TEXT: 2 Timothy 3:14-17
READING: Psalm 19
SUBJ: The absolute necessity of the Holy Scriptures in both salvation and sanctification.
AIM: That we may look to the scriptures as God’s Word to each of us about all spiritual issues beginning with salvation.
INTR: Regarding the Holy Scriptures, we must ask ourselves what we would know of God without them. Then, we must know that they are sufficient to accomplish the purpose of God in revealing Himself to His people.
1. It is evident that the existence of God may be known and is known without the Scriptures.
2. It is abundantly evident that nothing would be known of the will of God, of Jesus Christ, or of the way of salvation. All these things are given to us in the Holy Scriptures.
3. If then, we believe that the Bible is the Word of God (a common assertion) it follows that we must diligently seek to know all that may be known of our Lord and salvation.
THESIS: True believers will be desirous of knowing of their salvation, the practice of salvation and what to tell others underwritten by divine authority and all this comes from the Scriptures.
I. The “Holy Scriptures” (The Hebrew practice was to teach the Scriptures to their children. See: Psalms 71:17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. And Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
1. This statement came after describing the nature (intellectual deception) of apostasy.
2. The scriptures do not contain the whole record but are rather that which God would have us to know.
1) Selected: See John 20:30-31 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
2) Distinguished from the writings and deceptions of men.
3. We see in them the progressive revelation through the written Word beginning with Moses (see: Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
4. From passages such as this we understand the authority of the Holy Scripture
1) Many fail to see this authority and object to the truth of difficult passages
2) They either refuse to read or they labor to explain the Scriptures away.
5. We would see the necessity in such passages as: Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
II. Their Power (able to make thee wise unto salvation)
1. Consider first: Psalms 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. AND Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
2. Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. Note the progression in Romans 10:13-15 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
3. The lack of knowledge and wisdom leads to error – “ye do err not knowing the Scripture…” Matthew 22:29. Compare: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8
4. It is through the scriptures that we learn of Human depravity, selective grace, a definite atonement, the efficacious work of the Spirit, assurance through sanctification and the hope of salvation.
5. It is the Scripture that illustrates wisdom (the man who built on the rock and the ten virgins.)
6. Furthermore, we learn what we are to tell others.
III. The message and the means (through faith which is in Christ Jesus)
1. The salvation to which the Scripture directs us comes to us by faith.
2. Salvation is not in the study of the Scriptures but is rather revealed in them, by the Holy Spirit, through faith that is in Christ. No faith in Christ = no salvation.
3. Such faith distinguishes itself from a confidence in law-works. It is rather a “spiritual knowledge of knowledge of Christ and a Holy confidence in Him” – Gill
4. Such faith feeds and grows strong on Christ as He is discovered to us in the Holy Scriptures. (Note the Bereans: Acts 17:11 … searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
5. Finally consider:
1) The source –“God Breathed”
2) The function—doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness
3) The purpose—throughly furnished unto all good works.
