Drew Boswell

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“Sola Gratia; Grace Alone” Ephesians 2:1-10

A Sermon Series

The Five Solas

“Sola Gratia; Grace Alone”

Ephesians 2:1-10

Opening

In Luke 15 we see the story of the prodigal son. The boy went to his father and demanded his inheritance, even though his father was still alive (which was a great insult, and potentially hard on the family financially). But the father gives the boy his inheritance and the boy leaves home, travels far away and absolutely wastes the money. Eventually he runs out of money, finds a job taking care of pigs, and is so hungry he wants to eat the slop the pigs are eating. He comes to his senses and decides to ask his father back home if he can work on the family farm as a servant.

Luke 15:20 “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’3 22 But the father said to his servants,4 ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.”

We know that the prodigal son was not physically dead while in the far country, or physically made live when he returned home. The prodigal son was dead because he was away from home, out of touch and out of communion with the father. He is dead in his trespasses and sin against his father.

Prayer

Your Past (vv. 1-3)

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Paul begins our chapter by reminding us of our past. “Scripture uses many metaphors to describe man’s sinful state, such as blindness, deafness, fever, paralysis, leprosy, etc. but not one more forceful in meaning than this one of being dead in sins.”[1]

Man does not become spiritually dead because he sins; he is spiritually dead by his nature, therefore he is sinful. His condition has nothing to do with the way he lives; it has to do with the fact that he is dead even while he is alive.  He is spiritually dead while being physically alive.

We are “dead in the trespasses and sins,” – to trespass is a violation of a definitive law, and to sin is to miss the mark (like an archer aiming at a target). We are guilty on both accounts. It is as if there is a giant “no trespassing sign” and we willfully went past it.

“We are sinners because we have taken our own way, and we are trespassers because we have transgressed what we knew to be the revealed word of God; and so we are dead to God in our natural condition.”[2]

 And no one will deny that there are degrees of sin. If we compare Hitler who oversaw the killing of millions of Jewish people, and someone who stole a package of gummies at a gas station – are they the same? Both are sin.

 If we look at Mark 5:21ff. we see Jairus’ daughter, and by the time Jesus got to her she had only been dead for a very short period of time, yet dead still. And later when we see Jesus coming to Lazarus’s tomb (John 11) – he intentionally stayed away for days, and when it was time to roll away the stone at the entrance when “Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.”[3]

 Both Jarius’ daughter and Lazarus are in different stages of corruption, yet they both are dead. You may not be Hitler, but we are all sinners by our nature, Romans 3:23 “. . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

 Man’s common state of sin is like people trying to jump across the Grand Cannon (4 to 18mi.). 10 year old (8 feet), 20 year old Olympic long jump (30 feet), 50 year running from the IRS (50 feet) – all will fall short. We are all, “Sons of disobedience and children of wrath” are parallel verses, meaning the same thing.

(v. 2) “in which you once walked,” – The word walk is often used in the New Testament to describe a way of life. The words transgressions and sin describe the path in which people walk and the boundaries that shape their lives.[4]

Because we were spiritually dead, by nature (v. 3) “in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind” – it is our nature as human beings to live this way, and which always results in God’s Wrath. Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

In the gospel of Matthew 11:16-19 we see “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, 17 “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” John the Baptist and Jesus were both preachers, John’s message was focused on repentance and judgement (like a funeral dirge), and Jesus’ sermons he compares to a flute at a party (good news, joyful) – but the people did not respond to either.

But in the heart of some, there is a quickening. The Holy Spirit draws some toward Jesus.

This leads us to the theological word, justification (how one is made right with God). Since I am a sinner who is spiritually dead, how can I be made right with God again? What the Reformers of old (Martin Luther and others) are fighting against is the false teaching that I am made right with God through my actions, what I do. Am I justified before God by something that I do? (pay an indulgence, say a prayer, do a good act, etc.)

 Your Present (vv. 4-6)

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

 (v. 4) “But God,” – dead people can’t do anything. They can’t breathe, they can’t heal, they can’t take action to please God – all they can do it decay. And since they can do nothing to improve their situation, God chose to do something to make our relationship with Him right again. He made the first move.

1 John 4:19 “We love because he first loved us.”

“being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us” – “There is an infinite resources of mercy for the vilest sinner. There is no one for whom there is no mercy” or where the mercy will run out.[5] Not just a little bit of mercy, God is rich in His mercy toward sinners.

God saw our condition of sin and spiritual death, and out of compassion and love for His creation He took action, “made us alive together with Christ Jesus.”

Jesus’ death on a cross and his resurrection from the dead is a picture and a promise of us being made alive with Jesus. “There was a time when because of my sins Jesus Christ lay dead in the grave, but having completed the work that saves, God quickened Him from the dead and brought Him back in triumph from the tomb.”[6] We believe in Him and are brought forth from the place of the dead and are brought back to life.

“by grace you have been saved” – grace is God’s action toward us when we do not deserve His favor. “Grace,” – “God’s loving act to bring salvation freely to those who cannot merit it.”[7] Our nature is to rebel against God, His nature is to offer grace to His creation.

“raised us up with him and seated[8] us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” – Jesus has done all the work (dying on the cross, bearing the weight of our sin, He has done all the things required for our salvation), then we get to go with him to heaven. Jesus bought the ticket, and he turns and hands us one for free, and we get to go with him.

 Your Future (vv. 7-10)

7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

(v.8) “Grace is God’s part, faith is our part.”[9] God loves his creation so much that He sent His Son into the world to be a propitiation for our sins, but He loves His Son so much that he will not permit anyone into heaven who ignores the work of the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished.”[10]

 When a person chokes or drowns and stops breathing, there is nothing he can do.  If he ever breathes again it will be because someone else starts him breathing. A person who is spiritually dead cannot even make a decision of faith unless God breathes into him the breath of spiritual life.  Faith is simply breathing the breath that God’s grace supplies.[11]

Every person lives by faith. When we open a can of food or drink a glass of water we trust that it is not contaminated. When we go across a bridge we trust it to support us.  When we put our money in the bank we trust that it will be there when we go to withdraw it.  Life is a constant series of acts of faith.

(vv. 8-9) “it (salvation) is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works” Human effort has nothing to do with it.  And thus, no one should boast, as if he had any part of it.  All boasting is eliminated in salvation. When we see each other in eternity, we will know that none of us deserve to be there and will bow before Jesus in his glory and grace.

Salvation is a Free Gift From God.

(v. 10) “For we are his workmanship” – “created in Christ Jesus for good works” Not in order to be saved but because we are already saved are we to do good works. As the sun was created to shine, the rose to give forth its delightful fragrance, the bird to fly, so we are created anew to do good works and thus to glorify him who created us as what we are in Christ Jesus.”[12]

(v. 10) “which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”[13] – “What Paul says is not that God prepared us that we should walk in good works (so Luther), but that he prepared the good works.”[14] The believer is saved, but then we don’t look around for just something good to do, God lays out the journey before us. Our job is to stay close to God and His Word, so that “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

“We are saved not by but for good works, and we are saved not just for a beautiful heavenly destiny that God has prepared but for good works here, likewise prepared by God.”[15] So when we say, Grace Alone – we mean that God offers His grace to a person, and they are saved based on faith in Jesus. No working or earning God’s favor (you couldn’t even if you tried), God’s Grace alone is needed for salvation.

Conclusion – let’s go back to Luke 15, remember when the father sees the son returning home, he says, “Bring quickly the best” – for the farmer it was a robe, a ring, sandals, and a celebration meal. When our heavenly father sees us, he says “Bring quickly the best” What is the best that the heavenly father gives us?

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” God gave His best so that we may have eternal life – have you received Jesus’ free gift of salvation and new life?

________________________

[1] August Van Ryn, Ephesians The Glories of His Grace (Neptune, New Jersey; Loizeaux Brothers Publishing, 1963) 40.

[2] H. A. Ironside, In the Heavenlies (Neptune, New Jersey; Louizeaux Brothers, 1979) 101

[3] Ironside, 100.

[4] Klyne Snodgrass, The NIV Application Commentary, Ephesians (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan Publishing House, 1996) 96.

[5] Ironside, 105.

[6] Ironside, 106.

[7] Geoffrey W. Bromiley, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Volume Two (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1982) 549.

