The Sufficiency of Scripture: Our Guiding Authority
Summary
The doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture is a pivotal aspect of our faith, where our belief in the authority of Scripture is truly tested. It's one thing to affirm that the Bible is God's Word and to declare its truth, but the real challenge lies in living out the belief that Scripture is sufficient for all aspects of life. This conviction is not universally shared, especially in the context of modernity and post-modernity, where human rationality and a plurality of voices often overshadow the singular voice of Scripture. As believers, we must differentiate ourselves from these cultural pressures and affirm that Scripture alone is our guide.
The sufficiency of Scripture does not imply that it is exhaustive in every detail of life, such as how to use modern technology. However, it is sufficient for guiding us in matters of faith, life, and godliness. This is particularly relevant in areas like family and parenting, where cultural voices can subtly undermine our reliance on Scripture. We must remind ourselves that Scripture is the living and abiding Word of God, as emphasized in 2 Peter 1:3, which tells us that God's divine power has granted us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him.
Peter's description of Scripture as "precious and very great promises" highlights its unique and enduring nature. Unlike the temporal and visible things of this world, the Word of God remains forever. This eternal nature of Scripture is contrasted with the fleeting beauty of the world, as illustrated in Isaiah 40. The sufficiency of Scripture is also the sufficiency of the gospel, the good news that was preached to us, which is the ultimate message of hope and salvation.
In our culture, it's easy to be swayed by the achievements and humanitarian efforts of society, but we must remember that the true good news is found in the gospel. Our belief in the sufficiency of Scripture is demonstrated not only in our personal submission to God's Word but also in our commitment to preach it with urgency. People desperately need this good news, and it is our task to proclaim it boldly.
Key Takeaways:
- The sufficiency of Scripture challenges us to live out our belief in its authority, distinguishing ourselves from cultural pressures that prioritize human rationality and a plurality of voices over the singular voice of Scripture. [00:18]
- While Scripture is not exhaustive in every detail of modern life, it is sufficient for guiding us in matters of faith, life, and godliness, particularly in areas like family and parenting where cultural voices can subtly undermine our reliance on Scripture. [06:41]
- The eternal nature of Scripture, as described in 2 Peter 1 and Isaiah 40, contrasts with the temporal beauty of the world, reminding us that the Word of God remains forever and is the ultimate source of hope and salvation. [15:17]
- Our belief in the sufficiency of Scripture is demonstrated through our personal submission to God's Word and our commitment to preach it with urgency, recognizing that people desperately need the good news of the gospel. [22:42]
- The sufficiency of Scripture is also the sufficiency of the gospel, the good news that was preached to us, which is the ultimate message of hope and salvation, transcending the temporal achievements and humanitarian efforts of society. [23:58]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - Introduction to the Sufficiency of Scripture
[00:55] - The Importance of Paying Attention
[01:28] - Scripture as a Sufficient Guide
[02:51] - Modernity and Post-modernity Challenges
[04:51] - Distinctiveness of Christian Belief
[06:01] - Subtle Cultural Influences
[07:05] - Raising Families with Scripture
[08:23] - 2 Peter 1:3 and Sufficiency
[09:49] - Precious Promises of Scripture
[11:47] - Eternal Nature of God's Word
[14:44] - Isaiah 40 and the Good News
[17:10] - Comfort and Deliverance in Isaiah
[20:22] - God's Personal Deliverance
[22:42] - Urgency of Preaching the Gospel
[23:58] - Conclusion: Gratitude and Obedience
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Sufficiency of Scripture
Bible Reading:
1. 2 Peter 1:3-4
2. 1 Peter 1:22-25
3. Isaiah 40:6-8
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 2 Peter 1:3, what has God's divine power granted to us, and how does this relate to the sufficiency of Scripture? [09:09]
2. In 1 Peter 1:22-25, how does Peter describe the Word of God, and what is its significance in the life of a believer? [14:13]
3. What contrast does Isaiah 40:6-8 draw between the Word of God and the temporal things of the world? [15:17]
4. How does the sermon describe the cultural pressures that challenge the sufficiency of Scripture? [04:51]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "all things that pertain to life and godliness" in 2 Peter 1:3 challenge modern and post-modern views of knowledge and truth? [09:49]
2. In what ways does the eternal nature of God's Word, as described in 1 Peter 1:23-25, provide hope and assurance to believers? [14:44]
3. How does the sermon suggest that cultural voices can subtly undermine our reliance on Scripture, particularly in areas like family and parenting? [07:05]
4. What does the sermon imply about the urgency of preaching the gospel in light of the sufficiency of Scripture? [22:42]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you relied on cultural advice over Scripture in a personal decision. How might you approach a similar situation differently now? [06:01]
2. Consider the areas of your life where you might be tempted to seek guidance outside of Scripture. How can you intentionally turn to God's Word for direction in these areas? [08:23]
3. The sermon emphasizes the eternal nature of God's Word. How can you incorporate more Scripture into your daily routine to remind yourself of its enduring truth? [15:47]
4. In what ways can you demonstrate your belief in the sufficiency of Scripture through your actions and decisions this week? [22:42]
5. Identify a specific cultural pressure you face that challenges your reliance on Scripture. What steps can you take to resist this pressure and affirm the authority of God's Word? [04:51]
6. How can you actively participate in sharing the good news of the gospel with urgency, as encouraged in the sermon? [23:16]
7. Think of a family or parenting challenge you are currently facing. How can you apply biblical principles to address this challenge, rather than relying solely on modern advice? [07:05]
Devotional
Day 1: The Singular Voice of Scripture in a Pluralistic World
In a world where human rationality and a multitude of voices often overshadow the singular voice of Scripture, believers are called to live out their belief in the authority and sufficiency of God's Word. This means distinguishing ourselves from cultural pressures that prioritize human wisdom over divine revelation. The sufficiency of Scripture challenges us to trust in its guidance for all aspects of life, affirming that it is not just a historical document but a living and active guide for our faith and practice. As we navigate the complexities of modernity and post-modernity, we must hold fast to the truth that Scripture alone is our ultimate authority. [00:18]
Jeremiah 17:5-8 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.'"
Reflection: In what ways have you allowed cultural voices to overshadow the voice of Scripture in your life? How can you begin to prioritize God's Word as your ultimate guide today?
Day 2: Scripture's Guidance in Family and Parenting
While Scripture may not provide exhaustive details for every modern challenge, it is sufficient for guiding us in matters of faith, life, and godliness. This is especially true in areas like family and parenting, where cultural voices can subtly undermine our reliance on Scripture. As believers, we are called to raise our families with a foundation rooted in God's Word, trusting that it provides the wisdom and guidance needed for nurturing faith and character in our children. By relying on Scripture, we can resist the subtle influences of culture and remain steadfast in our commitment to biblical principles. [06:41]
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
Reflection: How can you incorporate Scripture into your daily family life in a way that nurtures faith and character in your children or those you influence?
Day 3: The Eternal Nature of God's Word
The eternal nature of Scripture, as described in 2 Peter 1 and Isaiah 40, stands in stark contrast to the fleeting beauty of the world. While the temporal achievements and visible things of this world may captivate our attention, they are ultimately transient. In contrast, the Word of God remains forever, offering us the ultimate source of hope and salvation. As believers, we are reminded that the promises of Scripture are "precious and very great," providing us with a firm foundation that transcends the temporary nature of worldly pursuits. [15:17]
1 Peter 1:24-25 (ESV): "For 'All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.' And this word is the good news that was preached to you."
Reflection: What temporary pursuits or achievements have you been prioritizing over the eternal promises of God's Word? How can you shift your focus to what truly lasts?
Day 4: Urgency in Proclaiming the Gospel
Our belief in the sufficiency of Scripture is demonstrated through our personal submission to God's Word and our commitment to preach it with urgency. In a world that desperately needs the good news of the gospel, we are called to proclaim it boldly and without hesitation. The gospel is the ultimate message of hope and salvation, transcending the temporal achievements and humanitarian efforts of society. As believers, we must recognize the urgency of sharing this message, knowing that it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. [22:42]
2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV): "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the good news of the gospel? How can you take a step today to share this message with them?
Day 5: The Gospel as the Ultimate Message of Hope
The sufficiency of Scripture is also the sufficiency of the gospel, the good news that was preached to us. This message of hope and salvation transcends the temporal achievements and humanitarian efforts of society. While the world may offer temporary solutions and fleeting comforts, the gospel provides the ultimate answer to the deepest needs of the human heart. As believers, we are called to live in gratitude and obedience to this message, recognizing that it is the power of God for salvation and the foundation of our faith. [23:58]
Colossians 1:5-6 (ESV): "Because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth."
