The Sufficiency Of Scripture

Text: II Timothy 3:15-17

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (06/03/01)

Introduction:   

Here are some Marks of the Faithful Word (II Timothy 3:15-17)

I. The All-Encompassing Sufficiency of Scripture

A. It is Inspired and Inerrant

John 10:35  If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

INSPIRED – theopneustos – Lit. God-breathed

The Pentateuch contains at least 680 claims to divine inspiration.  Such claims are found 418 times in the historical books, 195 times in the poetic books, and 1,307 times in the prophetic books.  The NT contains more than 300 direct quotations and at least 1,000 indirect references from the OT, almost all of them declaring or implying that they are God’s own Word.

1. Inspiration is comprehensive – “All Scripture”

It is inspired and inerrant in everything it teaches.  Not as some claim – “only inerrant in things of spiritual or moral value”.

EXAMPLE: Now the Bible doesn’t say everything there is to know about science.  But when it does address a matter of science it is 100% accurate!!

The very words are inspired, not merely the thought.

We believe in verbal plenary inspiration.  That is why we believe formal equivalency to be the superior method of translation as opposed to the dynamic equivalency of many of the modern versions.

Man left to his own resources will always distort the Word.

Man is not a judge over God’s Word, we must allow His Word is to judge us

As God used men, His truth coursed through their minds, hearts, souls, God used their intellect, thought processes and emotions.

Yet God supernaturally saw to every detail of the sacred record.

Jeremiah 1:9  Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

2 Peter 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Remember, the words of Scripture are inspired, not the men.  As in some great piece of literature, musical composition or artistic masterpiece.

2. Inspiration is complete

Psalms 119:89   For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

Revelation 22:18-19  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

19  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

The words of Scripture are always inerrant, whether or not they can be fully understood by our limited comprehension!!

B. It is Profitable

The meaning is beneficial, productive, sufficient.

2 Peter 1:3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

II. Scripture Provides Instruction for Salvation vs.15

1 Peter 1:23-25  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

24  For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

25  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

HOW??

A. It shows us through the Law our sinful condition.

B. It reveals to us that the righteous demands of the Law were satisfied through the substitutionary death of Christ.

C. Teaches us that we are saved by faith alone through Christ alone.

See Parable of Sower and the Seed Luke 8:4-15

They are the source of saving truth.   Caution: Not knowledge of Scripture alone that saves!!

Romans 10:14  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Timothy had been taught the sacred scriptures from Childhood (Lit. from infancy)

ILLUS: Lydia

Acts 16:14  And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

III. Scripture Provides Instruction for Sanctification vs.16-17

The verse does not say “All Scripture given by inspiration is …”  That would leave the impression that some scripture is not inspired.

A. The scripture teaches the child of God.  vs.16

Does not refer to the process or method of teaching but to its content.

Therefore the handling of Scripture must be precise, accurate and appropriate.

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Joshua 1:7-8  Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

8  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Hosea 4:6  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

B. The scripture reproves the child of God.  vs.16

Carries the idea of rebuking in order to convict of misbehaviour or false doctrine.

The Scripture exposes that which is false, sinful and ungodly.

Have you ever been sharply convicted through reading a passage of scripture or through the preaching of the Word?

It is for that reason that a Bible-teaching, Bible-believing, and Bible-obeying church is never a haven for persistent sinners.

Reproving the wrongdoing of the people is as much a pastor’s responsibility as helping build them up in righteousness.

He is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable!!

Proverbs 6:23  For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

LOOK UP & READ Psalm 119:99-105

C. The scripture corrects the child of God.  vs.16

Correction refers to the restoration of something to its original and proper condition.

Used of helping a person back on his feet after stumbling.

“Correction is Scripture’s positive provision for those who accept it’s negative reproof.

LOOK UP & READ Psalm 119:9-11

2 Timothy 2:25  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

Galatians 6:1  Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

D. The scripture instructs the child of God in righteousness.  vs.16

Paideia

Instruction is primarily used of the nourishing and building up of a child.

LOOK UP & READ Hebrews 12:5, 7 & 11

Instruction and edification (building up) are in view here.

Ephesians 6:4  And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

We don’t allow our children to just “grow up” we are to “bring them up” rear them, train them, raise them.  The same is true spiritually!!

What is the goal?

2 Corinthians 3:18  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

E. The scripture equips the man of God.  vs.17

1. PERFECT – Adequate – refers to one who is complete, capable and proficient in everything he is called to do.

2. “Furnished” conveys the idea of being fitted out or equipped.

3. Scripture is sufficient in enabling the Pastor for every righteous demand of ministry.

When the Pastor is equipped by the sufficient Word, he can then equip the believers under his care.

Conclusion:     (Review)