WHO DEFINES REALITY?

OPENING

SCRIPTURE READING

PRAYER

CONGREGATIONAL WORSHIP

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE

2 Timothy 3:14-17.

PURPOSE STATEMENT

Because Scripture is God-breathed and sufficient, Christians must submit their thinking and living to God’s Word rather than the shifting voices of culture.

INTRODUCTION

I’d like for you to take the Word of God with me, please, and turn to 2 Timothy 3:14-17.

HOOK

As we begin today, a simple question is on the screens, “Who defines reality?” Who gets to determine what one should believe and why they should believe it? This is a question that is being asked by a variety of people and there are many answers.

The reason the question is being asked is because our culture has thrown off the God of the Bible, and at times, believers feel that pull as well. In our world today, right is being redefined, wrong is being promoted, and godlessness is rampant.

While this is true, the greater challenge to us is that many Christians are being pulled into these lies. We are facing cultural challenges and pressures to conform to the image of the world at break-neck speeds. The answer is to recognize that our God is the authority for all that we believe and practice, and He has given us His Word to guide our lives. You and I must come to the place where the Bible is the authority in a world of competing truths.

As we look at our Scripture passage this morning, I want us to see again the sufficiency and authority of Scripture in our lives and leave here determined to be people of the book in all we say and do and in how we act and think. And here is the reason why: Because Scripture is God-breathed and sufficient, Christians must submit their thinking and living to God’s Word rather than the shifting voices of culture.

If we are going be this type of person then here is what we must do.

I. STAY ROOTED IN GOD’S WORD | VV. 14-15

We must stay rooted in God’s Word, even when culture pressures you to move on. Look again at verses 14 and 15,

2 Timothy 3:14–15 KJV 1900

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

A. THERE IS A CONSTANT PULL FROM THE WORLD

Notice how Paul encourages Timothy to continue in the things that he has learned. Timothy is called to remain rooted in what has been passed down to him. The reason for this is because there is a constant pull from the world to be like them and act like them.

ILLUSTRATION: Culture and the world are like a river, which has a constant downward flow to it. If you do not fight against the current, you will be caught up in it and it will take you where it is going.

Notice also that the verb is in the active present tense. You and I are to constantly continue in the things we have learned from the Bible. It is not sufficient for us to gain some knowledge and then walk away from it.

B. THERE IS A CONSTANT PRESSURE TO INNOVATE | VV. 12-13

Not only is there a constant pull from the world, but there is also a constant pressure to innovate in our world today. Many of the problems that we face in churches today is that they have removed the Bible from the source of authority and have looked at other methods to draw a crowd or survive.

We saw this happen in the 80s and 90s with what has been dubbed the Seeker-Sensitive movement. Churches were shrinking across the country from every denomination. The solution was to abandon the Bible and create a non-intimidating, culturally relevant environment marketed to “seekers” (e.g. non-believers) who may be inquisitive. The results speak for themselves. It worked in the short-term, and failed miserably to accomplish anything worthy of the name of Christ. More people abandoned churches than before.

Today, research shows what people want is unadulterated truth. They want to know what you believe and why you believe it. They don’t want to be pampered or coddled.

C. THERE IS A CONSTANT PRODUCT FROM THE LORD | VS. 14

As you stay rooted in Scripture the way you think will be drastically different than before. We have learned the Scriptures and been assured of the Scriptures through the Holy Spirit.

Also, it is the Scriptures that make us wise unto salvation. As we root ourselves in the Word of God, our entire thinking changes. We become wise. We begin to understand why the world is the way it is, why it is wrong, and why God directs us certain ways. We them make wise decisions which produce a better life.

Let me ask you today, “Where are we drifting?” “Where has culture subtly convinced you that Scripture is outdated, optional, or inconvenient?”

II. SUBMIT TO GOD’S WORD | VS. 16A

Oh, my friend, stay rooted in the Scriptures, even when culture pressures you to move on for God defines reality. Paul continues guiding young Timothy and God continues to guide us. Because God defines reality, we must also submit to Scripture as God’s authority, not as a suggestion to be weighed. This is the why. Look at the beginning of verse 16,

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV 1900

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God,…

Every word in the book that you hold is the Word of God. The Bible does not merely contain the Word of God, it is the Word of God. We believe firmly in an every word Bible. Every word has been given by inspiration of God.

DEFINITION: The phrase “given by inspiration of God” is one word in the Greek (theopneustos) which literally means “God-breathed out.” The idea is that the Bible was produced by the Spirit of God as if God breathed out the very word Himself.

What you hold in your hands is as if God is speaking directly to you audibly. There is no difference that God sitting down next to you and talking to you verbally, than there is when you pick up the Bible and read what is written. God has spoken with clarity and authority through His Word.

A. SCRIPTURE’S AUTHORITY IS COMPREHENSIVE

Because of this truth, and because God is the Lord, He is the Great I Am, then we must submit to Scripture as God’s authority, not merely a suggestion to be weighed. Scripture’s authority is comprehensive. The Bible contains truths to live for every aspect of our lives and we are called to know them, understand them, and live them. Scripture is the comprehensive guide to live.

B. SCRIPTURE’S AUTHORITY DEMANDS SUBMISSION

Additionally, Scripture carries God’s authority because it comes from God Himself. Therefore, Scripture’s authority demands submission.

