God’s Word, Our Compass: Following Jesus With Unshakable Authority Series

God’s Word, Our Compass: Following Jesus with Unshakable Authority

Key Statement: “We believe the Bible, as originally given, to be without error, the fully inspired and infallible Word of God and the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and conduct.”

Introduction: The Compass for a Lost World

Imagine being on a small boat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The waves tower above you. Storm clouds block the sun, and the wind is merciless. Now imagine your compass breaks. Panic rises. Every decision becomes dangerous.

This is the reality many Christians face today. Cultural pressures, shifting values, and opinions masquerading as truth can lead us far from God’s path. But God has given us a compass that never fails: His Word.

Today, we will see why the Bible, fully inspired, infallible, and authoritative, is the compass we need for life, discipleship, and walking with Jesus in the 21st century.

I. The Bible: Fully Inspired and Infallible

Key Text: 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NLT): “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work."

Paul writes to Timothy in a world where false teachings were rampant (2 Timothy 3:6–7). The term translated “inspired by God” in 2 Timothy 3:16 comes from the Greek theopneustos, literally “God-breathed.” This is powerful: every word in Scripture originates from the very breath of God Himself. The Bible is not merely human wisdom or moral advice—it carries divine authority.

The purpose of this God-breathed Word is threefold:

To teach truth (didaskalein – instruct, guide in knowledge).

To correct error (elegchein – expose and reprove wrongdoing).

To train in righteousness (paideuein – discipline for upright living).

As John Piper reminds us, “The Bible is not only our guide; it is our lifeline. When it speaks, God speaks.” In other words, to ignore Scripture is to sail blind in a stormy sea.

Practical Application:

For the modern believer, this means Scripture must guide every decision, not cultural trends or personal opinion. Before posting on social media, making a career choice, or responding to conflict, ask: “What does God’s Word say?”

II. The Bible’s Authority in All Matters of Faith and Conduct

Matthew 7:24–27 (NLT): “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Jesus here contrasts the wise and foolish builders. The foundation represents obedience to God’s Word. The Greek word for “follows it” (poieo) implies active, practical living—not mere intellectual assent.

Consider two sailors navigating a treacherous river. One uses outdated maps, relying on guesswork. The other follows a chart verified by the Navy. When the storm hits, only the one with accurate guidance survives. God’s Word is that verified chart.

Tim Keller wrote, “The Bible is not a book of ideas; it is God’s instructions for living in a world that is not our home.” This reinforces the practical necessity of Scripture as our moral and spiritual compass.

Practical Application:

In daily life—workplace ethics, parenting, finances—Scripture must dictate our choices. Obedience is not optional; it safeguards against collapse when trials come.

III. The Bible Reveals Jesus, Our Saviour

Luke 24:27 (NLT): “Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”

Here, the risen Christ teaches the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Every passage of the Old Testament points to Him. The Greek word for “explained” (diegeomai) means to lead through, to give a thorough account. Jesus does not merely hint at salvation; He demonstrates it unfolds throughout the entirety of Scripture.

Illustration:

A father shows his children a stained, ancient tapestry. They see only knots and threads at first. Step by step, he unrolls the tapestry, and the full image becomes clear. That image is Jesus, woven into every line of Scripture.

Max Lucado said, “The Bible’s primary purpose is not to make us smarter but to bring us closer to Christ.” For discipleship, this is key: knowing the Bible deeply leads to knowing Jesus intimately.

Practical Application:

When reading the Bible, ask: “How does this reveal Jesus? How does it call me to trust Him today?” Every Scripture passage becomes a doorway to repentance and faith.