We Can Know the Bible Is from God (2 Timothy 3:14-17)
Introduction:
1. These verses reveal some important information about the Bible. a. The things revealed in it can be learned and known, even by a child. b. It is able to make a person "wise unto salvation." c. It is "profitable" in 4 areas. d. It will produce a complete individual who is equipped unto all good works. 2. All of these matters are important, and they deserve our careful attention. 3. In our lesson we are concentrating on another point -- "we can know the Bible is from God." Discussion: I. LET US FIRST EXAMINE THE BIBLE'S CLAIM TO BE FROM GOD
A. This claim is made in vs.16a -- "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God." B. In addition to claiming to be from God the Bible explains how God gave it to us. 1. We learn from 2 Peter 1:20-21 that the prophecies of the Bible: a. did not originate with men b. were delivered by men who spoke "as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." 2. Additional details are given in 1 Corinthians 2:9-13 and Ephesians 3:1-5. a. God revealed certain things to the apostles and prophets by the Holy Spirit. 1) These things are very special, known only to God. 2) If God had not revealed them we would have no way of knowing them. b. The Spirit guided these inspired men as they spoke and wrote the things revealed to them. c. By reading the writings of the apostles and prophets we can know God's will. II. LET US EXAMINE EVIDENCE THAT PROVES THE BIBLE CAME FROM GOD
A. The unity of the Bible is mentioned in Psalm 119:160. 1. The Bible is a collection of 66 books that were written: a. over a period of approximately 1500 years (1400 BC - 100 AD) b. by about 40 people from a variety of backgrounds and occupations c. in 3 languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek). 2. Throughout the Bible there is great unity of purpose with no contradictions. 3. The Bible's unity certainly suggests that it came from God. B. The indestructible nature of the Bible is mentioned in Isaiah 40:8. 1. We read about one attempt to destroy Scripture in Jeremiah 36:21-28. 2. The Bible has survived many attempts to destroy it. 3. The indestructible nature of the Bible indicates that it came from God. C. Undiscovered scientific facts revealed in the Bible prove that it came from God. 1. (Isaiah 40:22) About 700 BC, Isaiah mentioned the shape of the earth, although many thought the earth was flat about 500 years ago. 2. (Job 26:7) Job stated that God hangs "the earth upon nothing," although many believed that it was somehow supported. 3. (Psalm 8:6-8) About 1000 BC, David mentioned "the paths of the seas," although they were not discovered until the 1800's. D. The fulfilled prophecies of the Bible prove that it came from God. 1. (1 Kings 13:1-3) A prophet informed Jeroboam that Josiah would destroy his altar at a later time. 2. (2 Kings 23:15-16) Later, Josiah destroyed Jeroboam's altar. 3. We learn from 2 Peter 1:20-21 how the prophet knew this 340 years before it occurred. Conclusion:
1. From the verses we have covered "we can know the Bible is from God." 2. Have you allowed the Bible to make you "wise unto salvation?"