Building Spiritual Maturity Through the Authority of Scripture

Today’s focus is on bibliology—the study of the nature, authority, clarity, sufficiency, and necessity of Scripture. The heart of this exploration is the conviction that the Bible is not just a book, but the living, enduring Word of God, a foundation upon which to build a life that can withstand any storm. Jesus’ words in Matthew 7 remind us that hearing and doing His words is like building on rock, not sand. This is not a call to casual reading, but to diligent, intentional study—a zealous pursuit of truth that shapes our maturity and spiritual formation.

Many of us remember the simplicity of childhood, but spiritual naivety is not a virtue. Just as we grow physically and intellectually, we are called to grow in our understanding of Scripture. Maturity in faith means moving from milk to meat, from being spoon-fed to becoming self-feeders who engage the Word deeply and personally. The question of authority is central: what is the loudest voice in your life? Is it feelings, culture, or the unchanging Word of God?

The Bible stands alone in its scrutiny, preservation, and impact. Despite centuries of opposition—from philosophers like Voltaire to emperors like Diocletian—the Bible has not only survived but flourished. Archaeology, science, and history continue to affirm its reliability. The manuscript evidence for the New Testament far surpasses that of any other ancient work, and the Dead Sea Scrolls confirm the remarkable preservation of the text. The Bible is not myth; it is rooted in real people, places, and events, and it invites investigation and verification.

Prophecy is another mark of its divine origin. Hundreds of prophecies, especially about Jesus, have been fulfilled with statistical impossibility. The Bible is alive, speaking to past, present, and future, and it works—transforming lives and societies wherever it is embraced. The story of Korea’s transformation through the accidental spread of Bibles is a testament to its power.

To handle the Bible rightly, we must approach it with humility and diligence. Scripture interprets Scripture; context and multiple witnesses are essential. We must resist the temptation to cherry-pick verses and instead assemble doctrine line upon line, precept upon precept. Practical tools—word studies, book studies, and “treasure hunts” through cross-references—help us dig deeper and see the harmony of God’s story. Ultimately, the Bible points us to Jesus, revealing what is and isn’t like Him in us, and inviting us into a surrendered, transformed life.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Spiritual maturity requires moving beyond spiritual naivety and becoming self-feeders in the Word. Just as physical growth demands more than milk, so spiritual growth demands intentional study and engagement with Scripture, not just passive consumption from others. This is the path to true maturity and discernment. [07:31]
• 2. The authority of Scripture must be the unmovable foundation of our lives, not our feelings, opinions, or cultural trends. When the Bible is the loudest voice, it anchors us through every storm and challenge, providing a stability that nothing else can offer. The question of what has “veto power” in our lives is central to our spiritual health. [10:15]
• 3. The Bible’s endurance, preservation, and verifiability set it apart from every other book. Its historical, scientific, and prophetic accuracy have been tested and affirmed repeatedly, and its manuscript evidence is unparalleled. The Bible invites scrutiny and investigation, and those who honestly seek to disprove it often find themselves transformed by it. [19:23]
• 4. Prophecy in Scripture is not just sensational but supernatural, demonstrating God’s sovereignty over history. The fulfillment of specific prophecies—such as the birthplace of Jesus or the rise and fall of empires—shows that God’s Word is trustworthy and alive. Even when passages seem obscure, deeper study reveals their profound significance and connection to God’s unfolding plan. [48:30]
• 5. Rightly handling the Bible requires diligence, context, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We must resist the urge to cherry-pick verses or seek quick fixes, instead assembling doctrine “line upon line” and allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture. Practical study methods—word studies, book studies, and tracing themes—help us see the Bible’s unity and depth, leading us to Jesus and transforming our lives. [59:25]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:53] - Building on the Rock: The Heart of Bibliology
• [03:16] - The Call to Study: Diligence over Casual Reading
• [06:11] - From Naivety to Maturity: Growing in the Word
• [07:31] - Milk or Meat: Receiving the Word According to Maturity
• [10:15] - What is Your Final Authority?
• [12:30] - The Bible’s Endurance Against Opposition
• [15:27] - Scientific and Historical Proofs of Scripture
• [18:28] - Manuscript Evidence and Preservation
• [21:46] - The Bible: Not a Myth, but Real People and Places
• [23:28] - Eyewitnesses and the Resurrection
• [26:32] - Self-Referencing Authority vs. Scrutinizable Truth
• [28:20] - Christianity’s Early Growth and the Power of Evidence
• [29:13] - Does the Bible Work? Human Flourishing and Transformation
• [31:19] - The Korean Bible Story: Accidental Revival
• [34:06] - The Bereans: Eager, Daily Examiners of Scripture
• [34:46] - Rules of Engagement: How to Handle the Bible
• [36:17] - The Danger of Cherry-Picking Verses
• [38:00] - Assembling Doctrine: Line Upon Line
• [39:27] - The “Random Verse” Game and the Need for Context
• [43:43] - Daniel’s Prophecy: Context and Fulfillment
• [48:30] - Prophecy and the Flow of History
• [50:10] - The Birth of Jesus: Prophecy Fulfilled
• [53:10] - The Bible Points to Jesus
• [55:17] - Surrender: The New Way of Being Human
• [57:05] - Three Practical Ways to Study the Bible
• [59:25] - The Treasure Hunt: Discovering the Bible’s Harmony
• [61:04] - Invitation to the Bible Study Workshop and Closing

Bible Reading

Matthew 7:24-27 (ESV) — > “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV) — > Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Hebrews 5:13-14 (ESV) — > For everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Observation Questions

1. In Matthew 7:24-27, what is the difference between the wise and foolish builders? What does Jesus say is the key to building on the rock?
2. According to 2 Timothy 2:15, what is the attitude we are supposed to have toward studying the Bible? What does “rightly handling the word of truth” mean in this context? [03:16]
3. In Hebrews 5:13-14, what does the writer say about spiritual maturity and how we receive the Word? What is the difference between “milk” and “solid food”? [07:31]
4. The sermon mentioned that the Bible has been scrutinized, attacked, and yet preserved through history. What are some examples given of this endurance? [12:30]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus compare hearing and doing His words to building on a rock? What does this say about the role of Scripture in our lives? [01:53]
2. The sermon talks about moving from being “spoon-fed” to becoming “self-feeders” in the Word. What does it look like for someone to take responsibility for their own spiritual growth? [09:00]
3. The pastor asked, “What is the loudest voice in your life? What has veto power over your decisions?” How does this question challenge the way we view the authority of Scripture compared to our feelings or culture? [10:15]
4. The sermon described how fulfilled prophecy and historical evidence set the Bible apart from other books. Why is it important for our faith that the Bible is rooted in real people, places, and events? [21:46]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to move beyond spiritual naivety and become “self-feeders” in the Word. What is one practical step you can take this week to study the Bible more intentionally, rather than just relying on others to feed you? [09:00]
2. When storms or challenges come in life, what is your foundation? Is there an area where you’ve been building on “sand” (feelings, opinions, culture) instead of the “rock” of God’s Word? What would it look like to shift your foundation? [01:53]
3. The pastor shared stories of the Bible’s endurance and how it has changed lives and societies (like the story of Korea). Has there been a time when the Bible has changed your life or someone you know? What happened? [31:19]
4. The sermon warned against “cherry-picking” verses and encouraged us to study Scripture in context, “line upon line, precept upon precept.” Have you ever misunderstood a Bible verse because you didn’t look at the context? How can you avoid this in the future? [36:17]
5. The pastor described three practical ways to study the Bible: word/topic/character study, book study, and “treasure hunts” through cross-references. Which of these methods sounds most interesting or doable for you? How could you try it this week? [57:05]
6. The question of authority was central: “What has veto power in your life?” Is there a specific area where you struggle to let the Bible be your final authority? What would it look like to surrender that area to God? [10:15]
7. The sermon said, “The Bible points us to Jesus, revealing what is and isn’t like Him in us.” As you read the Bible, what is one thing you sense God is highlighting in your life that needs to change to become more like Jesus? [55:17]