I had just returned from a Christian festival as a mid-teen. My friend had invited me. It was my first exposure to a large group of Christians. I realized quickly that the people at that festival had something I did not. I wanted it! They also had a book they read: the Bible. When I got home, I found my dad’s old Bible and began trying to read it. I started with Genesis but got tripped up with those long lists of names. I told my friend that I had begun reading the Bible and about my difficulties. He slapped me on the back of the head – as only a friend can – and said: “Dude, don’t start there. Start with one of the gospels. Start with John.” So, I did. Every night, before I went to bed, I read from the Gospel of John. Then I read the other gospels, then the rest of the New Testament, then I went back and read all the Old Testament. Through the words of that book, I came to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Bible changed my life.
There was another man whose life was changed by the Bible. He was an Ethiopian eunuch on his way home from Jerusalem. He was a high official, placed over all the treasure of the most powerful person in the Kingdom of Ethiopia. Not only was he powerful, he was wealthy. He had purchased a copy of the scroll of Isaiah. Not many people could afford a scroll of a book of the Bible; paper was scarce, and copies were done by hand. The eunuch was reading this scroll, when an Angel of the Lord led Philip, one of the Seven (Acts 6:1-6), to join the eunuch on his journey. There in the eunuch’s chariot, Philip explained the passage he was reading and how it pointed to Jesus Christ. The eunuch’s life was changed. The eunuch had his chariot stopped and asked Philip to baptize him, which Philip did. The eunuch went on his way rejoicing.
We can think of many others whose lives have been changed by reading the Bible: Augustine, Martin Luther, Johnathan Edwards, and Charles Spurgeon to name a few. How about you? Have you read this life changing book? In just fifteen minutes a day, most adults can read through it in a year. Need help getting started. Contact me at fpcwellsboropastor@gmail.com. I’d be honored to help.
Looking for more?
Listen to the sermon here.