25 June 2023 AM – Col 2:8; 2 Timothy 3:15-17 – Col23 – Scott Childs
Introduction: Last week we examined the veracity of the Bible. We established that it is truthful and trustworthy. The Bible is a reliable collection of historical, instructional, and prophetical documents, inspired by God, written by eyewitnesses or from eyewitness accounts, during the lifetime of eyewitnesses, and confirmed by fulfilled prophecies, archaeology, and thousands of ancient manuscripts.
Yes, the Bible is truthful, but is it truly sufficient to guide us in every situation we face in the 21st century? Is it sufficient to answer our questions about origins, marriage, parenting, abortion, morality, fossils, suffering, tragedies and the like?
Transition: My goal this morning is to prove to you that our trustworthy Bible IS sufficient for every situation, issue, difficulty and question that will come up in life. Please follow along as I read 2 Timothy 3:15-17.
1. The Bible is Sufficient for Wisdom unto Salvation, v.15
a. God’s plan of salvation is the theme of the Bible.
1) It describes man’s perfect beginning (Gen 1-2).
2) It depicts man’s fall into sin (Gen 3).
3) It unfolds God’s rescue plan (Gen 4 – Rev 20) – The coming Messiah, His substitutionary death, His resurrection and offer of forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ.
4) It previews the believer’s restoration (Rev 21-22).
b. God’s plan of salvation is through Christ alone.
1) Timothy knew the Holy Scriptures from childhood.
2) They made him wise, teaching him that salvation is through faith in Christ Jesus alone. God uses the Bible to convict sinners of their need of salvation through Christ. Those who heard Peter’s Gospel sermon were “pricked in their heart.” (Acts 2:37). The jailer (Acts 16:30-31).
3) God’s plan of salvation through Christ, recorded in the Bible, is sufficient. There is no other means to eternal life in heaven. Jesus said, (John 14:6) “… I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Peter preached, (Acts 4:12) “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.“
2. The Bible is Sufficient for Doctrine (v.16)
a. Doctrine is teaching or instruction.
b. The Bible instructs on every topic we will need, either in word or in principle.
1) What are we to do if science or society disagrees with the Bible? (Romans 3:4) “… let God be true, but every man a liar; …” The Bible has never been proven wrong on ANY subject. Since God said that He created man in six literal 24-hour days, God is right! Evolution is wrong! (Ex 20:11).
2) Though many say there is no absolute truth, Jesus said, the Bible is truth. (John 17:17) “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.“
3) The Bible teaches in word or principle, God’s mind about morality, marriage, parenting, communication, suffering, conflicts, divorce, salvation, heaven, hell, sanctification, separation, church polity, disasters, future events, etc.
4) Preaching, teaching, commentaries, books and counsellors can be helpful as long as they are faithful to the Bible. The Bible is to be our supreme and ultimate authority in every area of life. The Bible is always right and sufficient, even when it seems illogical or out of date. We know this to be true because it is God’s Word. God is the uncaused cause and sovereign of all, and His Word, the Bible, is true, as we saw last week.
3. The Bible is Sufficient for Reproof (v.16)
a. Reproof is conviction.
1) It is that by which a thing is proved or tested.
2) It is our sifter in life. Every activity, word, song, entertainment, philosophy or teaching that does not go through its grid, we must toss out and reject.
3) When we choose to do something that does not pass God’s test, the Bible reproves or convicts us.
b. Reproof is rebuke.
1) It testifies against us.
2) When we read about our sin in the Bible, God uses His Word to rebuke and testify against us. It jabs us when we are guilty!
3) Daily reading and pondering the Bible will reprove you when you step out of line. It is your friend. The Bible will sufficiently rebuke you far better than any human can.
4. The Bible is Sufficient for Correction (v.16)
a. Correction speaks of restoration.
1) The Bible does not just convict us and make us feel guilty. It also shows us the way to restoration. God’s goal!
2) God’s Word will lead you back to the right path. It tells you how to confess your sin. (Proverbs 28:13) “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.“
3) It is the tool God uses to cleanse our way. (Psalms 119:9) “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.“
b. The Bible works to improve our character.
1) It teaches us how to think right, and shows us how.
2) The book of Proverbs is especially helpful in building godly character in our lives. Every Christian ought to read some in Proverbs daily.
3) Diligently studying the Bible (Proverbs 2:1-5) will give you God’s wisdom. (Proverbs 2:6) “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.“
5. The Bible is Sufficient for Instruction in Righteousness (v.16)
a. Instruction is a whole training that leads to virtue.
1) It cultivates both our minds and our morals.
2) It shows us how to correct our mistakes and curb our passions so that we can live for God’s glory.
b. The Bible instructs in righteousness.
1) The Bible is profitable and sufficient to instruct us in righteous living. The Bible is not just a book of negatives. It is full of positives. (Ephesians 5:19) “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” (1 Thessalonians 5:16) “Rejoice evermore.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.“
2) The Bible keeps us from sin. (Psalms 119:11) “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” This is not just memorising it, but storing it up in the heart through meditating on it. It is sufficient!
6. Here is God’s overall reason for the Bible (v.17)
a. The Bible alone can perfect us.
1) This word “perfect” does not refer to being sinless. It speaks of our completion. As we have seen, the Bible tells us God’s plan of salvation. It gives us doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness. Without these, we are incomplete. Many empty, unsatisfied, unfulfilled people in our world do not realise that the Bible contains what they need.
2) We will never be complete without God’s Word. Even after you trust Christ, your walk with God will always be lacking if you neglect the Bible. If your life seems empty and lacking, you are probably neglecting the Bible. If you cannot get victory over a sin, are you neglecting the Bible?
b. The Bible alone can thoroughly equip us.
1) The word “furnished” describes being equipped. A fisherman must be equipped with the right tackle and bait to catch fish. A cook must be equipped with the right cookware and food items in order to cook a nice meal.
2) The Bible alone can equip you to do the will of God in your life. You cannot resist temptation, endure trials cheerfully or witness to a relative without the Bible fully equipping you.
Conclusion: My goal has been to prove to you that our trustworthy Bible IS sufficient for every situation, issue, difficulty and question that will come up in life. We may not always know God’s reasons, but “… we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). The LORD is righteous in all His ways (Psalm 145:17). Depend on God’s Word. If Christ is not your Saviour, trust Him today!
