20210117 The Bible: its Purpose

Passage

2 Ti 3:16–17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

What does scripture do?

Scripture has been given by God to lead people to faith and salvation. Through Scripture believers are nurtured in faith and led to spiritual maturity.

Transforms people

Psalm 19:7–11 (NKJV) — 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.

One thing that is often ignored by society is the accountability created by the fact that we have scripture!!

As a race, mankind cannot simply claim ignorance and expect a pass.

Matthew 7:9-11 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

We know within ourselves that there is one path which is right. The issue is that choosing the path that God has laid out requires accepting that we are not able to reach the goal on our own power.

God eliminates the opportunity to say we never knew

John 20:30–31 (NKJV) — 30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

1 John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

Leads believers to maturity in faith

By its teaching (Doctrine)

Deuteronomy 6:6–9 (NKJV) — 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children,

By its Reproof and Correction

Shows us unequivocally that there are expectations not only for behavior but for allegiance

REPROOF an expression of blame or disapproval.

1 Corinthians 10:11–12 (NKJV) — 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

CORRECTION-a change that rectifies an error or inaccuracy.

John 8:11 "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."

Jonah 3:4-6 And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day's walk. Then he cried out and said, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" 5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. 6 Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes.

By training in righteousness (Instruction in Righteousness)

By its illumination

Psalm 119:130 (NKJV) — 130 The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.

By its encouragement and reassurance

1 John 5:13 (NKJV) — 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

By its record of God’s promises

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

2 Corinthians 1:19–22 (NKJV) — 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us --was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. 20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

By its trustworthiness

As we spoke last week, God said it we can AND SHOULD believe it!!!!

Scripture is essential for spiritual growth and maturity

John 15:5–8 (NKJV) — 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

There is a wishful fantasy that it is possible to know God and to grow in faith apart from the intentional consumption of scripture

People think they can know God by merely being in the outdoors and surrounded by creation

That is idol worship!! It is worshipping what has been made instead of the one who made it.

Apart from Scripture all we can be sure of is that there is MORE.

Nowhere in creation do we come to know, 1

Corinthians 15:3-4 that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

John 3:16 For God loved the whole world in this way, that He sent His one and only Son so whoever believes in Him would not perish but would have eternal life.