Fully Equipped
Text: 2nd Timothy 3:14-17
Introduction.
I’d like to tell you a story about a little 9 year-old boy by the name of “Joey”. Joey’s parents took him to Sunday school and his teacher taught the class a lesson from the Bible.
Now the lesson the teacher taught was from the Book of Exodus and it was about how God sent Moses to save the Israelites who were prisoners of the pharaoh in Egypt. She told the story about how God enabled Moses to get the Israelites out of Egypt.
When Joey got home, his mother asked him what he’d learned that morning in Sunday school class.
Joey replied, “Well, Mom, our teacher told us about how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
When the got to the Red Sea, he had his engineers build a pontoon bridge, and all the people went across the water safely.
Then he used his walkie-talkie to radio headquarters and call in an air strike when the Egyptians were closing in on them. And then, when the Egyptians were coming across the bridge, they sent in bombers to blow up the bridge and destroy the enemy—and all the Israelites were saved!”
Joey’s mother asked, “Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?”
Joey replied, “Well, no. But, if I told it the way the teacher did, you’d never believe it!”
Now, that’s a funny little story, but it does show an attitude that’s prevalent in our world today, as far as the status of the Bible is concerned. Many talk about the Bible as if it were based on myth or legend. Some question its historical accuracy—others say it is merely fiction and the invention of mankind.
Barna Survey.
The George Barna Group does surveys on religion throughout the Unites States; and, in 1996, they reported that ½ of all Americans say they don’t read the Bible because, “…there’s no way you can understand it anyway.” It seems strange to me that, if this is God’s book, He would give us a book that no one could understand.
It’s impossible to understand the Bible? John writes, “I write these things so that you might believe…”
John 20:30 & 31
---30---“Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;
---31---But these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing, you may have life in His name.”
The apostle Paul wrote in 1st Corinthians 10:11 about people who had lived in the past times, which were recorded for those he wrote to—and those writings also have been handed down to us.
1st Corinthians 10:11
---11---“Now these things happened as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon which the ends of the ages have come.”
It was scripture—and it was given for a purpose. The question is, do we believe it? The most popular song in the Christian world is Jesus loves me, this I know; for the Bible tells me so… And so, we should all ask ourselves, do we really believe it? Does the Bible tell me so?
What Is The Bible Anyway?
What do I mean by the word “Bible”? There are many books out there with the word “Bible” in their title that have nothing to do with what we’re talking about. There’s the “Beauty Bible”, The Fisherman’s Bible”, “The Golfer’s Bible”, even “The Cooking Bible”—but these aren’t the books I’m talking about.
These other books used the word “Bible” in their title to indicate they’re the standard “authority” on their particular topic. One local newspaper made the claim, “If your religion is “sports”, then our newspaper is your “Bible”.
Now the word “Bible” is never used; but, the word “scripture” is used many times and means “sacred writings”. The word “Bible” means “a book or collection of books regarded as authoritative on a topic”.
The Christian Bible we’re talking about is a collection of 66 different books divided into two sections (the Old and New Testaments).
The Bible was written by more than 40 different authors—over a span of 1500 years,—and in three different languages—Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. This Christian Bible presents a unified message of God’s plan and purpose for humanity.
Thirty-nine books make up the Old Testament, which was written between about 1500 B.C. and 400 B.C. The OT starts with the Book of Genesis and ends with the Book of Malachi.
The 27 books that make up the New Testament were written over about a 50-year period. These books deal with
· the birth, life, and death of Jesus Christ—
· the resurrection—
· the beginning of the Christian church,—and,
· instruction about how to live life as a follower of Jesus Christ.
The Bible contains all kinds of literature—history—poetry—humor—prophecy—romance—correspondence—biographies—songs—journals—advice—laws, and stories.
The bible was also the 1st book every printed on the printing press, and has been the best selling book of all kinds. Portions of the Bible have been translated into over 1,946 different languages.
Is The Bible Important To Us?
The collection of books and letters we call the Holy Bible is a collection of scripture and sacred writings. Paul knew the value of scripture when he wrote to his “beloved Son”, the young evangelist, Timothy.
Timothy was laboring for the church in the City of Ephesus; and, Paul was in prison awaiting death, writing this 2nd letter to Timothy—a letter of encouragement. Paul was encouraging Timothy to fulfill his ministry, despite the hardships of the time—and there were many, as we discussed last week.
