I BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURES
I Believe: The Scriptures
Bible Text: 2 Timothy 3:16–17
Series: I Believe
“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, throughly furnished unto all good works.” — 2 Timothy 3:16–17
We are beginning a new sermon series today that will take us through the month of September entitled “I Believe.” Over the next several weeks, we are going to discuss some Bible truths and doctrines that every believer should know.
These are not simply proverbs, church clichés, or my preferences as a pastor. These are doctrines of the Word of God and, specifically, doctrines that we stand upon as West End Baptist Church.
I never want anyone to be a part of West End Baptist Church and not know where we stand doctrinally. I want every person to be able to leave each service saying, “I learned something today. I know something today. The Bible says this, and now I can have it as part of my belief system and move forward with it.”
Because without Bible doctrine, a church is operating on opinion.
There are certainly things that are preferences. Whether a church has pews or chairs is a preference. What color we paint a wall is a preference. There are things that matter to us personally that are not necessarily doctrinal issues.
But there are things clearly taught in the Word of God that we cannot move on. The virgin birth of Christ is doctrinal. The fall of man and his sinful condition is doctrinal. The substitutionary death of Christ on Calvary is doctrinal.
So it is important that we know what the Bible teaches and that we don't get hung up on preferences while neglecting doctrine.
And before we can say, “I believe this” or “I believe that,” we need to understand why we believe it and where our belief comes from.
Today, we begin with the foundation of everything we will discuss over the next several weeks:
The Scriptures.
1. THE SCRIPTURES ARE INSPIRED
2 Timothy 3:16 says:
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God…”
The word translated “inspiration” carries the thought of being God-breathed.
The Bible is not merely an inspiring book like a beautiful sunset or an encouraging speech. It is not simply good advice wrapped in leather.
It is the very breath of God.
The Bible is God's plan and God's voice given to us.
Think about man. In Genesis, God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.
And here in 2 Timothy, we find that God's Word is also God-breathed.
Don't you think God intended those two things to go together?
We need the Word of God. We need God's breath. We need God's voice in our lives.
Somebody may say, “The Bible was written by men.”
Well, that's true to a degree. Men held the pens. But while man was holding the pen, God was breathing the words.
Second Peter 1:21 says:
“Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
The Scriptures are inspired because they came from God.
The Bible does not need my endorsement. It does not need your endorsement.
The Word of God stands alone.
And every doctrine we will study in this series is built upon one foundation:
The Word of God.
If the Bible is not what it claims to be, then nothing else we say in this series really matters. But if we believe this Book is true and that it is truth from God Himself, then everything else becomes easier to believe.
2. THE SCRIPTURES ARE PROFITABLE
The second part of 2 Timothy 3:16 says that Scripture is:
“…profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
The Word of God is beneficial to us in four specific ways.
Doctrine — It Tells Us What Is True
Without doctrine, we don't know what is true.
Two plus two is four. That's a standard. If someone tells you two plus three is four, you know that is not true.
In the same way, biblical doctrine establishes what is absolutely true according to the Word of God.
Reproof — It Shows Us Where We Are Wrong
Can I tell you something?
We need to be reproved often.
If you're driving down the road and begin drifting too far to the right or left, the lines on the road are there to tell you that you've gone too far.
Those lines are there to keep you out of a ditch and away from a head-on collision.
The Word of God does the same thing.
Every day, God's Word tells us:
“Don't say that.”
“Don't go there.”
“Don't do that.”
“Don't think that way.”
“Think this way.”
“Live this way.”
The Word of God reproves us and keeps us out of the ditches of life.
Correction — It Sets Us Back on the Right Path
The Bible doesn't just show us where we're wrong. It shows us how to get right.
The Word of God always teaches repentance.
If I'm going wrong, I need to repent.
If you're going wrong, you need to repent.
Sometimes we want the Bible to give us all the green lights.
“God, show me from Your Word how I can go buy that new thing.”
