The Living Word (2)

Introduction

Risen Roots- Unearthing the core beliefs

Scripture:

The Holy Bible is a sacred text in Christianity, considered by believers to be divinely inspired and authoritative. It is a collection of religious writings that includes two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament contains scriptures recognized by both Jews and Christians, while the New Testament focuses on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, along with letters (epistles) and apocalyptic visions. The Bible addresses themes of faith, morality, history, prophecy, and theology, serving as a guide for religious beliefs and practices. It exists in various translations and versions, with diverse denominations emphasizing particular canons or interpretations. The Bible is revered as the Word of God, offering guidance and spiritual insight for millions of believers worldwide.

Hebrews 4:12 CSB

12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

But there are so many other sources of guidance and influence for our decisions in this life— Sola Scriptura states that we consider God’s Word, the Holy Bible, to be the “ONLY” authority in it’s class. It is not like anything else.

We are often tempted to allow many other sources to influence us on the level— or even a higher level than God’s word:

Cultural Norms and Trends

Philosophical/Political systems

Traditions and Rituals

A Person

Science or Rationalism

Popular Media or Entertainment

Yourself and Your Experiences

Peer influences

What source to you go to for answers and guidance and direction in life? Google? ChatGPT or other AI?

I hope to make a compelling case today that Sola Scriptura, this idea that God has spoken, and His authority in Scripture alone is not only clear and true, but it is all sufficient for us to know and grow in our faith.

“We acknowledge the Scripture as the authoritative source and standard for preaching and teaching about faith and life, for distinguishing truth from error, for discerning between good and evil, and for guiding prayer and worship. Other claims on our understanding of Christian faith and life, such as tradition, culture, experience, reason, and political powers, need to be tested and corrected by the light of Holy Scripture.”

-From the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective, Article 4

These outside sources of guidance or instruction are not necessarily bad or evil, they just are not scripture. They should be compared to and view through the Lens of the Scripture.

I. God Speaks with Authority.

Scripture is inspired by God. (2 Tim 3:16)

There is a “dual authorship” to the Bible. God is the primary author, but He didn’t just drop book from heaven! He used ordinary humans, often within the affairs of daily life, to communicate over a long period of time what He intended. Each biblical book has a human author, some we know, and several we do not know. The divine author, however, was in full control guiding and directing the human author. These are “God’s Words” . We can emphasize two ways: God’s words, and God’s WORDS. He is the author. That’s why His words have His Authority.

Inspiration is an interesting way to describe what actually happened. Much like we breath in (inspire), God gave specific revelation to a human to record. The prophets, for example, consistently repeat the phrase “the word of the Lord”. This is both them being humble and trying to get out of the way— but also being bold and obedient to God Himself to communicate the message intended.

Inspiration is uniquely personal, for both the human author, and the recipient. (2 Tim 3:16)

There are many places where the Bible teaches that it is indeed the inspired word of God. It’s teaching us that through the power of the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 3:16 NIV

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

2 Timothy 3:17 NIV

17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

God spoke through Paul in this case to write these powerful words directly to Timothy as an instruction to him personally, but also to all (including us) who would read these timely words forever.

How serious is it to deny the inspiration of Scripture? At times, I’ve been in circles where the inspiration of either a particular text, or an entire book of the bible is questioned or denied. If we reject the inspiration of a Biblical text, we are abandoning the authority of that text. If we head down this pathway, rejecting the inspiration of God’s word to be from God himself, we are always going to be disappointed. This is what happened to the Pharisee’s, and then many others throughout history— they then began to place God’s authority on something that wasn’t His— like traditions, or even rituals or practices that are not God-breathed. We cannot ground God’s authority in something other than what God intended--- his Word. God’s authority is rooted in His breathed Word.

Jesus himself believed this:

Matthew 4:4 NIV

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

It wasn’t the devil’s authority, nor Jesus’ own physical hunger that would dictate his decisions or actions— but He brought God’s word (which He learned from Deuteronomy

8:3)

God’s word alone has authority in our lives, because we believe it is inspired by Him alone.

