Intro: Since we’ve moved into this building 2 months ago we’ve experienced explosive growth! We’re in the midst of a paradigm shift in ministry. Some of the stuff we’re going thru right now is simply growing pains. But while a lot of things are changing around here, there are some things that will never change at VillageChurch.
-I thought it’d be a great idea for us to start a new series of messages talking @ the DNA of VillageChurch; talking @ the very basics of what makes VillageChurch what it is today. And the 1st part of our DNA at VillageChurch is the Bible.
-Now I know we’ve all heard of the Bible. Yet lot of confusion exists today about the Bible. According to a 1996 Barna survey, 42% of Americans say they believe that the Bible is the literal word of God. Yet almost half of Americans believe that the Bible is too hard for them to understand, so on a given week very few people actually read the book they claim to embrace as God’s literal word.
-Clearly there’s a discrepancy between what we say we believe and our true beliefs as demonstrated by our actions. So what exactly is the Bible? The Christian Bible is a collection of 66 different books divided into two sections (Old and New Testaments) written by over 40 different authors over a span of 1,500 years in three different languages, yet it presents a unified message of God’s plan and purpose for humanity.
-39 books make up the Old Testament, which was written between around 1,500 BC and 400 BC, starting with the book of Genesis and ending with the Malachi. The Christian OT and the Jewish Bible contain the same 39 books, though they’re listed in different order. The 27 books that make up the NT were written over a 50 year span, and they deal with Jesus Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection, the beginning of the Christian church, and instruction about how to live as a follower of Jesus Christ.
-The OT is written primarily in Hebrew, with a little Aramaic, and the New Testament is written exclusively in Greek. Yet these diverse authors each in their own way present a unified portrait of God’s plans and purposes in our world.
-The Bible was also the first book every printed on the printing press, it’s the best selling book of all time, and portions have been translated into over 1,946 different languages. So when I say "Bible" this is what I’m talking about, these 66 books that have been the foundation for the Christian faith since it’s very beginnings.
Sermon Idea: Today in our passage of Scripture we’re going to see a man named Paul share w/Timothy a few important pieces of information to learn @ Scripture. And we’ll see that these important lessons show the true value of the Bible. These lessons will show us that the Bible is more than just a book.
TEXT: 2 TIMOTHY 3: 16-17
Bckgrd: In this Scripture we see one of the strongest statements there is for the authenticity, the wealth and the power of the Bible. These verses point out why the Bible is the guide for VillageChurch’s faith and practice.
-At this point, the author of this book (Paul) was @ to be executed b/c of his faith in Christ. So he wanted to establish the credibility and power of the Bible. He wanted people to know that this wasn’t just any old collection of writings. It was a uniquely special book that could transform lives. That’s why Paul set out to show what every person ought to know @ the Bible. And the 1st principle every person ought to know @ the Bible is:
DIV. 1: THE BIBLE COMES FROM GOD (v. 16)
Exp: If you’re a person who likes to read, one thing that will be important to you is “Who wrote the book?” I remember when I was in seminary learning @ the importance of “Who wrote the book?” When I was in preaching class I learned that there are a lot of materials you can go to to help you in your sermon preparation.
A. But as you look to different resources for help it’s important to know who the author is. The reason why is b/c there are some authors who might not hold scripturally sound beliefs. Let me give you an example.
1. One resource that’s very good is the author William Barclay. He has excellent historical information. But something I have to be careful @ as I read William Barclay is to remember that he didn’t believe in the miracles of Jesus. He doesn’t believe Jesus performed any of the miracles written @ in the Bible. So it’s important I don’t read Barclay if I’m preaching a series of messages on Jesus’ miracles.
a. Now we all know there are some authors we really enjoy and others we don’t care too much @. But if you’re wondering why the Bible is so important to Xians, to VillageChurch, it comes down to one simple thing. It’s important b/c of who the author is. God is the author of the Bible!
b. You might think, “But I thought a bunch of guys helped write the Bible. Guys like Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.” That’s true, but God worked thru these men to write His Word. He inspired them.
2. V. 16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed.” Now what in the world does that mean? It’s implying that God sometimes breathed His words into the human writers so that they’d know what to write. He said to Jeremiah in Jer. 1: 9, “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.”
a. So what does that mean for us today? It means we can know that the Bible is literally the Word of God. We can know that God has faithfully given His Word to us that we might know Him and have the opportunity to discover the way to forgiveness and eternal life as prescribed by God.
b. Why do you think it’s so important for us to know that the Bible is God’s Word? B/c if it’s anybody else’s word it’s not going to be totally reliable. Why? B/c man is fallible. We make mistakes. You know, if I’m going to be getting information @ how I can be forgiven of my sins, how I can be brought into a relationship w/God, how I can have eternal life, I want to make sure the information I receive is correct.
