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.
