The Sufficency of Scripture
Notes
Transcript
Matters of distinction
Matters of distinction
We have previously looked at a few matters of distinction that separate the church that Jesus built with other religions.
The Existence of God
Atheists, Agnostics
Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Christians
The Identity of God
Jews, Muslims, etc.
Christians
The identity of Jesus of Nazareth
Jews, Muslims
Christians
It would be great if everyone accepted Jesus as the Christ?
Jesus asked (turn to Mt16:15-16)
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus prayed for unity (turn to Jn17:20-21)
20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
Paul even commanded it (turn to 1Cor1:10-13)
10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
(transition) One of the major factors that prevent unity and is an issue of distinction is that not all believe in “Sola Scriptura” - in the sufficiency of scripture to lead me to God and to salvation through Jesus Christ. It has been said that one person’s position on this issue will greatly affect his or her religious beliefs and practices.” - - - I think the best way to tackle this item of distinction is to start with those who deny the sufficiency of scripture.
Those who deny
Those who deny
Catholic Church
They love God and want to serve God, but they accept things in addition to the bible
Traditions of the church which have arisen over the years, Papa decrees, and
Allowing traditions and decrees take precedence over the scriptures such as going against scripture
Removing the 2nd commandment (turn to Exo20:4)
4 “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.
Calling someone Father, where Jesus forbids it (ref: Mt23:9)
Requiring celibacy for priests, bishops, etc. (ref: 1Tim3:1-2)
Mormons, JW’s and some Pentecostals, etc.
Accept latter-day prophets; and modern-day revelations
In doing such, the Mormons have the wrong concept of God in the flesh, where scripture says different (ref: Jn4:24 turn to Lk24:39)
39 “See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”
JW’s deny the bodily resurrection of Christ (ref: Lk24:39-40, Jn2:19-22)
Pentecostals along with others allow women preachers, contrary to scripture (ref: 1Cor14:34-37; turn to 1Tim2:11-12)
11 A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.
(Transition) When people reject the sufficiency of scripture and appeal to other sources for authority, division happens. To help bring about unity, we must recognize truth, the need for all to have the same standard, the same authority found in the scripture, to truly believe in “Sola Scriptura.”
Argument for sufficiency of scripture
Argument for sufficiency of scripture
The whole counsel of God has been proclaimed. (turn to Act20:27)
27 “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.
Paul in speaking to the Elders of Church of Ephesus tells them eventhough he knew what was coming at him, he held to and proclaimed the whole counsel of God, the scripture. He held nothing back from them (Ref: Act20:27)
Paul entrusted them with it (turn to Act20:32)
32 “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
It is sufficient to build up, to give you and inheritance among the sanctified
Paul did not say anything about new revelations to come, but that the full counsel of God had been preached! for . . .
We have all things pertaining to life and godliness (Turn to 2Pt1:3)
3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
Notice it said “all things” not “some things yet to come, to be revealed.”
Whatever I need for life and godliness comes through the scripture, through true knowledge of Him!
Jude wrote that faith has been once and for all revealed (turn to Jude3)
3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.
How was it handed down? It was the scripture that was handed down.
It was once for all, one time for all time handing down
It was not partially revealed with more to come, but all revealed.
Scripture equips us for every good work (turn to 2Tim3:14-17)
14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Know and believe what you know from the scripture, that all scripture is inspired, God breathed and is profitable for; Doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness
Making every person complete, fully equipped for every good work. Not partial, not some good works, but fully equipped for every good work
When we look at the sufficiency of scripture we can find
Faith, belief in Jesus and life in His name (ref: Jn20:30-31)
That we by doing such have fellowship with the Father and the Son (ref: 1Jn1:3)
We have joy that is full (1Jn1:4)
An advocate with the Father when we sin (1Jn2:1-2)
Have assurance of eternal life (1Jn5:13)
Come to understand the revelation of the mystery of God, of Jesus and His church (Rom16:25-26; Eph3:3-4)
And finally that we may be fruitful in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, consider (turn to 2Pt1:8-11)
8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
Conclusion and invitation
Conclusion and invitation
There is a clear distinction between those who believe and those who add to.
May we be a people who are simply Christians studying God’s word who
Believe the full counsel has been proclaimed
That we have all things for life and godliness through true knowledge of Him
That faith has been revealed once and for all
And, that scriptures make us complete, fully equipped for every good work.
Invitation:
Faith comes by hearing (Rom10:17)
Faith brings conviction of sin (Isa59:2)
Conviction brings repentance (Mk1:15)
Repentance brings confession (Rom10:9)
And an immediate action, baptism for forgiveness of sins (Act2:38, 22:16)
Have you come to believe, have you obeyed the gospel?
(Song) (Prayer) (Close)