THE GIFT OF HIS WORD 2 TIMOTHY 3: December 20, 2015

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1 THE GIFT OF HIS WORD 2 TIMOTHY 3:15-17 INTRODUCTION: When people take God seriously they inevitably realize that His Word is not only something to be studied, not only something to be read, not only something to be written about; it is something to be done. In John 5 the Scriptures record a 4-fold witness; in truth it was a 5-fold witness, but the first witness was not believed. John 5:31-40 " If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved. He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light. But I have a greater witness than John's; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish the very works that I do bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the 1

2 Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. 1. Jesus 2. John the Baptist 3. Jesus Works 4. Father Himself 5. Scriptures In 2 Timothy 3 the New Testament clearly, concisely, and compellingly speaks of the nature and work of God s Word. Here we see magnified the truth of how to KNOW CHRIST and how to GROW IN CHRIST. The text deals with our GREAT SALVATION and our GROWING SANCTIFICATION. It breaks down how this powerful, penetrating truth has spiritual transforming power. I. HOW TO KNOW CHRIST. 15 This speaks of the INFLUENCE of God s Word. 2

3 able to make you wise for salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. The INFLUENCE of the Word of God came through the INFLUENCE of godly family. 2 Timothy 1:5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Timothy was blessed to not only hear the scriptures but to see genuine godliness in the lives of his grandmother and mother. Note how wise and wisdom is INFLUENCED through Scripture. Psalms 119:98-99 You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. In Psalms 19:7 The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 3

4 The Scriptures gives such great principles and promises. James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. The Scriptures do not impart salvation, but rather wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE SCRIPTURES TO SALVATION? 1. The Bible reveals our need for salvation. It is a mirror that shows us how filthy we are in God s sight. 4

5 2. The Bible explains that every lost sinner is condemned now (John 3:18-21). 3. The Bible explains that a lost sinner cannot save himself (Ephesians 2:8-9). 4. The Bible explains God s wonderful plan of salvation (Romans 5:8, John 3:16). 5. The Bible explains assurance (1 John 5:9-13). 6. The Bible becomes our spiritual food for growth. 7. The Bible is our guide for life and death. II. HOW TO GROW IN CHRIST A. The Scriptures Are Dependable 16 inspiration breathed out by God; Godbreathed; divine breath; the Spirit of God. What we mean by biblical inspiration is the supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit on the Bible s writers, which guaranteed that what they wrote was accurate and trustworthy. Sometimes God told Bible writers the exact words to say, but more often He used their minds vocabularies and experiences to 5

6 produce His own perfect, infallible, inerrant Word. The holy writings were given by God through human authors, who penned the precise words that God desired them to select. Oftentimes, God did not override the personalities or wills of the human authors. Rather, God worked through them in such a way that their personalities were preserved in the writings and yet a record was produced that was without error. 2 Peter 1:20-21 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. B. The Scriptures Are Profitable 16 profitable useful, beneficial, advantageous, productive, sufficient, etc. Psalms 19:7-13 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; 6

7 The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression. David tells us that the scriptures gives 6 characteristics of itself, they are perfect, sure, right, pure, clear, true. Note, he also included six blessings that scripture brings in the believers life. 1. It restores the soul. 2. Makes wise the simple. 7

8 3. Rejoices the heart. 4. Enlightens the eyes. 5. Endures forever. 6. Produces righteousness. David then speaks of the benefits of the work of scripture. 1. It makes rich. 2. Delights 3. Rewards 4. Convicts 5. Protects The Bible is a marvelous work of God s loving grace (what a gift) that He has given us every truth, every principle, every standard, and every warning that we will ever need for living out our salvation according to His will. IT IS PROFITABLE! 8

9 HOW ITS IT PROFITABLE? 1. MY FORWARD STEPS 16 doctrine teachings, how to go on, how to progress, how to get built-up in the Christian faith. All one needs to be taught concerning his relationship with God is revealed in the inspired Scriptures. The Scriptures provide the comprehensive and complete body of divine truth necessary for life and godliness. They tell me how to live and how not to live, how to speak and what not to speak, how to give and how not to give (Malachibring your best, not your leftovers). The Scriptures are referred to as the sword of the Spirit only offensive weapon; used in close combat that requires skillful use in order to be effective. Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, with all wisdom. 2. My False Steps 16 reproofs rebuke for wrong behavior or wrong belief. The Scripture exposes sin (Hebrews 4:12-13). It is a true and faithful 9

10 friend and will not hesitate to point out our faults. Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life, Proverbs 27:5-6 Open rebuke is better Than love carefully concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Scripture is the divine plumb line by which every thought, principle, act, and belief is to be measured. 3. Faltering Steps 16 correction the restoration of something to its proper condition. It s setting upright an object that has fallen down or helping a person back on his feet after stumbling. Correction is Scripture s positive provision for those who accept its negative reproof. Psalms 119:10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 10

11 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. 4. First Steps 16 instruction - bringing up a child; discipline; building up righteousness - as the Word of God is studied and applied to an individual s life, it enables him to live righteously. doctrine - what is right reproof - what is not right correction - how to get right instruction - how to stay right 11

12 C. The Scriptures Are Desirable 17 A. Why? They can lead a lost man to the Savior. complete adequate, capable in everything God has called you to be or do; fit condition. B. What? thoroughly equipped enabled to meet all the demands of godly ministry and righteous living. every good work Scriptures lack nothing. 12