The Authority and Unity of Scripture in Salvation

Devotional

Day 1: The Bible as a Unified Revelation

The Bible, composed of both the Old and New Testaments, is a singular, unified revelation from God. It is not a collection of separate books but a cohesive narrative that reveals God's grand purpose and plan for salvation. This revelation is complete, and there is no need for additional revelations or doctrines that contradict or add to what has already been given. The Bible is our sole authority, and everything we believe and practice must be grounded in its teachings. Understanding the Bible as a unified whole helps us to see the consistency and continuity of God's message throughout history. [33:24]

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding of the Bible as a unified narrative this week? Consider setting aside time to read a passage from both the Old and New Testaments each day.

Day 2: The Old Testament's Role in God's Plan

The Old Testament is essential for understanding the full scope of God's plan. It provides the foundation upon which the New Testament is built, and its teachings on sacrifice, atonement, and God's justice are fulfilled in the New Testament through the life and work of Jesus Christ. By interpreting the New Testament in light of the Old Testament, we ensure that our understanding of salvation and God's nature is consistent with the entire biblical narrative. The Old Testament's teachings are not obsolete but are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of God's redemptive work. [35:41]

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." (Matthew 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: What is one Old Testament story or teaching that you can revisit this week to gain a deeper understanding of its fulfillment in the New Testament?

Day 3: Salvation as Part of God's Larger Purpose

Salvation is not merely a personal experience but part of God's larger purpose for the world. The Old Testament emphasizes this world purpose, reminding us that God's plan encompasses all of creation. Our view of salvation must reflect this, recognizing that it fulfills the law and leads to a life of holiness and obedience to God. By understanding salvation in this broader context, we align ourselves with God's overarching plan and purpose for humanity and creation. [42:26]

"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:14, ESV)

Reflection: How does your understanding of salvation influence your daily actions and interactions with others? Consider one way you can live out this broader view of salvation today.

Day 4: True Evangelism and Revival

True evangelism is about proclaiming God's truth and calling people to repentance, not just solving individual problems. Revivals are acts of God, not human efforts, and they remind us of God's sovereignty and power to renew and restore. Evangelism and revival are deeply rooted in the teachings of the Old Testament, emphasizing the need for repentance and the proclamation of God's truth. By focusing on these aspects, we align our efforts with God's work in the world. [45:19]

"Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!" (1 Chronicles 16:24, ESV)

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can share God's truth with this week? Pray for an opportunity to speak to them about God's love and call to repentance.

Day 5: Comfort and Encouragement from the Old Testament

The Old Testament offers comfort and encouragement, teaching us patience and trust in God's timing. Despite the challenges and uncertainties we face, we can find hope in the scriptures, knowing that God's ways are higher than ours and that His purposes will ultimately prevail. The stories and teachings of the Old Testament remind us of God's faithfulness and sovereignty, providing us with the assurance that He is in control and working for our good. [48:00]

"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" (Psalm 27:14, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust in God's timing? Spend time in prayer, asking God to help you find comfort and patience in His Word.

Sermon Summary

The essence of our faith is rooted in the completeness and authority of the Bible. The Bible, composed of both the Old and New Testaments, is a singular, unified revelation from God. It is not a collection of separate books but a cohesive narrative that reveals God's grand purpose and plan for salvation. This revelation is complete, and there is no need for additional revelations or doctrines that contradict or add to what has already been given. The Bible is our sole authority, and everything we believe and practice must be grounded in its teachings.

The Old Testament is as essential to our faith as the New Testament. It provides the foundation upon which the New Testament is built, and it is crucial for understanding the full scope of God's plan. The Old Testament's teachings on sacrifice, atonement, and God's justice are fulfilled in the New Testament through the life and work of Jesus Christ. We must interpret the New Testament in light of the Old Testament, ensuring that our understanding of salvation and God's nature is consistent with the entire biblical narrative.

Salvation is not merely a personal experience but part of God's larger purpose for the world. The Old Testament emphasizes this world purpose, reminding us that God's plan encompasses all of creation. Our view of salvation must reflect this, recognizing that it fulfills the law and leads to a life of holiness and obedience to God.

Evangelism and revival are also deeply rooted in the teachings of the Old Testament. True evangelism is not about solving individual problems but about proclaiming God's truth and calling people to repentance. Revivals are acts of God, not human efforts, and they remind us of God's sovereignty and power to renew and restore.

Finally, the Old Testament offers comfort and encouragement, teaching us patience and trust in God's timing. Despite the challenges and uncertainties we face, we can find hope in the scriptures, knowing that God's ways are higher than ours and that His purposes will ultimately prevail.

