What About the Bible?

2 Timothy 3:16-17

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NLT)

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

INTRODUCTION:

I. THE DEFINED EXTENT OF AN INSPIRED BIBLE. (2 Timothy 3:16 a)

2 Timothy 3:16a (NLT)

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

A. All Scripture is inspired.

1. This is a biblical fact. (Psalm 19:7) (Proverbs 30:5)

Psalm 19:7 (NLT)

7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Proverbs 30:5 (NLT)

5 Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.

a) The Bible does not contain God's word – It is God's word.

b) There is no such thing as degrees of inspiration.

c) Jesus emphasized the inspiration of Scripture. (Matthew 5:17 – 18) (Matthew 9:4)

Matthew 5:17–18 (NLT)

17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.

18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.

Matthew 9:4 (NLT)

4 Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts?

B. What did Jesus say?

1. Jesus testified to the truth of Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch. (John 5:46; 7:19; Luke 24:27)

John 5:46 (NLT)

46 If you really believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me.

John 7:19 (NLT)

19 Moses gave you the law, but none of you obeys it! In fact, you are trying to kill me.”

Luke 24:27 (NLT)

27 Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

2. Jesus testified about the fact of a literal Adam and Eve. (Matthew 19:4)

Matthew 19:4 (NLT)

4 “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’

3. Jesus testified about the fact of Noah's flood. (Matthew 24:37 – 39)

Matthew 24:37–39 (NLT)

37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day.

38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat.

39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

4. Jesus testified about the truth of Jonah and the great fish (Matthew 12:40)

Matthew 12:40 (NLT)

40 For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.

II. THE DETAILED EVIDENCE OF AN INSPIRED BIBLE. (2 Timothy 3: 16 B)

2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

A. The Bible was given supernaturally.

1. The Bible originated with God, not man.

a) Evidenced by its unique nature.

66 separate books

40 human authors (from different areas and walks of life)

Speaks on controversial topics in unison

Uniquely preserved: more manuscripts and fragments than any other book in antiquity.

There are approximately 5,800 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. In addition, there are 10,000 Latin manuscripts, and 9,300 manuscripts in other languages.

There are at least 17,000 known Hebrew scrolls and codices of the Old Testament. This does not count the translations into Greek and other languages.

Aside from the scriptures, the next highest number of any book in antiquity is Homer’s Iliad with 1900 manuscript copies.

b) Evidenced by changed lives. (John 8:32) (Jeremiah 15:16)

John 8:32 (NLT)

32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Jeremiah 15:16 (NLT)

16 When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.

c) Evidenced by fulfilled prophecy. (Isaiah 7:14) (Micah 5:2)

Isaiah 7:14 (NLT)

14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).

Micah 5:2 (NLT)

2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.

(1) Isaiah stated that Jesus would be born of a virgin (700 years before it occurred)

(2) Micah stated that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. (520 years before he was born)

B. The Bible emphasizes its supernatural origin.

1. The Greek word translated inspiration or inspired literally means that God breathed the words of Scripture.

2. God did this through men. (2 Peter 1:20-21) (Jeremiah 1:9)

2 Peter 1:20–21 (NLT)

20 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding,

21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.

Jeremiah 1:9 (NLT)

9 Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth!

III. THE DIVINE EFFECT OF AN INSPIRED BIBLE. (2 TIMOTHY 3: 16 C)

2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

A. It is profitable. – It always works.

*Country lady and vacuum salesman

1. Profitable for doctrine. (2 Timothy 2:15)

2. Profitable for reproof. (Jeremiah 23:29)

3. Profitable for correction.

4. Profitable for instruction. (Psalm 119:105)

B. It is profitable to evaluate all teachings and theologies.

1. For those who have "other scriptures". (Revelation 22:18 – 19)

2. for those who have false ideas about Jesus. (John 1:1, 14) (Hebrews 1:1 – 4)

3. for those who teach salvation by works. (Ephesians 2:8 – 10)

IV. THE DESIRED END OF AN INSPIRED BIBLE. (2 TIMOTHY 3:17)

A. The completion of God's people.

1. The completion of joy. (Jeremiah 15:16) (John 15:11)

a) *A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who is not.

2. Completely equipped for all good works.

a) *God does not call the equipped, he equips the called. (Ephesians 2:10)

CONCLUSION: