Equipped for Good Works Through Scripture
Summary
In our journey through the steadfast series, we have anchored ourselves in prayer, community, worship, and scripture. Today, we culminate this series with a focus on the good works God has called us to do. These works are not a means to earn God's favor but a response to the grace we have already received. As we delve into the Word, we are reminded that all scripture is God-breathed and serves multiple purposes in our lives: teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. This divine inspiration ensures that scripture is not merely human wisdom but the very heart and mind of God communicated to us.
The cornerstone of our spiritual growth is doctrine, which teaches us what is right. It is through scripture that we learn the truth of God, which prevents us from wandering away from His path. Rebuking, often perceived as harsh, is actually a form of discernment. It helps us recognize what is wrong and realigns us with God's truth. Correction, which I liken to a loving redirection, is not about condemnation but about setting us on a new path of righteousness. Training in righteousness, akin to discipline, equips us for every good work God has prepared for us.
We are called to be a community that extends grace and mercy to one another, just as God does to us. Our vision at St. Mark is to equip believers to fulfill the mission God has placed before us. Scripture is essential for this equipping, as it changes our thoughts, hearts, and ultimately our lives. It is reliable and perfect, and through it, we come to know God intimately.
As we stand on the foundation of scripture, we are reminded of the blessing of Aaron, the high priest, who, with the blood of atonement on his hands, blessed the people. Today, we too receive a blessing as we remember the blood Jesus shed for us. We are equipped and called to step into the world, not with our own thoughts and ways, but with His.
Key Takeaways:
- Scripture is the lifeblood of our spiritual journey, transforming our minds and hearts to align with God's will. It is not through our own efforts but through the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit that we are guided in truth. ([01:05:37])
- Rebuking is an expression of God's love, a mirror reflecting our imperfections and guiding us back to righteousness. It is a necessary part of our growth, calling us to examine our hearts and turn from disobedience. ([01:11:14])
- Correction in scripture is not punitive but redemptive, offering us a new direction towards living a life that glorifies God. It is through God's loving guidance that we find the path to righteousness and maturity in our faith. ([01:12:29])
- The discipline we receive from scripture is not merely about rules but about shaping our character to be thoroughly equipped for every good work. This training is integral to our mission as believers, preparing us to serve and build up the body of Christ. ([01:13:54])
- Scripture is for every believer, calling us to maturity and completeness in Christ. It equips us to live out our faith actively, not as a dormant belief but as a vibrant, living testimony of God's work in our lives. ([01:16:26])
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the four purposes of Scripture mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:16-17?
2. According to the sermon, how does the concept of "God-breathed" influence our understanding of the reliability of Scripture? ([01:01:19])
3. How does the sermon describe the role of rebuking in our spiritual growth? ([01:11:14])
4. What analogy does the sermon use to explain the process of correction in Scripture? ([01:12:29])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to view Scripture as "God-breathed" rather than just human wisdom? How does this perspective affect our approach to reading the Bible? ([01:01:19])
2. How can rebuking be seen as an expression of God's love rather than a harsh judgment? What does this reveal about God's character? ([01:11:14])
3. In what ways does correction in Scripture offer a redemptive path rather than a punitive one? How does this shape our understanding of God's guidance? ([01:12:29])
4. How does the discipline we receive from Scripture prepare us for good works? What does this imply about the relationship between spiritual growth and service? ([01:13:54])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when Scripture taught you something new about God or yourself. How did this teaching impact your life and actions? ([01:05:37])
2. Have you ever experienced a moment of rebuking through Scripture? How did it help you realign with God's truth, and what changes did you make as a result? ([01:11:14])
3. Think of a recent situation where you felt corrected by God's Word. How did this correction guide you towards a new direction, and what steps did you take to follow it? ([01:12:29])
4. In what ways can you incorporate the discipline of regular Bible reading into your daily routine? What specific actions will you take to ensure consistency? ([01:13:54])
5. How can you extend grace and mercy to others in your community, especially when they make mistakes? Share a practical example of how you can apply this in your interactions. ([01:13:10])
6. Identify one area in your life where you need to be more equipped for good works. What steps will you take to seek guidance and training from Scripture in this area? ([01:16:26])
7. How can you encourage someone else in their journey of faith by sharing insights from your own Bible reading? Think of a specific person and plan a way to support them this week. ([01:56:16])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Scripture's Transformative Power
The Word of God is not just a collection of stories or moral guidelines; it is the transformative agent in a believer's life. Scripture, breathed out by God, is designed to reshape thoughts and hearts, aligning them with the divine will. It is through the Holy Spirit's inspiration that individuals are guided into all truth, experiencing a metamorphosis of the inner self. This transformation is not a result of human effort but a supernatural work that renews the mind, enabling believers to discern God's will and live it out in their daily lives. The Bible serves as a mirror, reflecting the areas that need change and providing the wisdom necessary for growth and maturity in faith. [07:40]
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." - 2 Timothy 3:16
Reflection: How has a recent scripture reading challenged your current way of thinking and prompted you to change?
Day 2: Rebuking as an Act of Divine Love
Rebuking is often misunderstood as a negative or harsh judgment, but in the context of God's love, it is a merciful act that reveals our imperfections and calls us back to the path of righteousness. It is an essential aspect of spiritual growth, prompting self-examination and repentance. When scripture rebukes, it acts as a mirror, showing believers where they have strayed from God's commands. This divine intervention is not to shame but to lovingly guide individuals back to a life that is in harmony with God's will, fostering a deeper relationship with Him. [11:14]
"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid." - Proverbs 12:1
Reflection: Can you identify a recent instance where you felt rebuked by Scripture, and how did it guide you to make a positive change?
Day 3: Correction for Redemptive Purposes
Correction in scripture is not about punishment; it is a redemptive process that offers a new direction towards a life that glorifies God. When believers encounter correction through God's Word, it is an opportunity to embrace a fresh start and a renewed commitment to righteousness. This loving guidance from the Lord is not to condemn but to set individuals on a path that leads to spiritual maturity and a deeper understanding of His grace. Through correction, believers are invited to shed old patterns and embrace the life-giving ways of the Spirit. [12:29]
"Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law." - Psalm 94:12
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you have experienced God's correction, and how can you actively pursue the new direction He has shown you?
Day 4: Discipline Shapes Our Character for Good Works
The discipline received from scripture is not about adhering to a set of rules but about shaping our character to be thoroughly equipped for every good work. This training prepares believers to serve effectively and build up the body of Christ. It is an integral part of fulfilling our mission as followers of Jesus, ensuring that we are ready and able to respond to the opportunities God places before us. Through discipline, we grow in perseverance, godliness, and love, becoming more like Christ in our thoughts, words, and actions. [13:54]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works." - Hebrews 10:24
Reflection: What is one discipline from Scripture that you need to develop further, and how can you begin to implement it in your daily routine?
Day 5: Scripture Calls Us to Maturity and Active Faith
Scripture is for every believer, calling us to maturity and completeness in Christ. It equips us to live out our faith actively, not as a dormant belief but as a vibrant, living testimony of God's work in our lives. The Bible is not just for reading but for doing; it compels us to put our faith into action, serving others, and spreading the love of Christ. As we engage with scripture, we are transformed into effective ambassadors for the Kingdom, capable of impacting the world with the Gospel's truth and grace. [16:26]
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." - James 1:22
Reflection: What is one way you can actively demonstrate your faith in a practical manner this week, as a response to God's Word?
Quotes
1) "Scripture is true. It is our North Star, it is what we need to continue to immerse ourselves in because we have to understand that it is true and it is going to be so beneficial for our lives as we read it, understand it, and live it out." [01:00:38] (Download)
2) "God breathes these things out, it is inspired by God, it is inspired by the Holy Spirit. This Greek word talks about being breathed out just like we were seeing in Genesis." [01:02:28] (Download)
3) "Scripture is as reliable as God is. Scripture is so important, it's so reliable because it is from God and it is about God." [01:03:44] (Download)
4) "Rebuking is an expression of God's love, it examines, it calls us to examine our hearts, it calls us to look at these areas of Disobedience and turn back to the path of righteousness." [01:11:14] (Download)
5) "The correction found in scripture is not harsh either, it's not a condemning love but it's a loving redirection of how he wants us to live our lives." [01:12:29] (Download)
6) "Scripture changes Our Lives when we read it, it invades our mind in the way that we think. Once I change the way I think, my heart will be changed and then the actions are going to flow out of the overflow of my heart." [01:05:37] (Download)
7) "We've got to be complete so that we can go out there and accomplish the vision that Jesus has for us. Once we are complete, we then can be equipped." [01:17:38] (Download)
8) "The ultimate goal of immersing ourselves in God's word is to be thoroughly equipped for every good work. That's our vision statement here at St. Mark." [01:14:32] (Download)
9) "Scripture is essential. It's absolutely essential because of all those things we just talked about. It's essential so that we can get put on that right path, we can continue on that right path, so that we can be lights into this world." [01:15:12] (Download)
10) "As we end this series of being steadfast, be reminded of the good works he's called you to, be reminded of the things that God wants you to do. He invites you in." [01:19:37] (Download)
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