ILLUS: Getting the wrong information @ something can be very disturbing. Supposedly 2 women from Southern California spent the day doing some last minute X-mas shopping in Tijuana, a town on the border near San Diego. After a successful day of bargain hunting, they returned to their hotel. One of the ladies glanced down in the gutter and noticed something moving, something sort of squirming around.
-As they bent down, the women saw a little animal struggling for its life. They picked up what they thought was a Chihuahua and began to nurse it back to health. When they got home they took the dog to their vet to have him checked out. When the vet saw the animal he immediately said, “Where did you get this?” They told him they found him in Tijuana.
-The vet looked at them and said, “I don’t know who told you this was a Chihuahua. What’s you’ve got here is a rabid Mexican river rat.”
B. It’s important that your information is coming from the right place, especially when you’re dealing w/matters of faith that will affect you for the rest of eternity. And you can be assured as you read the Bible that you’re reading the very words of God. You’re not reading some commentary @ how some guy felt or how some guy perceived things during his day.
1. Well, how much of the Bible comes from God? We’re told that “all” Scripture comes from God. Is it true? Can we count on it? Ps. 119: 11 lets us know that obedience to God’s Word will keep us away from sin. The same chapter tells us that God’s Word guides us on the right path of life.
a. And we’re told that no lie or sin comes from God. That means is Word is dependable. It can be counted on! But far too many of us ignore the Word of God and listen to teachings contrary to Scripture and accept it as truth.
b. If you’re listening to people over the Word of God; if you’re living your life in a way that contradicts the Bible, you’re settling for something less than what God wants for you.
2. You might think, “But God’s Word is harsh! It’s difficult and living the way I choose, or living the way another religion teaches is so much easier for me.” Well, you need to know that you’re settling for a teaching and a life that will lead you to eternal death instead of life.
Reit: The 1st principle every person ought to know @ the Bible is the Bible comes from God. But another principle we ought to know @ the Bible is:
DIV. 2: THE BIBLE IS RELEVANT (v. 16)
Exp: Over recent years there’s been a heavy debate @ whether or not the Bible’s even a relevant book. Many people believe that the Bible is an old-fashioned book that’s out of touch w/our day. Some see the Bible as being obsolete.
A. But I want you to know that the Bible is as relevant for today as it was in the time of Christ. Look at v. 16 again. What does it say? It says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 1st of all notice it says that God’s Word is “useful.”
1. Now be honest w/yourself. If God’s Word is “useful”, how much use are you getting out of it? If you’re not taking time to read the Bible; if you’re not taking time to apply the Bible to your life, it’s not going to be of much use to you. The word “useful” carries w/it the idea of being sufficient. But I’m afraid many of us view the Bible as being insufficient, which is why its teachings are so widely ignored.
a. David understood the sufficiency of God’s Word. He wrote in Ps. 19: 7-13, “The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true; they are altogether righteous. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”
b. What are some specifics of usefulness from God’s Word? V. 16 gives several. 1st it tells us the Bible is useful for teaching. Teaching what? The Bible’s very similar to a map in that it gives us direction on how to live our lives in such a way as to please God.
2. Have you wondered why we live in a world where it seems like ungodliness is the norm? Have you wondered why we live in a world where people don’t seem to really know how to live in a way that pleases God? The reason why is b/c we simply don’t know what the Bible says. Hosea 4: 6, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
a. You see, if we don’t know the Bible then we can’t know God’s design for our lives. To know the Bible leads to destruction. And anything that keeps us from being destroyed is definitely something that’s relevant. As you read the Bible nowhere will you find instructions being given that lead you to harm. Nowhere will you discover that if you apply the Bible to your life that it’ll be detrimental to your future. But a lack of knowledge of God’s Word will destroy you.
ILLUS: I’m sure we can all think of times when a lack of knowledge put you in a bad situation. Our Greeters do a great job. They meet you out in the parking lot, give you bulletins, show you where to go and have a smile on their face. But a few years ago, when we were just getting started I told the Greeters just how important they are to the church. I told them that w/in 10 seconds people make up their minds @ the kind of experience they’re going to have at a church.
-That means our Greeters will give people their impression of the church. So I told them they needed to be friendly and kind to everyone. Maybe even try to engage our guests in a nice conversation.
