Title: God s Word Text: 2 Timothy 3:15-17 Announcements: Opening: The topic which has been presented to us this morning is a topic of utmost importance. It deals with the reliability and dependability of God s Word. We believe and teach that God s Word is the final authority for our faith what we believe and our practice how we live. That statement can even be found in our Church Bylaws/Constitution. Yet, if God s Word is not reliable; if it is not dependable than it should not be and cannot rightly be the final authority for our faith and practice. Even the apostles understood the importance of the reliability and dependability of God s Word. Turn to and read 2 Peter 1:16-21. In this passage of Scripture Simon Peter makes an amazing claim. He refers here to the Transfiguration (Matthew 17) where he, along with James and John, saw Christ in His Heavenly glory and audibly heard God s voice from Heaven. They had been eyewitnesses! Yet, Peter goes on to say that there was something more reliable more dependable - than even his eyewitness account! It was the Word of God!
We have also a more sure word of prophecy (vs. 19) In other words, Peter was saying that if he were able to stand before us today and give us his first-hand account of being with the Lord Jesus Christ that even that first-hand account would not be as reliable as the Word of God that you and I have in our hands. Why? Because the Word of God is just that it is the Word of God! For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (vs. 21) 1. The Bible is the Word of God. We believe in the plenary, verbal inspiration of the Bible. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Timothy 3:16 a. Plenary Every word of the Bible is inspired by God. i. We reject the belief that the Bible contains the Word of God. If it only contains God s Word than it is possible for it to contain that which is not God s Word!
ii. Some translations of the Bible render 2 Timothy 3:16 to say, Every scripture inspired of God If this was accurate it begs the question, What part of the Bible was not inspired of God? or Which scriptures were inspired of God and which were not? iii. Which would then lead us to ask, Who determines which scriptures were inspired of God and which were not? iv. This would then place the authority of God s Word in dependence upon man s own reasoning. And v. All means All. It is either all God s Word or none of it is. Every word of God is pure Proverbs 30:5 All scripture 2 Timothy 3:16 b. Verbal The very words of the Bible are inspired by God. i. We reject the belief that God simply inspired the thoughts of the Bible and man wrote those thoughts down in his own words.
The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. 2 Samuel 23:2 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. Acts 1:16 ii. The word translated scripture in 2 Timothy 3:16 and Acts 1:16 means the actual writings of God s Word. iii. These writings can consist of nothing else than the words actually written down by the human writer. c. Inspiration of God i. The word inspiration in 2 Timothy 3:16 literally means God-breathed. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6 ii. God breathed out His words over a period of about 1,500 years to approximately forty specially chosen and prepared men of God who wrote them down to give us what we now hold in our hand the Word of God.
iii. The Bible is very clear in revealing that God is the Author of the Bible. The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. Psalm 68:11 GOD, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hebrews 1:1 The Bible is the Word of God. Because we must understand that it is without error and without contradiction. It is completely trustworthy and reliable! As the old-time preacher said, I believe the Bible from kiver to kiver and I believe the kiver to because it says, Holy Bible! 2. The Bible is Profitable. a. The Bible is profitable for every stage of life. from a child (vs. 15) & the man of God (vs. 17) i. b. The Bible is profitable for every aspect of life. (vs. 16) i. Doctrine What is right.
1. For all who are looking for what is right for what is truth you only need to look as far as the pages of God s Word. 2. For those who struggle with deciding what is right and what is wrong, all you need to do is look to God s Word. ii. Reproof What is wrong. 1. This is why the world does not want to listen to God s Word. 2. Like a spoiled and undisciplined child, they do not want to be told that they are doing wrong. iii. Correction How to get right. 1. Because the world doesn t like to be told that they are wrong, they also do not want to listen to what they must do to get right. 2. God s Word holds the solutions for all the problems that individuals find themselves in. iv. Instruction in Righteousness How to stay right. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105
c. The Bible is profitable; it has an amazing return on investment! That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:17 i. Through God s Word, we are made complete. 1. We lack nothing. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1 2. Could it be that God s Word is the missing ingredient for your life? ii. Through God s Word we can continue! thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Closing: I have a precious Book, it's the Word of God. It's the only Book that God has giv'n. As I read, God speaks to me, I see Christ and Calvary. The Wonderful Word of God. Forever it will stand as the ages roll, It's the living and eternal Word. It's my guiding light each day,
and without it I would stray; The Wonderful Word of God. Dear Lord may I each day read Thy precious Word. May I love it and obey it too. May I grow to be like Thee. May my friends see Christ in me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.