Paul was aware of the value of the scriptures to Timothy and the other Christians that struggled to live in the savage times of the Roman Empire.
Timothy was told to, “…guard the Truth…”; and, last week we studied Chapter 2. One verse I didn’t mention last week is very important to our lesson this week.
2nd Timothy 2:15
---15---“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the Word of Truth.”
Now, as we come to Chapter 3, we read Paul’s writings about the Holy Scriptures in verses 14-17.
2nd Timothy 3:14-17
---14---“You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them;
---15---And that from childhood you have learned the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
---16---All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
---17---That the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
Yes, the Holy Scriptures were very important to Timothy, his fellow Christians in Ephesus, as well as to those in Ephesus who had not yet come to a knowledge of the Truth. Many of those would become Christians in the future if Timothy did as Paul instructed him to and, “…fulfill (his) ministry…”.
Is The Bible Important To Us?
I believe these scriptures from 2nd Timothy bring us the question:
Is the Bible important to us? Maybe we can tell the answer to that question by the way we use the Bible. How do people use the Bible? They use it in many different ways.
· Some people use the Bible to store newspaper clippings we want to save for future use.
· Some use the Bible to store important documents we never want to lose.
· Many use the Bible to record births, deaths, and marriages of members of the family.
· Some will use it to hide money, thinking a thief will never look in the Bible to find their money!
· Some might use the Bible as a symbol of how they want people to think of us—that we are Christian people who live Godly lives.
So—we put the Bible on the mantle where visitors can see it. Sometimes we put it right there on a table in the living room with a very popular book. The thought may be, “I want it there on the table as a symbol, because the truth is, I never read it…but that other book beside it---I literally wear it out during the week.” Unfortunately, the other book is the T.V. Guide.
Listen to this poem—
On the table side by side,
A Holy Bible and the T.V. Guide.
One is well worn, but cherished with pride
(Not the Bible, but the T.V. Guide).
One is used daily to help folks decide,
No! It’s not the Bible; it’s the T.V. Guide.
As pages are turned, what shall they see?
Oh, what does it matter? Turn on the T.V.
So they open the book in which they confide,
(No, not the Bible; it’s the T.V. Guide).
The word of God is seldom read,
Maybe a verse ere they fall into bed.
Exhausted and sleepy and tired as can be,
Not from reading the Bible, but watching T.V.
So then, back to the table, side by side,
Is the Bible and the T.V. Guide.
No time for prayer, not time for the Word;
The plan of salvation is seldom heard.
Forgiveness of sin so full and free
Is found in the Bible, not on T.V.!!!
We need to make a decision on what is important in our lives, even down to what we read, what we study, and what we meditate on. We have to decide—just like the world—about what is really important to us.
Why Is The Bible Important?
The Bible is important to us, because we need a standard of measurement. In Washington D.C. there is a building called the “National Institute of Standards and Technology”. This facility is responsible for storing perfect samples of weights and measurements.
It is in this building that they have what are called “prototypes” of pound weights and kilograms, measurement rods for feet and metric measurements such as meters.
For example, they have a “meter standard”—a reinforced bar of platinum alloy with exactly 10% iridium. When an exact measurement of a “meter” is needed, they cool this bar down to 0º Celsius at a sea level of 45º latitude. Then they will have the exact tip-to-tip measurement of a meter.
This bar is known as a “prototype” because the original is kept elsewhere—in a suburb of Paris (France, not Texas) at the International Bureau of Weights and Measurements. This is so important because we don’t have to guess at what an exact “meter” is.
Some might say, “Well, according to the way I was raised, this is a meter.” Or, “My father said this is a meter.” Or, “All my friends have decided that this is a meter.” Well, which meter is correct? We must have an exact measurement, which will give us the precise measurement.
In this life, God has given us the exact—it is His Word! Jesus told the house of Israel in John 12:48, “My words will judge you in the last lay.”
God has always intended that man would have a standard measurement and that it would be Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son. We can readily see this in a prophecy give to Isaiah in Chapter 28, verses 16-17.
Isaiah 28:16-17
---16---“Therefore, thus says the Lord God,
‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone;
A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed.
He who believes in It will not be disturbed.
