God Records
Foundations: Our Statement of Faith • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 1 viewNotes
Transcript
Introduction:
Introduction:
This morning we will be looking into the Bible and as a church our stance on it. This is a crucial message, and an important study because the Bible is the “clinch pin” for everything else we will study through out this series.
(Today) Scripture
The Trinity
God’s revelation, creation, and image
God’s judgement and covenants
Jesus Christ: the incarnation, cross, resurrection, and second coming
The Church catholic and local
(Closing) Vision Sunday
Our Statement:
Our Statement:
We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired, without error, and the infallible rule of faith and practice. The Bible is the foundation upon which the church operates and is the basis by which the church is governed. We believe that the Word of God supersedes any earthly law that is contrary to the Holy Scriptures.
Now lets clarify a few things:
We believe that the Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity, moved through men of God to write the Word of God. God would reveal His Word, and men published it.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
The Bible is a collection of 66 books. There are 39 books in the OT, and 27 books in the NT. It was written by, about, 40 men in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek). It was written over a span of about 2,000 years.
We believe the Bible is accurate in all maters of history, prophecy, and in every issue of life. And it doesn’t contradict itself. Fitting perfectly together.
The Bible is the Inspired Word of God:
The Bible is the Inspired Word of God:
Submission to the Word:
Submission to the Word:
Something we all need to be on the same page for is the simple fact that as believers we are to submit to the word of God. Throughout the Bible the Bible stresses the importance of God’s name, and here in Psalm it states:
2 I will worship toward Your holy temple,
And praise Your name
For Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
What a remarkable statement, showing the incredible regard God has for His own word. And if God has such a high view of His Word… so should we. If anyone states, “I know what God’s Word says, but...” Run away screaming...
• As we have already mentioned in the 2 Timothy 3:16 passage it states very clearly, “All Scripture is give by inspiration of God.”
θεόπνευστος (theophneustos): Inspiration literally translates to “God breathed.” This is one of the most important passages in the entire Bible on the subject of inspiration. In a miraculous way, He communicated His Word to men and led them to write it down for permanent preservation. What was written was the very Word of God, inspired and infallible.
What I find so incredible too is that the individual literary style of the human authors were not destroyed either. At the same time though, it is true that the very words they used were words given to him by the Holy Spirit.
13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
The writers of the Bible did not give their own private interpretation of things, but wrote the message which was given to them by God.
20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
What this doesn’t means is, that God simply gave the thoughts to the individuals writers and allowed them to express these thoughts through their own words. The point being is this, the Scriptures, given to men, were God-breathed.
When it comes to our Scriptures there is no equal and there will never be. You will inevitably run into someone who might be a critic of the Bible. And they will usually say something along the line of, “Anyone could write a book and say that it is inspired by God.”
I would say okay, lets see you do it. Try and write something down and let’s see how it compares to this book. To come up with something that is more inspired, more life-changing, or more powerful… good luck.
There is no book like it in its continuity and consistency.
There is no book like it in its honesty.
There is no book like it in its circulation.
There is no book like it in its survival.
There is no book like it in its influence and life-changing power.
Profitable for doctrine:
Profitable for doctrine:
Every portion of this living book is profitable. Although we might wonder about some of the genealogies or obscure passages, yet the Spirit-taught mind will realize that there is spiritual nourishment in every word that has proceeded from the mouth of God.
This book, is profitable for doctrine (Doctrine: What the whole Bible teaches us today about some particular topic). It sets forth the mind of God with regard to such themes as the Trinity, angels, man, sin, salvation, sanctification, the church, and future events.
A great resource to better understand doctrine is through systematic theology books. These books focus with great detail on different doctrines.
It is inevitable that someone studying systematic theology for the first time will have a lot of personal belief challenged, modified, refined or enriched.
It is of the utmost importance that each person reading one of these books to compare it with Scripture and not to take the author at his word. After all it is Scripture alone and not or calvary chapel tradition or any other human authority that must function as the normative authority for what we should believe. Each systematic theology has a particular bent, flavor, so be aware of that too.
Again it is a tool, a resource, but not the end all of what or why we believe something.
Reproof & Correction:
Reproof & Correction:
As we read our Bibles, it speaks to us very pointedly concerning the things in our lives which are displeasing to God. Also, it is profitable for refuting error and for answering the the tempter satan.
It not only points out what is wrong but sets forth the way in which it can be made right. For example, Scripture not only says,
With the authority to correct us. We are all under the authority of God’s Word, and when the Bible exposes our doctrine or our conduct as wrong, we are wrong.
28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
The first part of this verse might be considered as reproof, whereas the second part is correction.
Family, you can be saved and not live under the authority of the Word of God. You cannot lose your salvation, but you will make your life hell. The only way that we can truly live up to our call and live the joyful life is to live in submission to this beautiful God-breathed book.
Instruction in Righteousness:
Instruction in Righteousness:
The grace of God teaches us to live godly lives, but the word of God traces out in detail the things which go to make up a godly life. Family godliness is an important topic throughout Scripture. Our character when it comes to being ambassadors for Christ is again, important.
13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
When we look at these five truths: Inspired; profitable for: doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness. It all means something very simple. We can understand the Bible. If the Bible could not be understood, there would be nothing profitable about it!
The Bible is the Infallible Word of God:
The Bible is the Infallible Word of God:
The word infallible means “incapable of error.” If something is infallible, it is never wrong and thus absolutely trustworthy. Similarly, the word inerrant, also applied to Scripture, means “free from error. Meaning the Bible never fails. God holds Himself to the truth of His Word. Every word of the Bible is perfect, and there is no error with it.
19 “God is not a man, that He should lie,
Nor a son of man, that He should repent.
Has He said, and will He not do?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
28 “And now, O Lord God, You are God, and Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant.
One fact that we learn from Scripture is that God is infallible, and if that is true, then His Word would also be infallible. This doctrine is based on the understanding of God’s perfection of character.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
The Bible is the Complete Word of God:
The Bible is the Complete Word of God:
We are warned not to add to or change the inspired, perfect, and preserved Word of God. God’s Word is complete; there is no new revelation from God outside the Bible.
5 Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
6 Do not add to His words,
Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
Everything that God has pronounced and proclaimed, every inspiration which the prophets have received, is pure, without mixture of error, without any impurity.
No amount to of contemplation or abstract speculation will teach us something new. Everything we need is found right here in God’s Word.
Do not add or take away:
Do not add or take away:
18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
2 You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.
There is a temptation to improve on the text if not by actually adding new material, then by interpreting it in ways that make more of a passage’s teaching than is really there. It is what Paul called, “think beyond what is written.”
6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.
The Bible is the Preserved Word of God:
The Bible is the Preserved Word of God:
God’s Word is eternal. He has promised to preserve His perfect Word throughout history and for every generation. You can be sure that you have access to God’s perfect and inspired Word today.
18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
As we have read earlier, Psalm 12:6-7 is an incredible verse to meditate on.
6 The words of the Lord are pure words,
Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,
Purified seven times.
7 You shall keep them, O Lord,
You shall preserve them from this generation forever.
“The Bible has passed through the furnace of persecution, literary criticism, philosophic doubt, and scientific discovery, and has lost nothing but those human interpretations which clung to it as alloy to precious ore. The experience of saints has tried it in every conceivable manner, but not a single doctrine or promise has been consumed in the most excessive heat.”–Spurgeon
The French atheist Voltaire (volt-tehr)… Once said, “in twenty years Christianity will be no more. my single hand shall destroy the edifice it took twelve apostles to rear.” He wrote that in fifty years no one would remember Christianity. But in the year that he wrote that, the British Museum would pay a half of a million dollars for a Bible while one of Voltaire’s books was selling in the London books stalls for just eight cents.
“Give up no line of God’s revelation… Brethren. We cannot endure this shifty theology. May God send us a race of men who have backbones! Men who believe something, and would die for what they believe. This Book deserves the sacrifice of our all for the maintenance of every line of it.”–Spurgeon
Our Stance:
Our Stance:
There are two different camps or views pertaining to the Bible among believers. Those with a faith based view of Scripture and a critical view of Scripture. Now there are other views but this seems to incapsulate most of them.
The critical view believes that the Word of God may contain errors that need to be corrected through human scholarship and intervention. By no means those who hold to this view are or can not be saved, but it does cause confusion among the saints. And has led many to no longer believe in the accuracy and authority of God’s Word.
The faith based view, and what I hold to, believes that God’s Word is perfect, inspired, complete, and preserved. Both views would claim that statement. But the emphasis here is that we believe that God preserved His Word perfectly in any language, and that you do not need a Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic scholar to tell you what the Word of God says. That you can trust the accuracy and authority of God’s Word.
“We believe in plenary verbal inspiration, with all its difficulties, for there are not half as many difficulties in that doctrine as there are in any other kind of inspiration that men may imagine. If this book be not the real solid foundation of our religion, what have we to build upon? If God has spoken a lie, where are we, brethren?”–Spurgeon
Because we hold to this view, we do not have the typical statement found in many churches, “fully inspired without error in the original manuscripts.”
The Bible is essential for every believer. We have to be in it, devouring it, and giving it priority in our lives. Someone might as why?
The Scriptures give us the Gospel of salvation, teaches us of God and His character, gives us the answers to our biggest questions: what is my purpose? What was I created for? Why am I here? What is the point of life? And why is there evil?
Scripture:
Scripture:
The Word of God is not only important to us but to God as well. As we had just mentioned, not only are we seeing how we might be saved, but the means God would go through to save rebellious men and women. Scripture also allows us to see who God really is, His character and His nature. The Word states:
Psalm 138:2 (NKJV)
2 I will worship toward Your holy temple,
And praise Your name
For Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
21 The Lord is well pleased for His righteousness’ sake;
He will exalt the law and make it honorable.
18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
Next week we will dive more into the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Word of God gives us those doctrines as well as teaching us of the Character of God.
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
What is being described here isn’t so much if you see Jesus physically you have seen the Father visibly. But rather, when the disciples looked to Jesus, He was One who perfectly displayed the Father’s character. Jesus shows us the same love, compassion, mercy, and goodness that was and is in God the Father.
Romans 1:16 tells us that the importance of the Gospel:
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
“Power of God to salvation for everyone who believes:” What a powerful statement.
What Is the Gospel?
What Is the Gospel?
If the Gospel is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, then we really need to know it. This isn’t something that you can take artistic license and make up your own. God’s Word is the absolute authority, the first and final word on the Gospel.
As a church we have tried to keep it to 5 simple points, but realized that we really needed to add a few important points.
Accountability:
The Bible teaches us that every single person is a created being. As the Westminster’s Catechism states, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.”
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Bad News:
Each and everyone of us has sinned against this holy and righteous God.
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
Because we have sinned against Him we rightly deserve eternal separation from God in hell then, after being given an eternal body, the lake of fire.
49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Good News:
God’s was to reveal His love for His creation that He would redeem the race of men from their fallen state.
13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
Believing, confessing, and repenting are so important.
God word teaches us that God made a way of escape from the righteous judgement of God.
25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
A Future & A Hope:
We have a living hope through Christ and the salvation He established for us.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the Lord.
2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
The Mission:
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
What are we going to do with this info?
Application:
Application:
We must pray, read, study, apply (what we are learning), share (what we are learning), and memorize (God’s Word).
After all this Book is:
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Let us be students of the Word. How about it family?
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.