The Book that Breathes

The Book that Breathes

Text: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

I.        Introduction: God did not write a book and send it by messenger to be read at a distance by unaided minds. He spoke a book and lives in his spoken words, constantly speaking his words and causing the power of them to persist across the years. ---- A. W. Tozer (1897-1963)

II.      Recognize the Inspiration of the Bible

A.      Recognize its Authority

B.      Recognize its Consistency

C.      Recognize its Reliability

III.   Receive the Instruction of the Bible

A.      Reforming us

1.       Reproof

2.       Correction

B.      Informing us

1.       Teaching

2.       Training

C.      Transforming us

IV.    Realize the Intention of the Bible

A.      For Preparation

B.      For Purity

C.      For Performance

V.      Conclusion: If the Holy Bible is to fulfill its purpose in your life it has to be read. Is it any surprise that our nation, and yes, even our churches are in the shape they are in? As long as our Bibles remain closed on nightstands and coffee tables, mantelpieces and shelves; as long as it is only taken out for a walk on Sunday, and never really put to use; as long as we see the Bible as only another book, written by men, not written throughout time by a Holy God, we will never ascend to the heights we are intended to. On the other hand, if we recognize the privilege of opening a book whose author is our creator, and the creator of all that we see; if we open up to the wonder of having a book that not only tells us how to live, but lives in us; if we are transformed through the living Word that our lives might reflect more accurately the Word that became flesh, then our churches, and even our nation will begin to see change. It is only as we recognize the God’s Word as authoritative and we unleash it in our lives, that we can be changed. Paul found those in Thessalonica, people who recognized Scripture as the Word coming not from man, but from God, and who embraced it, and were changed by it. For this attitude, we can Thank God, as Paul did in 1 Thess. 2:13.And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. (1 Th 2:13 NIV) As we inhale the Word of God, God himself will breathe life into us.