Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
This sermon explores the importance of Scripture as God's breathed truth, guiding believers in righteousness and equipping them for good works.
Welcome, beloved family of faith, to this gathering where the Word of God is our compass, our guide, and our light. It's in these shared moments, where we lean into the wisdom of the scriptures, that we find our strength, our purpose, and our truth. Today, we are going to turn our hearts and minds towards the profound words found in 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
The Apostle Paul, writing to his young protege Timothy, shares these enduring words, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
These words are a beacon, a lighthouse guiding us to a clear understanding of the power and purpose of the scriptures. They are not just ancient words on a page, but they are the very breath of God, breathed out for us, to teach us, to guide us, to correct us, and to train us in the ways of righteousness.
The esteemed preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "Visit many good books, but live in the Bible." This quote beautifully encapsulates our focus today. We are not just called to read the Bible, but to live in it, to immerse ourselves in its truth, to let it be the foundation upon which we build our lives.
As we move forward, we will be looking at three main points: The Biblical Basis for Truth, The Believer's Bond with the Bible, and Becoming Better through Biblical Truth. These points will guide our understanding, shape our perspective, and ultimately, draw us closer to the heart of God as revealed in His Word.
Before we begin, let's bow our heads in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Word, for the truth it contains, and for the guidance it provides. As we open our hearts and minds to your scripture today, we pray for understanding, for clarity, and for a deepening of our relationship with you. We ask that your Holy Spirit would illuminate the words we read, making them alive and active in our hearts. We pray all these in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.
Transition. Now, let's turn our hearts towards the first point, the Biblical Basis for Truth.
Let's begin by considering the nature of truth itself. In our world today, truth can often seem elusive, subjective, and even malleable. We hear phrases like "your truth" and "my truth," as if truth can be personalized and customized to fit our individual preferences. But the Bible presents a different perspective. It tells us that there is an absolute truth, a standard by which all other things can be measured and evaluated. This truth is not dependent on our feelings, our experiences, or our perceptions. It is not swayed by popular opinion or cultural trends. It is constant, unchanging, and eternal.
This truth is found in the Word of God. The Bible is not just a collection of stories, poems, and letters. It is the revelation of God Himself. It is His self-disclosure, His way of making Himself known to us. When we read the Bible, we are not just learning about God, we are encountering Him. We are coming face to face with the One who is the source of all truth.
The Bible tells us that God is truth. In John 14:6, Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Jesus is saying that He is the truth. He is the embodiment of truth, the personification of truth. This means that everything He says and does is true. There is no falsehood in Him, no deception, no inconsistency. He is truth in its purest and most perfect form.
This has profound implications for our understanding of the Bible. If Jesus is the truth, and if the Bible is the revelation of Jesus, then the Bible is also the truth. It is not just a book of religious ideas or moral teachings. It is the embodiment of truth, the written expression of the very nature of God. This is why Paul can say in 2 Timothy 3:16 that all Scripture is God-breathed. The words of the Bible are not just human words. They are the words of God, spoken through human authors, but originating from the heart of God Himself.
But the Bible is also a tool for discovering truth. The Bible is like a mirror that reflects the reality of our lives. It shows us who we are, who God is, and how we are to live in a relationship with Him. It exposes our sin, reveals our need for a Savior, and points us to the hope we have in Jesus. It teaches us what is right, what is wrong, and what is wise. It equips us for every good work, preparing us to live lives of faith, love, and righteousness.
Transition. So, as we consider the Biblical Basis for Truth, let's remember these four things. First, that truth is not subjective or relative, but absolute and unchanging. Second, that this truth is found in the Word of God, the revelation of God Himself. Third, that Jesus is the embodiment of this truth, the personification of truth in its purest and most perfect form. And fourth, that the Bible is not just a book of truth, but a tool for discovering truth, a mirror that reflects the reality of our lives and guides us in the way of righteousness.
As we continue to immerse ourselves in the wisdom of 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we find ourselves drawn to the intimate relationship between the believer and the Bible ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO