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Reflections on God's Word

Misc

Jan 8, 2017


by: Richard Chenette Series: Misc | Category: Scripture | Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:13–17, Proverbs 29:18

PROPOSITION: The world is full of deception. The Word of God is the truth. It’s a treasure, given to us by God.. His standard for us. Because it is greatly beneficial and profitable, we should strive to hear it, read it, study it, memorize it, and meditate upon it.

OUTLINE:
I The world is filled with evil; with deception
Apart from God’s Word, the world is a train wreck
II Christ is the Truth.
His Word is Truth which leads us to salvation
His Word is our standard
III All Scripture is inspired by God and if profitable in four ways.
a. Teaching
b. Reproof
c. Correction
d. Instruction in Righteousness
IV The “Word Hand” provides 5 ways for us to get a handle on God's Word.
Hear
Read
Study
Memorize
Meditate
V Summarize with Gideon's Preamble

REVIEW:

Jack has just begun a new sermon series on The Word of God.

Last week: Proverbs 29.18

KJV “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

But the Hebrew word for vision 35 times in OT. Always means “a prophetic vision.”

Better: ESV “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.”

Point: The “vision” in the KJV is referring to the Word of God; not our own mind; Without God’s word we can’t thrive. We can’t flourish; Without it we’re “a train wreck.”

But blessed and wise is the one who keeps God’s Word and does it.Math 7.24

We must listen to it, read it, focus on it, live by it….and take it to heart.

Today “Dittos.” we’re continuing on the theme of coming to a deeper appreciation for the Scriptures and our need for it. Text is 2 Timothy 3.13-17….a different passage...but it affirms...it reinforces...what we learned last week; and it provides us with some additional insights regarding the Word...but the application is very similar.

READ THE PASSAGE
13 “But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

PRAY: “Lord, as we mediate on Your Word, please give us spiritual understanding. Enable us to take Your Word to heart, applying it to our lives in a way that will please, honor, and glorify You.” Amen

TEACHING POINTS:

v13 “But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Here we find the apostle Paul warning Timothy that he can expect to face evil men and seducers who will grow from bad to worse.

M.H.: “Just as God's children, by His grace, grow better and better, so bad men, through the subtlety of Satan and their own corruptions grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.”

This was Paul’s concern then. It should still be our concern today.

The enemy of our souls is a master deceiver. Satan is very good at lying.

Jesus told the Jews who refused to believe in Him “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him.” John 8.44

He’s very good and deceiving people about what the truth.

We’re constantly hearing about those who are committing atrocities in the name of religion.

Why? Because they've been deceived! They’re devoted to their father. They think their intentions are good but they’re dead wrong.

Who is your father? It he’s the enemy of our souls then I strongly suggest putting yourself up for adoption by the Lord Jesus asap..

Someone has said, “The road to hell is paved with those who think they have “good intentions.” Their so-called “good intentions” have no basis the Scriptures.

“There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end of it is death.” we read in Prov 14.12

Like Timothy, we are surrounded by false teaching but must not allow our society to distort or crowd out God’s eternal truth.

Jesus speaks the truth.

He said “I am the way, THE TRUTH, and the life.” (John 14.6)

The Bible is “the Word of truth.”

In Psalm 119.160, the psalmist says “The sum of Thy word is truth...”

Apart from the Lord Jesus Christ, people can’t know the truth.

They don’t know what the standard is.

They’re embracing a fake.

I have a friend...an agnostic...He says “I can’t know the truth.” (debate during apologetics class)

God’s word is the standard for our lives.

In the news this week: Sky scraper: San Francisco. “The Leaning Tower.”

Explo 72.. 45 years ago. Teacher from BGEA. Plumb Bob=The standard. Use to make a wall perfectly straight. The Word of God is our standard. (Illustrate.)

The “world” that isn’t governed God’s Word, is “a train wreck” as Jack told us last week.

But if we’ve genuinely put our faith in Christ, we will realize that He speaks the truth.

“He who is of God hears the words of God;” said Jesus. “for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.” (John 8.47)

The Holy Spirit enables the child of God to realize that God's Word is the truth.

14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them,Paul He tells Timothy to “continue in the things he has learned.” (v14) 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Timothy was taught the scriptures from childhood. Great value in learning the scriptures from childhood. We must not neglect this. (note: “the sacred writings” refers to the OT. We must not neglect it.)

It’s not enough for us to intellectually give assent to the truths of God's Word.....

we must continue in it. We must persevere in it to the end.

Our text gives us several reasons that the Word is so valuable.

1. First God's word teaches us the way of salvation. “…. able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (v15)

R. C. Sproul: Asked “Are you saved?” “Saved from what? (Judgement; condemnation; Explain..)

Salvation: We have been saved. We are being saved. We will be saved. (Explain)

2. Second: It’s “inspired by God.” (verse 16)....literally “God Breathed.” It’s the living Word of God. The writer of Hebrews says that God's word is “living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, both of joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of our hearts.” (Heb 4.12.) God speaks to our hearts through His word!

3. THIRD, God's Word sets the path for the way we should walk through life: “so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

1. “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119.105)
2. Wizard of Oz: “Follow the Yellow Brick Road.
3. Pilgrim’s Progress.
We need to stay on the straight and the narrow path.

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

Here Paul tells Timothy four specific ways that God's Word benefits us:
1. Teaching (NASB)
2. Reproof (NASB)
3. Correction (NASB)
4. Training in righteousness (NASB);

Illustrate: “The road”

All of this should renew our motivation to seek the treasures in God’s word.

God’s word is extremely valuable: Edmund Dantes: Count of Monte Cristo....found a vast treasure. God's word is like that. So many riches you can never get to the bottom!

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God.” (Romans 11.33)

APPLICATION:
IN LIGHT OF THE GREAT VALUE OF GOD'S WORD AND REASONS TO BE MOTIVATED TO GIVE IT OUR FULL ATTENTION, HOW CAN WE GET A HANDLE ON IT?

Skip: over 40 years ago: “We not only need to get a handle on the God's Word and it needs to get a handle on us..(on our hearts!)”

Here are five practical ways we can do to help us get a handle on it.

1. Hear it: From sermons; radio; ministries; But we must beware of deception!
There are some great apps. Get the solid teachers. Like Sproul; Alistair Begg; Piper; etc. (Ask the elders)

2. Read it.
“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the word..and heed the things which are written in it...” (Rev 1.3)
Steve Smallman sermon: “Just read it.”
Better to be consistent with a little every day. There are helps.

3. Study it.
“Be diligent (or “Study”-KJV) to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2.15)

One reason we need to study it is so we will accurately understand it…., ie precisely; without error or defect.

Sermon last week illustrates: So easy to get it wrong!

Get in a Bible study….not a “chat room”… where everyone just shares their ignorance.

4. Memorize it. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word......Thy word I have treasured (“hid” KJV; “hidden” NIV) in my heart that I may not sin against You.” (Psalm 119.9,11) Remember Jesus and how He responded to temptations in the desert!

Don’t get overwhelmed. Just pick a favorite verse. Cut a 3x5 in half, write it down and stick it in your pocket.

5. Meditate on it. “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it;” (Joshua 1.8) We are not talking about eastern meditation.....in which one empties the mind. Biblical meditation involves filling our minds with God's word and thinking about it and contemplating how we can apply it to our lives.....like a cow chew on its cud.

The more fingers, the better. (Demonstrate)

Princess bride. We need a Sixth Finger: Prayer. Pray for a love of God's Word: Psalm 119: “Love” 7X; “Delight” 7X

“O how I love Your Law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psalm 119.97)

Pray “Lord, give me a love for your Word.”

Don’t get overwhelmed with all of this. Just take ONE step.

SUMMARY/REVIEW/CONCLUSION

(Adapted from the preamble to Gideon Bibles.)

“The Bible reveals the attributes of God, the state of man, the doom of sinners, and the way of salvation.

Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end.

Its histories are true, its doctrines are holy, and its precepts are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It provides light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven is opened, and the gates of hell are disclosed.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it frequently, carefully, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given to you in life, will be opened on judgment day, and remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest service, and condemns all who trifle with its sacred contents.”

PRAYER OF APPLICATION: “O Lord, help us to continually seek the treasure of your Word and to take it to heart, as a means of glorifying You and enjoying You.”

BENEDICTION: Hebrews 13.20 NASB

Not used:

In Romans chapter 1, we learn about “natural law”.......that people everywhere are born with an awareness that there is a God who is there, for the heavens and earth declare it.

A child who steals a cookie knows it's wrong. Why? Because God puts that knowledge in his heart.

The way of sin is down hill. We must keep short accounts with God, quickly confessing our sins, for if we don't keep short accounts with Him, our hearts can become hardened....and we can actually become advocates of behavior that God has forbidden; not only deceive ourselves, but others.