The Transformative Authority Of Scripture

Sermon Title: The Transformative Authority of Scripture

Introduction: What Does it Mean to Have Authority?

Opening Thought: Authority can often feel like a heavy or even oppressive word. When something has

authority, it has a claim on us, a right to direct our thoughts, our lives, and even our actions. But what

about the authority of Scripture? How does it make claims on us?

NT Wright’s Perspective: Biblical scholar NT Wright suggests that the authority of Scripture isn’t simply

about following rules or respecting an ancient book. Instead, he describes biblical authority as God

actively reaching through Scripture into our lives, claiming our hearts, minds, and actions through the

Holy Spirit. This authority is personal, interactive, and transformative because it’s a direct encounter

with God Himself, made possible by the Spirit.

Transition: Today, we’ll explore how this “God-breathed” authority works to shape us. Our passage, 2

Timothy 3:16-17, reveals how God uses Scripture to teach, correct, and equip us to live lives that reflect

His love and truth.

Main Points

I. The Divine Inspiration of Scripture

Read 1 Timothy 3:16 (CSB):

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking,

for correcting, for training in righteousness."

1. God-Breathed Authority: The phrase “inspired by God” (or “God-breathed”) translates to the Greek

word theopneustos, which suggests that Scripture carries God’s breath, His very Spirit. This doesn’t

mean Scripture is a dry set of rules, but a living, divine message with the power to teach, correct, and

transform us.

Illustration - Augustine’s Conversion: Take, for example, St. Augustine in the 4th century. Augustine was

living a life far from God, struggling with his own desires and questions about faith. But one day, while

sitting in a garden, he heard a child singing, "Take up and read." He picked up a Bible, opened it to

Romans 13:13-14, and was immediately convicted and transformed. That one reading led him to

abandon his old life and follow Christ. The “God-breathed” words of Scripture, as Paul tells us in 1

Timothy, have the authority to reach us personally, powerfully, and precisely where we need it most.

2. Purpose of Scripture: Paul tells Timothy that Scripture is profitable for four things:

? Teaching: It shows us the nature of God, the path of salvation, and how we are to live.

? Rebuking and Correcting: It identifies our missteps and guides us back to the path.

? Training in Righteousness: God’s Word grows us in character and wisdom, preparing us for

every situation in life.

Application: Ask yourself, "In what ways have I experienced God teaching, correcting, or training me

through His Word"? Just as Augustine was directed by a seemingly simple verse, God’s Word can meet

us in unexpected ways and moments.

II. The Nature of Translation and Authority

1. The Bible’s Journey to Us: The Bible wasn’t originally written in English; it was first written in Hebrew,

Aramaic, and Greek. Over time, the Bible has been translated into many languages, a process that

involved thousands of scholars and centuries of effort. And while there are different English

versions—like the ESV, NIV, and CSB—the core message remains the same.

2. Key Differences and Minor Variances:

? Most differences between translations involve language updates or readability adjustments, not

doctrinal changes. However, there are three main textual differences that are often noted:

o The End of Mark (Mark 16:9-20): Some translations mark this passage as later additions,

as earlier manuscripts end at verse 8.

o The Pericope Adulterae (John 7:53–8:11): The story of Jesus and the woman caught in

adultery, which is missing in the earliest manuscripts.

o The Johannine Comma (1 John 5:7-8): A brief phrase, which is not found in the earliest

Greek manuscripts.

? Even with these differences, none of these passages affect core Christian doctrines, and they

have been clearly noted in most modern translations, maintaining both transparency and the

integrity of Scripture.

3. Translation Philosophies:

o Formal Equivalence

o Functional Equivalence

o Optimal Equivalence

Illustration - William Tyndale’s Dedication: In the early 16th century, William Tyndale wanted to make

the Bible accessible to the average person in England. At the time, the Scriptures were only available in

Latin, a language only educated people could read. Tyndale risked his life to translate the Bible into

English so people could read it for themselves. He famously said he wanted even a common plowboy to

know more of the Scriptures than educated priests. For this, Tyndale paid with his life, but his

translation helped shape nearly every English Bible that came after.

3. God’s Desire for Communication: The fact that Scripture is translated shows us that God’s heart is for

us to understand His Word. He intends Scripture to be accessible and clear to people in every language

and culture. When we open any faithful version of the Bible, we can trust we’re encountering the very