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Questions:  Have you noticed that many people, especially people in the political, are writing books today? Why do people write books?  Who are some of the best-selling authors today?  Who are some of the best-selling authors in history? The following are the top 4 according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_fiction_authors William Shakespeare, British, plays and poetry—4 billion Agatha Cristie, British, detective—4 billion Barbara Cartland, British, romance—1 billion Danielle Steel, American, romance—800 million …noteworthy authors down the list are… Louis L’Amour, American, western—330 million Robert Ludlum, American, espionage, Jason Bourne—290 million John Grisham, American, legal thriller—250 million Zane Grey, American, western—250 million C. S. Lewis, British, Chronicles of Narnia, popular theology—200 million David Baldacci, American, thriller—110 million James Michener, American, historical—100 million

These authors, as well as many others listed and not listed on this site have written many billions of books. And even so, it has been contended through the centuries that the most widely read book of all time has been the Bible. In the text for this lesson from Romans Chapter 15, Paul tells us…as do other texts from the Bible…why the Scriptures were written, a valuable reminder of why we should be mindful of them.

Scripture: (Underline/italics/highlights in Scriptures are mine for emphasis.) Romans 15:4 (NIV) For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.  Why did Paul say everything was written in the past?  This verse says, “…through endurance…of the Scriptures…”. Have you ever considered how long the Scriptures [that are so easily accessible to us today] have endured? Have you ever considered how many people have been ‘encouraged’ by these same Scriptures?

Joshua 1:6-8(NIV) 6“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8Do not let this Book of the Law

Romans Chapter 15.2, page 1 depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.  God had led the Israelites out of slavery in Egpyt and into the land across the Jordan. Moses had died and Joshua was now leading them. What did God tell Joshua to do with everything written in the Book of the Law?

Many years later… 2 Kings 22:10-13(NIV) 10Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king. 11When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. 12He gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: 13“Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD’s anger that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.”  Prior to, and during the first few years of the reign of Josiah, King of Judah, the people of Judah had ignored the Book of the Law, given to them by God through Moses. Early in Josiah’s reign, the priest Hilkiah ‘found’ the Book as the temple was being repaired. The Book was read to the King Josiah. What did the King say God’s response was to the people of Judah not obeying what was written in the Book of the Law [Scripture]?

‘What is written’ is not just on a national level, but also on a personal level… Psalms 139:13-16(NIV) 13For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  What did the psalmist say God had written about him [and us] in His book [of life]?  When were these things written about him [and us]? (Before we were born.)  According to verse 14, how did God make the psalmist [and each of us]?

1 Corinthians 10:6-13(NIV) 6Now these things occurred as examples£ to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry.”£ 8We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty–three thousand of them died. 9We should not test the Lord, as some of them did— and were killed by snakes. 10And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. 11These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.  Why were these things written down? (As a warning for us.) 12So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Romans Chapter 15.2, page 2  Given this written warning, what are we to remember when we are tempted? (‘It is written’ here that we will not be tempted beyond what we can bear and a way out is provided.)

Matthew 2:1-6(NIV) 1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi£ from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east£ and have come to worship him.” 3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ£ was to be born. 5“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’£”  What did the chief priests and teachers of the law tell Herod was written [in Micah 5:2] about where the Christ was to be born?

Matthew 4:1-11(NIV) 1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ £” 5Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’£” 7Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ £” 8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’£” 11Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.  When Satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread so he could satisfy hunger, how did Jesus respond in verse 4? (‘It is written’, quoted Deut. 8:3)  How does Satan change his temptation in verse 6? (Uses Scripture, ‘It is written’, quoted Psalm 91:11, 12…)  What response does Jesus have to Satan in verse 7? (‘It is written’, quoted Deut. 6:16)  What response does Jesus have to Satan in verse 10? (‘It is written’, quoted Deut. 6:13)  What should remember when Satan tempts us? (‘It is written’…recall Scriptures that apply to our temptation, such as 1 Cor. 10:13 above.)

Mark 1:1-11(NIV) 1The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.£ 2It is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” £ — 3“a voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”£ 4And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7And this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop Romans Chapter 15.2, page 3 down and untie. 8I baptize you with£ water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”  What was written by the prophet Isaiah [700 years before Jesus was born] about Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

Luke 18:31-33(NIV) 31Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. 33On the third day he will rise again.”  What was written by the prophets about the Son of Man?  What did Jesus say would happen to ‘everything that is written about the Son of Man’?

Luke 24:36-49(NIV) 36While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate it in their presence. 44He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”  After He was raised from the dead, what did Jesus remind His disciples about all the things written about Him in the Law of Moses, the prophets and the Psalms?

Acts 13:27-31(NIV) 27The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.  Were the things written about Him fulfilled? (Yes.)

John 20:30-31(NIV) 30Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31But these are written that you may £ believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. Romans Chapter 15.2, page 4  Why did John say the accounts of Jesus were written? John 21:25(NIV) 25Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.  How much more could have been written?

1 John 5:11-13(NIV) 11And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.  Why were these things written?

Romans 14:11(NIV) 11 It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’”£  What is written? [Tim Tebow is getting a head-start.]

And remember our text for this lesson… Romans 15:4(NIV) 4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.  Why was everything written?  [There are 5 more “…as it is written…” references in the remainder of Romans 15.]

Hebrews 10:5-18(NIV) 5Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; 6with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. 7Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, O God.’”£ 8First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” (although the law required them to be made). 9Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 14because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. 15The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: 16“This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”£ 17Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”£ 18And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.  What did Jesus say was written about Him in the scroll [verse 7]?  What was written in Jeremiah 31:33, 34 [verses 16 and 17]?

Why God had these things written for us… Isaiah 55:8-11(NIV) 8“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 9“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10As the rain and the snow Romans Chapter 15.2, page 5 come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  What did God say His word [‘It is written’] will accomplish?

Hebrews 4:12(NIV) 12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double– edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  How is God’s word [‘It is written’] described and what does it do?

2 Timothy 3:14-17(NIV) 14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  What can the Holy Scriptures [‘It is written’] do in us?

2 Peter 1:19-21(NIV) 19And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.  Where did the prophecies in Scripture not originate?  How did these prophecies [‘It is written’] come about?

Romans Chapter 15.2, page 6