Bible

	"You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of," Paul instructs in 2 Timothy 3:14-17, "knowing from whom you have learned {them}; and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."
	Our word for this week is, "Bible."  As our society, including many religious bodies, moves farther and farther away from the instructions of this great book, it is critical that we take time to consider what it should mean to us.  We must start by recognizing that the Bible is inspired.  Paul states this clearly in verse 16 of the passage we just read.  This means that the Bible is God-breathed.  It has come straight from His mouth.
	"But know this first of all," 2 Peter 1:20-21 cautions, "that no prophecy of Scripture is {a matter} of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."
	"If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual," Paul stresses in 1 Corinthians 14:37-38, "let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment.  But if anyone does not recognize {this}, he is not recognized."
	The Bible is nothing less than the inspired Word of God.  Paul indicates in verse 17 that the Bible is complete.
	"But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed," Paul exclaims in Galatians 1:8-9. "As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed."
	People during Paul's time repeat a statement if it is of extreme importance.
	"Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God," we find in 2 John  verses 9-11, "the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into {your} house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds."
	"Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes," Paul expresses in 1 Corinthians 4:6, "that in us you might learn not to exceed what is written, in order that no one of you might become arrogant in behalf of one against the other."
	The Bible is the inspired Word of God.  It is complete, not needing any future revelations.  Our text shows in verses 15-17  that the Bible is essential and powerful.
	"For I am not ashamed of the gospel," Paul states proudly in Romans 1:16-17, "for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For in it {the} righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'But the righteous {man} shall live by faith.'"
	"For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness," Paul recognizes in 1 Corinthians 1:18, "but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
	"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword," we read in Hebrews 4:12-13, "and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do."
	The Bible is the inspired Word of God.  The Bible is complete and not lacking in any way.  And the Bible is the power of God for salvation.  This makes it the most essential book in the world.

	The Bible is the inspired Word of God.  The Bible is complete and not lacking in any way.  The Bible is powerful and essential.  In verse 15 of our text, Paul refers to the Bible as "sacred."  This means that it is holy and set apart.  Clearly, the Bible is no accident of history.  It is something which God has done on purpose.  The Bible is intentional.  From the beginning, God has purposed for us to have a written guide in our relationship with Him.  We would not have enough time to list the passages which start with the statement, "It is written...," or with the question, "Is it not written...?"
	After the Israelites defeat the Amalekites, God gives a specific instruction to Moses.
	"Write this in a book as a memorial," God tells the Jewish leader in Exodus 17:14, "and recite it to Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven."
	The book of Exodus records Moses' meeting with God at Mount Sinai.
	"Then Moses came and recounted to the people all the words of the Lord and all the ordinances," we read in Exodus 24:3-7, "and all the people answered with one voice, and said, 'All the words which the Lord has spoken we will do!'  And Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord.  Then he arose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. And he sent young men of the sons of Israel, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as peace offerings to the Lord.  And Moses took half of the blood and put {it} in basins, and the {other} half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.  Then he took the book of the covenant and read {it} in the hearing of the people; and they said, 'All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient!'"
	"For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse;" Paul reminds the people in Galatians 3:10, "for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.'" 
	It is obvious that God expected the people of the Old Testament to follow His written word.  What about those of us who live under the New Testament?
	"Therefore also it was reckoned to him as righteousness," Paul writes of Abraham in Romans 4:22-24.  "Now not for his sake only was it written, that it was reckoned to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be reckoned, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead."
	"For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction," we learn from Romans 15:4, "that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
	"Now these things happened to them as an example," Paul observes in 1 Corinthians 10:11, "and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come."
	The written accounts of the Old Testament serve a purpose for us, too.  We can benefit from the written histories of the experiences of Old Testament characters.  But do we have a written guide which we must follow?
	"So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught," Paul orders in 2 Thessalonians 2:15, "whether by word {of mouth} or by letter from us."
	Since we no longer have Paul's instructions by word of mouth, we must be expected to follow that which is written in his letters.
	"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near," we read in Revelation 1:3.
	"I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book," Revelation 22:18-19 warns, "if anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book."
	The Bible is inspired.  The Bible is complete.  The Bible is essential and powerful.  The Bible is intentional.  In light of these facts, we must acknowledge that the Bible is all we need.
	"Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book," we find in John 20:30-31, "but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name."
	What are you going to do with the Bible?  Are you willing to be like the people of Berea?
	"Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica," Luke observes in Acts 17:11, "for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, {to see} whether these things were so."
	What are you going to do with the inspired, complete, essential, powerful, intentional Word of God?  You don't need anything else.  All you need is the truth to set you free.

Unless otherwise noted, "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), (C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission."