God’s Word, Our Compass: Following Jesus with Unshakable Authority
Key Statement: “We believe the Bible, as originally given, to be without error, the fully inspired and infallible Word of God and the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and conduct.”
Introduction: The Compass for a Lost World
Imagine being on a small boat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The waves tower above you. Storm clouds block the sun, and the wind is merciless. Now imagine your compass breaks. Panic rises. Every decision becomes dangerous.
This is the reality many Christians face today. Cultural pressures, shifting values, and opinions masquerading as truth can lead us far from God’s path. But God has given us a compass that never fails: His Word.
Today, we will see why the Bible, fully inspired, infallible, and authoritative, is the compass we need for life, discipleship, and walking with Jesus in the 21st century.
I. The Bible: Fully Inspired and Infallible
Key Text: 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NLT): “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."
Paul writes to Timothy in a world where false teachings were rampant (2 Timothy 3:6–7). The term translated “inspired by God” in 2 Timothy 3:16 comes from the Greek theopneustos, literally “God-breathed.” This is powerful: every word in Scripture originates from the very breath of God Himself. The Bible is not merely human wisdom or moral advice—it carries divine authority.
The purpose of this God-breathed Word is threefold:
To teach truth (didaskalein – instruct, guide in knowledge).
To correct error (elegchein – expose and reprove wrongdoing).
To train in righteousness (paideuein – discipline for upright living).
As John Piper reminds us, “The Bible is not only our guide; it is our lifeline. When it speaks, God speaks.” In other words, to ignore Scripture is to sail blind in a stormy sea.
Practical Application:
For the modern believer, this means Scripture must guide every decision, not cultural trends or personal opinion. Before posting on social media, making a career choice, or responding to conflict, ask: “What does God’s Word say?”
II. The Bible’s Authority in All Matters of Faith and Conduct
Matthew 7:24–27 (NLT): “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
Jesus here contrasts the wise and foolish builders. The foundation represents obedience to God’s Word. The Greek word for “follows it” (poieo) implies active, practical living—not mere intellectual assent.
Consider two sailors navigating a treacherous river. One uses outdated maps, relying on guesswork. The other follows a chart verified by the Navy. When the storm hits, only the one with accurate guidance survives. God’s Word is that verified chart.
Tim Keller wrote, “The Bible is not a book of ideas; it is God’s instructions for living in a world that is not our home.” This reinforces the practical necessity of Scripture as our moral and spiritual compass.
Practical Application:
In daily life—workplace ethics, parenting, finances—Scripture must dictate our choices. Obedience is not optional; it safeguards against collapse when trials come.
III. The Bible Reveals Jesus, Our Saviour
Luke 24:27 (NLT): “Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”
Here, the risen Christ teaches the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Every passage of the Old Testament points to Him. The Greek word for “explained” (diegeomai) means to lead through, to give a thorough account. Jesus does not merely hint at salvation; He demonstrates it unfolds throughout the entirety of Scripture.
Illustration:
A father shows his children a stained, ancient tapestry. They see only knots and threads at first. Step by step, he unrolls the tapestry, and the full image becomes clear. That image is Jesus, woven into every line of Scripture.
Max Lucado said, “The Bible’s primary purpose is not to make us smarter but to bring us closer to Christ.” For discipleship, this is key: knowing the Bible deeply leads to knowing Jesus intimately.
Practical Application:
When reading the Bible, ask: “How does this reveal Jesus? How does it call me to trust Him today?” Every Scripture passage becomes a doorway to repentance and faith.
IV. The Bible Corrects and Equips Us
Ephesians 6:17 (NLT): “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Paul describes the believer’s armour. The “sword of the Spirit” is singular—the Word of God. The Greek word rhomphaia denotes a large, double-edged sword used in battle. Scripture is both defensive and offensive—it protects and penetrates.
R.T. Kendall reminds us, “The Word of God is not just informative; it is transformative. The Spirit wields it to convict, correct, and empower the believer.”
Practical Application:
Believers face daily spiritual battles: anxiety, temptation, or relational conflict. The Word equips and strengthens us to respond in alignment with God’s will, not the world’s pressures.
V. Two Illustrative Stories of God’s Word in Action
The Lighthouse Keeper: A lighthouse stands tall on a rocky coast. Storms crash, waves batter, yet the light never wavers. Like the lighthouse, the Bible illuminates the path, warns of danger, and guides us to safety. Sailors ignore it at their peril; those who follow it find secure harbour.
The Lost Hiker: A hiker, lost in a dense forest, clings to a tattered map. Even though he cannot see the path ahead, the map guides him step by step to safety. In the same way, Scripture directs us through moral confusion and spiritual wilderness.
VI. The Gospel and the Word
No study of Scripture is complete without recognising Christ’s work:
Death: Romans 5:8 (NLT): “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”
Romans 5:8 is one of those verses that stops us in our tracks. It is the heartbeat of the Gospel. Paul is reminding us that God’s love is not contingent on our worthiness. While we were trapped in rebellion, blind to His truth, and utterly unworthy of His mercy, Christ’s death reached across the chasm of our sin.
The Greek word “agape” (love) here is deliberate: it describes selfless, sacrificial love—not based on feelings or merit, but on God’s character. In sending Jesus to die while we were still sinners, God demonstrates that salvation is a gift freely offered, not something we earn through works or effort.
Practical takeaway: For the disciple, this verse calls us to humility and gratitude. If God loved us in our rebellion, how much more should we live in obedience, reflecting that same love to others? As Charles Stanley says, “The love of God in Christ transforms the heart that receives it into a heart that loves like Him.”
In short, Romans 5:8 is the lens through which we see the full glory of God’s mercy—it is the ultimate assurance that salvation is by grace, through faith, in Christ alone.
Burial: 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (NLT): "I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said."
Christ’s burial confirmed the reality of His death, fulfilling prophecy.
Resurrection: 1 Peter 1:3-5 (NLT): "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see."
Christ is alive, giving us hope and new birth.
Without the Bible, the Gospel is obscured. With it, salvation is revealed, repentance is called for, and faith is invited.
VII. Call to Action and Application
Respond to Scripture:
Daily Bible reading, meditation, and application. Let God’s Word shape your speech, decisions, and relationships.
Obey Christ:
Faith without obedience is incomplete. Respond actively to the commands and promises of Scripture.
Share the Gospel:
Equip yourself with God’s Word to proclaim Jesus confidently to others.
Invitation to Salvation:
If you have not yet placed your trust in Jesus Christ, He calls you today. Repent of sin, believe in His death and resurrection, and receive Him as Lord and Saviour. His Word, breathed by God, promises life eternal.
VIII. Practical Benediction:
May the Word of God guide your steps, strengthen your heart, and illuminate your path. May you walk as a disciple who listens, obeys, and proclaims Christ boldly. Go in peace, empowered by the Spirit, confident in the infallible Word of God.