II. God Speaks Truthfully.

Scripture is trustworthy because Jesus is the subject.

Any discussion of inspiration quickly and naturally moves to the topic of inerrancy. That simply means that scripture has no errors within it. Now think about that for a moment. There is a great deal of humility that is required to make this statement and believe it whole heartedly— I like a quote from an author and theologian Paul Feinberg:

“When all facts are known, the Scriptures in their original autographs and properly interpreted will be shown to be wholly true in everything they affirm.” — The Meaning of Inerrancy, Paul Feinburg

Take a look with me at the qualifiers, or conditions that Feinburg and others have set up:

“All the Facts are known”- We often start bible study with the common investigative process to ask “who, what, where, when, why” questions. This is a powerful part of the learning process

“in their original autographs”- We need to consider the actual original documents. How many of us have a hand written letter or card from a friend or family member that we have saved, even long after they have passed away. I could type out what my Dad wrote to me, but it’s even more powerful and “inerrant” in it’s original form— directly from his hand. Modern translations today are very accurate. We can have faith in the historical work that has been accomplished to set up copies of the Scripture that are exactly accurate in our English language.

“properly interpreted”- We must consider the work of the Holy Spirit in guiding our minds and hearts to correctly understand and interpret the scriptures. This is where all the trouble can start, right? We can all agree that Scripture is the absolutely inspired and authoritative truth of God— and then we interpret a set of passages or scriptures differently!

“in everything they affirm”- We must consider that scripture says what it says. It does not say what it does not say!

Scripture is absolute truth: when we know the facts, have original translations that accurate, interpret it properly with the Holy Spirit’s leading, to understand exactly what scripture says— and nothing more or less!

This is a hot topic that is debated far too much for us to explain today— but inerrancy actually doesn't mean precision, as much as it means “truth”. Sometimes we want to fall into “literalism” when we approach scripture.

Let me give you a common example: Haw far did you ride your bike today Dave? And let’s say he tells me about 20 miles. In reality it was actually 19.79 miles. Was Dave being untruthful with me? Or how about this, “What time is it?” It’s about 10:40am— no it’s actually 10:39:48 seconds. It would seem pretty ridiculous to expect that someone on the street who asked me what time it is, wants me to tell them EXACTLY/Precisely what the time is. People would actually apply that principle to Scripture. Here’s one of these examples:

Mark 4:31 NIV

31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth.

He wasn’t necessarily scientifically precise, but that wasn’t His point.

Botanically, with modern research, the mustard seed is obviously not the smallest seed. [Orchids and vanilla plants have smaller seeds.] Christ's statement about the mustard seed being the smallest can be understood in various ways that are compatible with the text:

The mustard seed is the smallest seed compared to the size of the tree it produces.

It is the smallest seed of the commonly farmed, edible crops, that his audience would connect with and recognize.

As with many of the common agricultural statements in the Bible, we must allow some latitude and degree of literary licence for an unscientific world.

This verse is the Word of God. Properly interpreted, it communicates a wonderful truth —

The God of truth speaks words of Truth.

God isn’t communicating a series of infallible facts and figures; He’s revealing Himself.

John 1:14 NIV

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Logos is the word for “word” here. That means the “essence” the “character”, the “nature of God— Jesus is the Logos.

And because God is Trustworthy and True— His word is trustworthy and true.

Which leads us to our next point: He speaks with Authority, and truthfully— but also with Clarity.

III. God Speaks Clearly.

Scripture is revealed by God.

Psalm 119:105 NIV

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

God expects us not only to understand His words, but also to obey them. (Deut 6:6)

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 NIV

6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

There are several incidences to consider where God is absolutely direct and clear regarding His word:

Joshua 1:8–9 NIV

8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

God’s word enlightens our hearts and convicts us of sin. (Neh 8:2-3)

Nehemiah 8:2 NIV

2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand.

Nehemiah 8:5 NIV

5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up.

