People have a desperate need to hear from God. We need to know what He would say as we journey through this world.
There are two models for discerning God’s will. The first is to build your faith in absolute commitment to the Word of God. This model determines that God’s will is discerned from His Word.
The second model is a dangerous model in every age but has become much more prevalent in recent days. This model is dependent on human reasoning and feeling. This model elevates religious experience over Biblical truth. This model makes the Scripture secondary to emotion and experience.
Consider some statements from modern day charismatics.
- Paul Crouch responded to naysayers on national television with these words: “I am a little god. I have His name. I am one with Him. I am in covenant relation. I am a little god. Critics be gone!”
- Kenneth Copeland similarly told his listeners, “You’re all god. You do not have a God living in you; you are one! You are part and parcel of God.”
- More recently, televangelist Creflo Dollar echoed the teachings of Copeland and Crouch: “I’m going to say something, we are gods, in this earth, and it’s about time we start operating like gods instead of a bunch of mere powerless humans.” Only one adjective fully describes that level of blasphemous arrogance: satanic (cf. Gen. 3:5).
Pentecostals and charismatics elevate religious experience over biblical truth. Though many of them pay lip service to the authority of God’s Word, in practice they deny it. In the face of such teachings, we must rely on Scripture as our guide for faith and practice.
The ONLY way to establish God’s word as our authority for faith and practice is to understand what it is and how we received it.
In the last two weeks we learned about the ministry of our paraclete. He teaches us the things of Jesus. He reminds us of the teaching Jesus previously showed us. The subject and authority are the unquestioned, inerrant Word of God.
We first understand what the Word of God is and the usefulness of it. 2 Timothy 3:14-16.
2 Timothy 3:14-16 “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.”
Paul’s language is colorful and clear. He describes the word of God as being “God Breathed.” The Greek word here is “theopneutus” which is correctly translated God breathed. Scripture is God’s air.
The result is that we have the true Word of God. It is trustworthy. It is accurate, being the very word of God.
We must, like Christ, affirm that Scripture is free from error. The Bible is the Holy Spirit’s book; He inspired it, and He empowers it.
The usefulness of the Word of God.
- It is useful to lead us into salvation. (Verse 15) The Word of God opens up our minds so that we can receive salvation. Able speaks of giving the ability to make the choice that results in salvation. It is a permanent, enduring quality of the Word. To be sure, studying the Word of God alone does not guarantee salvation. We must have a personal faith and trust in the Savior.
- The Word speaks to the believer who needs to know what is right--it is useful for doctrine. The word is the source for all Christian teaching and guidance. The Bible is the sourcebook of doctrine, religion, and ethics.
- The Word speaks to those who are playing with sin--it is Useful for reproof. God’s word has the authority to rebuke believes when they sin. All false teachings and practice are corrected by Scripture.
- The Word speaks to those who have fallen--it is useful for correction. Not only does the Word of God show us where we are wrong, it teaches us the right ways to think and live. It builds our character. God longs to bring us to obedience. The Bible sets us on the right path.
- The Word speaks to those who need to those who need direction--it is useful for instruction in righteousness. Having corrected our wrong path and shown us the right one, the Word of God now is able to equip us for walking in the right path. It enables us to come to completeness. It is able to complete us.
- The Word speaks to those who wish to serve the Lord—it equips us for every good work. The Word of God shows us how to do the work God calls us to do. Through the Word of God we are enabled to do the works the Kingdom requires. God wants you to bear fruit. His word enables you to do the work you are called to do.
HOW THE WORD OF GOD CAME TO US-2 PETER 1:19-21
2 Peter 1:19-21 “And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
Peter speaks of the power of the Word of God. His word is graphe which is an ancient word speaking of Scripture.
He describes scripture as a light in a dark place. The Spirit brings the light of God to our light. We spend time studying it, meditating on it, and allowing the Spirit to lead us into light.
We stay in the Word of God until the Morning Star rises in us. The Morning Star is a title for Jesus. Through our faithful interaction with the Word of God we see Him rise in us.
How did we get the Word of God? Our understanding of the usefulness of Scripture is driven by the truth of how the Word came to us. The prophecies of Scripture, and by extension all of Scripture, is given to us by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. No Scripture stands on its own. It all comes from Him.
The Scripture is the accurate reflection of God’s Word. He has given the Word. He has protected the Word. He teaches us from it. He reminds us of the truths of God.
You must respond to the Word of God in four ways:
- Ask: Am I ready to meet God? Am I open to what God would say to me in His Word? Have I expressed my needs to God?
- We must realize that the Bible is no mere human book. It is the written word of God given by divine inspiration.
- We must accept the Bible as inerrant truth. It is the basis of our faith and practice.
- We must be yielded to the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit. Through the Spirit’s word we can understand the mind of God. All parts of Scripture are inspired. Make a commitment to gaining all that He intends from His Word.