-Well, one of our greeters took that to heart. And as he was bringing a lady into the school, he tried to make small talk w/her and he asked her when her baby was due. That would’ve been a great question had the lady been pregnant, but she wasn’t. When we say and do things in ignorance, we tend to find ourselves in a bad situation!
b. I guarantee you the Bible relevant. If you don’t believe me then let me ask you a question. Do you find your eternal destination relevant to you? Do you find the opportunity to have your sins forgiven by God relevant to you? Rom. 10: 9-10, 17, “If you confess w/your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for w/the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and w/the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation…So faith comes from hearing, and hearing from the Word of Christ.”
B. I find my eternity to be of great relevance to me. God’s Word says it’s useful. But it won’t be useful until we apply it to our lives.
1. And if you choose not to apply the Bible to your life you need to understand it will lead you to destruction b/c you’re making the choice to ignore the instructions of life.
Reit: The 1st principle every person ought to know @ the Bible is the Bible comes from God. The 2nd principle is the Bible is relevant. And the final principle every person ought to know @ the Bible is:
DIV. 3: THE BIBLE ENABLES US TO BE GODLY (v. 17)
Exp: What good is advice if it doesn’t bring @ any change in our lives? What good is advice if it’s not helpful? It’s not any good at all! Has there ever been a time in your life when you weren’t thoroughly equipped; when you hadn’t been thoroughly prepared?
A. About 8 or 9 years ago I went to Israel w/a couple of people from our last church. And I remember Don asking me what he should wear to Israel. My wife would cringe thinking @ anyone asking me for fashion advice. I can barely tell the difference between blue and green.
1. But being the fashionista that I am, I told Don all he’d need was short sleeve shirts and a windbreaker. All good advice if we’d only been in Israel. The problem arose when we went home thru Munich, Germany during their worst winter in years. It was 2 degrees outside and Don was wearing his short sleeve shirt and windbreaker trying to figure out how he could break my neck!
a. The good news @ God’s Word is it doesn’t leave us in short-sleeve shirts in the middle of winter! We’re told the Word of God thoroughly equips us for every good work. The word “thorough” means “complete.” As in fully equipped and not lacking.
b. The word “equipped” was a Greek word that was used to describe a fully outfitted wagon. When you traveled in those days you had to be completely ready! You couldn’t stop at a local store and stock up on stuff you might have forgotten b/c they didn’t have stores like that back then.
2. In our text Paul’s telling us that God’s Word thoroughly equips us for life and for eternity when we stock up on its supplies. How so? When tragedy comes your way, when you lose a loved one, when your job situation seems to be in jeopardy, you can look into the Bible and find out that God knows what’s happening in your life and He can provide a peace that’s beyond all understanding.
a. Maybe when you’re facing illness and even death you can look into God’s Word and find provisions that will safely bring you into the presence of God. The Bible clearly teaches us how we can come into a relationship w/God, which means we don’t have to worry @ our eternity. We can know for certain that we have a home waiting for us in heaven.
b. And while we’re living on this earth, the Bible provides us w/information on how to live a godly life NOW.
B. I think we’d all agree that a person who had great knowledge; great intelligence but refused to use it could rightly be called foolish. Well, if you refuse the wealth of God’s Word then you can count yourself among those who are foolish. Let me encourage you to look into God’s Word and take it seriously. And as you do you’ll discover that God’s Word is true.
1. It’s not a fairy-tale. It’s not a lie. It’s just simply true.
Conclusion: There are some principles @ the Bible every person ought to know. And these principles make up part of the DNA of VillageChurch. We believe the Bible comes from God. We believe the Bible is relevant. And we believe the Bible enables us to be godly.
-Xians, I want to challenge you to spend time each day reading God’s Word. We have a Bible reading guide available for you at the Welcome Table. If you follow the guide you’ll be able to read the entire Bible thru in a year. And I believe as you read Scripture you’ll discover the power and truth and importance of God’s Word in your life.
-Others of you know you have a void in your life. You know you don’t have a real relationship w/God. If that’s you, the Bible tells us how we can know God. It tells us God desires for you to turn away from you sins and follow Him. If you’d like to do that, pray this prayer after me:
-Dear Jesus, I know I’m a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. I believe you died and rose from the grave for me. Save me.
-If you prayed that prayer, take your bulletin and fill out the right inside portion. Then tear it out and place it in the offering basket in a few moments and we’ll get some information to you on how you can grow in your walk w/Christ.
