Testing all by Scripture

Introduction

Last Sunday was a great week. It was amazing to have the teens leading service. What beautiful music. What an amazing children’s message. What awesome prayer, scripture reading, and a beautiful benediction. And what a great message. Hannah did an amazing job bringing God’s message of being rooted in him to us. I have to say I was a very proud dad last Sunday. So proud I even let the joke about my hair slide.

There are definitely times when I can see God working in and through my self and my family and this was one of those times. I could see God working even more and I read the Scripture from the lectionary today. Our passage today from 2 Timothy 3 & 4 seems to be the perfect second part to Hannah’s message of being rooted in Christ.

When Paul tells Timothy that Scripture is essential he is not talking about the Christian New Testament, that wasn’t written yet or at least was still in the process of being written. What Paul is talking about is the Jewish Scriptures, prophecies, and hymn books. He is talking about what we call the Old Testament.

But why the Old Testament? Sometimes as Christians we treat the Old Testament like it is no longer useful, but remember Jesus tells us Matthew 5:17

Matthew 5:17 NIV

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

So we as Christians to be rooted in God must pay attention to all of our Scripture because......

Scripture Teaches us Truth

vs. 14-16

The world is constantly feeding us lies

Tells us other things are more important than God

Tells us we are more important than God

Tells us that we can do whatever we want

Romans 8:5 NIV

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

Scripture teaches us what is true

Scripture is inspired by God

Scripture teaches us God’s truth and not the worlds truth

Scripture Helps us Identify False Teaching

There are many people who will try to present a false message about God

They do it for personal gain

For power

For wealth

For fame

Churches in the Middle Ages

They do it out of ignorance

They just don’t understand the Gospel

Acts 18:24–26 NIV

Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

Scripture helps us to identify false teaching

We must test all teaching against Scripture

This is why we are told to hide it in our hearts

Psalm 119:11 NIV

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

This is why we are told to let is guide us

Psalm 119:105 NIV

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Scripture Shows us God

Two types of revelation

General Revelation - Nature, everyday things

Special Revelation - Supernatural thing, Scripture

God revealed in Jesus

John 14:7 NIV

If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

God revealed in the Church

The church is the kingdom of God here on earth

When the church lives out God’s mission

Love

Compassion

Kindness

God is revealed in all of us

When we display the fruits of the Spirit God is revealed in us

Galatians 5:22–23 NIV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Conclusion

Knowing scripture is not a suggestion it is an essential element of our Christian walk and not only the New Testament, but all of Scripture. If we do not read Scripture how can we know Scripture, and if we don’t know Scripture how can we really know God.

Scripture gives us the most complete revelation of God. It tells us who God is, it tells us how God works in the world, and it tells us how God is working in us. So as you go this week it is my prayer that you will spend time with God, not only in prayer but in his word. And if you do I guarantee it will lead you closer to God. Let us pray