God's Word Is ...

“God’s Word Is ...”

2 Timothy 3:14-17

David P. Nolte

“There’s a Fam’ly Bible on the table

Each page is torn and hard to read

But The Fam’ly Bible on the table

Will ever be my key to memories.”

The Bible, Scripture, God’s Word. Every home ought to have at least one copy of, and every heart should be enlightened by, that Word.

Paul wrote, “Let the Word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16 (NASB).

Jesus said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 (NASB). The Word feeds us spiritually.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 (NASB). Faith is born from the Word.

“For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NASB). TheWord of God exposes the sins of the human heart.

Paul wrote, “But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 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.” 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NLT).

I. GOD’S WORD IS TRUE:

A. “But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.” And “Scripture is inspired by God.”

1. God imparted special insight, knowledge and understanding to those of His people that He chose to record His Word. They were His scribes or stenographers.

2. “So we have the prophetic Word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” 2 Peter 1:19-21 (NASB).

3. “Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you continue in My Word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’” John 8:31-32 (NASB).

B. God’s Word has been

1. Analyzed, attacked and abused – but its truth stands!

2. Banned, burned and bad-mouthed – but its truth stands!

3. Challenged, cursed and criticized – but its truth stands!

4. Doubted, denied, and disrespected – but its truth stands!

5. Ignored, insulted and inhibited – but its truth stands!

6. Maligned, misunderstood and misquoted – but its truth stands!

7. If you missed the point: God’s truth stands!

C. Vindicating the claims and integrity of God’s Word – the Bible, are these witnesses:

1. The durability of the Book in spite of efforts to eradicate it – truth triumphs! No book has been so persecuted and yet remains.

2. Archaeology which has managed to refute historians who credited the Bible with historical, geographical and social error. Archaeology says, Bible: hundreds. Critics: 0!

3. Fulfilled prophesies such as the scattering and persecuting of the Jews; wars, earthquakes, wide-spread falling away from the faith and other verifiable predictions.

D. Too many teach, and believe, man-made philosophies and religions that incorporate just enough truth to be convincing. It’s like the story of a young college student. To please his father a freshman went out for track. He had no athletic ability, though the father had been a good miler in his day. His first race was a two-man race in which he ran against the school miler. He was badly beaten. Not wanting to disappoint his father, the boy wrote home as follows: “You will be happy to know that I ran against Bill Williams, the best miler in school. He came in next to last, while I came in second.” True, but misleading since second was last!

E. God’s Word is true, trustworthy and never misleading. That leads me to the second point: