All Scripture is Given by Inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:14-17)
Introduction:
1. The writer of Psalm 119 expressed his love for the Scriptures in vs.97. 2. The information in 2 Timothy 3:14-17 will lead us to have the same love. 3. Last Sunday we covered information that enables us to know who Jesus is. 4. In this lesson we are covering information that enables us to know that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God." 5. The first point we need to make is that . . . Discussion: I. WE CAN KNOW THAT THE SCRIPTURES CAME FROM GOD
A. By carefully examining evidence we can know that: 1. Jesus is God's Son 2. the Scriptures came from God. B. Let us consider the Bible's unity. 1. The Bible is actually 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 various backgrounds and occupations c. in 3 languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek). 2. The Bible contains a remarkable unity of purpose with no contradictions. 3. This unity suggests that the writers had divine guidance. C. Let us consider scientific facts revealed in the Bible. 1. About 700 BC, Isaiah mentioned the shape of the earth (Isaiah 40:22). a. In 1492 AD, the earth was believed to be flat. b. How was Isaiah able to state that the earth is round 2200 years earlier? 2. Job stated that the earth is suspended in space (Job 26:7). a. Those who thought that the earth was flat also thought that someone or something supported it. b. How was Job able to state that God hangs "the earth upon nothing?" 3. About 1000 BC, David stated that man has dominion over all animals, including whatever passes "through the paths of the seas" (Psalm 8:6-8). a. After reading this Psalm, Matthew Maury (1806-1873) discovered the ocean currents. b. How did David know about them 2800 years before they were discovered? D. Let us consider fulfilled prophecies. 1. Keep in mind the differences between "prophecies" and "predictions." 2. About 700 BC, Isaiah stated that a man named Cyrus would allow the Jews to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem (Isaiah 44:24-45:4). a. In 536 BC, Cyrus conquered Babylon and allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 36:22-23). b. How was Isaiah able to call Cyrus' name about 160 years before he conquered Babylon? E. According to 2 Peter 1:20-21, the prophecies of the Scriptures: 1. did not originate with men 2. were delivered by men who spoke "as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." II. WE CAN KNOW HOW THE SCRIPTURES CAME FROM GOD
A. The inspiration process is explained in 1 Corinthians 2:9-13; Ephesians 3:1-5. B. To summarize,: 1. God revealed certain things to the apostles and prophets by the Spirit that we had no way of knowing. 2. The Spirit guided these men as they spoke and wrote the things revealed to them. 3. We can read the writings of the apostles and prophets and know God's will. Conclusion:
1. Just as we can know that Jesus is the Son of God, we can know that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God." 2. Let us study the Scriptures so we can know them. 3. Let us allow the Scriptures to make us wise unto salvation. 4. Let us allow the Scriptures to profit us so we can become complete.