But sometimes what we really need is:
“God, if I shouldn't do this, please show me a stop sign in Your Word.”
We need to be willing to accept not only the doctrine, but also the reproof and correction.
Instruction in Righteousness — It Trains Us to Live Godly
We live in a difficult day spiritually. The world has taken what the Bible calls the straight and narrow way and tried to make righteousness into a broad way.
“Everybody has their own feelings.”
“Everybody was raised differently.”
“Everybody has their own opinion.”
But righteousness is not determined by our feelings. Righteousness is defined by the Word of God.
I am thankful that I was raised around people who were grounded in the doctrines of Scripture. I had Sunday school teachers who knew the Bible. I heard preachers who were grounded in the things of God. I heard music that was grounded in biblical truth.
I was taught right from wrong from the Word of God.
And that's why we need the Word of God today.
3. THE SCRIPTURES ARE SUFFICIENT
Verse 17 says:
“That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
The word “perfect” here does not mean sinless. It carries the idea of being mature or complete.
The Word of God matures us into fruit-bearing Christians.
If you're going to grow fruit, there are certain things you need: good soil, water, sunlight, nutrients and oxygen.
And the Word of God provides what the Christian needs spiritually.
It gives us light.
It gives us nourishment.
It helps us grow.
It matures us.
And it is impossible to become a mature Christian without it.
If you've been saved for many years and you're still spiritually where you were when you first got saved, you need to get in the Word of God.
We have preaching. We have Sunday school. We have books, podcasts, Bible studies and all kinds of resources.
But there is still nothing quite like sitting down alone with a good cup of coffee, opening the Word of God and saying:
“God, give me one truth today that I can think about all day.”
Sometimes we get discouraged because we try to read through the Bible too quickly. We rush through chapter after chapter and never stop to digest what we have read.
Instead, take one truth.
Think about it.
Study it.
Ask what it means in its context.
Ask how it applies to your life.
Then take that truth with you throughout the day.
The Bible says we are “throughly furnished.”
That means we are completely equipped from the inside out.
It is like a soldier who has been properly equipped and trained for battle. The Christian who is grounded in the Word of God is equipped to face the battles of life.
The Book is enough.
Whatever you're going through, the Bible is enough to give you the truth, wisdom, direction, strength and hope you need.
That doesn't mean we shouldn't seek godly help. There are times when we need counselors, pastors, doctors, or other people God has placed in our lives.
But don't ever jump over what the Word of God can do.
The Bible can give you a peace like nothing else.
We don't need to change it to fit our lives.
We need to let it change us from the inside out.
THE DOCTRINE OF SCRIPTURE
When we say, “I believe the Bible,” that statement by itself doesn't fully describe the doctrine of Scripture.
The doctrine of Scripture is made up of several biblical truths.
Inspiration
The Scriptures are God-breathed.
Inerrancy
The Scriptures are without error.
I may put something on a screen and there may be a mistake in it. But the Word of God is without error.
Infallibility
The Scriptures cannot fail in what they teach or promise.
When God says, “My God shall supply all your need,” He will.
When He says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee,” He will not.
Every promise of God is true.
Authority
The Scripture is the final rule for faith and practice.
What does the church believe?
The Bible.
We try our best to know what the Bible says and then put those truths into practice as a church.
You don't have to be mean about biblical truth.
You don't have to be ugly about it.
You don't have to beat people over the head with the Bible.
But you can lovingly say:
“The Bible is my authority, and I am not changing from that.”
Sufficiency
The Scriptures contain everything we need for salvation and godly living.
I am thankful that salvation isn't based upon our good works. If it were, we'd have to determine how many good works are enough.
Instead, our hope and faith are in Jesus Christ.
The Bible gives us everything we need to know for salvation and godly living.
Clarity
The core message of Scripture can be understood by ordinary believers.
There are difficult words in the Bible. There are passages we need to study. There are things we may not immediately understand.
Study them.
Use a concordance.
Read a good commentary.
Talk with mature believers.
