Introduction: Jesus, the living Word of God, often spoke of the importance of the written Word of God, as He does in these verses. The Word of God is more valuable than gold, rubies or diamonds, and we should treasure it, and protect it, and live by it.

HOW DID WE GET THE BIBLE?

1. The Bible has two parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The OT contains 39 separate books. The NT contains 27 separate books. These books are a variety of history, poetry, prophecy and doctrinal teachings.

2. The OT was written by many different authors. Moses wrote the Torah at about 1500 BC. Malachi wrote his prophecy around 450 BC. The NT also had many authors. Matthew was written around 50 AD. Revelation was written about 95 AD. The OT was written in Hebrew. The NT was written in Greek. Jesus Himself testified to the complete authority of the Old Testament as God's Word. Jesus' Apostles vouched for the truth of the NT: 2 Peter 1:12-21 is one example.

3. As the years went by the books of both the OT and the NT were copied and translated into many languages.

4. The earliest English translations began appearing in the 8th Century AD. Aldhalm, bishop of Sherbourne, England, translated 50 Psalms around 700 AD, a copy of which is in the National Library of Paris. "The Venerable Bede" translated the Gospel of John into English in 735 AD. Between 849 and 901 AD King Alfred the Great translated all of the Psalms and Gospels into English, as well as the ten commandments, and parts of Acts. He used these translations as he developed Englands basic code of Civic Law. About 1000 AD, Aelfric, Archbishop of Canterbury, translated Genesis through Judges.

5. In the 14th century John Wycliffe, nicknamed the "Morning Star of the Reformation," translated the entire Bible into English. Wycliffe's version was written in longhand, as printing had not yet been invented. The first printed version of an English Bible was done by William Tyndale in 1526 AD.

6. A variety of other English translations were done, which culminated in the most popular translation of all, the King James Version, 1611 AD. The KJV completely dominated the English speaking world until the middle of the 20th century, when it was felt we needed a translation in more modern English. Then we saw the RSV, the Living Bible paraphrase, the New American Standard Bible, the NIV and the NKJV. The NIV is probably the most popular modern English version, and it is constantly being revised. The last major revision was in 1999.

IN THIS PASSAGE IN JOHN, JESUS SAID TWO THINGS ABOUT THE BIBLE:

I. JESUS SAID THAT THE BIBLE WAS "TRUTH."

A. As Christians we believe in Truth, not in mush. Everything is not just another shade of gray. We believe in black and white, true and false, divine and demonic, right and wrong, good and evil, beauty and ugliness, straight and crooked, moral and immoral. The prophet Isaiah said so in 700 BC:

20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!

B. Unfortunately, our present generation, reflecting a view that has been labeled "post-modernism," has largely rejected the notion of truth. (Read page 78 from Barna.) John Lennon's "Imagine," sung by Neil Young at last week's pop concert for the WTC deaths, is an anthem of the movement.

C. The Word of God is true! Instead of "Imagine," let our anthem by Psalm 19:7-11.

II. JESUS SAID THAT THE WORD OF GOD WOULD "SANCTIFY" US.

A. To "sanctify" is to "make holy."

B. Christianity is not just a religion, it is a way of life. When we receive Jesus as our Savior, and as we obey His commands, we become different persons, and our lives change. We become "sanctified." We grow in grace.

C. There are many great examples of this in the Bible:

1. Joseph resisting the advances of Potipher's wife.
2. Daniel and his friends refusing the kings' food. Refusing to worship the great golden idol, continuing to pray when commanded not to pray...

D. David asked and answered the question in Psalm 119:9-11,"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

CONCLUSION: It is vital that Christians defend the notion that the Bible is the Word of God, and that it is TRUTH. Jesus said, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." If the world abandons the notion of Truth, the world will continue in bondage to sin. If Christians abandon the notion of Truth, then they will lose their distinctive witness for Jesus. But we also need to remember that God's Truth is so tough and abiding that it can never be destroyed or completely removed from the world. David said, "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." And Jesus promised us that not even a jot or a tittle could pass away until the entire Bible had been fulfilled.

Martin Luther said it this way in "A Mighty Fortress:" (I'm combining verses three and four):