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…A
common question that is often asked is, “How do we know anything for sure?”
Perhaps you had a class in this kind of discipline at college. It is the
study of epistemology, which is the study of how we know.
…There are several ways that we can ascertain truth. One of the ways is
through repeatability…the scientific method…where given the same variables…we
can expect the same results. Another is through credible eye witness.
…But the most reliable way that we can know something is through the
revelation given to us by God. God is there and He has spoken truth in the
only book He ever gave, the Bible.
…Paul, just before his execution, writes to the young pastor, Timothy,
reminding him of the wonder of the Word.
TWO
QUALITIES FOUND IN GOD’S WONDERFUL WORD GIVING US EVERYTHING WE NEED FOR LIFE.
For in the Bible, God gives us absolute truth, which will never change, be
updated, or revised. Let God be true, and every man a liar. It is
established in the heavens…
I. The
Scriptures Possess The Distinction Of Being The Very Breath Of God. V.16
A. Paul
tells that “all Scripture is God-breathed.”
1.
Scripture has
it origin in God. The Bible is His idea. It is His book for His family.
2.
The Bible, in
its entirety, has this special quality, not just parts of it. “all Scripture”
3.
Some translate
this “inspired.” It is better thought of as “expired” from God.
B. Peter
tells us how the process actually occurred. (2 Peter 1:21)
1.
He tells, “that
men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
2.
This tells us
that the Word of God was the result of both human and divine involvement. God
used over 40 men to write the 66 books of the Bible, and kept them from any
error by the Holy Spirit who superintended the whole process.
…In this way, it is likened to the incarnation of Jesus. God used a sinful
woman, Mary, and the Holy Spirit came upon her, and He who was born was
without sin, perfect in every way, the Son of God, the Living Word. The same
is true of the written Word.
C. The
result for us: we have in our hands God’s absolute truth. Put your total
confidence in it!!
II. The
Scriptures Are Sufficient For All Our Needs, As Christians, To Live And Serve
The Lord. (vv.16-17)
“…equipping us for
every good work.”
…”useful” means to be sufficient, to be profitable. Paul tells us of 4 ways
that it is sufficient:
A. The
Bible is sufficient for “teaching.”
1.
You cannot live
a spiritual life without knowing spiritual truth. It is impossible to
believe, understand, and follow what you do not know.
2.
The wisdom and
guidance for fulfilling everything God commands us to believe, think, say,
and do is found in His inerrant Word.
3.
The “natural
man does not accept this…it is foolish to him.” He is blind. (1 Cor 2;:14)
…He is not stupid, He is spiritually dead, and in love with his sin.
B. The
Bible is sufficient for “rebuking” the believer when in error or when living
in sin.
1.
God’s Word
exposes all falsehood and sin, wrong belief and ungodly conduct.
2.
The Word brings
conviction of sin. Not always confession, but conviction…
…a
regular and careful study of the Word exposes sin in a believer’s life. (Heb
4:12)
3.
“Every
Christian has experienced times of being sharply and deeply convicted by
reading a Bible passage or hearing it preached or taught.” (MacArthur)
4.
Every Believer
knows that during times of disobedience he is strongly tempted to forsake
Bible Study, worship, and other faithful believers…due to sin in his life…
…this is why a Bible teaching church is never a haven for persistent sinners…
C. The
Bible is sufficient for “correcting” the believer.
1.
The word
“correcting” meant to set upright or helping a person back onto his feet.
2.
After exposing
and condemning false beliefs and sinful conduct, Scripture then builds.
…this is Scriptures positive provision for those who accept its negative
reproof.
D. The
Bible is sufficient for the life-long “training” of Christians in
righteousness. The Bible enables us, as believers, to become increasingly
like our Lord and Savior.
LESSONS FOR
OUR LIVES:
1.
Daily you should thank the Lord for His wonderful Word. It is His gift
to His people.
2. God is
the one who defines and measures truth...not man. He tells the value of
all things.
3. Read
and study God's Word everyday...feast upon it...you will grow by it!!
4.
Let the Word reveal sin in your life...then let it correct you.
5.
Perhaps this message makes you uncomfortable...Are you lost? Come to the
savior today.
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