The Bible's Worth as Seen in 2 Timothy
Text: II Tim. 3: 15-4: 8
Thesis: To prove that one must live by the Bible alone.
Introduction:
1. Many families come together to eat, watch TV, have cookouts, reunions, go to sporting events, but how often do they gather to study the Bible?
2. A grandmother was reading her Bible as her granddaughter entered the room to ask, “Grandmother, why are you always reading that book?” She responded, “I’m studying for my final exam.”
3. Why were we once known as a Bible quoting, Bible toting people? Because we once had a love for the truth.
4. Why are we not known as such anymore? Have we gotten away from our plea of “Let’s go back to the Bible, and call Bible things by Bible names, and do Bible things in Bible ways.”
5. Give me the Bible.
6. We will examine three points pertaining to the Bible.
Body:
I. Association with the Bible (II Tim. 3: 15-4: 8).
A. Recognize its guidance (15).
1. It alone will make one wise unto salvation.
2. The words of Jesus are spirit and life (John 6: 63).
3. It is our roadmap to Heaven.
4. When we want to learn something about math, do we go to a science book?
a. When we want to learn of salvation , to whom will we go?
b. Christ asked his disciples if they would go away also, and Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go, thou hast the words of eternal life.” (John 6: 68).
B. Reverence its inspiration (16).
1. Inspired of God is “theopnuestos” which literally means God-breathed.
2. How did God inspire the Bible?
a. II Pet. 1: 20-21 – Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
b. I Cor. 2: 13 – The Holy Spirit compared spiritual things with spiritual words.
c. Thus, we have verbal, plenary inspiration.
C. Realize its completeness (17).
1. It alone will make one perfect – “Telios” – complete, mature
2. God has given us all things that we need (II Pet. 1: 3).
3. Do we need a creed book or direct operation of the Holy Spirit?
a. If a creed book has more than the Bible, it has too much.
b. If less than the Bible, it has too little.
c. If just the Bible, why have it?
II. Application to the Bible (II Tim. 4: 1-5).
A. Charge is given (1).
1. Timothy was told to preach the word, to put it into practice.
2. We are told to put it into practice.
a. Romans 10: 17 – We hear what the Bible teaches, and then belief.
b. Yet, faith without obedience is dead (James 2: 17).
c. We must obey and live by what the Bible teaches.
3. We are also given a charge (command) to teach others (Mat. 28: 19; Mark 16: 15; Luke 24: 46-47).
B. Conditions are given (2).
1. Timothy was only to preach and live by the word.
2. We today must only teach and live by the word.
a. There is no room in the church for human speculation, opinions, philosophies, etc.
b. We must only cleave to the Bible.
C. Cause is given (3-4).
1. Why must we hold to the Bible?
a. To 1st save ourselves.
b. Then to teach others the way to salvation.
2. Many will reject the pure gospel.
a. Many want to hear things that will tickle their ears.
b. Many have predetermined what the Bible teaches.
c. They will call up the preacher and tell say, “preacher man, tell me that I can use my instrument in worship, but don’t turn to Ephesians 5: 19 and tell me that God only authorizes singing.” Etc.
3. We have the truth, and we are holding it back from the lost.
III. Assurance from the Bible (II Tim. 4: 6-8).
A. Paul was prepared to meet his God (6).
1. We knew that he was saved.
2. We too can know that we are saved (I John 5: 13).
B. Paul was persistent in his faithfulness (7).
1. We must continue to be faithful everyday (Rev. 2: 10).
2. Christianity is a daily religion (Phil. 1: 21).
C. Paul knew of the promise to the faithful (8).
1. We are promised a crown (Rev. 2: 10).
2. We are promised to inherit all things (Rev. 21: 7).
Conclusion:
1. We must get back to the Bible.
2. The Bible will always be right regardless to whether or not anyone believes it.
3. The Bible will make us wise to salvation, will we go to it to learn of salvation?
4. What does the Bible say about salvation?