THE IMMEASURABLE WORTH OF GOD’S WORD
II Timothy 3:15-17
When I was a child our family took a vacation to Nashville. While there we visited the now defunct Opryland Theme Park. Theme parks have never been very appealing to me. I am afraid of heights therefore I detest rollercoasters. However, Opryland had a unique “indoor illusion” roller coaster” that was called “Chaos”. Against my will, our family got in line for and climbed a massive flight of stairs and eventually took our seats in the ride. Chaos was basically a downward spiral but there were lights, lasers and videos screens that gave the illusion that you were flying through space and time. Though I was apprehensive and even terrified at first, when it was over I wanted to ride it again.
I have found that attempting to read through the entire Bible can produce similar emotions. One may be a bit apprehensive when they determine to read every page of God’s Word. It is not one long book, but 66 individual books; some are short and others are very, very long. When reading the Bible we are confronted with language barriers, cultural differences, names that are difficult to pronounce, and geographic locations that are hard to comprehend. We must determine whether a passage is historical, prophetic, wisdom literature, etc. There are literal commands, instructions and warnings, as well as metaphors, allegories and parables. Some scripture chronicle what has happened in the past, while others point to what is to come in the future.
There are certain elements of God’s Word that are so deep that we will never understand it this side of Heaven, at the same time the truths contained within God’s Word are simple enough that a young child can understand who God is and how much He loves them. St. Gregory the Great is quoted as saying, “Scripture is like a river again, broad and deep, shallow enough here for the lamb to go wading, but deep enough there for the elephant to swim”.
Last night I completed by yearly “read through” of the Bible. As I approached Revelation I became very excited to complete such a monumental task. Then when I finished, there was a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. However, there was also a great sense of excitement and anticipation because I knew that today I could go back to Genesis and start all over again.
In my study there is an embarrassing stack of books that I began to read and never finished. Far too often I will excitedly purchase a new book, read 3 or 4 chapters and never pick it up again. There have been other times when I have completed a book and either given it away or donated it to the church library (yes, we have one). There have been a few books that I have read more than once, and there are a couple of books that have been so impactful on my life that I read them at least once a year.
There are many fantastic books at our disposal, but nothing compares to the living, inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God. Charles Haddon Spurgeon said, “Visit many good books, but live in the Bible”. The Apostle Paul said, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! (Romans 11:33)
I cannot stress enough how important it is for God's people to read the Bible. God does not speak to us with an audible voice; He speaks to us through His Holy Word. As Justin Peters said, "If you want to hear from God, read your Bible. If you want to hear Him audibly, read it out loud."
Many of God’s people claim they want to hear from Him, they profess that they want to know His will, but they apparently don’t want these things enough to make Bible study a priority in their lives.
Researchers George Gallup and Jim Castelli said the following about Americans and the Bible: “Americans revere the Bible–but, by and large, they don’t read it. And because they don’t read it, we have become a nation of biblical illiterates”. According to data from the Barna Research Group, 60 percent of Americans can’t name even five of the Ten Commandments. George Barna said “No wonder people break the Ten Commandments all the time. They don’t know what they are” (https://albertmohler.com/2016/01/20/the-scandal-of-biblical-illiteracy-its-our-problem-4/)
For us to truly know God, to live for Him and to worship & serve Him properly we must spend ample time in His Word. Paul instructed Timothy to “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15). If you will heed this instruction and immerse yourself in the Word of God, it will change your life.
I would like for us to examine three simple but powerful truths concerning the Holy Scriptures. In invite you to join me in our selected text as we consider “The Immeasurable Worth Of God Word”. The first truth that we will consider is the fact that:
I. GOD'S WORD IS INSPIRED
Paul declares in verse 16 that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God”. This literally means that all scripture is “breathed out” by God. From Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 we can hear God speak! Knowing this to be true, we can have confidence that the Bible is trustworthy. God spoke to and through the Prophets in the Old Testament. He spoke to Peter, Paul, John, Luke, James and others as they penned what we know as the New Testament. Concerning this, the Apostle Peter said, “no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21)
The Bible is not a list of myths or fables, it is God's Holy Word. It is trustworthy and it is essential for us to study it in order to live a life that is pleasing to God. A.W Tozer said "God did not write a book and send it by messenger to be read at a distance by unaided minds. He spoke a book and lives in his spoken words, constantly speaking his words and causing the power of them to persist across the years."
The Scriptures are essential and exceedingly profitable for the Christian. Verse 16 goes on to show us that God’s Word is not only inspired, but also profitable. Notice that:
II. GOD'S WORD IS PROFITABLE
Listen to how Paul describes the profitability of God's Word in v16-17. He says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Here Paul describes 4 specific ways that scriptures are profitable; they are profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness.
