OUR PEOPLE ARE BEING TRICKED OUT OF THE MOST POWERFUL AND SWEETEST MODERN POSSESSION

We saw last week how the Power that God offers to us is tricked away from us by Satan
Today I want to show you the medium God uses to present this great power to us
Though the great Power of God is in our hands, we allow Satan to bind us so we do not use

Like Sampson, when these blessed locks are shorn, we are easily bound.

MEN CAN BE PLACED IN BONDAGE II Tim. 2:7-9a

Paul gave some solemn warnings- v.7 -"Consider & the Lord give thee understanding"

PAUL WAS PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST THAT SETS MEN FREE II Tim 2:8

Two great themes were shown in Paul's writings- Incarnation- and resurrection of Jesus
He was not ashamed of the Gospel of salvation by faith in God's Son Jesus Christ
Paul's "My Gospel"- was simply that people should live out the power of God available

PAUL SUFFERED TROUBLE, EVEN TO BONDS AND CHAINS II Tim 2:9a

When Paul wrote this part of the Word of God he was in prison, chained to a Roman guard
Wherever he went to win souls they accused him of political crimes and tried to silence him
A Church Father wrote- though the Teacher was in bonds, his words flew free around the land

SATAN TODAY STILL TRIES TO PUT PEOPLE IN BONDAGE SO THAT THEY WILL NOT HEAR & BE SAVED

Some are bound by a sin & rationalize it; some bound by worldly wisdom-Evolution-Blind to God
Satan confuses others- they think Congregation is Judge- Preacher an actor- & God is listener
But Dr. Epp says- God is the Judge, Preacher is listener, prompter, Congregation- the actors

I may be bound by your Judgement- not a great preacher - But here is Great Book-Great God! 

GOD'S WORD CANNOT BE BOUND II Timothy 2:9b

A lot of time we try to defend the Bible by pulling its teeth- turn it loose, let it work

IN IMPRISONMENT, PERSECUTION, AND FACING DESTRUCTION THE BIBLE HAS POWER TO CHANGE LIVES

Acts 12:24 while Apostles were killed, kings demanded worship, church underground-Word grew
Phil.1:12-18 while Paul was in prison, the CGospel was preached for many reasons-he rejoiced
Heb 4:12- The reason is that the Bible is the vehicle of God's great power-sharp, quick

THROUGHOUT ALL AGES, GOD'S WORD HAS BROKEN THE SHAKLES OF SLAVERY FOR MEN

When the State tried to ruin the Church- Rome- the world was conquered by power of the word
When the Church tried to rule the state- Romanism -It was the word that broke men free
The Word of God has given us our civilization today- Cf. The Incomparable Book- Watts- 1941

TODAY MEN ARE STILL TRYING TO DESTROY THE BIBLE, BUT CAN ONLY BIND MEN WHOM BIBLE SETS FREE

Dewey tried to remove all absolutes- so no True Word of God- & Education has been polluted
Foolish Churchmen are making hundreds of translations to say what they want said- confusion
Denominations are turning from the Bible, But God's word will open new hearts. 

Our world will either rediscover the Bible, or fall into darkness which will it be?

LET GOD'S WORD WORK IN YOUR LIFE II Tim 2:10

Paul was willing to endure all things that others might hear the Word of God & be Saved

SALVATION FROM CHAINS OF SIN AND SATAN IS FOUND TROUGH THE WORD OF GOD - II Tim 3:15

The very purpose of the Bible- John 20: 31 written that you might believe & have life
But you can hinder or help the word of God in your life- Illus. of unsaved Sargent-
If you refuse the Word of God- death & Hell; if you receive the Word of God- light & life

SANCTIFICATION, CLEANSING FROM SIN, IS FOUND THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD - II Tim 3:16,17

God will sanctify you through His Word- John 17:18 - Let His Word clean up your life
If you as a Christian do not use the Word- you will be chained by circumstances today!
Be like the Bereans- Acts 17:11 - that received, studied, searched the Word of God

SERVICE IS FOUND THROUGH TH WORD OF GOD, II Th. 4:2a- "Preach the Word"

The basis of all this church's preaching, teaching, visitation, etc. - is the word of God
You can labor in everything else, but if you do not put out the Word of God - failure
We want to launch a Bible Distribution program - Will you help with $ and work?

Believe the Word, Apply the word to your own life, Give the Word to others-

WILL YOU LET THE WORD OF GOD WORK IN YOUR LIFE?

Mark 8 the Parable of the Sower and the Seed- What kind of ground are you?
There is no better time than right now to be Born again of incorruptible seed-
No better time than right now to join with a church that believes in the Word of God.