Sermon Date: Nov. 14, 2010
Sermon Title: Highest & Best Use
Sermon Text: 2 Tim 3:14-16
Small Group Text: 2 Timothy 3:14 - 4:2 Every now and then, we’ll hear the Bible referred to as the “Good Book.” Which begs the question: Good for what? In a letter to a young pastor named Timothy, the Apostle Paul tells his young protégé exactly what the “Good Book” is good for. The Bible is good for 1) converting, 2) confronting and 3) conforming. The Scriptures are Good for Changing Life (Converting) We and all of humanity are, by nature, incurably religious – probably for many reasons but not the least of which is the nagging thought that we’re out of touch with God and that our lives would be positively effected were we able to be re-connected to Him. But how? This question of how one comes to know God and to be reconciled to Him forms the basis of all world religions. How do we get it right? Christian theologians divide the knowledge of God into two categories: 1) general revelation and 2) special revelation. General revelation is what may be known about God from nature (Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:18-20); or even from our general sense of right and wrong (Romans 2:12-15). But while general revelation let’s us glimpse God’s infinite qualities of power, creativity and benevolence; and while it suggests that we are morally culpable to a God who is worthy of our worship, general revelation can tell us nothing about how we can be brought back into fellowship with the God from whom we’ve derived life and from whom we are presently alienated by our sin. The solution to this dilemma would necessitate a more specific revelation. Special (or specific) revelation is the means by which God has revealed His plan for the salvation of His people and the world. This special revelation is comprised of the written word of God – the Scriptures (2 Peter 1:20-21) and the living word of God – Jesus Christ, the Son of God incarnate (John 1:1, 14; Col. 1:13-20; 2 Cor. 5:18-19). Through the Scriptures, God has revealed a salvation so profound that scholars and theologians spend their lives delving into its mystery. At the same time, little children – with child-like faith, are able to grasp the simplicity of God’s gracious gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. And this was Timothy’s experience. Beginning at age five, boys growing up in ancient Jewish homes were taught the “sacred writings” – a regimen commanded in the Scriptures (Deuteronomy 6:7; Psalm 71:17; Psalm 78:5-7). Though his father was a Gentile, Timothy’s Jewish mother and grandmother adopted this practice of teaching him the word of God from infancy (2 Tim. 1:5). Developing the habit of Bible reflection is important for every believer – no doubt. But it is also the privilege and responsibility of Christian parents to teach their children the word of God which is able to make, even a child, “wise for salvation.” And this was Paul’s point: Why is the “Good Book” good? Because, the Scriptures are able to teach even 1