Nehemiah 9:33–34 NIV

33 In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly. 34 Our kings, our leaders, our priests and our ancestors did not follow your law; they did not pay attention to your commands or the statutes you warned them to keep.

This does not mean that there aren’t passages in scripture that are difficult to understand.

St. Thomas Aquinas once said that:

“God has generously planned Holy Scripture that in the easier passages He relieves our hunger; in the harder passages He drives away our pride...” Augustine

I have observed that all the heresies and errors have arisen not from Scripture’s own plain statements, but when that plainness of statement is ignored, and men follow the Scholastic arguments of their own brains.

Martin Luther

Another great quote, I don’t know exactly who is credited with this— but it basically says that Luther or Calvin or Zwingli did not spark the revival we call the Reformation— God’s Holy Scripture did that.

And it will continue to do that if we would search it regularly and deeply.

Our understanding of scripture— it’s “clarity to us” is not based in our own human reason. (Someone say Amen…!)

John 9:39 NIV

39 Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

Our understanding of scripture moves from dark to light with the Holy Spirit’s help. (Matt 11:25-26)

Matthew 11:25–26 NIV

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

Now finally— I want us to realize:

Because it is authoritative, truthful, and clear— It is inspired, trustworthy, and revealed— it is indeed:

IV. God’s Word is Enough.

Scripture is sufficient because it meets our deepest need. (Rom 15:4)

Romans 15:4 NIV

4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

Isn’t this a no-brainer, Pastor Charlie? That’s what “sola scriptura” means right?

Yes, but I want you to remember and know today that Scripture is sufficient, only because it is the ONLY Authoritative, Truthful, and Clear guidance for the Christ-centered life.

Not Scripture and the Church

Not Scripture and what Pastor Charlie or any other teacher says

Not Scripture and what your traditions say, not because of your parents or grandparents, or any earthly authority.

Not Scripture and ANYTHING ELSE. Nothing else compares to this Book.

James 1:25 NIV

25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Scripture contains all we need for salvation, for trusting God fully, and obeying Him perfectly.(2 Peter 1:3)

2 Peter 1:3 NIV

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Do you have a bible? Do you read it systematically and regularly? If you don’t have a bible— I want you to take one of those yellow soft covered pew bibles with you today— or get online and download the YouVersion Bible app, and look us up as a church— join a Sunday School class— get with your Crew, and figure out a way to meet Jesus through this book.

Alot of people are crying out today for a Word from God, and revelation from Him on all sorts of needs and concerns—Maybe you’re in that place today— GOD I”M DESPERATE FOR YOU -SPEAK LORD FOR YOUR SERVANT IS LISTENING! and guess what— it’s right there on their shelf. Its right there in your pocket. It’s been there the whole time.

The bible is not an encyclopedia, or some source of information on EVERYTHING in life. You can’t ask the bible what 2+2 is, and expect that it will tell you 4. It was very real for us in Proverbs— we read God’s principles, we learn God’s framework, His ways and His thoughts— and that creates in us a reservoir — a well of wisdom to make decisions on EVERYTHING in life.

Conclusion

Setting the Scene: Triumphal Entry

Matthew 21:1–9 “1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest”

Zechariah 9:9 NIV

9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Jesus entered the holy city of Jerusalem, fulfilling all that Zechariah had spoken. He was the fulfilment of the scripture then, and He sent a powerful message to everyone who would have known the scriptures:

Zechariah 12:10 NIV

10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

Dots connected. Come Lord Jesus, He is the Living Word of God. The word in the flesh.

We love this book. Because it teaches us and leads us closer to the author and perfecter of our Faith.

Lord help us to fall in love with it again and again. We are thankful for this revelation, and thankful that we live in a country where we are free to read this book and study it.

That is not the case for our fellow Christ followers in several countries around the world. Why would these governments restrict or eliminate the influence of such a book? Perhaps they know the power of this text even more clearly than we do.

God the Father is the giver of Holy Scripture; God the Son is the theme of Holy Scripture; and God the Spirit is the author, authenticator, and interpreter of Holy Scripture.

J. I. Packer