Want to Grow Spiritually?

Must turn to GOD’S WORD

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV

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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Introduction:

Our text list 4 functions of the Word of God and I believe if we will allow God to use His Word in our lives in all 4 ways we will see tremendous spiritual growth.

#1: Teaching

2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for doctrine…”

Greek word use for doctrine means for teaching, instruction

1. How do we know what is right? God’s Word is perfect. Man’s wisdom on how to raise your children or keep your marriage strong is not always right, but God’s Word is always right.

2. We also need to learn God’s Word so that we know what we believe. Always ask yourself the question, “Do I believe a particular thing because it is what the Bible teaches or do I believe that because that is what I was taught all my life?” God’s Word must always be the final authority.

3. God’s Word is truth, if it is truth all that matters is aligning our lives with what it says

4. We cannot pick the parts that we like and apply them and just skip over or ignore the parts we do not like or do not understand. But we should live by EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD!

#2: Reproof, AKA rebuking

2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking…”

1. Teaching is showing us what is right. Rebuking is showing us what is wrong.

2. How can you fix a problem if you do not know it exist? The Bible shows us and convicts us when we are doing things that we are not suppose to be doing or when we are not doing things that we are supposed to be doing.

3. It is proof of what is wrong or incorrect, proving by testing- the source of the Test is God’s Word, all decisions should be tested against His Word

If it doesn’t pass the test then we must have no part with it. God is calling out and separating the sheep from the goats, the wheat from the chaff, the religious from the born again. Preparing for the Return of Jesus Christ to claim His bride which has been purified. Are you listening?

Calls us out on our sins and once identified we have a choice to make?

to submit to Jesus Christ or to rebel against Jesus Christ, there is no compromise, there is no middle ground, there is no wait and see!

#3: Correction

2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for doctrine, reproof, correction…”

Literally means in the greek to restore to an upright state, improvement of life or character

1. Teaching is showing us what is right. Rebuking is showing us what is wrong. Correction is showing us how to get it right.

2. In the Greek the word “correction” literally means, “to straighten something up again”. Hebrews 12:7-11 tells us that God corrects those Who belong to Him.

Hebrews 12:7–11 NKJV

7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Parents disciple children out of love

God also disciplines His children out of love, if you are rebelling against the truth, if you can live in and enjoy sin, if you can go day after day without prayer and without studying God’s Word and the Holy Spirit is not convicting and correcting you then you are not a child of God. You may have religion, you may know all about Jesus but JESUS DOES NOT KNOW YOU! Matthew 7:23 Depart from me I never knew you, you workers of iniquity

Matthew 7:23 NKJV

23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

#4: Instruction or Training

2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.”

1. Teaching is showing us what is right. Rebuking is showing us what is wrong. Correction is showing us how to get it right. Training is how to stay right.

2. When parents instruct their children, they are building a foundation and standards. They are training the child up. That is what the Bible does for us. It trains us up from baby Christians to become strong followers of Christ. Unfortunately there are many Christians today that like to stay infants in Christ. They are content with their ticket to Heaven, and do not plan on growing anymore, except for what they get on Sunday.

3. We as Christians that profess to have a true Love for Christ should also have a love for The Word of God..... 1 John tells us that in the beginning the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The Word is Jesus Christ, let us not Neglect the Word- Jesus Christ.

4. Again Training often involves chastening from God!

5. It is a training or renewing of the mind that only come from consistent study of Truth- which is found alone in our relationship with Jesus Christ and careful study and application of the Word of God which the Holy Spirit gives understanding of to our innermost being!

Conclusion:

2 Timothy 3:17 “So that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

1. The Bible convicts us of our sins. If you are here without Christ as your Savior, the Bible tells us that if you die without Christ that you are bound for Hell, but with Christ as your Savior you will live with Him for all eternity in Heaven.

2. The Bible also grows us stronger in the faith. Christians, have you become dormant or are you allowing God to grow you through His Word?