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All Scripture

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: 2 Timothy 3:15-17

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Sunday, March 1, 2020 am             

FIRST PRINCIPLES

     This morning I want to return to the very basics of why we are here and who we are.   This is part of an ongoing study (slotted for the first Sunday of each month) devoted to first principles, or the basics of our faith.     While we need to reach toward maturity (Hebrews 5:12-6:1), from time to time it is good to remind ourselves of the basics and that is the premise of these lessons.     These are lessons designed to bring others with you to be introduced to various aspects of our faith.

This morning I want to address the Bible as the word of God.   We will focus on 2 Timothy 3:15-17 and make application.   In this may we be reminded of what the Bible is and why we need to regularly use it in our lives.       The context is Paul encouraging Timothy to continue in his faith (things he has learned and been assured of – vs. 14).   Let us notice some things about scripture.

I.    It may be known –

1. God has taken the time to reveal to us what we need to know about Him and His will.   He has not left us to blindly guess what He would have us to do.   Paganism, on the other hand, was rooted in speculation and man made theory about what they supposed would please the gods.
   But we have the word of God – revealed and verified in various ways.     1 Corinthians 2:10-12 finds Paul verifying that God has revealed to us His will through His Spirit.
2. God expects us to understand.   Ephesians 5:17 – this is written as a command.   Earlier in that same letter Paul noted that God had revealed His will to him and he had written it down so that you may understand (Ephesians 3:3-4).
3. NOTE: In this text, Paul may be primarily speaking of the OT. This is what Timothy had learned from his youth and was applying its fulfillment. Having said that, we can apply these principles to God’s word, the New Testament, today. I am convinced that is Paul’s ultimate point here.
   NOTE John 5:39 where Jesus Himself notes, “You search the scriptures…” and then observed they testified of Him.
4. We can with confidence accept that what we have is God’s revealed word to us.

II.    The scriptures are holy

1. The word for scripture in vs. 14 was actually a common word that means a document. While most were not literate during the time of Christ and the early church, there were enough who were educated. Writings, while precious and valuable, were readily available.
   This is one of the characteristics of that time that made it an ideal time (“the fullness of time” – Galatians 4:4, esp. Ephesians 1:9-10) for the beginning of the gospel.
2. Holy scriptures – they are sacred writings – meaning devoted to service for God.   They were treated with respect.   Why? Because the Old Law, to Jews, was their sacred law.   They treated the Old Testament as if it had come from God (and it had). There were special processes associated with the scrolls as they were opened and read in synagogues, as well as in attempts to copy the text to ensure accuracy.   Consider Nehemiah 8:5, when Ezra opened the book, they stood.   This shows reverence.
   We need to treat God’s word with reverence.  Its not a novel, a book of suggestions and good sayings.   It is the word of God.   Consider 1 Thessalonians 2:13 – they welcomed it as the word of God.
3. We need to distinguish between what is holy and what is not holy.   The teachings of men are not holy!   That is why we need to be careful with commentaries, or even preachers that we have high regard for.   WE ARE MEN – fallible!   While I try to reveal what I firmly believe to be truth, I ask you to “trust, but verify”. I CAN be wrong! But God’s word is not!

III.  They are able to make you wise unto salvation –

1. Through God’s word, we can understand what we need to do to be saved and stay saved.
   Romans 1:16-17 – the gospel is the power of God unto salvation.   For in it the righteousness of God is revealed…
   Ephesians 1:13 speaks of “the gospel of your salvation”
2. Consider the OT – it leads us to Christ (Galatians 3:19, 24).   Again John 5:39, where Jesus noted the scriptures testified of Him. It helps us understand God’s plan as it unfolded through Christ and His church.     1 Peter 1:10-12 speaks of the prophets at times not understanding themselves, but ultimately they spoke of the time when Jesus came to fulfill His plan.
   Romans 15:4 makes this point plainly!
   Friends, we can have confidence in God’s plan of salvation revealed in the New Testament because of the Old Testament.
3. The rest of our text explains some ways that the New Law makes us wise unto salvation.

IV.    All scripture is given by inspiration of God –

1. Scripture here is another Greek word that was common meaning writings.   It is obvious Paul was not saying everything ever written was inspired by God.
   His point is “ALL writings that are from God” are inspired.  This would have included the Old Testament and to us, the New Testament.
2. Inspired literally, “God breathed” – it is as if God is speaking it Himself.   Cf. 1 Peter 4:11 – let him speak as the oracles (utterances) of God (Himself).
   This comes back to respect for what is established as the word of God.
3. it will not be in error.       If it from God, it is going to be the truth.   John 17:17.
   Galatians 1:6-9

V.    Profitable

1. The word profitable means useful or beneficial. We need to approach God’s word with an attitude that it profitable to us. We have already seen God expects us to understand what it teaches.   But He also expects us to apply it.   His word is able to make us better, and if applied universally, it would make us all better.
2. For doctrine – a simple word for teaching or instruction.   We open the word of God and we learn.
   2 Timothy 2:15 – be diligent to present yourself approved unto God…;
   1 Timothy 4:13 & 16 both speak of Timothy’s studies and example and how he is to teach others.
   The word is found some 21 times in the NT, 15 of which are in Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus.
   There is something to be said about learning.
3. Reproof – rebuke or conviction. This is the identifying of error to the point that one is convicted and sees the need to repent. Consider Acts 2:37 – they were cut to the heart.
   Ephesians 5:11, have no fellowship…expose them
   1 Timothy 5:20, those who are sinning rebuke..   (spoken of elders in sin).
4. Correction – this is getting us back on the right path.   Reproof is pointless if the direction back to a restored state is not provided. Even in 2 Timothy 4:2 there is the exhortation which is bringing one back to where he needs to be.
   God’s word gives us plenty of instructions about HOW to deal with our sins. What to do when we sin.
5. Instruction in righteousness – His word guides us in how to be right with God. We continually emphasize that serving God is living righteous (by His standard).   Recall our recent lesson on Matthew 5:6, we hunger and thirst after righteousness. We want to be right with God. That is why we KEEP STUDYING God’s word.   We want to learn how to be right and live it daily. See Titus 2:11-14.
6. NOTE; In this verse we have a list of 4 different things God’s word does.   Some have insisted that preaching ought to be 2/3 negative and 1/3 positive (cf. 2 Timothy 4:2-3).   I do not agree. I see preaching as a process where you expose error, to whatever degree that is needed, and then you give the solution.   This text describes scripture as ½ positive and ½ negative if you will. But again, see what I just said – PROCESS!

VI.    It can make you complete –

1. It is all you need.   2 Peter 1:3 – “all things that pertain to life and godliness”.
2. Mankind, especially today, seems to think that God’s instructions are not adequate.   They seek to help God by adding or taking away from His word.       Such things can only weaken the truth or even divide us.
3. Scriptures in many places emphasize how it is all that we need.   Consider 2 Peter 1:4-11 which instructs us to build upon our faith and promises that if we master these qualities (they are yours and abound), we will never fall (or even stumble).   We can make our call and election sure.

VII.    Thoroughly equipped for every good work –

1. Complementing the previous phrase, when we are complete we are fully equipped.   It equips us to do what we need.
2. We are called upon to be filled with good works – the life of a Christian is an active life.
   Matthew 5:16, when our light is shining it includes good works that prompt them to glorify God.
   2 Corinthians 9:8, when we give as we ought to we have the promise that “God is able to make all things abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”
   Ephesians 2:10 notes that we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.
3. What exactly these good works are is another lesson, but here let us suffice it to say – it is doing whatever we can as Christians for God, others and ourselves, based upon what His word instructs us to do.

We are blessed to have the word of God, a proven guide that gives us all the direction we need to live a godly life on earth, and ultimately prepare for the life that is to come.     Does His word govern your life?