Why the Bible?

We now have access to more information than any other time in history. A vast supply of information on pretty much any and every topic you might think of. But as Christians we preach and teach nothing but the Bible. Why? I mean, with all the information available to us we could help people with everything from bunions to budgets. We could teach people about everything from farming to philosophy. So, why the Bible? Why do we limit ourselves to preaching and teaching only the Bible? Today we’re going to find out.

Paul is writing to the young pastor Timothy. He is telling Timothy that things are going to get tough. People are going to reject the truth. Just listen to what Paul says at the beginning of Chapter 3 (Read 3:1-4). Paul tells Timothy, “This is what others are going to do. But as for you, you stick to the Scriptures.” Paul then proceeds to tell him why he should do that.

In these two verses we see three reasons why we must stick to the Scriptures.

I. The Bible has God as its source. (V 16a)

God-breathed = Scripture has God’s breath as its source.

This is another way of saying it is God’s Word. He spoke it.

John 10:35 ESV

If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—

2 Peter 1:20–21 ESV

knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 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.

1 Corinthians 14:37 ESV

If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.

I have a stack of letters and cards I received from my wife over the years. When I read those letters I am reading her words. The Bible is God’s Word in exactly the same way.

God is:

Creator (owns it all)

Ruler (authority over all)

Judge (all answer to Him)

God is immeasurably above all. What man says is of no consequence compared to what God says. These are not the words of a man that they can simply be ignored.

II. The Bible is useful for belief and behavior. (V 16b)

profitable = useful, yielding a practical benefit.

Belief

teaching = doctrine (refers to content not act of teaching) The Bible teaches the truth

Exodus 34:6–7 ESV

The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”

1 Corinthians 5:1–2 ESV

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.

reproof = refuting error

Galatians 3:1–3 ESV

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

Behavior

correction = setting right (conduct)

1 Corinthians 5:1–2 ESV

training in righteousness = training in right behavior

Ten Commandments

Why the Bible? Because the Bible is God telling us how to live.

III. The Bible is sufficient for the Christian life. (V 17)

We don’t need anything outside of the Bible.

man of God = Common OT expression; messenger of God/one who speaks for God

primarily speaks of how the Scripture equips the preacher to carry out his ministry. (Note: 4:1-2)

Scripture is all that is needed to make disciples.

In a broader sense it speaks of what we refer to as the sufficiency of Scripture.

ESV Study Bible: “The truth contained in Scripture is sufficient in all maters pertaining to doctrine and moral behavior.”

ESV Study Bible: “The truth contained in Scripture is sufficient in all matters pertaining to doctrine and moral behavior.”

All that God would call us to do the Scripture equips us to do.

2 Peter 1:3 ESV

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

Big Idea: The Bible is God telling us how to live.

That includes

This book is nothing less than the very Word of God. It doesn’t contain the Word of God. It is the word of God. When the Bible speaks, God speaks. The Bible is God-breathed.

Because the Bible is God speaking it carries the authority of God. In the Bible God speaks with authority telling us what is true, what to believe. In the Bible God speaks with authority telling us how He wants us to behave.

And the Bible is sufficient for these matters. Those who are filled with God’s Spirit need nothing more than the Bible to be equipped to think, act, and serve as God desires.