Sermon Tone Analysis

God-Breathed:

We Value Applicational Bible Teaching

2 Timothy 3:16-17   |   Shaun LePage   |   April 13, 2008

\\ God-Breathed:

We Value Applicational Bible Teaching

2 Timothy 3:16-17   |   Shaun LePage   |   April 13, 2008

 

I.

Introduction

A.    Spring Vision Weekend: Applicational Bible Teaching—Core Values History (Read CVs); this morning~/next few months—Applicational Bible Teaching

B.    WTTB yesterday; not here?

Enjoy an overview of OT.

Were here?

Stand up (review)!

C.    So inspired yesterday I rewrote my entire sermon after the seminar.

D.    Everyone stand: Memorize 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (WTTB style): “All Scripture” open up imaginary Bible “is inspired by God” say inspired very breathy on imaginary Bible “and is profitable” take away right hand, leave left hand ready to receive the profits “for teaching” right index finger pointed at temple to represent knowledge then slap it into profit-receiving hand “for reproof” shake finger—little crude but communicates—then slap into profit-receiving hand “for correction” right hand simulates driving straight down a road then slaps profit-receiving hand “for training in righteousness” right muscle flexed then slap profit-receiving hand “so that the man of God” point left finger at self—man is generic mankind “may be adequate” raise left hand up above head to indicate growing “equipped for every good work” right hand picks up imaginary tool box.

II.

Body—Let’s take a closer look at 2 Timothy 3:16-17

*A.    (16a) The Origin of the Scriptures.

*1.     “All”—not insignificant; if “some~/most” Scripture would be useless—we wouldn’t know what was profitable; sections with pages stuck together are worth your time—why?

“All” Scripture is profitable;

*2.     “Scripture” usually meant OT; How do we know the 27 books of NT are “Scripture” too?

Soon I’ll preach: How did we get the Bible?

& Can We Trust the Bible?

3.     “is inspired by God” lit., “qeo (God) pneustoV (breathed)”; “inspired” is actually not a great word—means “in-breathe”; but our doctrine of the “inspiration” of Scripture comes from such passages;

a)     *Inspiration*: God “moved” human authors so that, using their own individual personalities, they recorded His revelation in the words of the original writings.

The /words/, not just the concepts are inspired (verbal) and /all/ the words, not just some of them are inspired (plenary).

b)     *Inerrant*: God “moved” human authors to record His revelation without error in the original writings”.

based on both teachings of Christ as well as logical reasoning.

Mt 5:18 “smallest letter and stroke” will be fulfilled; Jn 10:35 “the Scripture cannot be broken.”

Logically, if God “breathed” it and “cannot lie” (Titus 1:2, etc.) then logical to assume He also worked through writing, translation and preservation process so that the Scriptures are without error.

Don’t believe English translations are inerrant, but trustworthy and reliable (more on this later).

B.    * (16b) The Value of the Scriptures*.

1.     “and profitable”; idea of “useful” (NIV); Why?

Because it’s “God-breathed”!

Why CV says “timeless and timely… relevant to the common needs of all people at all times and to the specific problems of today’s world”; If God “breathed” it it is timeless~/timely~/ relevant~/infinitely valuable.

How so? could talk endlessly, but stick to 4 ways given;

2.     “for teaching” διδασκαλία (teaching~/doctrine) */what is right/*—simply put: the Bible teaches us what is right~/true; we are to rightly understand it then apply it to our lives;

3.     “for reproof” ἐλεγμός (rebuke); */what is not right/*; The Bible is useful for refuting error; without it we are hopelessly lost in sea of relativity—no opinion is better than another; but since we have the “God-breathed” Scriptures, we can know truth and error; our responsibility is to agree with God and turn from what is false; great reason to consume it—faced with temptation, you recognize error~/lies of enemy

4.     “for correction” ἐπανόρθωσις (reformation; helping someone back to feet); not only told what is right~/not right but also */how to get right/*—how to be reformed~/make our lives straight; our responsibility is not only to turn from error, but to confess sin and get on the correct path—and use Scriptures to help others; 2 Tim 2:24-26

5.     “for training in righteousness”; also told */how to stay right/*; παιδεία (child-training; patient nurture and instruction) in ; Closely connected to process of maturing; δικαιοσύνη is right thinking~/feeling and acting; integrity~/purity

6.     Big picture: “teaching” is gaining necessary knowledge; next 3 about life change—one of the primary purposes of the Scriptures; */CV/*: “Therefore, we are committed to equipping Christians, through the accurate teaching and application of God’s Word…”

*C.    ** (17) The Purpose of the Scriptures*

1.     “so that the man of God may be adequate”; general~/not just males; “adequate” is not at all mediocre, ἄρτιος (“complete” NKJV) idea of fulfilling one’s purpose; what is right~/proper; there’s a purpose in all this introspection!

James 1:22-25

2.     “equipped for every good work”; Eph 4:11-16—Church not just a classroom but an equipping command post!

*/CV/*: “Therefore, we are committed to equipping Christians, through the accurate teaching and application of God’s Word */to follow Christ and become more like Him in every aspect of life/*.

3.     One of the great proofs that this book is “God-breathed” is that it changes lives!

Don’t let people get away with the lie that people who believe the Bible are delusional and dangerous!

Illus: Dennis Prager debating atheist Jonathan Glover, “…would it or would it not make a difference to you to know they were coming from a Bible study?”

III.

Closing: Challenges:

A.    */Connect /with God by developing a Bible-reading plan*—entire Bible this year?

Some type of Bible-reading plan (Bible Reading Guides all over internet) Remember “Teach-Test” Principle (What’s God teaching you?

Are you translating that to life change?);

*/Illus/*: Dr. Congdon asked Dr. R.A. Torrey “Please tell me how to study (the Bible) so that it will mean something to me.” “Read it.” said Dr. Torrey.

“I do read it.”

“Read it some more.”

“How?” “Take some book and read it twelve times a day for a month.”

“What book could I read that many times a day, working as many hours as I do?” “Try 2nd Peter.”

The man later said, “My wife and I read 2nd Peter three or four times in the morning, two or three times at noon, and two or three times at dinner.

Soon I was talking 2nd Peter to everyone I met.

It seemed as though the stars in the heavens were singing the story of 2nd Peter.”

B.    */Grow /in your faith by consuming CBC’s Applicational Bible Teaching*.

CGs studying /First Principles/—study leading to wisdom and life change; Next several months (after GC): Can We Trust the Bible?

Then, The Big Picture of the Bible—opportunity to */grow /*

C.    */Serve /the Biblically illiterate by inviting them to read~/study~/come with you*.

Here’s a great way to help skeptic~/unbeliever~/confused friend to */connect/* with God—invite them just to read the Bible (or Gospel of John) then get together to discuss; also next several months a great time to */serve /*unbelievers~/skeptics~/confused by inviting them to CBC (or listen to podcast); */Illus/*: The Bible in 90 Days Introduction

 

Closing Prayer…