The Authority and Relevance of God's Word Today
Summary
The Bible is not merely a historical document or a collection of ancient wisdom; it is the living, breathing Word of God. It is inspired, inerrant, and infallible, meaning it is God-breathed, without error, and never failing. This understanding is crucial for anyone who seeks to live a life under the authority of Scripture. The Bible is not just a book to be critiqued or evaluated alongside other texts; it stands above us, demanding our attention, belief, and obedience.
The Bible's inspiration means that it is God-breathed, and because God is unchanging, what He has spoken in the past is what He speaks to us today. This is evident in the way Scripture is quoted in the New Testament, using the present tense to indicate that God's Word is active and relevant now. The Bible is not just a record of what God has said; it is what God is saying to us today.
The inerrancy of Scripture follows from its inspiration. If God has breathed out His Word, it must be without error. This is not just a theological stance but a practical one, as it shapes how we approach the Bible. We must come to it with humble hearts, ready to be taught, corrected, and equipped for every good work.
The infallibility of Scripture assures us that God's promises will never fail. Unlike human plans or timetables, which can err, God's Word delivers on all that it promises. This is why the Bible is central to evangelism, discipleship, and pastoral care. It is the living seed that brings new life, sustains that life, and equips believers for every good work.
In ministry, our posture towards the Bible will shape our effectiveness. We can view it as beneath us, beside us, or above us. The correct posture is to see it as above us, guiding and directing our lives and ministries. This was exemplified by Billy Graham, who, despite doubts and questions, chose to accept the Bible as God's Word by faith, leading to a transformative ministry.
Key Takeaways
- The Bible is the living Word of God, inspired and relevant for today. It is not just a historical document but a divine message that speaks to us now, demanding our attention and obedience. [12:45]
- Scripture is inerrant, meaning it is without error because it is God-breathed. This truth shapes how we approach the Bible, requiring us to come with humility and a willingness to be taught and corrected. [15:39]
- The infallibility of the Bible assures us that God's promises will never fail. Unlike human plans, God's Word delivers on all it promises, making it central to evangelism, discipleship, and pastoral care. [19:52]
- Our posture towards the Bible—whether we see it as beneath, beside, or above us—will shape our ministry. Viewing it as above us ensures that we live and minister under its authority. [28:25]
- Faith in the Bible as God's Word can transform our lives and ministries, as exemplified by Billy Graham. Despite doubts, choosing to accept the Bible by faith leads to a deeper sense of God's presence and power. [31:54]
Youtube Chapters
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [10:12] - The Bible as an Important Voice
- [11:02] - The Bible as the Word of God
- [12:07] - God-Breathed Scripture
- [13:02] - Present Tense in Scripture
- [14:11] - The Unchanging Word
- [15:20] - Inspiration and Inerrancy
- [17:18] - The Danger of a Diminished View
- [18:27] - Approaching the Bible with Humility
- [19:02] - Infallibility of Scripture
- [20:46] - The Bible in Evangelism
- [22:46] - The Bible in Discipleship
- [24:11] - The Bible in Pastoral Care
- [26:33] - How Scripture Came to Be
- [27:09] - Postures Towards the Bible
- [29:33] - Billy Graham's Testimony
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
2. Hebrews 3:7-8
3. 1 Peter 1:23
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, what are the purposes of Scripture in the life of a believer? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on the Bible being God-breathed and useful for teaching and correction? [20:29]
2. In Hebrews 3:7-8, the writer uses the present tense to quote Psalm 95. What does this suggest about the nature of God's Word according to the sermon? [14:30]
3. How does 1 Peter 1:23 describe the role of the Word of God in spiritual rebirth? How does this relate to the sermon’s point about the Bible being a living seed? [21:02]
4. The sermon mentions Billy Graham's decision to accept the Bible by faith. What was the impact of this decision on his ministry according to the sermon? [31:54]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of the Bible being "God-breathed" influence a believer's approach to reading and understanding Scripture? What does this mean for the authority of the Bible in a Christian's life? [15:20]
2. The sermon discusses the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture. How do these concepts provide assurance to believers about the promises of God? [19:52]
3. What does it mean to have a posture that views the Bible as "above us"? How might this posture affect one's ministry and personal faith journey? [28:25]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of faith in accepting the Bible as God's Word, especially in the face of doubts and questions? [31:54]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current posture towards the Bible. Do you see it as beneath, beside, or above you? How might you adjust your approach to ensure it guides your life and decisions? [28:25]
2. The sermon emphasizes the Bible's role in evangelism, discipleship, and pastoral care. How can you incorporate more of God's Word into these areas of your life or ministry? [20:46]
3. Consider a time when you doubted the relevance or truth of a biblical passage. How did you resolve this doubt, and what role did faith play in your resolution? [31:54]
4. How can you cultivate a habit of approaching the Bible with humility and a willingness to be taught and corrected? What practical steps can you take this week to start this habit? [18:27]
5. Think about a promise from God’s Word that you are holding onto. How does the assurance of Scripture's infallibility strengthen your trust in that promise? [19:52]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you need guidance or correction. How can you seek wisdom from the Bible to address this area? [20:29]
7. Reflect on a person in your life who might benefit from hearing the Word of God. What is one way you can share Scripture with them this week to encourage their spiritual growth? [21:02]
Devotional
Day 1: The Bible Speaks Today
The Bible is not just a historical document or a collection of ancient wisdom; it is the living, breathing Word of God. It is inspired, inerrant, and infallible, meaning it is God-breathed, without error, and never failing. This understanding is crucial for anyone who seeks to live a life under the authority of Scripture. The Bible is not just a book to be critiqued or evaluated alongside other texts; it stands above us, demanding our attention, belief, and obedience. The Bible's inspiration means that it is God-breathed, and because God is unchanging, what He has spoken in the past is what He speaks to us today. This is evident in the way Scripture is quoted in the New Testament, using the present tense to indicate that God's Word is active and relevant now. The Bible is not just a record of what God has said; it is what God is saying to us today. [12:45]
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you make space in your daily routine to listen to what God is saying to you through His Word today?
