The Bible is Our Ultimate Authority
Series: First Things
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Intro:
(I used Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem as a primary source in preparing this message.)
The Bible is inspired. Literally, God Himself breathed it out.
2 Peter 1:21 ESV For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 4:4 NKJV But He answered and said, "It is written, ’MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD.’ "
“Thus saith the Lord” was used in the OT many times.
Jesus said that “God said” the account in Gen. 2:24 referring to marriage.
Acts 1:16 NKJV "Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;
All the words are accurately recorded and all of them represent what God wanted us to know.
Body:
1A. The Bible is inerrant; it is truth with no contaminants.
NOTE: Grudem defines inerrancy as Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm anything that is contrary to fact.
1B. Whatever it says about any subject is true.
1C. Whether it speaks colloquially or precisely.
2C. Whether it speaks on matters of salvation, history, or science.
2B. It words are completely pure. Psalms 12:6 NKJV The words of the LORD are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times.
3B. We can trust even its smallest details. 1 Corinthians 10:11 NKJV (11) Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
1C. We can trust its truthfulness.
2C. We can trust its accuracy.
3C. We can trust its usefulness.
4B. Its words are perfect.
1C. They are not to be added to nor taken away from. Deuteronomy 4:2 NKJV You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Revelation 22:18-19 NKJV (18) For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; (19) and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
2C. They are absolutely, reliably perfect. Psalms 19:7 NKJV The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul. Isaiah 8:20 NKJV To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
2A. The Bible is clear; it is revelation with no ambiguity.
NOTE: That doesn’t mean that there aren’t some places in the Bible that are difficult to us. Even the Apostle Peter thought some of Paul’s writings were hard!
1B. God wrote so that we could understand Him; He wants us to know Him, His ways, and His commands.
NOTE: If you’re seeking God, He wants to be found!
2B. The Lord expected that all of his people would be able to understand His words and explain them to others. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 ESV And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. (7) You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
3B. Simple people can understand the Bible. Psalms 119:130 ESV The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
1C. Understanding Scripture depends more on spiritual ability than on intellectual ability. 1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
2C. We have a Teacher, the Holy Spirit, and teachers, human pastors and teachers, to help us understand the Word of God. John 14:26 & Eph. 4:11-12
4B. God wants you to understand the Bible.
1C. You must seek His help and be willing to accept and obey what it says.
2C. People can often misunderstand what is clearly written in the Bible through their own shortcomings.
3A. The Bible is authoritative; it is commandment with no appeal.
1B. The Bible is God speaking to us. Hebrews 1:1-2 NKJV God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, (2) has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
2B. To disobey or disbelieve any word of the Bible is to disobey or disbelieve God. Matthew 4:4 ESV But he answered, "It is written, "’Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’" 2 Peter 3:2 ESV that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles,
3B. Since the Bible is the very Word of God, it is the ultimate standard of truth. John 17:17 NKJV Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
1C. The Bible is the reference point for judging everything else.
2C. We must trust and obey the Bible, putting it above all opinions, emotions, writings, impresions, and human authorities.
4A. The Bible is sufficient; it is enough with no lack.
1B. God considers what He has told us in the Bible to be enough for us. 2 Tim. 3:16
2B. God gives us everything we need in Scripture to think and do what He wants us to think and do. Deuteronomy 29:29 NKJV "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
1C. No additional books are equal to it.
2C. No vision, dream, or impression is equal to it.
3C. No official pronouncement of any church or denomination is equal to it.
3B. Everything God wants us to know about how to think and live are found in the Bible.
NOTE: When we rest in the sufficiency of Scripture, we have great freedom and peace.
1C. We may not find an answer to every question we can think up about a subject.
2C. But our impatience at not having a question answered may be an expression of rebellion against God’s authority.
Concl.
1. Since the Word of God is inerrant, we will trust it and teach it as absolute truth in its entirety.
2. Since the Word of God is clear, we will seek to understand it and make it understood by all who will listen to it, both as individuals and as a people.
3. Since the Word of God is authoritative, we will submit to it and measure our thoughts, our plans, and our behaviors by it, both as individuals and as a people. It will be our highest governing authority under the Lord Himself.
4. Since the Word of God is sufficient, we will emphasize what the Bible emphasizes.
