Untitled Sermon (3)

Sola Scriptura- The doctrine that scripture is the only source of infallible revelation and is sufficient for Christian faith and practice.

In the centuries leading up to the reformation, the Word of God had been restricted from the common people, and instead of being governed by the Word of God, the church had adopted an elevated view of tradition and church authority.

The Catholic church had departed from the Word as the final authority, and instead elevated the words of men to the place of scripture.

It was here that many reformers begin to arise in the 15th and 16th century, pushing for the Bible to be put in the hands of the people, and for the church to subject itself under God’s Word.

They believed, much like we do today that Scripture is our final and ultimate authority, and it contained everything we needed for life and Godliness.

One of the key passages they based this on was 2 Tim. 3:16-17

V. 14-15

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it  and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Here Paul is encouraging Timothy to remain faithful to the work of ministry, and particularly to the Word and good doctrine.

Remain faithful to what you know and believe, for it is this Word that is your hope and foundation.

This encouragement is fitting for our time.

With a world full of subjectivity and a religious regression, the place for believers in the West is often shrinking.

At this point Christians are not the majority in the West.

People who are faithful to God’s Word are increasingly becoming more rare, and we have to ask ourselves and I one of them.

In order to stand strong in these trying times we need a bedrock foundation from which our lives can stand on.

V. 16 

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

All scripture is God-breathed.

God is truth, there is no shadow of deception with Him.

Scripture is inspired by God, and thus is just as true and incorruptible and its author.

Scripture is profitable (useful)

Refer back to the end of 15, make wise for salvation

teaching- explaining who God is, doctrine

reproof- correcting wrong behavior or belief

correction- setting back on the right path, helping someone who has stumbled

training in righteousness- training in Godly behavior

Faithfulness and trust in God

Teaching how to minster and share our faith

Holiness

Paul sums all of this up in verse 17.

V. 17

 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

God’s Word is sufficient for instructing us for Godly living. There is nothing we need that God’s Word cannot serve as a guide.

This does not mean that every answer to every question is in the Bible, but the Word of God is sufficient to make God known and to develop Christlikeness in His people.

Discussion Questions:

What sets the Bible apart from every other book?

What does Paul mean that the Bible is useful to equip us for every good work?

Why is it important that our understanding of God and how to follow Him come from Scripture?