Whatever the devil does, whoever the devil uses, be careful what you do when you hear or read the Word of God for we are warned that we are warned that it will one day judge us. It will one day judge us. In John 12 verse 18 Christ declared, he that rejecteth me and receiveth not my words hath one that judges him. The Word that I have spoken the same shall judge him. In the last day, whoso despiteeth the Word shall be destroyed, Proverbs 13 verse 13. And so firstly we see that it is the source of our salvation, it is the source of our salvation, and secondly that the keeping of it, the keeping of it is the evidence that we have been truly saved, but thirdly the rejecting of it, the rejecting of it will result in us to one day be judged by it. But if, if and when I am truly saved, if and when I am truly saved, it immediately becomes my source of spiritual growth. If and when I am truly saved, it immediately becomes my source of spiritual growth. 1 Peter 2 verse 2 says, as newborn babes, as newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby, that ye may grow thereby beloved. This book is the source of our salvation, and the keeping of it is the evidence that I am truly saved, but the rejecting of it will result in us to one day be judged by it. But if and when I am truly saved, it immediately becomes my source of spiritual growth, it immediately becomes my source of spiritual growth. And fifthly, fifthly, it is our source of daily renewal, it is our source of daily renewal. In 2 Corinthians 4 verse 16, we read that the inward man is renewed, the inward man is renewed, day by day, morning by morning. He wakeneth mine ear to hear, Isaiah 50 verse 4, to be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man, to be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man, Ephesians 3 verse 16 tells us, the inward man, the inward man is renewed, day by day, God says. Beloved, it is the source of daily renewal, and it ultimately becomes, it ultimately becomes our source of survival. It ultimately becomes our source of survival. Man doth not live, literally man cannot live by bread only, by eating food only, but by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. Deuteronomy 8 verse 3, I have esteemed the word of his mouth more than my necessary food. I have esteemed the word of his mouth more than my necessary food, Job 23 verse 12. It ultimately is our source, our source of survival, beloved. The seventh, the seventh vital facet we must realize, the seventh vital facet we must realize is that it, it is given life, it is given life and revelation, it is given life and revelation by the Holy Spirit, it is given life and revelation by the Holy Spirit at salvation, at salvation the Holy Spirit of God possesses me, at salvation the Holy Spirit of God possesses me. Ye, ye are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you, 1 Corinthians 3 verse 16, your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, 1 Corinthians 6 verse 19. Christ in you is the hope of glory, Colossians 1 verse 27, you have no hope of eternal life, there's no possibility of eternal life unless Christ dwells in you. Christ in you is the hope of glory, but, but if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his, he is none of his, Romans 8 verse 9, and from the moment, from the moment of our salvation, from the moment of our salvation, the Word of God is given revelation and life by the Holy Spirit who now dwells in us, from the moment, beloved, of our salvation, the Word of God is given revelation and life by the Holy Spirit who now dwells in us, but the natural man, the natural man, that is the unsaved, unregenerate man, receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, they're meaningless to him, neither can he know them, he can't understand them, because they are spiritually discerned, 1 Corinthians 2 verse 14 tells us, for the letter, the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life, the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life, 2 Corinthians 3 verse 6 tells us, in Luke, in Luke chapter 24, Christ appeared to two of his sorrowing disciples on the Emmaus road, in Luke chapter 24, Christ appeared suddenly to two of his sorrowing disciples on the Emmaus road, and verse 27 says, beginning at Moses, that is the first five books of the Bible, beginning at Moses, and all the prophets, that's virtually the entire Old Testament, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself, then suddenly, verse 31, he vanished out of their sight, verse 32, and they said one to another, did not our hearts burn within us while he talked with us? By the way, did not our hearts burn within us while he talked with us? By the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures, while he opened to us the scriptures, and Christ promised his disciples and us that the Holy Spirit, when he is come, would do the same, John 14 verse 26, he shall teach you all things, but without the Holy Spirit, this book is dead, of any spiritual value in the light of eternity, without the Holy Spirit, this book is dead, 2 Corinthians 3 verse 6 tells us, the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life, the psalmist prayed, open thou mine eyes, open thou mine eyes, literally in the Hebrew, give revelation, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law, Psalm 119 verse 18, then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, Luke 24 verse 45 recorded, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, Ephesians 1 verse 18, that our God, that our God may lighten, that is open our eyes, Ezra 7 verse 8, those disciples, those disciples had cried to each other, did not our hearts burn, did not our hearts burn within us while he opened to us the scriptures? And our hearts our hearts will burn within us, also beloved, our hearts will burn within us also beloved as the Holy Spirit of God opens the Word of God to us daily, our hearts will burn within us also beloved as the Holy Spirit of God God opens the word of God to us daily, but, but, how tragic, how tragic it would be if a Christian sits before an open Bible, and like a blind man, sees nothing, to give him a burning heart daily. How tragic it would be if a Christian sits before an open Bible, and like a blind man, sees nothing, to give him a burning heart daily. O Christian, beware, beware, for the neglect of this book, the neglect of this book, is the first evidence that I am in the tragic process of backsliding. The neglect of this book is the first evidence that I am in the tragic process of backsliding. The first indication that you have backslidden