Reflection: How does the gospel provide hope in your current circumstances? In what ways can you live out this hope in gratitude and obedience today?
Quotes
It’s one thing to affirm that the Bible is God’s Word; it’s one thing to say, “Scripture is true,” we might even be willing to write our signature at the bottom of the Chicago Statement on Inerrancy, but where we see that belief in the authority of Scripture working itself out is in this discussion of the sufficiency of Scripture. [00:00:25]
Pay attention to the context, pay attention to what the triune God is teaching you, and pay attention to your life. But the idea of paying attention to our life and what Scripture says as that mirror of God’s Word reflects back on us, as God’s Word works in us and on us, that has a basic assumption, and that assumption is that Scripture alone is our sufficient guide for life. [00:01:21]
Now, as believers, and as believers who hold to inerrancy, we affirm these doctrines. We say we are distinct from our culture, we don’t share the same commitments with modernity when it comes to the autonomy of human rationality, or we don’t share the same commitments of modernity to science, we appreciate science, and we see the legitimacy of science, but we don’t see science as an idol. [00:05:02]
Now, obviously to say that Scripture is sufficient doesn’t say it’s exhaustive. Scripture doesn’t tell us how to drive a car. Scripture doesn’t tell us how to use our cell phone -- I don’t know how to use my cell phone, because Scripture doesn’t tell me, so I don’t know how to use my -- but there are these things that are part, but that’s not what I’m talking about. [00:06:35]
Let’s just take the example of our families and raising our kids. This is a challenge, raising kids. It seems like it’s harder these days than it used to be, I don’t know, maybe that’s just because I’m a parent now, but raising kids isn’t an easy business. And you know there are a ton, literally, a ton of voices out there that want to tell you how you should be raising your kids. [00:06:58]
What we have to remind ourselves, what we have to come back to, is that Scripture alone is the living and abiding and true Word, and it is sufficient. There’s a fascinating discussion of this in 2 Peter 1. Now, we looked at 2 Peter 1 earlier, we looked at the end of Second Peter chapter 1, but I want to go to earlier in the chapter at verse 3. [00:08:23]
And here we find Peter telling us that: “His,” God’s, “divine power,” this is 2 Peter chapter 1, verse 3: “God’s divine power has granted to us all things.” Now, let’s write that down -- all things. Ta panta -- all things. It doesn’t really leave a lot out, does it, to say “all things”? “All things that pertain to godliness.” [00:08:58]
“Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth,” see Peter was listening when Jesus gave that high priestly prayer in John seventeen when he said, “Sanctify them through Thy Word, Thy Word is truth,” Peter was listening to that. “For sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.” Now, that’s the main verb of these verses, from verse 22 to 25, the main verb is -- now see here’s context, and these are the kinds of questions we have to ask as we interpret, what is the point? [00:12:22]
The grass withers, the flower falls, but the Word of the Lord remains forever.” It’s a contrast. The contrast is between what is visible and what is temporal, and what is invisible and what is eternal. And we get so caught up in the temporal. Here’s those other voices that seem so attractive. Here are those other voices that seem so appealing, and we’re tempted to go off and listen to them, aren’t we? [00:15:25]
The Sufficiency of Scripture tells us that Scripture alone is the good news. It is the good news. Now, it seems like Peter ended quoting from Isaiah, the quote is only verse 24 and 25 a, and then in 25 b, Peter makes his own comment, “And this word is the good news that was preached to you.” He still has Isaiah 40 on his mind, though. [00:16:34]
We believe in the sufficiency of Scripture when we say in reverent humility, “I’m going to submit to God’s word, I’m going to read it, I’m going to seek to apply it in my life, and by the guidance and help of the Holy Spirit I will seek to live it out in my life.” We also believe in the sufficiency of Scripture when we take this task of preaching it with the utmost urgency. [00:22:42]
The good news is get yourself up to a high mountain and say, “Behold your God.” And yes, He will judge; but He also comes to lift you up as a lamb and carry you. Do we believe that the gospel is the good news? That’s the sufficiency of Scripture. Well, revelation: where would we be without it? We’d be lost in darkness, but we have it, and our simple response is gratitude and submission in obedience to God’s word as God’s Word is at work within us. [00:23:58]
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