God's Word Series

Sunday Evening November 17, 2002 Bel Aire Baptist Church

Series: Back To The Basics [#6]

GOD’S WORD

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Introduction:

1. As we continue in our series “Back To The Basics” let us look at the instruction manual for Christians.

2. Our text list 4 functions of the Word of God and I believe if we will allow God to use His Word in our lives in all 4 ways we will see tremendous spiritual growth.

Function #1: Teaching

2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching…”

1. How do we know what is right? God’s Word is perfect. Man’s wisdom on how to raise your children or keep your marriage strong is not always right, but God’s Word is always right.

2. We also need to learn God’s Word so that we know what we believe. Always ask yourself the question, “Do I believe a particular thing because it is what the Bible teaches or do I believe that because that is what I was taught all my life?” God’s Word must always be the final authority.

Function #2: Rebuking

2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking…”

1. Teaching is showing us what is right. Rebuking is showing us what is wrong.

2. How can you fix a problem if you do not know it exist? The Bible shows us and convicts us when we are doing things that we are not suppose to be doing or when we are not doing things that we are supposed to be doing.

Function #3: Correcting

2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting…”

1. Teaching is showing us what is right. Rebuking is showing us what is wrong. Correction is showing us how to get it right.

2. In the Greek the word “correction” literally means, “to straighten something up again”. Hebrews 12:7-11 tells us that God corrects those Who belong to Him.

Illustration: As a child I can remember being out in our back yard sitting up in a tree with my brother, and as the cars would pass by we would throw these rotten apricots at them. This went on for a while, and all of a sudden a big van came driving by, so we were ready. As the van passed by we threw the apricots and I hit the van and yelled I hit it. At the same time my father looked up into the tree and said, you sure did, and proceeded to pull us out of the tree. We learned the meaning of correction the hard way. Just as my brother and I learned the hard way, so do Christians.

Function #4: Training

2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.”

1. Teaching is showing us what is right. Rebuking is showing us what is wrong. Correction is showing us how to get it right. Training is how to stay right.

2. When parents instruct their children, they are building a foundation and standards. They are training the child up. That is what the Bible does for us. It trains us up from baby Christians to become strong followers of Christ. Unfortunately there are many Christians today that like to stay infants in Christ. They are content with their ticket to Heaven, and do not plan on growing anymore, except for what they get on Sunday.

Conclusion:

2 Timothy 3:17 “So that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

1. The Bible convicts us of our sins. If you are here without Christ as your Savior, the Bible tells us that if you die without Christ that you are bound for Hell, but with Christ as your Savior you will live with Him for all eternity in Heaven.

2. The Bible also grows us stronger in the faith. Christians, have you become dormant or are you allowing God to grow you through His Word?