is if you lose appetite for the Scriptures, but instead your appetite increases more and more for things that are not related to God or His word. But these things, these things will leave you empty spiritually. These things will leave you empty spiritually. And you will experience that even in laughter, the heart will be sorrowful. That's tragic. You will experience that even in laughter, the heart will be sorrowful. Proverbs 14, verse 13 warns us, who is he speaking of here in his context? The next verse clearly tells us, the backslider, the backslider in heart, that's a tragic state to be. Can you believe that you're laughing while you're crying, that you're trying to convince yourself and lying to such a degree that these things are fulfilling you that have made you bury this book, put this book aside, and the devil has thousands of things, legitimate, technical advancement, knowledge, that Christians are so drowned in, that they can't do without. Let me tell you, you can do without those things, sir, but you can't do without this. And you may laugh, even when you laugh at these things, pretending you're enjoying it and through your crying, God says, even in laughter, the heart will be sorrowful. That's a tragic condition to be. That's a tragic, tragic condition to be. Let me shock you. It is a hundred times more difficult for someone who is backslidden to ever find a vital walk with God again than for a pervert or a drunk to come to Christ the first time and find a relationship with God that's consistent and enthralling. It is a hundred times more difficult for a Christian who is backslidden to ever find a consistent, vital reality with God that thrills him more than anything in life than it is for a pervert or a drunk to come in simple, childlike faith and repentance and experience the reality of God's salvation that enthralls him and every word he reads. Nothing can keep him from. You don't want to go that way, beloved. You don't want to experience that, sir. Don't go there. Don't go there. My heart breaks as I warn you. You won't believe how difficult it is for a backslider to truly walk with God again and have God first and enthralling his heart daily through this book. Because when God's first, this book is first, sir. And your choice when you have a choice, because nothing enthralls you. It's not even the discipline. Nothing the devil can give, cannot do the thrill of someone rightly related to God in this book. So there is nothing Satan can draw you away with other things when God is first. Don't go into a backslidden state, child of God. You don't want to go there. Beloved, the word of God. The word of God is the source of our salvation and the keeping of it is the evidence that I am truly saved. But the rejecting of it will result in us to one day be judged by it. Christ said once I am truly saved, once I am truly saved, it immediately becomes my source of spiritual growth and our source of daily renewal, daily renewal. It ultimately, it ultimately becomes our source of survival. And we know it. It is given life and revelation by the Holy Spirit who now dwells in us. But the neglect of it is the first evidence that I am in the dangerous and tragic process of backsliding. It is also our moral compass, beloved. It is also our moral compass. In John 17, verse 15, Jesus prayed, Father, I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. But that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. Verse 17, sanctify them, that is, keep them from the evil through thy truth. Thy word is truth. Beloved, this is our moral compass. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. Do what God says. Psalm 119, verse 9, thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee. It is our moral compass, beloved. It is our moral compass. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? Stay clean in this filthy world by taking heed, by opening your heart to every instruction in God's word, soaking yourself, by taking heed thereto according to thy word, you will stay pure, young man. Psalm 119, verse 9, I have three sons, Norley, Roy, and Samuel. They're all big now, but when they still went to school as young teenagers, my son Noel, he came home one day. There was no homeschooling allowed in our country. It was against the law. Only our third son had the privilege of having Jenny doing homeschooling with him because the law changed when they saw the advantages of it and the protection and that it does have a wonderful achievement if a child is trained rightly. But before homeschooling became legitimate in our country, my two eldest boys had to go to schooling. Now, they went to a very good school because very godly people said to us, just because you're missionaries doesn't mean your children have to go to the worst. And so they were willing, and I thank God, to send our sons to one of the ten best schools on earth that's voted across the world. One of the ten best academically and in every way is all traditional school from the British Empire days. We had the privilege of sending our children. Now, one day, Noel came home, and I looked there, and I heard him weeping. He was really weeping. So I walked in, and I said, what's happened? What went wrong? Did something happen to you today? What went wrong, my boy? Why are you weeping? So he wept a bit more, and eventually he said, Daddy, how am I going to stay pure, Daddy, in this world? Daddy, you don't know what I have to face. From the day I went to school, every single day, Daddy, I go, I try and befriend, and there's not one single person, Daddy, that doesn't hold out sin. Within moments, Daddy, I've got to turn and walk away from person after person and think, who else can I try to befriend? Daddy, drugs, every single day, are held out to me. Things that I never knew people could be so evil and filthy are shown to me, Daddy, that I didn't want to ever see, that I didn't even know humans were capable of stooping to such filth. But, Daddy, things are held out to me everywhere I turned. Daddy, I don't want to hurt you or Mommy, I love you so much, but Daddy, how am I going to stay clean? How am I going to stay pure in this wicked world, Daddy? What hope is there for me, Daddy? And he sobbed. He sobbed. I sobbed. I just broke down sobbing as I looked at my child. When he quieted, I said, my boy, listen very carefully to Daddy, so I never have to tell you this again in your life, but listen carefully now. I can't guarantee you much in life, no, I haven't got the right to. There's very little I can guarantee you, my boy, but this I can guarantee you, my son, this Daddy guarantees you. Soak yourself in the Bible as your greatest discipline in life daily, Noli. Soak yourself in the Bible as your most guarded, nurtured, treasured moment daily, that nothing the devil does or humans do will ever divert you, no matter what they try to do. And the devil cannot touch you, no. He can tempt you, but he cannot touch you, my boy. Noli, you have to be saved or going through the scriptures 24 times like Voltaire won't even get you to heaven. But if you're truly saved, my boy, and the Holy Spirit of God is in you, this book will keep you. The devil can tempt you, but he can't touch you. Let me tell you why, Noli. God tells us to hate evil and love good, but being saved doesn't do that, no. I know preachers that love evil. I know preachers whose wives have taken guns and shot themselves dead when they found out how evil their husband is, who preaches across two multitudes of people, but they're in sin. It wasn't that they hated sin, they loved sin and they chose it, though they saved. And being preachers, my boy. Being saved doesn't make you hate evil, but if you're saved and to the degree you soak yourself in the scriptures as your greatest discipline in life daily that nothing will hurry you through or from, if you do that, my Noli, to the degree you soak yourself in the Bible and that only as a saved person, to that degree you will hate evil. You will be repulsed by it. You will reject it. Of course temptation will come, but it will repulse you to the degree you have soaked yourself in the Bible, my boy. Your only danger, my boy, in life as a Christian, is if you don't. Otherwise you're not facing another danger in life, my boy. Daddy guarantees you that, boy. Don't ever forget it till the day you die. I beg you, wear it all till a young man your age, Noli. Cleanse. Stay clean in this wicked world, his way. And God answers by taking heed thereto according. You don't just read, you do. You seek grace as you read to embrace it and let God fulfill. But my boy, you fulfill God's word to the degree you soak yourself in it once you're saved. There's something here. It's a sacred book, Noli. It's not just an ordinary book. Sin will keep me from the Bible. But the Bible will keep me from sin. Sin will keep me from the Bible, Noli. But the Bible will keep me from sin. Don't ever forget that. I once stood with one of the most revered theologians in the history of this generation. And I only had one moment with him. Lectured at Oxford, your Yale and the theological. This man is revered as academic in Hebrew, Old Testament Hebrew, New Testament Greeks, as one of the greatest scholars of this generation. His writings are in NIV commentary, not New International, but NVI. These commentaries, these wonderful commentaries of our fundamental faith, you find great proportions, some of them, almost the entire commentary is this man. He's so revered. His understanding, his exposition, his interpretation. Now listen, this man I had the privilege of listening to once. And I was so in awe of the simplicity with which he spoke that a child could grasp what he was speaking about. And the deepest, godliest, academically minded saint would be enthralled with. Very few people can do that. And I didn't mean to search him out and have a moment with him, just somehow to say I've met him and spoken to him, no. But suddenly, circumstances, the man was standing right there. I wasn't trying to impose myself on him. And he looked at me and began to speak. And he saw the fire just pouring out of me. The fire of God was in my heart. Oh, he saw. And he looked at me smiling and he said, what's your name? So I said, Keith Daniel. He said, listen carefully to me, young Keith Daniel. What I say to you now, don't ever forget till the day you die. Okay? He said, within the covers of the sacred book, my boy, I have found myself capable of only writing one statement. I've never found myself, this is so sacred to me, I haven't been able to write another statement between the covers of the words that are in this book. I have found myself, since I've been saved to this old age, that only one statement I was able to write in this book, within the covers. I want you to look at it. And he opened his Bible. There was these words that I'd never heard before. Sin will keep me from the Bible, but the Bible will keep me from sin. And then he said these words, Keith, this is the greatest lesson you will ever learn in your entire life of Christianity once you're saved. There's no greater lesson, no more important lesson, my boy. This is the greatest lesson you will ever learn in your life, so don't forget it now. Don't ever forget it, my boy. Oh, I fear for you, even though you're so full of fire, young Keith Daniel. I'd never heard those words. I was so stunned I went and wrote it in my Bible. And I had not found myself capable at that stage to write another thing. Sin will keep me from the Bible, but the Bible will keep me from sin. Don't forget this, Noli. Don't ever forget it, my boy. Oh, I fear. I fear for you, my boy. It is our moral compass. And it is also the means by which the Holy Spirit cleanses us from all wrong influences we face in this sinful world daily. It is also the means by which the Holy Spirit cleanses us from all wrong influences we face in this sinful world daily. We read in Ephesians 5 verse 25 that Christ loved the church and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. You and I need to cleanse our hands. We wash our hands in water. God knows that. He cleanses us with the washing of water, God terms it, by the word. It is the means by which the Holy Spirit cleanses us from all wrong influences we all face in this world daily. Beloved, the blood, the blood cleanses us from sin. But we are cleansed from the world's wrong and warped influences with the washing of the water by the word daily. Daily. It also fortifies, it also fortifies and keeps my mind from vain, worthless thoughts. It also fortifies and keeps my mind from vain, worthless thoughts and from thoughts of evil. I hate vain thoughts, that's wrong, worthless thoughts in the Hebrew. But I love thy law, I hate vain thoughts. But I love thy law, O God. Psalm 119 verse 130. A very godly young man in Africa, a young missionary in our mission, his name is Jan Haram Labaskagni, what a godly boy. He said to me over a meal recently, the Bible, Mr. Daniel, the Bible gets our minds off things that don't matter. Onto God's priorities and values. The Bible, he said, gets our minds off things that don't matter. Onto God's priorities and values. I hate vain thoughts, wrong, worthless thoughts, but I love thy law. The thought of foolishness is sin. The thought of foolishness is sin. Proverbs 24 verse 9. For as he thinketh, as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. What you allow here, eventually you are. Don't doubt this, you will do. The thought of foolishness is sin. For as a man, as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23 verse 7. Bringing every thought into captivity. Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10 verse 5. You can, child of God, you can. Oh, God has no right to ask if we can't, by his grace. Bringing every thought, child, into captivity. You can, to the obedience of Christ. There are evil thoughts, beloved. Every single child of God has that right through life. You're going to have evil thoughts, thoughts of evil. There are thoughts of evil. They are not sin. They are not sin. You don't have to confess thoughts of evil to God and look for cleansing. Because memory is not sin. And the devil knows what you've seen in the past and tasted in the past. And he orchestrates things that he knows your mind knows. To try and tempt you. That he knows your mind will go because of memory. But you didn't want to be suddenly in that circumstance. Yes, memory can bring thoughts of evil. But they're not evil thoughts yet. They're not evil thoughts. They become evil thoughts if you allow them to. You can't help what you see. You can't help it if you go into a supermarket or a store to buy a loaf of bread. You pass today what 50 years ago, 40 years ago they put people in a straitjacket in jail or in a mental asylum as pornography and degrading and defiling. Today it's freedom of speech. Anything goes. You're in trouble with the law if you challenge these people. Because they're protected by the law no matter how defiling. What 50, 40 years ago was called pornography and defiling and derogatory to children. Today even 10 year old children are defiled across the whole world. Because of this law. That 1% of it I think was right. But 99% defiles the whole world. You can't help it. You go, you send your 10 year old boy to get a loaf of bread. He can't help it. It isn't his choice to see these things. The covers. The conditioned minds now of a defiled world accept it. But you didn't want to see it. To the degree, Noli, that you're soaked in the scriptures, you will hate that. Your first impulsive reaction will be to hate and be shocked and rejected. But you go along through the day and suddenly memory brings it back. And the devil has some uncanny way, incomprehensible way of saying, well, why are you thinking about that now? Why are you bringing this back to thinking? But listen, beloved. That thought of evil hasn't become an evil thought yet. They say you can't help the birds flying over your head, you know. But you had something to do with it if they lay a nest and eggs on your head. There's a point. There's a point that lust conceives, James says, and bringeth forth sin. There's a point that you allow. But if you say, no, God, I didn't want to see that photograph on the way to it. I didn't want that. And now memory brings it back. It's not me wanting, I reject. You have to then, before that thought of evil becomes an evil thought, which it can, you have to bring every thought into captivity. Every thought into captivity unto the obedience of Christ. And you can. You can. But be careful. You think you can and you can't for one reason. If you haven't soaked yourself in the Bible. Now, I guarantee you this. I guarantee you this. It is the Bible that fortifies and keeps my mind from vain thoughts, from worthless thoughts and from thoughts of evil becoming evil thoughts. To the degree I'm soaked in this book, beloved, you will find something of a strength. You will find a fortification that God has given you, that no other book in the world will be able to give you. Trust me about that. Don't waste your life. And you've only got a short moment. Don't waste it in defeat of what, just something God expects you to bring into captivity. You're fortified. Let me shock you also. A thousand Christian films made today by sincere evangelical fundamental Christians. One thousand Christian films will not do for you spiritually what one hour of this holy book will do. Now, many people are going to be angry. I don't care. I care about your soul, not about the isolated few that will be angry with such a statement about God's word. Listen, I agree. Christian films, they must be an element and they are of people reached. But I guarantee you, there is no substitute to the reading of God's sacred word. There's no substitute. You try a thousand films. All it is, they're so good, they're as good as Hollywood. Hollywood's left behind a little bit by the good, I mean, the acting and it's all a quality now. But what made Hollywood, what made us addicted to Hollywood? Have you ever thought about it? Depravity? No. It's the emotional rollercoaster of our sensual beings. That we're gripped, we become addicted. An emotional rollercoaster that Hollywood's films generally ever, from the beginning right through to this day. And all Christian films, even though there's good in so many of them, I believe there is some element. I don't judge you people. It's just an emotional rollercoaster we're getting addicted to. That's all. And we say we're blessed. I guarantee you from my soul, you sit through a hundred even of these films, as brilliant as they are, as fundamentally accurate as they are. I guarantee you they won't do for you spiritually what one hour of intense reading of this book with an open heart, embracing with your soul, every faculty of your being, God's word daily, will do. To keep you from sin, to equip you to be fortified against sin, and to enable you to reject thoughts of evil before they become evil thoughts. Beloved, it is our source of safe navigation. It becomes our source of safe navigation. Order my steps in your word. Psalm 119 verse 133. It becomes our source of safe navigation. Literally, this is saying, direct me, God, direct my steps by means of your word. Order my steps in your word. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. It's a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path. Psalm 119 verse 105. It is our source of safe navigation. Jesus, Savior, pilot me over life's tempestuous sea. Unknown waves before me roll. Hiding rocks, treacherous soul, chart and compass come from thee. Jesus, Savior, pilot me. Beloved, it is our source of safe navigation. It gives you the power to see in the darkest of circumstances you will ever face in life. Nothing else will. Nothing. Listen, I was in a restaurant a little while ago in Southern Africa. That is, you don't have to be a millionaire to be able to go there. You have to be a billionaire. So, unfortunately, those who go there are either invited by very wealthy people, which was the case with me. But it's very known as a, you know, the novelty of going to this incredible restaurant. Now, trust me, it is unbelievable. It is unbelievable. You walk in there, you can't believe you're in there, you know. Sound of leaves and the carpets that are softer than most of our beds. Oh, my. The beautiful sofas and the beauty of these paintings. You can't believe it. And the waiters. I mean, you feel you've got to stand for them, you know. They belong in Buckingham Palace. They kind of look down their nose at you as a butler, you know. You're not really worth being served. But anyway, that's the basic. You know, this is really a restaurant, I tell you. Now, people really want to go there. And I was there. And, of course, a lot of money is generated. But they are so wise, these rich people. You know, you've got to be very wise to get rich. Unless you inherited it. But these rich people know how to get rich, trust me. Now, before you can go into this amazing restaurant that is like a privilege once in a lifetime somebody actually is going to take you in. And the rich are really there waiting, you know, reserved tables and all. Nonetheless, before you go through that door, you have to go through a hall that is so big, but so lavish and so beautiful with the most incredible items from all across Europe and the world that are so expensive that I was scared to go too close, you know. Because the price, you think you're going to have a heart attack. So I didn't even want to get that close to see the price. But you just see this incredible. Now, all these wealthy people come from everywhere, tourists and etc. They are looking at all these things, you know. They know they've got to wait their turn in the reservation. And there's a little row there of people all waiting. So they're looking at all these things. You just watch them. Oh, the wife looks at her husband, you know, as thick as her eyes, just grabbing these things to buy. So, of course, there's a lot of money there. Now, I was just looking at this lot, you know, intrigued, but also a bit scared. And then I saw something interesting. I saw, I saw a plaque on the wall, just in one spot that interested me, that interested me. It had these words. This will enable you to walk safely in the darkest circumstance you will ever face. Oh, sure, I went a bit closer. And this will give you the power to see in the dark, in the darkest circumstance you'll ever face, safely. What was it? It was a cap. I don't know how they got a cap in with all these magnificent things, but it was a very rich man's cap. Nonetheless, it's these caps that young people have, you know. The only trouble is the young people don't realize. Someone should tell them it's not supposed to be to the back of your head. It's actually meant to cover your eyes, you know. But you look at them in any way, they all have the wrong way. Tragically, you want to say, look, don't you realize it's meant for your eyes? You can't do that, of course, but this is young people fashion today, you know. It's very foolish. 99% of the fashions, honestly, you get startled. Even the old people that are caught up in fashions. Anyway, this is, well, anyway. Now, this particular cap has got lights, these LED lights all interwoven. And then somewhere the battery system is there, but so beautifully done. It's not like a cheap cap, you know. It's really a wonderful thing. You know, you look at this, so everybody comes to see. This old preacher is actually interested in something. So they all come, and they're all looking. So I said, rubbish! The Word of God does that? Anyway, they all looked a bit sheepish and walked away. That's what God, by His light. By His light, I walked through darkness. Job 29, verse 3. Beloved, this is our source of safe navigation. It becomes our source of safe navigation. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel. Psalm 123, verse 24. And the instructions it contains. The instructions it contains. Are the men. The men of my counsel. The instructions it contains are the men of my counsel. Without counsel, purposes are disappointed. Plans go wrong, you make grave mistakes. But in the multitude of counsellors, they are established. You're safe. Proverbs 15, verse 22. In the multitude of counsellors, there's safety. There's safety. Proverbs 11, verse 14. And then we read this verse, thy testimonies. That's commandments and instructions. Are my counsellors. Literally in the Hebrew, they are the men. The men of my counsel. They are the men I go to. I look upon these as the men of my counsel. Psalm 119, verse 24. Moffat translates this verse, they are my advisers. Most Christians, beloved, are forever running to man for counsel. Advice, guidance in crisis. But there is a greater safety. In the instructions of God's word, beloved. The men of my counsel. Are the commandments, the promises, the warnings, the instructions contained and strewn throughout this holy book. And when many of them. Give me the same counsel. I embrace them as God's leading and direction for my life. For in the multitude of counsellors, there is safety. The instructions it contains are the, you know, there's a verse, there's a word in Christianity that has become feared across the world. The sovereignty of God. The sovereign God. Now, there is an element in the church worldwide that embraces the sovereignty of God as man has no will. Man has no choice. He cannot choose a thing, not even to repent, not even to choose God. There's nothing of man's free will attached. Now, this is, of course, hyper-Calvinism. Hyper-reformed theology, which is sweeping the world, dividing families and churches across the world. There's nothing else, not even the charismatic movement has divided so many Christians as this. But I don't see that. Sorry. I don't see that. That to me is not sovereignty. That's not the sovereign God. I do not see that. I do not believe God. If he, if his perfect will is always performed, then half the Bible is wrong. One has to look at every aspect. You can't say that it's the will of God for a man to rape, to molest, to be disgusting and violent. To destroy lives, to murder. If it's his will that certain do sick, it's his will that the others do that. You can't cancel out the will of God. No way. The sovereign God, sir. I would, but ye would