---17---And I will make justice the measuring line,
And righteousness the level…”
Abe Lincoln was discussing the Bible as a standard with an unbelieving man concerning inspiration. Lincoln asked, “Well, let’s see…how many legs does a cow have?”
The man replied, “Four, of course.”
Lincoln replied, “That right. But, now, suppose you call the cow’s “tail” a “leg”. How many “legs” would a cow have?”
The man replied, “Why, five, of course!”
Then Lincoln said, “Well, that’s where you’re wrong, because calling a cow’s tail a “leg” doesn’t make it a leg.”
Yep! We need an exact measurement for life!
Some will not accept God’s standard, which is found in the Bible. But, they chose the standard of “popular opinion”——“You can believe what you want and do what you want because everyone else is doing it!”
Then there’s the standard of “feeling and emotion”. Now, this is a strong standard, because it tells me that what I feel is right must be right.
Proverbs 14:12
“There is a way that seems right to man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
Psalms 119:109
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Paul had already told Timothy in Chapter 4, verse 2 of his first letter, that some would have their conscience “seared as with a hot iron”. So, a conscience is not always an exact measurement.
“God Breathed”.
The Bible is so unique because it communicates God’s voice to us. All scripture is inspired by God—the word “inspired” in translation, would be “God-breathed”. That’s why all the books and letters written over generations never contradict in their message.
Some want to take a scripture here and a scripture there and try to make it say something it doesn’t. If people want to interpret scripture like this, they better beware!
The classic example is the guy who said he wanted to know God’s will for his life. So, he randomly opened up the pages and read, “Judas went and hanged himself.”
The man closed the Bible and, later, he opened it randomly again and read, “Now, go and do likewise.” Now, that is not the proper way to interpret God’s word.
The apostle Peter told us about the inspiration of the scriptures.
2nd Peter 1:21-21
---20---“But know this first of all, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation.
---21---For no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”
See, there is no disagreement between the prophets, or between Jesus and Paul—or Paul and James—or between Peter and John. That’s because God chose to offer Truth, in and through different perspectives. God oversaw the whole process; and, that is why it is said of scripture, “It is God-breathed.”
The Bible Brings Truth.
The Bible is so important because it brings Truth to us. We will talk more about Truth tonight.
It Changes Us.
The Bible is so important because it has the power to change us. The Hebrew writer says in Hebrews 4:12—
Hebrews 4:12
---12---“For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than ANY two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
It changes us, scripture says in 1st Peter 1:23.
“We are born by the Word of God…”, and in 1st Timothy 3:6, it tells us we are nourished by it. It changes us!
Now, we go back to 2nd Timothy 3:16-17 and see what Paul tells us about how we can be fully equipped. First, look back at 2nd Timothy 3:16-17 as translated in the KJV.
---16---“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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
The NASV says:
---16---“All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
---17---That the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
That is how scripture changes us!
“Teaching or “Doctrine”.
· The Bible teaches us what is good and right and what is wrong and evil.
· It teaches us how to have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
· It teaches us who we are and what we can be.
· It teaches of God’s love and that we should be born again.
· It teaches who and what God is and who and what the Church are.
· And it teaches what our purpose in life is.
For Reproof.
The Bible points out what is wrong in our life. People don’t reject the Bible because they really think it contradicts itself—they reject it because it contradicts them and what they want to do!
· Scripture isn’t partial—nor does it discriminate.
· It doesn’t care if you are white, black, red, or yellow—it doesn’t care if you are rich or poor—if you’re a “somebody” or a “nobody”. The Bible will plainly tell you what is wrong in your life.
For Instruction or Training in Righteousness.
God’s desire is that we become more and more like Jesus, and that should also be our desire. The Word of God can lead the sorriest, most worthless, vile person to a life of love and joy and kindness and gentleness. It can change the hardest of hearts, because it instructs and it matures.
Do we understand what the Bible is?
Do we understand the Bible is God’s standard of measurement for us in this life?
Do we understand that all scripture is “God-breathed” and never contradicts itself?
Do we understand the Word of God can change us into someone acceptable to Him—that it converts us, nourishes us, teaches us, reproofs us, and trains us in righteousness?
The tragedy could be that we never use it!
Invitation.
Now, does our life measure up to God’s perfect standard this morning?
