Still Standing

Opening

• Road trip recap: Ohio/New York state parks, Washington DC, Gettysburg, NYC (Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial), Hershey factory
• Museum of the Bible — Dead Sea Scrolls on display — pivot to sermon
• Framing statement: Word has survived everything, and inside it God preserved promises for us

1. The Word Still Stands

• Isaiah 40:8
• Historical illustrations: Diocletian’s edict (303 AD) and coin; Voltaire’s prediction
• Conviction point: admiring the Bible vs. obeying the Bible
• James 1:22
• Application question: when did this book last cost you something to obey?

2. The Word Still Speaks

• Hebrews 4:12
• Contrast: museum piece vs. living Word; comfort vs. confrontation
• Transition: God preserved not just commands/history/correction — He preserved promises

3. The Promise of Love Still Stands

• Jeremiah 31:3
• Romans 8:38–39
• Jail ministry illustration (man who believed he’d used up his chances)

4. The Promise of His Presence Still Stands

• Isaiah 41:10
• Hebrews 13:5
• Pastoral application: grief, sickness, marriage trouble, finances, prodigal kids
• Biblical examples: wilderness, Daniel, Shadrach/Meshach/Abednego

5. The Promise of Hope Still Stands

• Romans 15:13
• Key distinction: wishful thinking/optimism vs. biblical hope
• Applied to diagnosis, funeral, prodigal child

6. The Promise of Salvation Still Stands (theological center)

• Isaiah 53:5
• John 3:16
• Anticipated objection: “I’m not that bad” — holiness not graded on a curve
• Romans 3:23 (all have sinned)
• Romans 5:8
• Direct Gospel invitation

7. The Promise of Eternity Still Stands

• John 14:1–3
• Revelation 21:4
• Pastoral illustration: gravesides, jail cells, hospital rooms

Closing

• Return to Dead Sea Scrolls image
• Recap all five promises
• “The words are ancient. But the promises are alive. And they still stand.”