Following morning worship, we will honor our two graduates, Christian Stewart and William Whitworth, with a luncheon. Meat and drinks will be provided by the church. Please bring a side dish to share.
Scripture
2 Tim. 3:14-4:4 (ESV)
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it [15] and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. [16] All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. [4:1] I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: [2] preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. [3] For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, [4] and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
"Back to the Bible" was one of the major cries of the reformers. Where does authority and truth come from? Does it come from natural reason, the traditions of the church, the decisions and statements of church councils, or only from the Bible? The consistent belief of all the Reformers was that ultimate authority comes only from the Word of God, i.e. Holy Scripture. "Don't tell me what natural reason, the traditions of the church, church councils say," they claimed. "Tell me what the Bible says!"
After their careful study of the statements of Scripture, they concluded that Scripture is organic and has produced an infallible source of truth for us. But they also went another step and insisted that the believer not only profess confidence in the authority of the Bible but also use it to guide thinking and living. 2 Kings 22 tells us the story of how Josiah put the Bible to work. Nehemiah 8-9 also tells us of another such instance.
Questions for Reflection
1. How long had Timothy known the holy Scriptures?
2. What are the holy Scriptures able to do?
3. What is true of all Scripture?
4. For what is Scripture useful?
5. For what good work does the Scripture equip the person of God?
6. What does it mean that the Bible is God-breathed?
7. In what sorts of ways should we use the Bible?
8. How equipped are you to do every good work?
9. How can you use the Bible in your own spiritual growth this week?