- Let's consider the fact that:
A. SCRIPTURE IS PROFITABLE FOR TEACHING
The scriptures teach us about God and they instruct us as to how to live. Everything we know about God comes from the Bible. Our knowledge of salvation, sanctification, justification, and glorification all come from God's Word. Therefore, the scriptures are profitable because they teach us.
- We also see that:
B. SCRIPTURE IS PROFITABLE FOR REBUKING
The Word of God is the tool that the Holy Spirit uses to rebuke us. The Bible is like a mirror, that will reveal the true you. James spoke of this in James 1:23-25, there he said: “if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”
When you are not living according to God's standard, the Holy Spirit will use the truths of God's Word to rebuke you. This is not always an enjoyable experience, but it is evidence of the authenticity of our salvation and it is profitable concerning our spiritual growth.
- Verse 16 goes on to tell us that:
C. SCRIPTURE IS PROFITABLE FOR CORRECTING
The scriptures "rebuke" us and tell us when we are wrong. And the scriptures give us the information that we need to get back on the right track. “Correction” means to “restore to the proper state”. One of the major consequences of sin is that it creates a barrier between us and God. As a result, we need for that barrier to be broken down and for restoration to take place.
The scriptures assure us that restoration is possible; furthermore, they show us how it is accomplished. The Bible tells us that “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy” – (Proverbs 28:13). The Bible also assures us that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. – (1 John 1:9). If we will follow the instructions and commands that we receive in God's Word, we can and will be restored unto Him when we have sinned.
- The scriptures are profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting and this verse also says that:
D. SCRIPTURE IS PROFITABLE FOR TRAINING
Paul says that the scriptures are profitable for "instruction in righteousness”. Simply put, the Bible teaches us how to live; more importantly, the Bible teaches us how to live like Jesus. The Bible is our instruction manual and everything we need to know about living a life that pleases God and brings glory to His name is found in it.
This passage shows us that there is much profit to be gained by reading God's Word. But we cannot profit from it if we never read it. So let me encourage you to read God's Word, study God's Word and apply God's Word to your life.
Reading and studying is commendable, however, if you do not apply what you learn it will not be productive or profitable. But if you will read and apply God's Word it will change your life. This leads us to the final thought I would like to consider about God's Word and that is the fact that:
III. GOD'S WORD IS ACTIVE
In verse 15 Paul reveals some things that the scriptures had done in Timothy's life. He says, “from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus”. The scriptures had informed Timothy about Jesus and they had enabled him to receive salvation and then equipped him to serve Jesus after his conversion. God’s Word will do the same for us. Notice that:
A. THE BIBLE INFORMS US
The Holy scriptures are able to make us wise for salvation. The Scriptures are vital in the salvation process. If you are saved it is because you heard and believed the Holy Scriptures. If you are to be saved, it will not happen apart from the scriptures.
It is the scriptures that tell us that we are all sinners. (Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God). It is in the scriptures that we learn that there is a penalty for our sins. (Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death…). The scriptures are where we learn about the love of God (Romans 6:23b but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord). Also, (John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life). It is the scriptures that tell us about the sacrifice of Christ. (Romans 5:8 But God demonstrated his love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us). It is the scriptures that tell us that we can be saved. (Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved). It is the scriptures that tell us how to be saved. (Romans 10:9-10 says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved”.)
The Bible contains all of the information that a lost sinner needs in order to receive salvation. If you are lost you need to attain this information, if you are saved, you need to know how to share it with others and the scriptures have that power as well. This leads us to the fact that:
B. THE BIBLE EQUIPS US
Verse 17 says that because of the scriptures “the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work”. God wants all of His children to be complete, mature and fully equipped Christians. As we read, study, and apply the scriptures, the Holy Spirit does the work of sanctification in our lives. This path of sanctification begins when the scriptures lead us to faith in Christ and we are saved.
The world is filled with people who need to know these truths. They need to be saved and everything they need to know about salvation is recorded on the pages of God’s Word. Moreover, we have been called and commissioned to share the gospel in the world around us. Everything we need to know about salvation and evangelism can be found in the Bible.
I cannot put into words just how amazing the Word of God is. God’s Word is inspired, it is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction. God’s Word is active; it can save you and equip you. In fact, God’s Word can do far more than we have seen today. However, it will be of no benefit at all if you refuse to pick it up, read it, study it, meditate upon it, apply it and share it. It is my prayer that you will comprehend and capitalize on “The Immeasurable Worth Of God’s Word”.
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