not. Don't tell me God's will is always achieved. Then you've got to cut so much out of the Bible. And tonight I can give you at least 100 verses. If what God wills is always accomplished and performed. You give me one verse and I'll give you 20. To tell you you're wrong, if that's your interpretation, sir, I will. Be careful. Don't blame God. That's not sovereignty. That's not a sacred attribute of God. That's disgusting, sacrilegious, blasphemy. From the day I believe that, I will stop preaching, sir. I will never preach again. So don't you even think of trying to convince me to stand up and protect a doctrine. And shut my eyes to half of the Bible. To be part of you. No! Sovereignty is not that, sir. Not my God. Maybe yours. Of what you want of God. What's the point of preaching if wicked men can't turn? Unless God ordains that as wicked as they are, they will turn. Whatever they want. Rubbish. Well, God can't judge a single soul in eternity righteously, if that's true. Oh, by the way, I have a sermon that I memorized every single verse in the entire Bible. Of both Wesleyan Arminianism and Calvinism. And every historical fact. And yes, it did cause eruptions throughout the whole world. But it's there on the internet. Calvinism versus Arminianism. The war between... Multitudes and multitudes of preachers have changed their doctrine through it. Just scriptures. And just the statements of those who gave us both doctrines. Sola Scriptura. Both sides had scriptures, sir. And you have to get a balance. And look at both sides. And not choose one. Because then you've got to be hypocritical enough to shut half the Bible. And know you're doing it. That's the tragedy. No, sovereignty is not that. I see sovereignty as a very beautiful thing in God's... As an attribute of God. Sovereignty of God is something so beautiful. I see it in this book. More than anything in the whole world, I see it in this book. I see it throughout life, in crisis upon crisis. Where I'm reading, when I face crisis, you won't believe the injustices hurled at this man. I won't share 90% of the injustices that came on my life. The cruel wickedness that was hurled at me to destroy me. Because none of you would believe that any human would stoop to do such things against a man. For one reason. Quoting the scriptures that made them hate me. All the scriptures. On every facet of every doctrine. No. In the crisis, without exception that I face in life. Which most people would go off their heads entirely. I've sensed that now when I've looked at others, even preachers who have. In those crises, I survived. Through that book. Without exception. The wonder of it is, just where I'm reading. This is how sovereign God is over a life pursuing him in his will. Not sovereign in a life that's not pursuing him and doing evil. Don't blame God for that. That's wicked. But the sovereignty of God is in a life pursuing him. And just where I'm reading. There I put my mark. And the next day I open up and I read the next verse. Put my mark. And in every circumstance when I face crises that most people wouldn't believe. Things were allowed upon a human so unjustly. Among other things that came. Just where I was reading. I would open and it's as if God was sitting in a chair in front of me. Instructing me and telling just what he required of me. And peace flooded my heart. I knew this isn't God mocking me. I saw the sovereignty of God. And in your life, if you're pursuing him. Even where you're reading. Even what he knows somehow in his sovereignty. Would come upon you where you're reading. There's something beautiful about the sovereign. He has to be in control, sir. I admit that. But not in control of a life that's raping children. Even his own children. Which I've had to deal across this whole nation. Don't you tell me that's God. In his sovereign will over people who aren't following him. But are wicked. He will judge them. Because that's not his will. Oh, I don't see how you could not rip off the Bible apart. To say you believe in it. Entirely. One of the occasions. Probably the worst occasion I've ever known in my life. When honestly. I don't know how many people could have stayed sane. And I just went in brokenness. Shaken to the core. I trembled. I shook. I was shaking like a leaf. And I was weeping. And I opened my eyes. And God told me just what is happening. And just what he required. And peace flooded me. Immediately. He sends forth his healing word. To all of us. In his sovereign will over those who are following him. At the place you read. I got up. I had to go and preach. In a very large. Congregation. And as I walked into this building. Now staggered. But still. The words ringing in my heart that God had given me. To tell me what he expects. And he's going to take me through and deal with us. And he did. It wasn't once. That what he said. Didn't come fulfilled swiftly. Oh, God's in control. And you're safe. If you're pursuing him. But. I walked in this building. And it was a little girl. She was so small. But so beautiful. Long hair. I didn't think her mommy allowed her to cut this. But she was utterly beautiful. And I looked at her. She was. Standing there was a little piece of paper. And on this paper there were words printed. And she said. Sir. Is this yours? She just picked it up from the floor. Is this yours? So I. I said. No, I just walked in. She said. Oh, but sir, you must be sure. You sure this isn't yours? So I looked. And there was the exact words. God had just said to me. Now that doesn't just happen. I looked at it and I was so stunned. Then I said. Little girl. Thank you for my heart that you showed me. But it doesn't belong to me. It's not mine. It must have fallen out of the Bible of someone else. So I put it back in her hand. She said. No, sir, you're wrong. This is yours. God meant this for you. She knew nothing of my life. God meant this for you. Please take this. I was so staggered at that little girl. I could hardly move. At what she just said. And I walked through now to preach. Everyone's waiting. I've been in many, many, many pulpits across this world. In the last forty nine years of preaching. And on the back. You will find. Behind the pulpit on the wall. Is painted. The most wonderful verses. Particularly, you know, the holiness. Churches holiness under the law. If it's this church. Something that is very precious to them. From the Bible is painted beautifully across the wall. And I see. But I've never ever before or ever since seen this. I walked in and I looked. And there on the wall was the same words. Of a little piece of paper. I held. And what God had. The moment I opened the scriptures. Now, beloved. It just went on and on. I could just go to the degree. That no one would even believe me. God just. I just. God was just saying, listen, listen carefully. Don't fear. Don't you dare fear. And I didn't. I didn't. And God dealt with it without me doing a thing. He dealt with every single thing that was happening. In such a way that I'm people to think for them. But the sovereign God has done that again. And again and again and again. Every Bible of mine. Is strewn page upon page. As God has reached out where I'm at. And things that come across our lives. They are the men of my counsel. I go to them. I go to this. And the commandments. The promises. The warnings contained here. A sovereign God somehow proves his sovereignty. As I believe sovereignty must be seen. Something that makes you trust God. With all your heart and soul. With all your judgment on the righteous people. You trust him that he's righteous. And any doctrine that takes away that righteousness. In the common sense and conscience. He's given us. He doesn't say to us. Look, I haven't got a conscience. And this sacred book. Contains the prayers. The prayers that I need to pray. To survive beloved. This sacred book. Contains the prayers that I need. To pray to survive. When my heart. Is crushed. And wounded. And overwhelmed. And I become weary. And I'm no longer able to pray in faith. That's happened to me many times. I have to be honest. Over a whole life. Most of my life was as a Christian. The sacred book contains the prayers. That I need to pray. To survive. When my heart is so crushed. So wounded. So overwhelmed. And I become weary. And I'm not able to pray in faith. It's happened to me. Martin Luther. Testified of how during the Reformation. When all hell rose up against him. To such a degree. He could not comprehend. That satanic powers were so real. He said he became so weary. And so fearful. And so drained emotionally and mentally. That there were times he couldn't even pray. He couldn't utter a word. In fear and devastation. And numbness of mind. And it was then he said. That God led him to pray the Psalms. Aloud. He found that through this discipline. He swiftly sensed that he had entered. Into the very presence of God. In a way he had never ever known. Since he was saved. And he experienced his faith being renewed. As he prayed these God-given prayers. Luther said the Psalms are the schoolmaster. In prayer. In the set workbook of God. The only set workbook we have got. Don't try anything else. No matter how good it is. In the set workbook of the school of God. In which we all enroll the day we are saved. This is the set workbook. The Psalms are the schoolmaster. The teacher of prayer. The schoolmaster in the. The discipline of prayer. He said that the Psalms. All well. 87% of them. 87% of the Psalms. Begin with someone coming to God in agony. Of the injustices and cruelties of life. And men upon him. In agony coming to God. Distraught. But he says. Halfway through those Psalms. The Psalmist. Commits these things to God. In a very real way to deal with it. And ends praising God. Praising God. That God is going to deal with it. And he said as he prayed. He found himself. So in the presence of God. Entering into the presence of God. He so experienced it. To such a degree. That his faith was being renewed. As he prayed these prayers aloud. That he said for the rest of his life. Martin Luther said. The majority of the prayer life. His prayer life was praying. The prayers of the Bible. He didn't bother. Because a sovereign God. Had him praying. The very words God. Wanted him to be able to pray. To survive. And his faith to be renewed as he prayed. God given prayers. Most of his prayers he said. He later on found out that the New Testament. Prayers of Paul. It wasn't there for recording history. Historically what Paul prayed and so. Every prayer the sovereign God. Led him and taught him to pray. And he found all these prayers. Filled his heart with faith. Because all the war of hell came against him. At what was happening through his life. And ministry. After all the hundreds of years of darkness of Rome. Oh beloved. This sacred book contains the prayers. That I need to pray. To survive. When my heart is crushed. Wounded. Overwhelmed. I become weary. I'm no longer able to pray in faith. But. But. It also tests our faith. It. Also tests our faith. The promises contained in this sacred book. Test our faith beloved. We read in Psalm 105 verse 17. That Joseph. Was cruelly sold by his brothers. For a servant. That is he was sold into slavery. Verse 18. Whose feet they hurt with fetters. With chains. And he was laid. In iron. The Hebrew says his soul. Entered into the iron. His soul. Entered into the iron. He suffered so much. In the furnace of affliction. Isaiah talks of. In such suffering. But verse 19 says. Until. Until the time that his word came. The word of the Lord tried him. Until. The time that the promises God had gave him. Came to pass. Until the time that his word came. The word. That God had given. The word of the Lord tried him. Tested him. Tested his faith. And it does ours too in the school of God. Don't doubt this now. But if my faith. Is ever put to the test. If my faith. Is ever. Allowed to be put to the test. It. Installs hope. Comfort and courage within me. To endure. Through God's compassionate. And precious promises which are strewn. Across the sacred pages. Beloved. Job had no Bible. Job had no. Bible. In the canonization. Of the holy writ. In the canonization. It was accepted by the early church. As far back that. The first book ever written. And given authority as divinely inspired scriptures. The first before anything else. Was the book of Job. Moses had not been given the revelation. Of Genesis. One the creation the fall etc. The laws the commandments. Of course these things have been passed on. I believe that. Job knew enormous amount and his friends. There was but it never. Had one of the books was not written. Not one as a book. That are contained. Job had no Bible. There's no doubt of that. And he cried. My days are spent without hope. My days are spent. Without hope. Job 7 verse 6. But beloved we cry. Although my soul melteth. For heaviness. Although my soul melteth for heaviness. And fainteth for thy salvation. I hope. I hope in thy word. Psalm 119 verse 81. David was greatly distressed. David was greatly distressed. In 1 Samuel 30 verse 6. But then we read. But David encouraged himself in the Lord. Greatly distressed. But he encouraged himself in the Lord. In the multitude of my thoughts within me. He said. Thy comforts delight my soul. In the multitude of my thoughts within me. Thy comforts delight my soul. Psalm 94 verse 19. This is my comfort. In my affliction. Thy word. He said. Psalm 119 verse 49. Psalm 107 verse 20 tells us. He sent forth his healing word. That's what God does. That's what it does. But unless thy law had been my delight. I should then have perished in my affliction. He cried. And you will also. Unless thy law had been my delight. I should then have perished. In my affliction. Psalm 119 verse 92. That we. Through patience. That's endurance. And comfort of the scriptures. Might have hope. Romans 15 verse 4. That we through patience. That's enduring whatever comes. And comfort of the scriptures. Might have hope. Paul says. Hebrews 11 verse 33 tells us. Of men and women who through faith. Obtained promises. And out of weakness were made strong. Men and women who through faith. Obtained promises. And out of weakness. Were made strong. Now beloved. The Bible. Has many other facets. The Bible has many other facets. But tonight. We have considered 16. 16 of its vital facets. Firstly. It is the source of our salvation. And secondly. The keeping of it. Is the evidence. That I am truly saved. But thirdly. The rejecting of it. Will result in us to one day. Be judged by it. Christ said. Fourthly. Once I am truly saved. Once I am truly saved. It immediately becomes. My source of spiritual growth. And fifthly. Our source of daily renewal. Daily renewal. Sixthly. It ultimately becomes. Our source of survival. And we know it. It ultimately becomes. Our source of survival. Seventhly. It is given life. And revelation. By the Holy Spirit. Who now dwells in us. But eighthly. The neglect of it. Is the first evidence. That I am in the dangerous. And tragic process. Of backsliding. Which will make me a living tragedy. There is nothing more. Agony in life. Than Christianity. Without vital reality as God. The neglect of it. Is the first evidence. That I am in the dangerous. And tragic process. Of backsliding. Ninthly. It is our moral compass. It is our moral compass. Ten. It is the means. By which the Holy Spirit. Cleanses us from all. The wrong. And evil influences. We face in this sinful world. Daily. It is the means. By which the Holy Spirit. Cleanses us. Washing of the water. By the word. We cleanse from all. The wrong evil influences. We face in this world. Daily. Eleven. It also fortifies. And keeps my mind. It fortifies. Nothing else will sir. Sorry. Not even a thousand films. Emotional roller coasters. Which always happening mostly. When we bury the word for this. Things. It fortifies. And keeps my mind. As nothing else. From vain worthless thoughts. And from thoughts of evil. Becoming evil thoughts. Twelve. It also becomes our source. Of safe navigation. Thirteen. The instructions it contains. Are the men. The men. Of my counsel. Fourteen. It contains the prayers. It contains the prayers that I need. To pray. To survive. When my heart is crushed. Wounded. Overwhelmed. And I become weary. And I am no longer able to pray in faith. Fifteen. It also tests our faith. It tests. Our faith. As what Joseph had of it. Tested his faith. In the school of God. It tests our faith. Sixteen. But while my faith is being put to the test. God hasn't lost control beloved. He doesn't ever. Unless you. Shut this book. And go your own way. Don't blame God what happens. If God is allowing. Trust me your darkest hour you will ever know in life. God is doing his greatest work. Or it wouldn't be happening. You be still and know that I'm God. I haven't lost control. Just silence now. The one thing you do. While my faith is being put to the test. If God allows it. It. Installs hope. Comfort. And courage within me to endure. Through. The precious promises that are strewn throughout its sacred pages. I rejoice. At one. I rejoice at thy word as one that findeth great spoil. Psalm 119 verse 162. I rejoice. At thy word as one that findeth great treasure. You know going in the old days in the cave. And there's rubies and gold and diamonds. You put the love. I rejoice. At thy word. As one that findeth great treasure. Psalm 119 verse 162 tells us. Seek ye out of the book of the Lord. And read. Seek ye out of the book of the Lord. And read. Isaiah 34 verse 16. Blessed is the man that delighteth. Greatly in his commandments. Blessed is the man that delighteth. Greatly in his commandments. Psalm 112 verse 1. Concerning the works of men. By the word. I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Concerning the works of men. By the word. I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Psalm 17. Verse 4. Who is he? Who will devote himself to be close to me? Declares the Lord. I saw that on the wall in Denver. A very wealthy person's beautiful home. And in the guest room. Painted across the wall in a very beautiful way. Who is he? That will devote himself to be close to me? Declares the Lord. There's only one way child of God. I'm not asking you to worship the Bible. I'm asking you to do what the Bible says you must do. To get saved. To be sure you're saved. And every step you take through life. Every crisis and every single thing Lord. Nothing I can guarantee you. But I guarantee you this. Everything God says he will do. That we've considered tonight. He will do. You have one danger young man. In life. Trust me it's not the things you're thinking of. It's if you neglect this book. As if you're saved. If you're not saved. It's a shame on you. That you could even sit through this message. And walk out of here unsaved. It's total sacrilege and blasphemy. You see there's two types of Christians. You will never find three types of Christians on earth. Trust me. Spurgeon might have said yeah there's ten. He had to be a homiletical genius and have ten points. But I guarantee you. Of those ten. Even Spurgeon would concede that. It boils down all ten points to two. Don't doubt that you're one of the two. Which are you? The one soaks himself in the Bible. Every day of his life. And never neglects it. The other doesn't. He'll stop. They are so different. Though they're both saved. That you wouldn't believe they're from the same planet. Let alone the same religion. And trust me. Even unsaved you have one eye out of discernment about what Christianity is. Know which one you are. Who is he that would devote himself? To stay close to me God asks. There's one way. Not two. One way. This book. I guarantee you won't stay close to God. You will become a disgrace. You will be a disgrace. If you think there's another way.