Day 2: Approach the Bible with Humility
Scripture is inerrant, meaning it is without error because it is God-breathed. This truth shapes how we approach the Bible, requiring us to come with humility and a willingness to be taught and corrected. The inerrancy of Scripture follows from its inspiration. If God has breathed out His Word, it must be without error. This is not just a theological stance but a practical one, as it shapes how we approach the Bible. We must come to it with humble hearts, ready to be taught, corrected, and equipped for every good work. [15:39]
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to allow Scripture to correct and teach you today?
Day 3: Trust in God's Unfailing Promises
The infallibility of the Bible assures us that God's promises will never fail. Unlike human plans or timetables, which can err, God's Word delivers on all that it promises. This is why the Bible is central to evangelism, discipleship, and pastoral care. It is the living seed that brings new life, sustains that life, and equips believers for every good work. The infallibility of Scripture assures us that God's promises will never fail. Unlike human plans, God's Word delivers on all it promises, making it central to evangelism, discipleship, and pastoral care. [19:52]
"So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11, ESV)
Reflection: What is one promise from God’s Word that you need to hold onto today, trusting that it will not fail?
Day 4: The Bible Above All
Our posture towards the Bible—whether we see it as beneath, beside, or above us—will shape our ministry. Viewing it as above us ensures that we live and minister under its authority. In ministry, our posture towards the Bible will shape our effectiveness. We can view it as beneath us, beside us, or above us. The correct posture is to see it as above us, guiding and directing our lives and ministries. This was exemplified by Billy Graham, who, despite doubts and questions, chose to accept the Bible as God's Word by faith, leading to a transformative ministry. [28:25]
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)
Reflection: How can you ensure that the Bible remains the guiding authority in your decisions and actions today?
Day 5: Faith in the Transformative Power of Scripture
Faith in the Bible as God's Word can transform our lives and ministries, as exemplified by Billy Graham. Despite doubts, choosing to accept the Bible by faith leads to a deeper sense of God's presence and power. The Bible is central to evangelism, discipleship, and pastoral care. It is the living seed that brings new life, sustains that life, and equips believers for every good work. [31:54]
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17, ESV)
Reflection: What step of faith can you take today to allow the transformative power of Scripture to work more deeply in your life?
Quotes
The Bible is the word of God irrespective of our feelings about it. The Bible is God's word whether we read it or whether we ignore it, whether we like it or whether we loathe it, whether we believe it or whether we despise it. This is really important in answering the person who says, well, I read the Bible, but I don't feel that God is speaking to me. Well, the Bible doesn't become the word of God when I feel it is speaking to me. It is the word of God. [00:10:00]
We believe that God has spoken in his word, that all scripture is breathed out by God, and God never changes. And since God has spoken, since the scripture is breathed out by God himself, it follows that what God said in the scripture is what God says to us today. The Bible is more than the word that God has spoken; it really is the word that God speaks to us today. [00:12:13]
Now, never underestimate the danger of a diminished view of scripture. Listen to these words of our Lord Jesus: If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my word? Now, you will meet many people who profess to be Christians who would say that they believe in the Bible, but they don't buy all this stuff about inherency. [00:17:00]
We have to come to the word of God with humble hearts and with a true recognition of our position before him. God, I don't even know you, and so I need you to make yourself known to me through your word. Lord, the truth's not in me, so I need you to teach me through your word. Lord, I do not have faith; I need you to give me faith through your word. [00:18:27]
The word infallible, which simply means never failing, is a wonderful truth that God always delivers what he has promised in his word. Think about that railway timetable. A railway timetable could be in error, but if the train didn't arrive on time, it would prove to be fallible. The timetable does not have the power to deliver what it promises, but the Bible is the word of God, and God delivers on all that he promises. [00:19:15]
Think about it: the word of God is the living seed that brings new life. In 1 Peter chapter 1 and verse 23, we read these words: You have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God. Now, you see what Peter's doing. He's using the analogy of how a human life begins. [00:21:05]
Faith comes from hearing, and hearing comes through the word of Christ. So make sure that the Bible is at the center of any plan that you adopt for evangelism. And then think about this in regard to discipleship: all scripture is breathed out by God, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. [00:22:40]
The Bible should not be evaluated in the light of what others have said. No, what others have said needs to be evaluated in the light of the Bible. So I hope and pray that you will be among those who see that the Bible is above us. Some years ago, I was invited to speak at a conference for pastors in India. [00:27:09]
Billy Graham tells about how he did this and about how it transformed his ministry. He had started out confident that the Bible is the word of God, and then he read some authors who didn't believe this, and he had a friend, Chuck Templeton, who was telling him that not everything in the Bible was true. [00:30:00]
Billy Graham says, I acted as if I was on the rack. Well, he tells us in his autobiography that one night he went out into the forest. He came to a tree stump, and he knelt down with his Bible on the stump in front of him. Oh God, he said, there are many things in this book I do not understand. [00:31:04]
Father, I am going to accept this as thy word by faith. I'm going to allow faith to go beyond my intellectual questions and doubts, and I will believe this to be your inspired word. And this is Billy Graham's testimony, and I quote: When I got up from my knees that August night, my eyes stung with tears. I sensed the presence and power of God as I had not sensed it for months. [00:31:49]
God speaks through the Bible, and if you will open the Bible, God will speak through you. [00:32:42]
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