The Word of God

Lesson 4 – The Word of God Is Our Guide – Complete Lesson

Text:?2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly finished unto all good works.

Introduction:

The Word of God is breathed out by God Himself (the English word translated “inspiration” comes from the Greek –?theopneustos) and suggests life-giving force. The Word of God originates in God, not man, and is not a static or inactive word. God Himself spoke the world into existence, and likewise His Word has power; in this case, to teach man correct doctrine, to reprove him from mistakes, to correct him and instruct him in the right way to live. The man who lives according to the Bible through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit will be totally equipped to live a life of good works. In contrast, we have a description of mankind without the Word of God at the time of Noah’s flood:?Genesis 6:5 Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually.

We can believe the Bible because it is?true. God is a God of?truth, and in fact,?God cannot lie.??Jesus Christ said: I am the way, the?truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me.??The Holy Spirit is the?Spirit of truth. Jesus said to God the Father: …Thy Word is truth?(John 17:17)?In the world today, we do not lack information and opinions, but what we do lack is truth. And the place God wants us to have truth available is within the church, which should be built also on His word. Thus, Paul writes to Timothy in?1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how though oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God; which is the?church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.?What we believe determines what we do. God wants us to believe the truth and thereby live a righteous life.

The Bible was written by 40 authors?in three languages living in many lands over 1500 years, and although it is an anthology of 66 books, it has a unified story without error or contradiction. Jesus never doubted the Bible or hesitated to claim its historicity. Many scoffers deny the supernatural parts of the Bible, but Jesus did not. He accepted the historic accounts of:

1.?????Creation, including Adam and Eve: Matthew 19:3-4

2.?????Noah’s flood and the ark: Matthew 24:35-39

3.?????Jonah and the whale: Matthew 12:38-40

4. Sodom and Gomorrah: Matthew 11:23-24

In addition to its consistency, the Bible gives MANY prophecies which came true hundreds or even thousands of years later. There are about 300 prophecies of Jesus being the anointed one. His family line, his birth city, escape to Egypt, youth in Nazareth, His miracles of healing, His crucifixion, atoning death, and His resurrection were all outlined. This should be no surprise. God is outside time and knows everything. His book reveals what He wants us to know.

Peter indicates that the Holy Spirit guided righteous men to write the Bible.?2 Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. [21] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.??As we look at the context, Peter describes how he was an eye-witness to the transfiguration of Jesus Christ, but that we have a more sure word of prophecy in the Word of God. He emphasizes that we can trust God’s Word above our personal experiences.

There are?two additional characteristics?of the Word which I would mention now. The Scripture emphasizes the inspiration of the?words, and not merely the thoughts described. Secondly, the words are?preserved forever.

Jesus statements:

1.?????After Satan tempts Him to act independent of His Father, He quotes?Deuteronomy 8:3 It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.?Note Jesus said: Every word, not thought. Note that He said: Every word, not just some of the words….?

2.?????Matthew 5:17-18 Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophet: I am not come to destroy but to fulfill. [18] For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle?(the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet, and a small mark above a letter)?shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

3.?????Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Notice that He speaks of the words, not just thoughts, and for their preservation.

Further verses:

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.

Psalm 119:39 Forever, o Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.

Psalm 119:152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them forever.

We are warned not to add or subtract from God’s Word:

Proverbs 30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

Deuteronomy 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it; that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

Deuteronomy 12:28 Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee and with thy children forever when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the Lord thy God.

Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him all the plagues that are written in this book, [19] and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

We are warned against placing our thoughts above those of the Lord in His Word: Isaiah 55:8-9 for my thoughts are not your thought, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. [9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Finally, the Word of God can lead us to salvation:?

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Paul admonishes Timothy, his son in the faith:??I Tim. 3:14-15 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. [15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.?The Word of God gives us the information we need to accept Jesus Christ as savior and enjoy eternal life.

Dr. Bob Patton, Professor of Missions & Health, Crown College

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