Notice the negative side of this as well. Since Scripture is God-breathed and God-spoken, then rejecting it is not a mere disagreement, but spiritual rebellion. Scripture does not gain authority because we accept it. It possesses authority because God authored it.

HANDS APPLICATION

Let’s take a real-life example to help us understand what submission to Scripture looks like. We live in a world where living together outside of marriage is considered normal, and sexual relationships apart from marriage are not only accepted, but encouraged. Culture tells us this is wise, practical, and even responsible.

But if Scripture is truly our authority, then the question is not, “What feels reasonable?” or “What does everyone else do?” The question is, What does God say?

God’s Word is clear, 1 Thessalonians 4:3,

1 Thessalonians 4:3 KJV 1900

3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

Hebrews 13:4 reminds us,

Hebrews 13:4 KJV 1900

4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

This is not about condemnation, but about clarity. God’s Word does not restrict joy, it protects it. Submission to Scripture means we do not weigh God’s Word against culture to see which one we prefer. We obey God’s Word because He has spoken.

And this applies far beyond this one issue. Whether it is money, forgiveness, truthfulness, purity, or obedience, the question is always the same: Will I submit to God’s authority, or will I treat His Word as a suggestion to be negotiated?

III. LET GOD’S WORD CHANGE YOU | VV. 16B

Therefore, we must let God’s Word confront, correct, and train you. Let’s finish the verse

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV 1900

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

God tells us the Bible is profitable for us. It is going to improve and make our lives better.

A. SCRIPTURE IS PROFITABLE BECAUSE WE ARE NOT NEUTRAL

Scripture is profitable for us because we are not neutral. We are flawed and broken in our thinking and we need to be changed. which is why God give us this beautiful four-fold process which shapes not only how we think, but how we act. Look at the progression of the flow.

B. HOW WE THINK - DOCTRINE AND REPROOF

The first two, doctrine and reproof, address how we think.

1. DOCTRINE - SHAPES WHAT WE BELIEVE

Doctrine is simply the world for right teaching. Doctrine helps us understand what is right and shapes what we believe.

2. REPROOF - CONFRONTS WHAT WE MUST CHANGE

Reproof is the negative side of doctrine is teaches us what is wrong. It has the idea of exposing wrong thinking. Reproof is vital for our lives because we have wrong thinking engrained in us from birth due to our sin nature. Reproof confronts what we must change.

C. HOW WE ACT - CORRECTION AND INSTRUCTION

Once we understand how to think, we can move forward in how we act. God corrects our thinking before He corrects our behavior. This is an important truth. Changes our behavior without changing our thinking only produces short-term results, which fail in the end. If Scripture never corrects us, it is likely because we are not truly listening to it.

Here we find correction and instruction in righteousness.

1. CORRECTION - GUIDES US BACK TO OBEDIENCE

Correction shows us how to get right. In other words it guides us back to obedience. Correction is the glorious method God uses to not only point out what is wrong, but provides a path back to obedience.

2. INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS - TRAINS US FOR A FAITHFUL LIFE

Instruction takes correction a step further and teaches us how to stay right. It trains us for a faithful life. Instruction implies repetition, discipline, and long-term formation.

All four components are necessary in our lives and we must not fight or balk at any of them. We often love doctrine, tolerate instruction, but resist reproof and correction.

Let God’s Word confront you. Let’s correct your wrong thinking, and let it train you in what that is right.

IV. LIVE EQUIPPED BY GOD’S WORD | VS. 17

Which leads to our final thought in verse 17, as we let God confront, correct, and train us, we must allow Scripture to shape how we live, not just what we believe. There has to be a connection from our head, to our heart, culminating in our hands, or daily living. Look at verse 17,

2 Timothy 3:17 KJV 1900

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

A. SCRIPTURE PRODUCES MATURITY, NOT MERELY HEAD KNOWLEDGE

Here we find the goal is Scripture, which is to produce an individual who is mature in how they think and act. The goal is not expertise, but maturity. A godly Christians is one who is throughly or completely transformed from the inside-out prepared to live a great life.

DEFINITION: The word perfect from the Greek (artios) means complete or capable. It has the idea of being ready to tackle whatever comes your way.

God’s Word is not given merely to inform us, but to form us. This verse wraps up all that Paul has been guiding Timothy with.

B. SCRIPTURE EQUIPS FOR ALL OF LIFE

Scripture equips for all of life. It leaves no area of life untouched. We are furnished unto all good works.

Let me summarize it for us in four steps, each building on the last.

SUBMISSION

I will allow Scripture to challenge my assumptions, not merely confirm what I already believe.

DISCERNMENT

I will evaluate every voice shaping my thinking by the authority of God’s Word.

COMMITMENT

I will continue in Scripture faithfully, resisting the slow drift away from truth.

PRACTICE

I will give myself to regular, daily exposure to God’s Word, not occasional reference when it is convenient.

CONCLUSION

SALVATION FOCUS - BRING IT TO JESUS

The world is constantly pressuring us to conform and change into their likeness. God tells us to continue in the Scriptures. Culture may be loud and pushy, but God’s Word is clear.

The question before us is not merely what we believe about the Bible, but whether we will live under its authority. Scripture does not ask for agreement alone, it calls for submission. If God has spoken, then faithfulness begins with listening, and listening is proven by obedience.