TEXT: 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (Read the chapter)
READING: Psalm 71
SUBJ: The Word of God and the wisdom from it in obtaining and maintaining salvation.
AIM: To encourage a reverence of the Word in the experience of salvation and thus avoiding the shallowness that is so prevalent today.
INTR:
1. This epistle is thought to be the last of the inspired writings of Paul and it certainly bears the marks of fatherly instruction.
2. It is a pastoral epistle. Yet, these things given to and experienced by pastors were to be passed on to those to whom they ministered. Pastors do not have a special edition of salvation.
3. The reason for emphasis on these thoughts is because of apostasy. (See v. 5). --And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:17)
THESIS: John tells us that the Word is one of the three witnesses to the things of God on earth. Christ is the Word made flesh. Paul tells us that He is made unto us wisdom. Therefore, if the scriptures are able to make us wise unto salvation it is because these they which testify of Him.
I. The sufficiency of the substance of the Scriptures (v. 15)
1. There is no substitute for exposure to the scriptures early and often. 1 Samuel 2:18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. AND Psalms 71:17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. AND S. F. Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
2. It is to be understood that like all that pertains to God, they are the “Holy Scriptures.”
3. The Gospel is declared therein:
1) Genesis – see the gospel of a substitute early on
2) Exodus – see the message of redemption in the Passover – the Lamb of God.
3) In Leviticus – see the rigid testimony of that which Christ would do.
4) In Isaiah – See the message of the suffering substitute.
5) In all the prophets – See the promises stated and claimed over and over again.
4. The wisdom that is unto salvation is often lacking: Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
5. And this salvation has always been in Christ: Psalms 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
6. See then Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. AND Luke 24:32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? AND Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, AND Then see: Romans 1:1-2 1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
7. That it is wisdom says that this salvation may be understood in principle.
II. The sufficiency of the source of the Scriptures (v. 16)
1. All scripture is “breathed in of God.” It is God breathed and in that manner received. Thus, we have confidence in the Word as being mysteriously and divinely inspired. (Compare: Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
2. It is profitable for:
1) Doctrine – that is learning and teaching (as opposed to human philosophy and reason.)
2) Reproof – Conviction and evidence of need or of that which is lacking: Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: AND John 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
3) Correction – that is a straightening up again.
4) Instruction in righteousness – training to be righteous in faith and practice.
III. The sufficiency for the proper application of the Scriptures (v. 17)
1. Mature as indicating personal growth and responsibility (compare “from a child.”)
2. The thought of having every resource and every tool to attend to the situation at hand. Consider what we expect at a medical facility.
3. Unto both doing and knowing: See: 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
4. Ours is to expect growth as we show the Lord’s death till He come.
The term "plenary" comes from the Latin word piena, which means "full" or "complete". When used to describe the inspiration of the Bible, plenary inspiration means that all parts of the Bible are equally authoritative and of divine origin.
