(2 Ti 3:16) Are you Profiting from the Word? (v2)

Good Morning,

This morning, I would like to highlight a passage, that is definitely on the top 100 passages every Christian ought to know.

It is passage, in which every Evangelical Systematic Theology quotes.

As we dive into this text, I would like to begin by asking some basic doctrine questions.

Some basic questions about the application of faith to everyday life.

In the world of opinions,

How do I know which one is right?

In a given day, I am bombarded with opinions from

Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

News and TV

My Family doctor

My Boss and Coworkers

Oh Friends and Family - often have very strong opinions.

My kids

We live in a world of opinions … and are bombarded by opinions.

Like it or not.

And in that world -

> How do I know when I should listen to the “experts”?

> On what Basis do I dismiss, friends, coworkers, and family?

> Even Children - how do I know that they are not right?

Just because a kid says it … doesn’t mean they are wrong.

- I am reminded of how Jesus admonished people to have faith like the children. (Matthew 18:2-4)

- On the other hand - Proverbs tells in the heart of a child is bound up folly.

So I am not saying, let your children make all your decisions.

Otherwise, you might find your pantry full of a lifetime supply of Twinkies.

Even in the church, on matters of faith.

When do I accept church history and reject church history?

When do I listen to church fathers and when do I reject church fathers?

When do I listen to my chaplain or Pastor, and when do I reject them?

After all, church history, church fathers, chaplains, and pastors are not automatically right.

To press this issue more -

Are there not a lot of opinions about religion, the church, and Jesus?

You want to see how Pagan America really is, and has always been.

Talk about Spiritual things in the work place.

All of sudden -

You are confronted with

skepticism, or hatred.

Heresy.

A weird mix of heresy and orthodoxy - The cults.

Agnostics - who believe no one can know for Sure.

people who have opinions … but just don’t think it is polite to bring it up in public.

And people who have been hurt … and want nothing to do with things of faith.

And hopefully at least one person who is an Orthodox, Born again Christian.

How do I decide which opinion to listen to?

2 Tim 3:16-17 - answers that question.

It is a passage, which teaches us which Opinion we ought to listen to.

2 Timothy 3:14–17 ESV

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

This verse reminds us that –

Our Bibles are 100% sufficient at answering my questions about life.

And this text gives us 2 reasons we know God’s word is sufficient.

In the world of opinions,

everyone has a theory, an opinion, a magical solution to life’s greatest questions.

ILLUSTRATION/CAVEAT:

And this isn’t just because we live in the world of Smartphones and social media.

Consider, that the reason George Washington was so quite and reserved …

He didn’t want to speak foolishly and ignorantly like most other people.

(Documentary, the First American)

George Washington lived in the World of Opinions … and so do you.

<<<<We don’t live in the world of opinions because of Smartphones,

We live in the world of opinions because we live in a world of people and ideas >>>

So I put the question before us -

Why should the Word of God be our first and final answer about the questions of life?

And this text gives two reasons the Word of God is more than enough.

First, reason the Bible is more than enough - is because –

1) Scripture is from God. (2 Ti 3:16a)

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

What does it meant all Scripture is God breathed?

And I would say - it is inspired by God.

We may be more familiar with the way the King James translates this passage, along with NASB and the NET Bible.

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV 1900

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Technically, the ESV is a little more literal here.

Though the other translations use a word that means the same thing.

The word quite literally means that all Scripture was breathed out by God.

Systematic theology would call this inspired.

“Breathed out by God” means Inspired.

_________________________________

Slide

Wayne Grudem defines Inspired this way -

Inspired: A term referring to the fact that the words of Scripture are spoken by God. (Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem)

What is the significance that all Scripture is inspired by God?

a) Inspired means God has spoken to you.

Some have doubted God’s Word because it was pinned by men.

It is true, that God’s word was written by ordinary men.

But this passage reminds us, that it is equally true that Scripture was pinned by God.

2 Peter 1:21 ESV

21 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.

The inspiration of the Bible means God has spoken, and in particular he has spoken to you.

We may not realize how significant that is,

but when we consider the historical record of the Bible - God personally speaking to you was a rare occurrence.

Billions of people have lived since God created the heavens and the earth, and yet God has only spoken to a few.

And this verse teaches that God has chosen to speak to you through the Scriptures.

Every Christian should look to word for the questions of life - because God has spoken to you.

Further,

b) Inspired means Scripture is authoritative.

ILLUSTRATION:

There once was a man who wanted to expand the building of his business.

But he did not believe that the building permit was constitutional.

So he built this monstrous building against city code,

and ignored the local city officials.

He believed that he could legally ignore the law that requires a building permit.

That man today sits in jail,

because he refused to get a building permit.

He doubted the authority of the local ordinance.

Sometimes people doubt whether God’s word has authority over their lives,

but I would suggest that inspiration means that we have a responsibility to listen and follow what God’s word says.

It’s not an option.

You can run from God’s word in this life, but the judge will judge you in the next life.

We as Christians should be looking to the word because God’s word is authoritative over our lives.

And finally,

c) Inspired means Scripture is profitable.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

The word profitable is an important word here.

I like the word profitable,

but it can also be translated beneficial, valuable, or helpful.

It has the idea that God’s word returns a profit.

It doesn’t go out in vain,

but is profitable.

Because of who spoke the words of Scripture,

the words are profitable to us.

In other words,

the word of God gives us the answers we so desperately need.

God’s word never goes bankrupt,

because it always returns profit in our lives.

ILLUSTRATION:

People in my generation don’t trust the stock market.

Why?

Because when I was a junior in high school, September 11 happened.

Because the year I got married the housing market bursted in 2008.

Because the last two years the Coronavirus shut down the economy.

