Text: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
PREAMBLE-: Human History and Current behaviour
Genesis 1 – 3. An example from Eden
In the beginning, God created man in his own image. He puts him in a garden specially prepared for him, with instructions to keep the garden. (God’s plan for man is not to be idle and have nothing to do) He could also eat whatsoever fruit he likes from any tree but the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil was withheld from him. (He also made provisions for all man’s needs).
Unfortunately, man fell through the deception of the devil in the form of a serpent and eats the forbidden fruit thereby disobeying God and earning a curse and banishment from Eden, the paradise of God.
God loved us and He still does, (Gen. 3:8-9, John 3:16:) He loves to fellowship with men, as we also love to be with those that we love, even though He was compelled to punish man’s disobedience yet He did not banish him from His presence. (Genesis 4:3-7,9) but continuing in sin, causes man to be separated irrevocably from God (Isaiah 59:1-2) Cain was the first man who walked out on God. (Genesis 4:14-16)
This state of things continued through the ages up till now, the Bible tells the history of men, it tells of the punishments to the disobedient and the rewards for obedience.
In the world today, we may say that we have no sin because God has not given us any commandment that we must obey. But looking closely this will be wrong because God has given us the rules to live by in the Bible, whether we know them or not, whether we obey them is left to us but the consequences of obedience/disobedience is sure.
[Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7
We as humans like to spend time with those we love, we like to hear them talk, we love to tell them what we feel about things, etc. Our relationship with God could easily be measured by the amount of time we spend in His presence, whether in prayer or study of His word or just in doing the things that pleases Him.
The question today is how do we know what pleases God, how do we know his commandments & his rules. Another yardstick of measuring our relationship with God is to ask ourselves how much we know of Him, from which we could easily infer: how much of the Bible we know shows how much we know of God since the Bible is God’s revelation of himself to man.
THE WORD.
The Bible is God’s inspired revelation of the origin and destiny of all things. Here heaven is opened and the gates of hell disclosed. It is the traveller’s map, the pilgrims staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldiers sword, and the Christian’s charter.
It is the power of God unto eternal salvation and the source of present help for body soul and spirit (Romans 1:16, John 15:7). Christ is its grand subject, man’s good is it’s design. And the glory of God its end. It is a mine of wealth, the source of health and a world of pleasure.
The Bible is God’s will or testament to men of all ages, revealing the plan of God for man here and now, and in the next life. It will be opened at the judgement; and it will last forever. It involves the highest responsibility; will reward for the least to the greatest of labours and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.
It is the record of God’s dealings with man in the past, present, and future. It contains His message of eternal salvation for all who believe in Christ, and eternal damnation for all who rebel against the gospel.
It is the only book that reveals the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories true, and its decisions immutable. It contains light to direct, spiritual food to sustain, and comfort to cheer. Man should read it to be wise, believe it to be safe and practice it to be holy.- Finnis J. Dakes
Divinely Inspired
A. Divinely inspired.
The Bible is Divinely inspired hence called the word of God. (The word ‘bible’ directly translates: ‘The Book’ from the Greek word: ‘biblia’)
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Pet 1:21, Rev 1:1, Jeremiah 36:2; Ezekiel. 1:3.
B.Purpose.
1. To teach us about God.
John 20:30-31; Deut. 4:10; 17:18-19; John 5:39
2. To give us life.
Deut. 8:3; 1 Pet 2:2; John 6:63; 1 John 5:13; Prov. 6:23
3. To give hope and comfort.
Romans. 15:4; 1 Thes. 4:18.
4. Warn and instruct us.
2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Cor. 10:11; Is 2:3 (Acts 18:23).
5. To give us wisdom and understanding.
2 Tim. 3:15; Ps 119:130; 19:7.
6. To guide us:
Ps 119:9,11,105.
7. To bless us:
Deut 28:1,2; James 1:21-25.
C: Characteristics of The Word.
1. It is Light-
Psalm 119:105, 130; Proverbs 6:23; 2 Peter 1:19.
2. Powerful: –
Heb 4:12; Romans 1:16; Heb 1:3,
3. It accomplishes:
Is 55:8-11
4. Spirit: – And lives, it quickens
John 6:63.
5. Purifier, Sanctifier, Healer: –
John 15:3; 17:7; Eph 5:26; 1 Peter 1:22; Psalms 107:20
6. Food:
Deut 8:3; Job 23:12; 1 Pet 2:2; Mat 4:4
7. Devouring fire: a hammer, a weapon:
Jer. 5:14, 23:29; Eph 6:17; Heb 4:12
8. Trustworthy: past and present:
1 kings 8:56; Psalm 93:5; Zech 1:4-6.
Future:
Eze 12:25; Mat 5:18; 24:35; Isaiah 55:8
9. Joy-giving:
Psalm 119:8, 47, 72, 103; Jeremiah 15:16.
10. Eternal:
Psalm 119:89 Isaiah 40:8; 1 Pet 1:25.
11. Seed:
Mathew 4:14-15; 2 Cor 9:10
12. It is CHRIST:
John 1:1-; Psalm 29- The voice of the Lord.
D. What to do about the Word.
1. See it- Read, Study, and Meditate on it:
Deut 17:19, John 5:39; Josh 1:8.
2. Hold it: keep it, obey it:
Deut 6:6; 11:18; Josh. 23:6; Col 3:16
3. Say it- teach it, preach it, speak it
Deut 11:19; Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15
4. Live by it, do it obey it
Josh 23:6; Deut 12:32; James 1:21-25
5. Add not nor diminish from it
Deut 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; Rev 22:19.
E. Results of:
1. Lack of the word and/or disobedience:
I. Mistakes: Mt 22:29
II. Destruction- Hosea 4:6, 2 Chr 36:16
III. Death- Deut 8:3
IV. Punishment and curses- Amos 2:4; Deut 28:15
2. Obedience.
I. Blessings- Deut 28:1-14
SUMMARY: The integrity of the word
The integrity of the word of God cannot be doubted.
What is not built upon the word of God cannot stand.
Everything written in the Bible is true and trustworthy, therefore I will live by it, believe it live for it , study and meditate upon it.
Thy word O lord is food for the soul, My soul draws sustenance from the word.
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