The Word of God
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Pray
Read 2 Timothy 3:16–17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Years ago
a man bought a painting
at a flea market at Pennsylvania for $4.
He bought the painting
not for the painting itself
but the frame
which was intricate designed
and beautiful.
But when he took out the painting
to throw it away
he found a folded up document
the size of a business envelope.
And out of pure curiosity
thinking of it
to be an average souvenir
instead of throwing it away
he kept it.
And he put it in his drawer
and kept it there
for 2 years
until he finally showed it to his friend.
His friend being a document expert
after looking at it
became greatly excited.
So he encouraged his friend
to get it checked out
and when he did
the document was discovered
to be one of the original 24 copies
printed on July 4, 1776
of the declaration of independence.
He later sold it for $5 million dollars
and was resold again
for $15 million
years later.
An original copy
of the declaration of independence
was sitting in someone’s drawer
for 2 years
taken for granted
and not fully appreciated
because he didn’t know
what he had.
And likewise
as Christians
we take things for granted.
We constantly
forget
the incredible blessing
that we have
sitting
right under our very noses.
And that’s why today
in our sermon will be looking at:
The Word of God
which is our title this morning.
And our main point:
Knowing what God’s Word is, helps Christians to rely on His Word more.
1. The origin of God’s Word (v.16a)
1. The origin of God’s Word (v.16a)
Before we look at our passage this morning
let’s look at the context
to get full understanding.
In this letter
the apostle Paul
has been imprisoned
for preaching the gospel
because of increasing persecution
in the Roman Empire.
And Paul calls these days,
‘last days’
because ever since the Holy Spirit
was poured out by God
on Pentecost
Christians
have been living in the last days
even tofday.
And in these last days
things go from bad
to worse
and persecution increases
which is why Paul is imprisoned
and laters loses his life
after writing this letter
to Timothy.
Timothy
the senior pastor at the church at Ephesus
along with his fellow elders
have been fighting for their spiritual lives
against the enemy
who has attacked the church at Ephesus
with false teachers
preaching a false gospel.
And after years of fighting
Timothy
and the pastors at Ephesus
are becoming tired.
Weary.
And discouraged.
And to top it all off
now the apostle Paul is imprisoned
and persecution is increasing
all over the empire.
“Are we really going to make it?”
They would have thought.
Yet the apostle Paul
even though imprisoned
and about to lose his life
was not in despair
or without hope.
Because he has something
that keeps him going.
Something that gives him life.
And he writes this letter
to remind Timothy
and his fellow pastors
that they have something
that was with them
this whole time
that will get them through.
And that is:
God’s
Word.
Now let’s look at v.16
where Paul writes,
‘All Scripture is breathed out by God’.
Depending on your Bible translation
it may say
“all Scripture is inspired”
or “God breathed.”
Now the ESV translation
doesn’t always win
but in this translation
it does.
In Greek
the word literally means
“breathed out”.
What this means
is that God’s Word
is the result
of God
breathing.
Just like when you breathe
in really cold air
and you can see your breathe
so is God’s Word;
the Bible
God’s visible breath
in the cold air
of these cold
and heartless times
of the last days we live in.
In other words
what God wants to point out to you
about the Bible
is its origins.
Where it comes from:
the very mouth
of God.
What this means
is that the Bible
the word of God
has it’s origin
in God
and God alone.
There is nothing
in the world
other the the Bible:
God’s Word
that is inspired
that is the very breath of God.
The Word scripture
that you see in v.16
is commonly used
to refer to every day writings.
Documents.
Contracts.
Literature.
All of these writings
are written by men.
There are millions of writings
and books out there
but only one
only one
is written by God.
There is no writing in the world
except the Bible
that comes from God himself.
What this means for you then church
is that the Bible
God’s Word
and God’s Word alone
is the only thing
that you can have absolute
100% certainty
that it comes from God.
Not dreams
or voices you hear.
You can’t be certain
that your dreams
or voices you hear
are from God.
It could be from God
but it also could be from just yourself
or even the enemy.
So you cannot trust in
your dreams
or what you hear
or what you see.
But because God’s Word:
the Bible
comes from God himself
the Bible
and only the Bible
is the only thing
you can be certain
that it is truly
God speaking.
But one might say,
‘but isn’t the Bible
written by men?”
And the answer to that question
is in 2 Peter 1:21
which says
For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
What Peter is saying here
no man
or group of people
one day
decided
“you know what
let’s make a new religion
and a book for that religion
and we’ll call it
the Bible.’
No.
In fact
if you read the Bible
notice
that no man
is a hero.
No man is glorified.
Every person
from Adam to David
are massive failures.
You think men
write books
about how awful they are?
No only a book
that constantly points out
the evil of men
and the goodness of God,
only a book
that brings no glory to man
but God alone
can be written by God.
Because God
and God alone
not man
decided to write this book.
And God the Holy Spirit
used man
to write His book.
And since God
not man
wrote this book
you know what this means?
That God’s Word
is infallible
and inerrant.
And here’s what those two words mean:
infallible:
means impossible to fail.
There’s not a single word
or promise
written in this book
by God
that has failed
or ever will fail.
Next is the word inerrant.
This means
that God’s Word
has no errors.
There are zero contradictions
not even a slight
oversight
or little factual mistake.
Not even a single scientific
or historic mistake.
In the 19th century
for decades
secular historians
criticized the Bible
for writing about a people group
that didn’t exist:
the Hittites.
Because there were no evidence
of the Hittites.
Until the 20th century
when archaeologists
found
evidence
of the Hittites
in the Middle East.
The historians were proven wrong
you know why?
Because God’s Word never fails.
For decades
historians
though King David wasn’t real
and was just a myth.
But in 1993
archaeologists
found a stone slab
from the 9th century
written by
the king of Syria
an enemy of Israel
which recorded
“the House of David”
and historians proven wrong again.
Why?
Because the Bible has is inerrant.
It has no errors.
Time and time again
secular scientists
and historians
have said that the Bible
is wrong
and in this piece of information
and that one
but time and time again
they are proven wrong
because God’s Word cannot fail.
Because man did not write this book
God did.
I encourage you church
when you have time
go to the Bible museum
and see the Dead Sea Scrolls.
They contain copies
of Old Testament Scripture
like Isaiah
that were written
before Christ
over 2000 years ago.
And you know what’s incredible church?
What was written over 2000 yeras ago
is the same writings
that we have in our Bibles
2000 years later.
It’s an incredible thing
to see something
over 2000 years old
and yet be the same
as the Bible we have today!
Because the Bible
is the very breath of God.
And as Jesus said
“Heaven and earth will pass away
but my words
will never pass away.’
Because God’s Word
is infallible
it is inerrant
it is the very breath of God.
Now note
in v.16
that God’s Word says
that it doesn’t say
“some scripture
is breathed out by God.”
No it says
“all scripture
is breathed out by God.”
Many Christians today
only have only a third of the Bible.
The New Testament.
Because they ignore
the other 2/3’s
of the Bible:
the Old Testament.
That’s right only 1/3 of the Bible
is the New Testament.
But remember
that when Paul wrote this
that what Bible did he have?
The Old Testament.
Meaning
that when Paul wrote
that “all-scripture
is breathed out by God”
he primarily had
the Old Testament in mind.
Yes they did have some of the NT
at this time
but not all of it
it was mostly
the OT.
The point is
it’s not just the NT
that comes from God
but the entire OT.
Therefore
we need to respect all of God’s Word
not just 1/3 of it.
Do you read ony certain parts of God’s Word
and avoid others?
From Old Testament to New
you must read it all
because it is all
God’s Word.
So church
love the Bible.
Every true revival
from the great awakening
to the reformation
to Ezra and Nehmiah’s time
has always
been
because of a renewed passion
and love
for God’s Word.
If you want revival in this church
then love God’s Word.
Because the only thing
that will truly change this church
and will truly change you
is God’s Word
and the preaching of God’s Word.
This is no man-made thing.
It is divine.
It’s from God.
And why does this matter?
Because guess what?
In these dark last days
that we live in
God has not abandoned you
He has given you
His Word.
His very own breath.
So that you don’t suffocate
in these hard
difficult times.
Just like
how in CPR
you resuscitate
an unconscious person
by giving them your breath
God gives us CPR:
and resuscitates us
using His very own breath:
the Bible
so that we can live.
His Word is the oxygen tank
that we need
as we dive
into the deep depths
and darkness
of this World.
If you can’t breathe
because of the darkness and suffering
of this world
Inhale the true oxygen of life:
God’s Word.
If you recognize
the origin of God’s Word
that it’s God’s very own breath
the oxygen to live
then you will stop holding your own breath
and cling on
to God’s breath
to give you life:
His Word.
No wonder the disciples said to Christ
in John 6:66-69
After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,
So church
rely not on your dreams
not on the words of man
but rely only on
God’s Word alone
to hear from Him.
Which means
You want to hear God speak?
You want to hear his voice audibly?
Read the Bible out loud
and you are hearing
God speak.
Because God’s Word
is the very words
the very breath
of God.
2. The treasure of God’s Word (v.16b)
2. The treasure of God’s Word (v.16b)
We see this
in the next part of v.16
where it says,
‘all scripture
is God-breathed
and profitable.’
Another way to translate
this word profitable
is,
‘useful
beneficial
or advantageous.’
God’s Word is beneficial.
God’s Word is advantageous.
God’s Word is useful.
There are so many useless things
in this world.
God’s Word is not one of them.
God’s Word gives you the advantage.
It makes you advantage
over the spiritual forces of darkness
that try to deceive you
with false teaching.
The enemy may have lies
may have the ways of this world
but you have something
better
something
that gives you the advantage:
God’s Word.
The enemies in the spiritual world
have a big stick
of accusations
and condemnation
that he uses to beat you
but you have a a machine gun
in God’s Word.
Now God’s Word
gives us
specific benefits
of His Word.
The first as we see in v.16
is
“profitable for teaching.”
The greatness of the Bible is found
In its ability to teach.
To instruct.
to educate.
Now you can learn many things.
You can learn biology.
You can learn engineering.
You can learn business.
these are all fine and good.
But there is something greater than all of these:
Learning about who God is.
You can learn all the subjects in the world
and yet
not have eternal life.
But if you learn one thing
Who God is
you the most precious treasure in the world
the most valuable thing
in the universe:
eternal life.
And if the Bible teaches you
about the most valuable thing in the world
Then that also means
That the Bible is also the greatest teacher and educator
in existence.
Learning the Bible
is the greatest education
anyone can have.
You can take courses
At Harvard
and Yale
and not even the finest courses
professors
and degrees
From those schools
can compare
to the education you get
From learning
God’s Word
on Sunday Morning.
This isn’t just Crossroads Community Bible Church.
This is Crossroads Community Bible University!
Think about it.
Look at the apostles.
Uneducated fishermen.
Yet because of God’s Word
they were smarter
wiser
and more educated
Than the greatest scholars
and geniuses of their day.
Aristotle
And Plato
Can’t hold a candle
To the teachings
of the apostle Peter
And John.
So church
never
put your value or your identity
ultimately in your schooling
your education
Or degree.
Because you can be a simple farmer
a simple plowboy.
Yet if you know holy scripture
You are more of a genius than Einstein.
Because it pleases God
To use the lowly of this world
To humble the proud.
Not because they are smart in themselves
but because
they know God’s Word
that it is advantageous.
That it is beneficial
for teaching.
The next benefit and advantage
Of God’s Word
Is reproof.
This means
that the Bible tells you what is not.
It corrects
what information
that is wrong
and that is false.
The way of destruction is broad
but the way of salvation is narrow.
There are millions of things
millions of information
that are wrong
and only one thing right.
But God’s Word
cuts through all the wrong
and leaves you with the right.
It makes you precise.
Like a machete
that clears out all the wild foliage
in a jungle
leaving you with a path.
As Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
The next word
is for correction.
While reproof
refers to correcting error.
Correcting false ideas
and false doctrine,
Correction
refers to correcting
sinful behavior.
So much sin
and suffering in this world
comes from behavior
not
being corrected.
Even in the church.
Why?
Because many churches today
don’t emphasize
the importance
of the duties of members
to help
and love one another
by correcting one another.
And if you love one another
you will correct one another
in gentleness.
As it says in Proverbs 27:9
Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.
Just like oil and perfume
can make you feel pleasant
so does the genuine
earnest
loving counsel
and correction
from a friend.
A true friend
doesn’t ignore another
who is stuck
going the wrong way.
A true friend will gently
correct
and help his friend.
But the correction
must come from God’s Word.
People correct each other all the time
from worldly
human wisdom
and get nowhere
but more fights
and conflicts.
But God’s Word
and God’s Word alone
has the right
correction.
And the last benefit
God’s Word has
is “for training in righteousness.”
Another way to understand righteousness
in this context
is always doing the right thing.
When it is right
to stand up
against wrongdoing
then a righteous person will do so.
If it is right to not speak
but be silent
a righteous person will do so.
But here’s the thing
it must be learned.
It says
for training
in righteousness.
This word training
is used to teach a disciple.
Disciples of martial arts
spend decades
not just learning techniques
but also the way and philosophy
behind the techniques.
And likewise
righteousness
in the Christian life
takes time.
But it doesn’t just come passively.
It comes through discipline
and repetition.
Just like someone who learns
a martial art
will practice the same move
or the same kick
dozens
and hundreds of time
so must a person
be practicing
and learning God’s Word
dozens
and hundreds of time
over and over again
in order to grow
in righteousness
and be able
to do the right thing in life
not just once
but consistently
over many years.
You can’t just live life
doing the wrong things
or making the wrong choices
and decisions in life
over and over again.
Because God is righteous
and you are called
to be like Him.
And the only way
is to be trained in righteousness
through what?
God’s Word.
One way to do this
is to always ask
“what does the Bible say?”
Before you make a decision
big or small
ask yourself
“what does the Bible say?”
So many wrong decisions in life
would be avoided
if we just asked that question.
Let the Word of God
lead you
in righteousness.
Now remember
that in recognizing
God’s Word as treasure
it’s not just some of God’s Word
that is profitable
that is advantageous for you.
But all of it
All
of God’s Word
is profitable.
Just like it’s not just the New Testament
but also the Old
that is breathed out by God
so it is
that not just the New Testament
but also the Old
is beneficial
and profitable
for you.
And here’s why this matters.
You can preach one of the four gospels.
You can preach a Psalm.
You can preach the book of Numbers
As long as the Bible is being preached
as God has written His Word:
in whole books
From beginning to end
rather than by topics
it doesn’t really matter
what book of the Bible it is.
Stressing the importance
of choosing one book
over another
either to be preached for Sunday morning
or for your morning daily devotion
is like choosing
between an apple
and a banana.
They’re both great!
Your body will be happy with either!
And likewise
your soul will be happy
regardless if you choose
the gospel of John
or Leviticus.
Both
will be a treasure
of teaching
reproof
correction
and training in righteousness.
Both
will bless you.
Because all of the Bible
not just some of it
is treasure.
So don’t just treasure some of the Bible.
Treasure
all of it.
And if all of the Bible
is this great treasure
of abundant blessing
do you view the Bible as such?
Does your Bible collect dust
or collect fingerprints?
Do you see it as your precious treasure
that you can’t wait to come back to
and open
over and over again
to read it
like when one
Never gets tired
Of seeing their favorite photo
of a loved one
On their lock screen?
Because the Bible is so amazing
no gold or silver
millions of dollars
earthly treasure
or thing you can imagine
could ever match
it’s value
and benefits.
As Psalm 119:72
says
The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Because God’s Word
is treasure.
3. The sufficiency of God’s Word (v.17)
3. The sufficiency of God’s Word (v.17)
We see this
in the last verse
verse 17,
‘that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.’
This verse
shows us
that God’s Word
has an intended purpose.
A specific goal
it wants to accomplish.
That is
that the man of God
would be complete.
This word complete
means wholeness.
To not lack.
The reason
God has given you His Word church
is so that in these last days
you are not lacking.
Like a good father
who ensures
his child
has every provision available to him
when he travels abroad on his own.
That when he gets to the airport
he has his passport.
When he needs food
he has money.
That when he is in the city
He has a place to stay.
He has no lack
because of His Father.
And likewise
you have everything you need
you are complete
because God
has given you
His Word.
When you are going through
constant trouble.
You have Romans 8:28.
When you don’t understand
you have Proverbs 3:5-6.
When you are restless
and worried
you have Psalm 23.
You are complete
and you have everything you need
because God’s Word
is enough
it is sufficient.
And not only
does it make you complete
it makes you
equipped
for every good work.
What this means
is that every single part
every single aspect
of the Christian life
that God calls you to do:
to share the gospel
to love one another
to disciple those younger than you
to be and grow
in holiness
you will be able to do it
because
of God’s Word.
God’s Word
is the toolshed
so that you always have the right tool
for the right job.
God’s Word is the armory
so that you have the right weapon
for all the different kinds of false teachings
the enemy will throw your way.
Because God
does not leave his children
hungry and naked.
God does not leave his soldiers
armor-less
and weapon-less.
No God
gives his people
everything they need
that is:
His Word.
At the end of the day
all you need
is God’s Word.
Now this doesn’t mean
that you don’t need the church
or you don’t need pastors and deacons
or you don’t need one another.
Because God’s Word itself
tells you
you need the church
pastors and deacons
and your fellow church members.
No
what it does mean
is that all those things
the church
pastors and deacons
you
as a church member
and citizen of His Kingdom
will be able
to do what God calls you to do
because God makes you complete
and fully equipped you
with His Word.
Or in other words church
as long as we have God’s Word
we’re gonna be
alright.
Yes things will get worse
people will become more evil.
Yes persecution will increase
and suffering will come in your life.
But we’re gonna be alright.
Because we have God’s Word.
And His Word
is sufficient.
It’s all we need.
His Word
is the lamp
that lights the way
as it says
in Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
God’s Word
is our lamp
that lights our way
in this dark world.
As long as we have that
we’re ok.
Oh church
all we needed
this entire time
has been with us
this entire time:
God’s Word!
Yet how often
have we taken God’s Word for granted
or ignored it?
How could we be so blessed
like no other generation before
with the abundance
of Bibles
and translations
yet be so ignorant
of His Word?
I pray church
let us ask forgiveness from the Lord
for all the times
we have kept seeking for more
coveting and lusting
for something that would satisfy us
when we already have
the greatest treasure
when we already have the only water
that could quench our thirst:
God’s Water.
As Jesus told the Samaritan woman
at the well
in John 4
you drink this water
you will be thirsty again
but drink my water:
the water of God’s Word
and you will never be thirsty again.
God’s Word is enough church.
As long as we have biblical preaching in this church
we’re gonna be fine.
As long as you have God’s Word with you
to guide you as you travel
in this temporary world
you’re gonna be fine.
You will be complete
you will be equipped
for everything
God calls you to do
because God’s Word
is sufficient.
But there’s one little problem.
There will be days
where we forget
how precious God’s Word is.
There will be days
where you forget
that God’s Word
is all you really need.
And then how
will you be able
to be the complete
and fully equipped
man
or woman of God
God called you to be
if there will be times
where you fail
to memorize
read
meditate
study
and treasure God’s Word?
There is only one way how.
There is one man
who is perfectly complete
and was always ready
to do God’s Will
where everyone else
has failed.
And that man
is Jesus Christ
the Son of God.
And the reason why
Christ
is the only person
who is perfectly equipped
and was always ready
and accomplished the will of the Father
is in John 1:1
which says
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
This is the reason
Christ
is the only person
perfectly equipped
always ready
and always accomplished the will of the Father
because Christ Himself
is
the Word.
Christ Himself
is
God’s Word.
How did God create the world?
By speaking
His Word.
Everything God does
He does it
He accomplishes it
by His Word.
God is so mighty
that all He has to do
is say a Word
and it happens.
And likewise
the Father
from eternity past
has willed
to glorify Himself
by giving His one and only beloved son
a gift:
a redeemed people.
And the Son
just like how the Bible
accomplishes it’s work in us today
when we hear and understand it
Christ
the Son
accomplished the will of the Father
by accepting His Father’s gift
and coming down from heaven
live a perfect sinless life
die on the cross
and rising from the grave.
In other words
just as God
gave us the life
to continue living in the last days
in the Word of His Scriptures
God has given us life
in the Word
of His one and only Son:
Christ.
What this means then
church
is that all the lessons
we learned about God’s Word today
applies to Christ too.
Christ
has come from the Father
like His own breath
to breath eternal life
into us
these dead dry bones
and sustain us.
Christ is the fullness of God
who in Him
you have
every spiritual blessing and riches
as Ephesians 1:3 says.
And Christ
just like how the Bible is enough
is enough as well.
Christ is enough.
Church
you may not always
treat God’s Word
with the respect
and love it always deserves.
You may not always diligently
study the Bible
with great discipline.
But don’t be discouraged
don’t lose hope.
Because Christ is enough.
You don’t need more money
you don’t need more influence
you don’t need more comfort
Christ is enough.
Church
be content
because what you’re searching for
to find greater joy
happiness
and peace in life
is something you already have:
Christ in you
through the Holy Spirit
who He sent
to help you
and be with you forever.
You see church
we can’t even understand God’s Word
without the Holy Spirit
opening our eyes and minds
to undertand.
And we can’t even believe in Jesus
God’s one and only Son
unless the Holy Spirit first
makes you born again.
You see church?
At the end of the day
it’s not you
and your own ability
to continue learning and loving God’s Word
so that you would be complete and fully equipped.
It’s the Father
the Son
and the Holy Spirit
all working this grace of salvation
and perseverance in you
to continue growing in your love
for God’s Word
so that when you meet the Lord one day
you will be on your knees,
and say as it says in Psalm 115:1
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
Glory be to God alone
the Father who initiated salvation in dead
unworthy sinners like you and me
the Son
the Word of God
who accomplished the salvation
the Father sent Him to do
on the cross
and the Holy Spirit
who alone
makes you born again
to trust in God’s Word:
Christ
and to understand
and love
His Word:
the Bible.
And it is by the Bible
Christ
who wrote Genesis all the way to Revelation
who will hold you up
endure you
to the end.
As Hebrews 1:2-3 says
but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.
So church never forget:
The Bible is enough.
Christ is enough.
And if you are not a Christian listening today
understand this:
that apart from Christ
there is nothing
absolutely nothing
that you can do
that will ever
be enough
to please God
and earn His favor.
The only
thing you can earn
from God
apart from Christ
is the wrath
that you and I deserve
for our sin
our absolute rebellion
against Him
defying what He has called us to do.
But the good news
is that what Christ did on that cross
was enough to please satisfy God’s Wrath
that’s why God raised Him from the dead.
And it gets better
because what Christ
and what Christ alone did
on the cross
what please God
all you have to do
is just trust in Christ
and what He did
to save you
and you will be saved.
So turn to Christ
trust in Him
and you will be saved today.
And if you need further help understanding
the gospel
that you just heard
please come talk to me
pastor Jeff
or any of our members
right after this service.
So in conclusion:
The origin of God’s Word (v.16a)
The treasure of God’s Word
The sufficiency of God’s Word
Main point: Knowing what God’s Word is, helps Christians to rely on His Word more.