But the central message of Scripture is clear:
Faith in God and faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on Calvary.
Preservation
God has preserved His Word through the ages.
Think about what God did when He sent His Son to the cross. Jesus bore the sins of mankind. He shed His blood for us.
Don't you believe that the same God, in His wisdom, strength and foreknowledge, would preserve His Word and make sure it reached us?
The Word has not failed.
The Word has not been lost.
The Word has been preserved and given to us so that we can hear a clear presentation of the Gospel.
Canonicity
The word canon refers to a rule, standard or measuring stick.
We believe the 66 books of the Bible belong in the canon of Scripture—no more and no less.
There are other historical documents and writings that may be useful in understanding history, but the Word of God is the 66 books that God has given us as Scripture.
The church did not create the canon.
The church recognized what God had given.
And what a wonderful Book God has given us.
WHAT A BOOK WE HAVE!
The Bible is the greatest living document ever given to mankind.
If you have a copy of the Bible today, you are blessed.
Not everyone in the world has a Bible.
We live in an area where we are free to open the Bible whenever we want. We have no excuse for leaving it closed.
If you don't know what to do, get in the Book.
If you don't know where to go, get in the Book.
The Bible may not tell you whether to buy this house or that house, but it will teach you how to trust God.
It may not answer every modern question word-for-word, but it will give you wisdom and principles for living.
The Bible gives us strength and direction for everyday life.
It is God-breathed, God-given and God-ordained.
And it has been given to us so that we can be our best for God.
THE BIBLE IS ALL ABOUT JESUS
When you get into the Word of God, you will find Jesus throughout the entire Book.
In Genesis, Adam and Eve sinned, and an animal was sacrificed. Blood was shed to cover their sin—a picture pointing us toward Jesus.
Abraham and Isaac went up the mountain. Isaac asked where the lamb was, and Abraham said:
“My son, God will provide himself a lamb…”
A picture of Jesus.
Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish—a picture pointing toward Jesus.
Noah and the ark give us a picture of salvation and refuge.
You can go book after book, chapter after chapter, and what will you find?
Jesus. Jesus. Jesus.
If you get into the Word of God, it will help you keep Jesus as the main thing.
THE WORD OF GOD IS SWEET
Psalm 119:103 says:
“How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
There are widows and widowers sitting in this room who have experienced bitter days. And yet, there have been times when you opened the Word of God and found something sweeter than honey.
It brought comfort.
It brought strength.
There have been people who were financially broken and found that God's Word reminded them:
“My God shall supply all your need…”
There have been people walking through the darkest days of their lives who found:
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
The Word of God has been our comfort.
It has been our strength.
It has been our wisdom.
Jeremiah 15:16 says:
“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart…”
The Word of God is more than a list of rules we don't like.
It is the very thing our souls need.
STAY IN THE BOOK
We are living in an anti-Bible, anti-truth culture.
Everywhere you turn, somebody has a new interpretation.
“This isn't what the Bible meant.”
“That isn't what Paul meant.”
“That isn't what Jesus meant.”
Now, certainly, there are passages that require study, and there have been people who have taken a hobby horse and run with it far beyond what Scripture teaches.
But we should never approach the Bible looking for loopholes.
We should study the Bible because we want to know what God says.
We should not dissect Scripture simply to find a way around it.
We should search the Scriptures so that we can draw closer to God and obey Him.
And we need to remember this:
The Holy Spirit will never contradict the Word of God.
God will never lead you to do something that violates His Word.
The Spirit will never contradict the Scriptures.
God's Word will always agree with God's Word.
So when someone says, “God told me this,” we should always ask, “Does it line up with the Bible?”
Because God will never contradict Himself.
THE RESPONSE
As we prepare to close, you may wonder, “What is the response to a message about the Bible?”
Maybe today we simply need to say:
“God, thank You for giving me the Word of God.”
Some of you have Bibles that belonged to grandparents, parents, aunts or uncles.
What a treasure.
But perhaps our prayer today should also be:
“God, forgive me for not opening Your Word and finding out Your will for my life.”
Maybe you need something fresh from heaven today.
You wish God would speak to you.
Take His Word and read it.
You'll hear from Him.
We can have church opinions without the Bible.
We can have rules and regulations without the Bible.
We can have preferences without the Bible.
But if we want to be a church that pleases God, we must see the Bible as God's direction for the lost, God's direction for the saved, and God's direction for His church.
The lost need the Word of God because:
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” — Romans 10:17
The saved need the Word of God.
When you're discouraged, get in the Word.
When life is hard, get in the Word.
When you don't know what to do, get in the Word.
God didn't leave us without an owner's manual.
He gave us the Word of God.
And the church needs the Word of God.
When I came to West End Baptist Church, I didn't come and create our doctrine. It was already here.
And if we ever change direction as a church, I don't want us to change unless we're going with Him.
We can change chairs.
We can paint a wall.
We can change programs.
We can change preferences.
But when somebody asks, “What are we going to preach?”
The answer is simple:
It's right there in the Book.
We're not changing from it.
BELIEVE THE BOOK ABOUT JESUS
And if you've never trusted Christ as your Savior, I want to invite you today to believe the Book about Jesus.
Because this Book is about Jesus from beginning to end.
The Bible says:
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Kevin Ryder recently bowed at this altar and confessed with his mouth that he wanted Jesus in his heart. We have several people preparing to be baptized who have confessed that Jesus is Lord.
The greatest word you need to know today is salvation.
The greatest thing you need to know is that God loves you and wants you to be a part of His family.
You don't have to understand every theological word we talked about today.
You need to know Jesus.
You need to believe Him.
You need to trust Him.
The Book points us to Jesus, and Jesus is the answer.
What a Book we have.
What a Savior we have.
And what a blessing it is that God has given us His Word.
Stay in the Book.
Believe the Book.
Live the Book.
And most of all—
Follow the One the Book is all about: Jesus.
Bible Text: 2 Timothy 3:16–17
Series: I Believe
“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, throughly furnished unto all good works.” — 2 Timothy 3:16–17
We are beginning a new sermon series today that will take us through the month of September entitled “I Believe.” Over the next several weeks, we are going to discuss some Bible truths and doctrines that every believer should know.
These are not simply proverbs, church clichés, or my preferences as a pastor. These are doctrines of the Word of God and, specifically, doctrines that we stand upon as West End Baptist Church.
I never want anyone to be a part of West End Baptist Church and not know where we stand doctrinally. I want every person to be able to leave each service saying, “I learned something today. I know something today. The Bible says this, and now I can have it as part of my belief system and move forward with it.”
Because without Bible doctrine, a church is operating on opinion.
There are certainly things that are preferences. Whether a church has pews or chairs is a preference. What color we paint a wall is a preference. There are things that matter to us personally that are not necessarily doctrinal issues.
But there are things clearly taught in the Word of God that we cannot move on. The virgin birth of Christ is doctrinal. The fall of man and his sinful condition is doctrinal. The substitutionary death of Christ on Calvary is doctrinal.
So it is important that we know what the Bible teaches and that we don't get hung up on preferences while neglecting doctrine.
And before we can say, “I believe this” or “I believe that,” we need to understand why we believe it and where our belief comes from.
Today, we begin with the foundation of everything we will discuss over the next several weeks:
The Scriptures.
1. THE SCRIPTURES ARE INSPIRED
2 Timothy 3:16 says:
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God…”
The word translated “inspiration” carries the thought of being God-breathed.
The Bible is not merely an inspiring book like a beautiful sunset or an encouraging speech. It is not simply good advice wrapped in leather.
It is the very breath of God.
The Bible is God's plan and God's voice given to us.
Think about man. In Genesis, God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.
And here in 2 Timothy, we find that God's Word is also God-breathed.
Don't you think God intended those two things to go together?
We need the Word of God. We need God's breath. We need God's voice in our lives.
Somebody may say, “The Bible was written by men.”
Well, that's true to a degree. Men held the pens. But while man was holding the pen, God was breathing the words.
Second Peter 1:21 says:
“Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
The Scriptures are inspired because they came from God.
The Bible does not need my endorsement. It does not need your endorsement.
The Word of God stands alone.
And every doctrine we will study in this series is built upon one foundation:
The Word of God.
If the Bible is not what it claims to be, then nothing else we say in this series really matters. But if we believe this Book is true and that it is truth from God Himself, then everything else becomes easier to believe.
2. THE SCRIPTURES ARE PROFITABLE
The second part of 2 Timothy 3:16 says that Scripture is:
“…profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
The Word of God is beneficial to us in four specific ways.
Doctrine — It Tells Us What Is True
Without doctrine, we don't know what is true.
Two plus two is four. That's a standard. If someone tells you two plus three is four, you know that is not true.
In the same way, biblical doctrine establishes what is absolutely true according to the Word of God.
Reproof — It Shows Us Where We Are Wrong
Can I tell you something?
We need to be reproved often.
If you're driving down the road and begin drifting too far to the right or left, the lines on the road are there to tell you that you've gone too far.
Those lines are there to keep you out of a ditch and away from a head-on collision.
The Word of God does the same thing.
Every day, God's Word tells us:
“Don't say that.”
“Don't go there.”
“Don't do that.”
“Don't think that way.”
“Think this way.”
“Live this way.”
The Word of God reproves us and keeps us out of the ditches of life.
Correction — It Sets Us Back on the Right Path
The Bible doesn't just show us where we're wrong. It shows us how to get right.
The Word of God always teaches repentance.
If I'm going wrong, I need to repent.
If you're going wrong, you need to repent.
Sometimes we want the Bible to give us all the green lights.
“God, show me from Your Word how I can go buy that new thing.”
But sometimes what we really need is:
“God, if I shouldn't do this, please show me a stop sign in Your Word.”
We need to be willing to accept not only the doctrine, but also the reproof and correction.
Instruction in Righteousness — It Trains Us to Live Godly
We live in a difficult day spiritually. The world has taken what the Bible calls the straight and narrow way and tried to make righteousness into a broad way.
“Everybody has their own feelings.”
“Everybody was raised differently.”
“Everybody has their own opinion.”
But righteousness is not determined by our feelings. Righteousness is defined by the Word of God.
I am thankful that I was raised around people who were grounded in the doctrines of Scripture. I had Sunday school teachers who knew the Bible. I heard preachers who were grounded in the things of God. I heard music that was grounded in biblical truth.
I was taught right from wrong from the Word of God.
And that's why we need the Word of God today.
3. THE SCRIPTURES ARE SUFFICIENT
Verse 17 says:
“That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
The word “perfect” here does not mean sinless. It carries the idea of being mature or complete.
The Word of God matures us into fruit-bearing Christians.
If you're going to grow fruit, there are certain things you need: good soil, water, sunlight, nutrients and oxygen.
And the Word of God provides what the Christian needs spiritually.
It gives us light.
It gives us nourishment.
It helps us grow.
It matures us.
And it is impossible to become a mature Christian without it.
If you've been saved for many years and you're still spiritually where you were when you first got saved, you need to get in the Word of God.
We have preaching. We have Sunday school. We have books, podcasts, Bible studies and all kinds of resources.
But there is still nothing quite like sitting down alone with a good cup of coffee, opening the Word of God and saying:
“God, give me one truth today that I can think about all day.”
Sometimes we get discouraged because we try to read through the Bible too quickly. We rush through chapter after chapter and never stop to digest what we have read.
Instead, take one truth.
Think about it.
Study it.
Ask what it means in its context.
Ask how it applies to your life.
Then take that truth with you throughout the day.
The Bible says we are “throughly furnished.”
That means we are completely equipped from the inside out.