Key Takeaways

1. The Bible is a complete and unified revelation from God, and there is no need for additional revelations or doctrines that contradict its teachings. It is our sole authority, and everything we believe and practice must be grounded in its teachings. [33:24]
2. The Old Testament is essential for understanding the full scope of God's plan. It provides the foundation for the New Testament, and its teachings on sacrifice, atonement, and God's justice are fulfilled in the life and work of Jesus Christ. [35:41]
3. Salvation is part of God's larger purpose for the world, and our view of salvation must reflect this. It fulfills the law and leads to a life of holiness and obedience to God. [42:26]
4. True evangelism is about proclaiming God's truth and calling people to repentance, not just solving individual problems. Revivals are acts of God, reminding us of His sovereignty and power to renew and restore. [45:19]
5. The Old Testament offers comfort and encouragement, teaching us patience and trust in God's timing. Despite challenges and uncertainties, we can find hope in the scriptures, knowing that God's ways are higher than ours. [48:00]
** [48:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[31:52] - The Completeness of Revelation
[32:39] - Authority of the Bible
[33:24] - No Addition to Scripture
[34:13] - Bible as Sole Authority
[35:02] - Unity of Old and New Testaments
[35:41] - Importance of the Old Testament
[37:16] - Interpreting the New Testament
[39:25] - The Doctrine of Atonement
[41:24] - Fulfillment of the Old Testament
[43:58] - World Purpose in Salvation
[45:05] - Evangelism and Revivals
[46:58] - God's Sovereignty in Revival
[48:18] - Comfort in the Old Testament
[52:00] - Closing Prayer

Sermon Clips

we must never add to this Revelation and that is our Protestant answer to the Roman Catholic Church their whole position is of course that since the end of this Cannon God has continued to speak through those who are the successor successors of the Apostles to which we have already replied that there is no such thing as a successor to the Apostle by definition [00:31:33]

there is no successor to the Apostle very well though we are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets there's no addition to the foundation that's laid once and forever you build upon it you never add to it there is no fresh Revelation so that we do not worship the Virgin Mary we do not believe in the Immaculate Conception [00:32:25]

everything therefore that claims to be Revelation must be tested by this so we reject the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception we reject the doctrine likely likewise of the Assumption and all these various other things which they claim for which they claim Divine and unique Authority it is a violation of the scriptures teaching about itself [00:33:20]

the Bible is authoritative it's the only Authority it is our only Rule and standard and we must abide by its teaching in every respect my message must always come from the Bible and from nowhere else further my methods must Al also come from this my whole activity in the things of God must be determined by the bible message and Method [00:33:59]

I must not believe anything unless it is either plainly stated in the scriptures or else can be legitimately deduced from the scriptures and if neither of those applies I must reject it it is not a part of the truth of God I have no Authority but this but this is my authority and I must never go outside it [00:34:47]

the Old Testament is obviously therefore essential we cannot dispense with the Old Testament because we are Christians and because we are living in what we call the New Testament dispensation you know there were certain Heretics in the early church who thought they could they of course we don't need the Old Testament that was the Jews religion [00:35:41]

our interpretation of the New Testament must never contradict the teaching of the Old Testament now that is really serious this tendency to put a wedge between the two has often led to that let me repeat my principle we must never interpret the New Testament in such a way or manner as to bring it into contradiction with the Old Testament [00:37:20]

the whole teaching of the Old Testament is experation punishment of sin that a holy God must that blood must be shed that a sacrifice and an offering must be presented and if I interpret the death in the New Testament apart from those terms of sacrifice and experation my interpretation is wrong you see the importance of holding onto your Old Testament [00:40:18]

Salvation is personal thank God but it's much more God has got a purpose for the whole world and you'll see it in chapter 11 of this epistle to the Romans the fullness of the Gentiles all Israel the complete plan never lose sight of that the Old Testament emphasizes that because it gives you a picture in its first 11 chapters of Genesis [00:44:01]

the business of evangelism is not just to solve people's problems psychology does that the Cults do that many things do that that the thing that separates this from every other teaching is this that it is primarily a proclamation of God and your relationship to God not your particular problems but the problem that is common to all of us [00:45:16]

there is nothing more comforting and more encouraging to the Christian than to be familiar with the Old Testament scriptures Paul you see puts it like this in this very epistle in chapter 15:4 for whatsoever things were written before time were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope [00:48:00]

put yourself and everything that is of concern to you entirely in the hands of God his ways are strange you remember he tells us through Isaiah that he says my ways are not your ways no your thoughts my thoughts his ways and thoughts are higher than ours as the heavens are higher than the earth put your case into his hand [00:49:57]

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