[8] Seated is given in the past tense (aorist tense) indicating it being so definite that it is as if it has already fully taken place. MacArthur, 60.

[9] Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Volume 4 (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1931) 525.

[10] Ironside, 111.

[11] John MacArthur, The John MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Ephesians (Chicago, Illinois; Moody Press, 1986) 61.

[12] R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians to the Ephesians and to the Philippians (Minneapolis, Minnesota; Augsburg Publishing House, 1961) 427.

[13] “C. L. Mitton concludes his discussion on this verse with an appropriate comment: “This final phrase about our ‘walking in them’ reminds us that fine phrases or eloquent sermons about love are not what is required, but the actions, costly actions, which express in practical conduct the love which God’s saving power has created in our hearts.” David J. Williams, New International Biblical Commentary, Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon (Peabody, Massachusetts; Hendrickson Publishers, 1990) 186.

[14] Lenski, 427.

[15] Walter L. Liefeld, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series, Ephesians (Downers Grove, Illinois; Intervarsity Press, 1997) 67.

“Finish the Race Well” BHSE Graduation Commencement Speech 2024

“Finish the Race”

10 Things To Help the Young Man Finish the Race of Life Well

Today we celebrate the high school graduation of seven young men. And I have the privilege of talking to seven young men who are about the enter into life. They have been prepared by a solid education and supported by loving parents.

So as a man who has not yet finished the race of life, but has just passed the half-way-point I would like to give you 10 things to consider so that you can finish the race well. I am still learning and growing, but I have learned a couple of things along the way that I want to pass on you. Ultimately, I want to be like the apostle Paul who, facing the end of his life said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” How does a man finish well?

Here are ten things to help you finish well (as you are getting started):

  1. Invest Your Life In Something That Is Noble.

Jesus says in Matthew 6:19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” You have 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the rest of your life to accomplish something. Let’s say you live to be 80, and let’s say you are 17 right now – that’s 63 years to accomplish something (or not). Starting right now you have 33,112,800 Minutes, 552,264 Hours, 23,011 Days.

So what do you do with all that time? You can build something, but build something that will last. Build something that you will get the most return on all those years of work. There will be a huge temptation as a young man to build an empire in your name. Countless men have spent the years of their youth building their own little empire which in time will crumble, while neglecting the kingdom that will last forever. There will be a time when the sand in the hour glass starts moving really fast, and I don’t want you to look back over your life a regret any wasted years. Find something noble to invest your life in and invest in it early.

  1. When You Fail, Get Back Up.

Anything that has the potential for change, opportunity, expansion, gain will always involve risk. With something new, there is the potential for pain, embarrassment, and financial loss. In the economic market, if you play it safe there are small returns, and if you want huge gains there is high risk. And when you take the risks, and make the jumps – you won’t always make it.

Thomas Edison had 2,774 failures before he discovered the lightbulb that was sustainable. Find something worth investing your life into and keep pushing for innovation and build it – no matter how many times you fail, keep getting back up.

If you are building something there will come a time when the floor beneath your feet will collapse and you will fall. Those men who do not try to accomplish anything will never have failed, that is true. If you don’t try, you don’t fail – but you also don’t build anything. But let me push you to try. Join the small group of men who do the difficult things.

Theodore Roosevelt said, “It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause;”[1]

  1. Be Careful Whom You Listen To For Advice.

If you want to be a successful doctor, then go talk to a successful doctor. If you want to be a successful lawyer, then go talk to a successful lawyer. Everyone will give you advice and how you should do something (including me today), but be wise in who you allow you take up space in your head. Don’t waste your time with people who don’t know what they are talking about.

1 Kings 12 Rehoboam’s Mistake

  1. Be Disciplined.

You become whatever you allow your heart to pursue. If you get up and go running once, then you are just tired. But, If you get up and run five times a week for a year then you are a runner. Anything of great value will cost you something (time, effort, sweat, tears, sacrifice, relationships with others). You cannot accomplish something of great value and have everything your heart wants; you have to make choices. But there are some things your heart will desire that will lead you off of a cliff to destruction.

Discipline is deciding there is something worth doing, and directing your heart toward it. You set goals, you make lists, you learn and educate yourself about it, you move money toward it, and then you build it – whatever the noble task may be (build a family, build a friendship, build a business, build a career, build a ministry, etc.) But the quality of what you are building is directly related to the discipline you put toward it. Things of good quality don’t just happen – it takes a lot of effort. This includes your reputation as a man.