It is like a soldier who has been properly equipped and trained for battle. The Christian who is grounded in the Word of God is equipped to face the battles of life.
The Book is enough.
Whatever you're going through, the Bible is enough to give you the truth, wisdom, direction, strength and hope you need.
That doesn't mean we shouldn't seek godly help. There are times when we need counselors, pastors, doctors, or other people God has placed in our lives.
But don't ever jump over what the Word of God can do.
The Bible can give you a peace like nothing else.
We don't need to change it to fit our lives.
We need to let it change us from the inside out.
THE DOCTRINE OF SCRIPTURE
When we say, “I believe the Bible,” that statement by itself doesn't fully describe the doctrine of Scripture.
The doctrine of Scripture is made up of several biblical truths.
Inspiration
The Scriptures are God-breathed.
Inerrancy
The Scriptures are without error.
I may put something on a screen and there may be a mistake in it. But the Word of God is without error.
Infallibility
The Scriptures cannot fail in what they teach or promise.
When God says, “My God shall supply all your need,” He will.
When He says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee,” He will not.
Every promise of God is true.
Authority
The Scripture is the final rule for faith and practice.
What does the church believe?
The Bible.
We try our best to know what the Bible says and then put those truths into practice as a church.
You don't have to be mean about biblical truth.
You don't have to be ugly about it.
You don't have to beat people over the head with the Bible.
But you can lovingly say:
“The Bible is my authority, and I am not changing from that.”
Sufficiency
The Scriptures contain everything we need for salvation and godly living.
I am thankful that salvation isn't based upon our good works. If it were, we'd have to determine how many good works are enough.
Instead, our hope and faith are in Jesus Christ.
The Bible gives us everything we need to know for salvation and godly living.
Clarity
The core message of Scripture can be understood by ordinary believers.
There are difficult words in the Bible. There are passages we need to study. There are things we may not immediately understand.
Study them.
Use a concordance.
Read a good commentary.
Talk with mature believers.
But the central message of Scripture is clear:
Faith in God and faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on Calvary.
Preservation
God has preserved His Word through the ages.
Think about what God did when He sent His Son to the cross. Jesus bore the sins of mankind. He shed His blood for us.
Don't you believe that the same God, in His wisdom, strength and foreknowledge, would preserve His Word and make sure it reached us?
The Word has not failed.
The Word has not been lost.
The Word has been preserved and given to us so that we can hear a clear presentation of the Gospel.
Canonicity
The word canon refers to a rule, standard or measuring stick.
We believe the 66 books of the Bible belong in the canon of Scripture—no more and no less.
There are other historical documents and writings that may be useful in understanding history, but the Word of God is the 66 books that God has given us as Scripture.
The church did not create the canon.
The church recognized what God had given.
And what a wonderful Book God has given us.
WHAT A BOOK WE HAVE!
The Bible is the greatest living document ever given to mankind.
If you have a copy of the Bible today, you are blessed.
Not everyone in the world has a Bible.
We live in an area where we are free to open the Bible whenever we want. We have no excuse for leaving it closed.
If you don't know what to do, get in the Book.
If you don't know where to go, get in the Book.
The Bible may not tell you whether to buy this house or that house, but it will teach you how to trust God.
It may not answer every modern question word-for-word, but it will give you wisdom and principles for living.
The Bible gives us strength and direction for everyday life.
It is God-breathed, God-given and God-ordained.
And it has been given to us so that we can be our best for God.
THE BIBLE IS ALL ABOUT JESUS
When you get into the Word of God, you will find Jesus throughout the entire Book.
In Genesis, Adam and Eve sinned, and an animal was sacrificed. Blood was shed to cover their sin—a picture pointing us toward Jesus.
Abraham and Isaac went up the mountain. Isaac asked where the lamb was, and Abraham said:
“My son, God will provide himself a lamb…”
A picture of Jesus.
Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish—a picture pointing toward Jesus.
Noah and the ark give us a picture of salvation and refuge.
You can go book after book, chapter after chapter, and what will you find?
Jesus. Jesus. Jesus.
If you get into the Word of God, it will help you keep Jesus as the main thing.
THE WORD OF GOD IS SWEET
Psalm 119:103 says:
“How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
There are widows and widowers sitting in this room who have experienced bitter days. And yet, there have been times when you opened the Word of God and found something sweeter than honey.
It brought comfort.
It brought strength.
There have been people who were financially broken and found that God's Word reminded them:
“My God shall supply all your need…”
There have been people walking through the darkest days of their lives who found:
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
The Word of God has been our comfort.
It has been our strength.
It has been our wisdom.
Jeremiah 15:16 says:
“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart…”
The Word of God is more than a list of rules we don't like.
It is the very thing our souls need.
STAY IN THE BOOK
We are living in an anti-Bible, anti-truth culture.
Everywhere you turn, somebody has a new interpretation.
“This isn't what the Bible meant.”
“That isn't what Paul meant.”
“That isn't what Jesus meant.”
Now, certainly, there are passages that require study, and there have been people who have taken a hobby horse and run with it far beyond what Scripture teaches.
But we should never approach the Bible looking for loopholes.
We should study the Bible because we want to know what God says.
We should not dissect Scripture simply to find a way around it.
We should search the Scriptures so that we can draw closer to God and obey Him.
And we need to remember this:
The Holy Spirit will never contradict the Word of God.
God will never lead you to do something that violates His Word.
The Spirit will never contradict the Scriptures.
God's Word will always agree with God's Word.
So when someone says, “God told me this,” we should always ask, “Does it line up with the Bible?”
Because God will never contradict Himself.
THE RESPONSE
As we prepare to close, you may wonder, “What is the response to a message about the Bible?”
Maybe today we simply need to say:
“God, thank You for giving me the Word of God.”
Some of you have Bibles that belonged to grandparents, parents, aunts or uncles.
What a treasure.
But perhaps our prayer today should also be:
“God, forgive me for not opening Your Word and finding out Your will for my life.”
Maybe you need something fresh from heaven today.
You wish God would speak to you.
Take His Word and read it.
You'll hear from Him.
We can have church opinions without the Bible.
We can have rules and regulations without the Bible.
We can have preferences without the Bible.
But if we want to be a church that pleases God, we must see the Bible as God's direction for the lost, God's direction for the saved, and God's direction for His church.
The lost need the Word of God because:
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” — Romans 10:17
The saved need the Word of God.
When you're discouraged, get in the Word.
When life is hard, get in the Word.
When you don't know what to do, get in the Word.
God didn't leave us without an owner's manual.
He gave us the Word of God.
And the church needs the Word of God.
When I came to West End Baptist Church, I didn't come and create our doctrine. It was already here.
And if we ever change direction as a church, I don't want us to change unless we're going with Him.
We can change chairs.
We can paint a wall.
We can change programs.
We can change preferences.
But when somebody asks, “What are we going to preach?”
The answer is simple:
It's right there in the Book.
We're not changing from it.
BELIEVE THE BOOK ABOUT JESUS
And if you've never trusted Christ as your Savior, I want to invite you today to believe the Book about Jesus.
Because this Book is about Jesus from beginning to end.
The Bible says:
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Kevin Ryder recently bowed at this altar and confessed with his mouth that he wanted Jesus in his heart. We have several people preparing to be baptized who have confessed that Jesus is Lord.
The greatest word you need to know today is salvation.
The greatest thing you need to know is that God loves you and wants you to be a part of His family.
You don't have to understand every theological word we talked about today.
You need to know Jesus.
You need to believe Him.
You need to trust Him.
The Book points us to Jesus, and Jesus is the answer.
What a Book we have.
What a Savior we have.
And what a blessing it is that God has given us His Word.
Stay in the Book.
Believe the Book.
Live the Book.
And most of all—
Follow the One the Book is all about: Jesus.
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