The stock market sometimes yields incredible rewards,

but other times it literally takes money out of our pockets.

Understand – God’s word is not like that.

You may feel like you’re on a roller coaster as you war with sin in your life,

but this verse teaches us that God’s word is always profitable.

We should be looking to God’s word for the answers to life’s greatest questions - because God’s word is always profitable.

Not only should we be looking to the Word because God has spoken,

but we should be looking to the Word because –

2) Scripture Holds the Answers to Life’s Questions (2 Ti 3:16b)

Our world is full of brokenness.

Consider Romans 8:20 -

Romans 8:20 (ESV)

20 For the creation was subjected to futility

Charles Spurgeon said this about suffering in his life -

“I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.” 

This world is broken,

but it’s not just the world that is broken.

(Emphasize) We are utterly broken.

Paul said in Romans 7:24 -

Romans 7:24 ESV

24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

You can feel Paul’s anguish over his sin nature.

His brokenness.

Proverbs 5:22 ESV

22 The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.

And we know we all sin.

Is there any relief from the brokenness of this world?

Is there any relief from the bondage of my sin?

Is there a way to live a life devoted to God?

Our passage teaches us that God’s word is profitable.

But what does that mean?

And I would summarize it this way -

Scripture is profitable in transforming the brokenness of my life.

How so?

Scripture is helpful to -

a) Teach.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

The word teaching has the idea of giving instruction.

ILLUSTRATION:

Teaching our children to ride their bike is always a process,

in which you impart knowledge that they have to figure out for themeself.

And so we taken them out to our street, and talk to them about keeping balance.

And how to turn.

And how they have to go fast enough that they don’t fall over.

And we’ve given them just enough boost in the backseat to help them go a little ways.

We are teaching them.

The Scriptures are profitable for us by teaching us how to live life.

Scripture is also helpful to -

b) Rebuke

How many of you cringed at the word rebuke?

We don’t like to be rebuked.

And we don’t like to rebuke others.

Rebuking someone means I’ll love them enough to confront them about their sin.

Rebuking means I love them enough to tell them I’m concerned about the condition of their heart.

Rebuking means I am willing and humble myself and to allow others to approach me about my sin.

Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

We like the word encouraging,

but sometimes encouraging requires rebuke.

The context here,

Paul is telling young Timothy to rebuke the sin, and the heresy, of people with the Word.

The word is the tool and authority for Godly rebuke.

Because we are broken,

we need something that will rebuke our sin.

ILLUSTRATION:

We need something that will

>>>>> put a big red stop sign in our lives when we start coming into foolishness and the bondage of sin.

God’s word is profitable to rebuke us.

Scripture is also helpful to

c) Correct

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

The word correcting has the idea of

setting us on the right path,

or helping us with our misguided errors.

It teaches us that the Scriptures should correct our mistakes, errors, faults, and failures.

ILLUSTRATION:

When I was stationed aboard a cruiser,

sometimes I would have to go up to the bridge.

On the bridge,

you could watch them every few minutes marking their location and correcting the ship to stay on course.

They were always double checking that they were still on course.

That is exactly what we should be doing with the word.

Every time I pick up my Bible, I should be doing more than just reading.

I should be looking to see if my life matches up to the life that Scripture says I should be living.

And Not just when I have a question or struggle, but a constant double checking as I read my Bible and hear the teaching of the word.

The Bible is profitable to correct me.

And finally,

Scripture is helpful to -

d) Train us in Godly living.

If we have not been a humbled by this passage yet,

this word ought to do it.

The English word for train is especially the word for child training.

Eph 6:4 - Discipline

Ephesians 6:4 (ESV)

4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Even when the word describes adults

– Scripture almost always uses it in the context of us being the children of God.

For example,

This is the word that Hebrews 12:5 uses to describe us being chastised, or spiritually Spanked for disobedience.

Hebrews 12:5 ESV

5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.

Our approach to God’s word,

should be the same as a child listening to the instruction of his parents.

ILLUSTRATION:

A couple of years ago my children began to ride the school bus.

- And so I showed Matthew and Rebekah where they would be dropped off.

- I showed them how they are supposed to cross the street together.

There are to hold hands.

They are to look both ways.

And they are to cross together.

And so we watched them to make sure they’re doing it the way we showed them.

This is the word is being used here.

Child Training!

We like a young children,

should be listening to the guidance and instruction of our heavenly father.

We should not be fools who despise instruction,

but children who honor our father.

Proverbs 1:7 ESV

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Every time we come to the word,

we should be humbling ourselves under it,

looking for what the father is going to teach us today.

So,

Scripture is profitable to

Teach

Rebuke

Correct

and Train us for Godly living.

CONCLUSION:

To summarize this morning

Our Bibles are 100% sufficient at answering my questions about life.

You have a question about life, then God’s Word has an answer for you.

You need someone to teach you about life - then God’s Word is ready to teach you.

You need someone to rebuke and correct you? Then the word of God is ready to rebuke and correct you.

You need someone to show you how - the the Word is there to train you, like a Father trains his child.

We live in a day when this most basic and sacred truth is forgotten,

we have problem .. and so we go to every “supposed” expert, except the one who Created it all.

We look to

Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

News and TV

My Family doctor

My Boss and Coworkers

Oh Friends and Family

SO many places, but we fail to look to the God who spoke everything into existence, and now speaks to me.

And I get this …

Sometimes life can seem so complicated, and such a mess, that I can feel like I need more than this.

But let us stand on this -

Our Bibles are 100% sufficient at answering my questions about life.

2 Ti 3:16-17 teaches us that the Word of God is more than enough … to answer my greatest questions.

When you need help - Who do you look to?

The Christians answer - I look to the Word of God.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.