  1. Plant a Garden (Patience).

To take a seed and plant it in the ground will take weeks before you see any plant. Then from seed to the time the plant produces fruit will be months. In the meantime, you have to water it, protect it against insects and animals. But eventually, months after you plant the seed you will be have produce. But you can’t just plant the seed and leave – you have to tend the garden, pull weeds, and watch over it.

Most things of value in life are like a garden; growth takes time, relationships take time, those things that are important have to be protected and cultivated. You don’t just get stuff, you have to invest time and resources to produce something of quality.

  1. Be Careful Who You Allow Into Your Castle (Relationships).

Be incredibly careful and diligent in what you allow into the noble task you are building. As a Husband, and father you are charged with protecting your family. You stand guard at the gate – don’t allow destruction into your home. You are building something (a ministry, a business, a new idea) be diligent in who you let into the gates.

There will come a day when you see a young woman and you may even have the courage to talk to her. She is beautiful, but after spending time with her, you begin to realize that her values and life direction is not the same as yours. If you continue in a relationship with a woman who is going in a different direction as you, it ends one of three ways 1) you part ways 2) she goes your way, or 3) you go her way. But you can’t stay together and go in opposite directions at the same time.

A yoke is a wooden beam that connects two large animals, like oxen, and helps them work equally and together. They carry the burden of work together. It would be attached to a plow or cart, and they’d pull it simultaneously as partners. Basically, they’re teamed up together. 2 Corinthians 6:14 “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?”

This is not just dating relationships, but business relationships, church relationships – as you are building your life, don’t allow yourself to get entangled in relationships that will pull you away from the eternal, “laying up for yourself treasures in heaven.” To the lost world these things are frivolous and foolish. Find people who can pull in the same direction with you.

There are people who love to kick down the sand castle you are building. They are in every church, every business, they are everywhere. These people don’t build, they only look for ways to tear down what others have built (or are trying to build). They stand to side and criticize and tell you why your idea won’t work. So, as you are guarding who you allow into the castle you are building, make sure you keep out those that want to burn it to the ground. It’s ok to say “no” to destructive people being in your life.  

  1. Your Character Is What Determines Your Success.

Since I have been in ministry many of those who were with me in seminary aren’t in ministry any more. It was not their inability to keep up with technology, their ability to sway crowds with their words, even their ability to charm people with a smile – no, what go them in the end, before they could finish the race was their character.

Psalm 119:10-11 “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

The first time you take something that is not yours to take, or exaggerate something to make yourself look better, or linger too long with someone’s spouse who is not your own while your heart goes pitta-patt, – you are on a downward path, and it is one that leads to your own destruction (those things have nothing to do with how many awards or degrees are on the wall). Guard your heart, put things into place so that you stay true to what you want to accomplish. Don’t allow a short-term emotion or temptation to wreck what you have built for decades.

  1. Have Three Men In Your Life.

Most successful men I know don’t go around giving advice – but they are willing to share it when asked. I have known some wonderful wise men who were willing to invest in me as a young leader. But they did not approach me, I had to approach them. If you want to be a successful whatever, then ask the successful person in that field and ask them out to lunch, and pay for their lunch. Ask them to meet with you from time to time and invest in you – and more than likely they will.

But as a man, you need three men in your life: 1.) Paul represents that person in your life who mentors, leads, and directs you. 2.) Barnabas is someone who encourages you and holds you accountable in your faith and life. 3.) Timothy is that man you help guide along the road of faith and life.

  1. Keep these Two Things On Hand; 1) A Joke and 2) Pocket Knife.

Life is hard, and you can bring joy and laughter into people’s lives with a simple joke. If people associate you with laughter and joy, then when you show up, simply your presence will make their lives easier. Seek to take the load off of others.

If it is in your pocket, you will use a pocket knife every day of your life. People will ask if you “have your pocket knife on you?” Don’t sit around and wait for others to move; look for ways to be a problem solver. Add value to whatever team you are on.

  1. “Love the Lord Your God, With All Your Heart, All Your Soul, and With All Your Strength.” Luke 10:27

____________________

[1] https://www.trcp.org/2011/01/18/it-is-not-the-critic-who-counts/

“Scripture Alone” 2 Timothy 3:14-17

A Sermon Series

The Five Solas

“Sola Scriptura; God’s Word Alone”

2 Timothy 3:14-17

 Introduction

“500 ago, on October 31st, a very special thing took place in Church history. A Catholic priest named Martin Luther nailed a challenge to the Catholic Church on a Church door Wittenberg, Germany. It was called the “95 Theses” (or 95 criticisms) of the Roman Catholic Church’s practice of selling indulgences – which were essentially legal papers that “sold forgiveness.” The Catholic church taught that people who bought these papers were assured that they would not suffer for their sins in a fictitious place called Purgatory. Purgatory was a place where “good Catholics” had to go to work off the guilt of sins they already been forgiven of.

Luther rejected that false teaching and the Church became so angry with him that they intended to have him executed … but they just couldn’t get it done. But Luther wasn’t the first to challenge Catholic teachings.

About 200 years before Martin Luther, a Catholic priest in England named John Wycliffe had the audacity to declare that the pope and the church were second in authority to Scripture. The Catholic Church believe that they wrote the Bible, therefore they have authority interpret it or alter it as they see fit); Wycliffe denied that the church had the authority to sell forgiveness (indulgences) and he began a translation of the Bible into English. This English translation wasn’t finished until after he died a natural death 64, but the Catholic Church wasn’t pleased that he was doing that. They condemned Wycliffe with these words:

“By this translation, the Scriptures have become vulgar, and they are more available to lay, and even to women who can read, than they were to learned scholars, who have a high intelligence. So the pearl of the gospel is scattered and trodden underfoot by swine.”

For this reason, the followers of Wycliffe’s teachings were often designated by Catholic officials as “Bible men.” About 30 years later, Catholic officials dug up Wycliffe’s body, burned his remains, and scattered his ashes over the river Swift to show their disdain for his efforts.

About 30 years after Wycliffe died, a man named John Hus also rejected indulgences and taught that we don’t have to pay for or work off our sins (essentially what Luther did 100 years later). The Church arrested him and burned him to death at the stake for his teachings.

These were brave men who faced the threat of death because they stood up for Scripture, but it was only when Martin Luther came along that things began to change. From the 1500s on, about 250 other brave men stepped up to join him, and they began what we call the Protestant Reformation. They built their theology around something they eventually called the “5 Solas.” The 5 Solas were doctrines that they believed would be the 5 foundational truths of their belief system.”[1]

Over the next five weeks we will look at these Five Solas beginning with Sola Scriptura.

Sola Scriptura means that “only Scripture, because it is God’s inspired Word, is our inerrant, sufficient, and final authority for the church.”[2]

I have this morning several books that have greatly influenced the history of civilization.  I have Homer’s Odyssey, I have Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn, and I have God’s Bible.  They are all typed pages of paper, but is there any difference?

 The difference is summed up in the word “unique.”  Webster defines unique as “1.  One and only, single; sole 2.  Different from all others; having no like or equal.”

It is the only book that was:

Written over a 1500 year span. Written by more than 40 authors from every walk of life, including kings, military leaders, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, tax collectors, poets, musicians, statesmen, scholars, and shepherds. Written in different places: By Moses in the wilderness, Jeremiah in a dungeon, Daniel on a hillside and in a palace, Paul inside prison, Luke while traveling, John while in exile on the isle of Patmos. Written during different moods: joy, depths of sorrow and despair, times of certainty and conviction, others from times of confusion and doubt. Written on three continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe. Written in three languages: Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic

Written in a wide variety of literary styles, including: poetry, historical narrative, song, romance, didactical treatise, personal correspondence, memoirs, satire, biography, autobiography, law, prophecy, parable, and allegory. It addresses hundreds of controversial issues and while scanning several centuries it is completely harmonious.

In its’ uniqueness, the leading character is the known throughout the whole book.  God is the one, true, living, God known through Jesus Christ. Compared with other ancient writings, the Bible has more manuscript evidence to support it than any ten pieces of classical literature combined. The Bible has stood the world’s persecution and criticism.  These are but a few things that can be given to show how the Bible is different from a worldly perspective. But what does it say about itself?

 Prayer

The Word of God is Precious (3:14-15)

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

 We should continue in it (v. 14)

Because it tells us who God is, what He does, and What He is like (His Personality).  It is the only way to accurately know what God’s will is for our lives. The Bible can be read and reread hundreds of times and it will never cease to provide new discoveries and increased depth.  As we continue to read and study it, our lives are changed by its contents.

Our spiritual growth is dependant upon our staying in the Word.  We must continue in it because it is like a river or stream that we come to in times of thirst.   It is like meat and bread that we need for nourishment.

This morning, if you are returning to the same sin, if your spiritual walk has grown cold, if you feel distanced from God, are you continuing in the Word?

We should have confidence in it (v. 14)

 The Bible is not just a book of doctrines, or teachings, about God; it is the story of history as seen from God’s perspective.  It is God’s recounting of history as seen from God’s perspective. It is given from the very beginning.

We can have confidence in it for two reasons: first, is the life of the ones that taught us “knowing from whom you learned it.” Paul’s point is that we can observe the life of more mature Christian’s and see the difference it has made in their lives. Can the world look at you as an example of the truth of the Bible?

Luke 6:40 says “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”  If the teacher believes in the Bible it will be shown in his own life and how he or she teaches it to others. This is why those who teach the Word of God will have a harsher judgment, because their own lives will be observed to see if what the have taught is really true (James 3:1).

Second, is that we have been raised “from childhood” in the teachings of Scripture and you can look at how it has changed your own life.  This infancy can refer to your spiritual new birth, or in the case of Timothy was taught the things of God from a very young age.

Paul says “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.”  (2 Timothy 1:5) And because of his grandmother’s and mother’s teachings and obedience, he knows his life is different because of it.  You can have confidence in the Bible because of how it has already worked in your own life.

It is a source of comfort (Ps. 139:1-12) in times of despair, it is a tool of correction when we get off the path, it is a balm that opens our eyes to the truth, it is a source of hope when surrounded by a world of disappointment, it is a guide for our marriages and parenting, it is everything we need (it is all sufficient).

The Word of God is precious because if children are exposed to it and know the Scriptures, it will make them wise, not as the world knows wisdom, but a godly wisdom based on the truth.

We are converted by it (v. 15)

It is only through the gospel laid out in Scripture that a person can be saved.  It makes one “wise for salvation.”  It shows us how we truly are and shows us what God has done about it. The Bible is one continuous story of how God created man and man rebelled, which meant separation, but God in His love provided a way for their sin to be done away with forever.

No other book is able to make one wise unto salvation.  It is only Scripture that cuts to the heart of the matter. Hebrews 4:12 says “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

The Word of God is Perfect (3:16)

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, . . .”

 It is completely inspired

 Inerrancy is a word that refers to the Bible having no mistakes, at all in the original manuscripts (not translations).  All of the Bible is true, even the parts that make us uncomfortable and convict us of weakness in our lives.

The Bible is the Word of God, and God does not make mistakes (Heb. 6:18; Titus 1:12).  To deny the inerrancy of Scripture is to suggest either the integrity of God or to the identity of the Bible as God’s Word.  Either it is God’s Word in its’ entirety or none of it can be counted on as truth.  One cannot pick and choose what they believe to be true or not, or what they will obey and not obey. God’s Word is above us, not us above it – we don’t sit in judgement above it.

He has a message that he wants the whole world to hear.  Sadly, often times in Israel’s history they chose not to tell others of what God had done for them. In fact many times, just because they were the chosen race as the holders of this message, they became prideful and didn’t want anyone else to even know the message. We can also become apathetic with this special message.  Since we are saved, we forget that there are many who have not heard the “good news” of the Bible.

It is divinely inspired

It is without error because it is “God-breathed.”   The bottom line is that the Bible has been breathed by God.  He used men to write out exactly what He wanted them to write.

 He kept them free from error but at the same time used their unique personalities and styles to convey exactly what He wanted.  The idea conveyed is that just as the wind controls the sails of a boat, so also the breath of God controlled the writers of the Bible.[3]

The Word of God is Profitable (3:16)

God’s Word is “profitable” or “useful” meaning it will bring a positive return. If we take the time and invest ourselves into it, there will be a great return. Often times, other things distract us that do not have much of a return (TV, internet, sleep, etc).

God has given us four ways that His Word is completely sufficient to deal with every spiritual need:

for teaching

Scripture is the operational manual of divine truth that must govern our lives.  Our holiness is directly proportional to our knowledge of and obedience to God’s Word.  Psalm 119:11 “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” The more complete our knowledge of Scripture is the less susceptible we are to sin and error.  Hosea 4:6 says “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”

Everything that we teach from the nursery to the pulpit should come from the Bible, not man’s philosophies or wisdom.  The best way to avoid serious spiritual problems is to give yourself to the faithful, patient, and thorough study of Scripture with an obedient heart. Allow God’s Word to teach you truth.

for rebuking (error)

It confronts and rebukes misconduct and false teaching. Scripture convicts us of sin as we study it or in others as we direct them to it.  Hebrews 4:13 says “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

 The Greek word translated “exposed” in that verse was used of criminals who were being led to trial or execution.  Often a soldier would hold the point of a dagger under the criminal’s chin to force him to hold his head high so everyone could see who he was.  Scripture exposes us for who we really are and forces us to face the reality of our sin.

 for correcting (setting right)

“Correction” literally means to “straighten up” or “lift up.”  Scripture restores us to a proper spiritual posture.  The Bible doesn’t just show how we have gone astray but it also gives us instruction of how to straighten our path.

 This is why no other philosophy or secular psychology can help man in his lost and wayward spiritual condition.  It lacks the power that comes from having a relationship with Jesus Christ and the truth and power of Scripture. The Bible is completely sufficient to meet any spiritual need we have in our lives.

for training (in righteousness)

This verse pictures God’s Word training believers as a parent or teacher would train a child.  From spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity, Scripture trains and educates believers in godly living.

But we must be willing to accept the training that it has to offer.  James 1:21 says “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” As we receive God’s Word with an open and humble heart it renews and transforms our thinking, attitudes, actions, and words. It is essential to spiritual health and victory over sin. Even those who know the Bible must be refreshed by its power and reminded of its truths.

The Word of God is Powerful (3:17)

“that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

It prepares for ministry

The Bible was not given to us to make us smart, the Bible was given to us to put us to work.  It is designed to equip us to do the work that He has called us all to be doing.  Since God created Christians for good works and calls them to do good works (Eph. 2:10; Tit. 3:1; 2 Tim. 2:21), he has given Scripture to instruct them so that they may know in principle what God expects of them and thus be equipped to do that particular “good deed” called for in each situation.[4]

God’s Word has been described as a sword (Eph. 6:11) but it’s not the two handed swords.  It is a small dagger (machaira) that in order to be effective has to expertly handled with precision.

What Makes These Books Different? 

 It’s all about who wrote them, the author.  God wrote this book (hold up Bible), men wrote these books (hold up other books).  This book is alive (Heb. 4:12)

Many years ago in a Moscow theater, matinee idol Alexander Rostovzev was converted while playing the role of Jesus in a sacrilegious play entitled Christ in a Tuxedo. He was supposed to read two verses from the Sermon on the Mount, remove his gown, and cry out, “Give me my tuxedo and top hat!” But as he read the words, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted,” he began to tremble. Instead of following the script, he kept reading from Matthew 5, ignoring the coughs, calls, and foot-stamping of his fellow actors. Finally, recalling a verse he had learned in his childhood in a Russian Orthodox church, he cried, “Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom!” (Luke 23:42). Before the curtain could be lowered, Rostovzev had trusted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.

This morning before the service is over won’t you give your heart to Jesus?  This morning are you in the Word?  Is it a part of your daily living?   This morning I want to share one of my favorite verses. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

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[1] https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/sola-sola-sola-jeff-strite-sermon-on-randy-alcorn-226738

[2] Matthew Barrett, God’s Word Alone, The Authority of Scripture (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan Publishing, 2016) 23.

[3] Josh McDowell, The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishing, ) 338.

[4] George W. Knight, The Pastoral Epistles (Michigan: Eerdmans Publishing. p. 443.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith." Ephesians 2:8

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