THE BIBLE – GOD’S REVEALED WORD
From a Women’s Study, Fall, 2018, Pastor Mike Schuelke
Hebrews 1:1-2— In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at
many times and in various ways, [2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his
Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the
universe.
In what various ways did God speak in the times past?
1. God’s Word Is Inspired – What does “inspired” mean?
a. It is not invented by men.
2 Peter 1:16— We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you
about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were
eyewitnesses of his majesty.
b. Men spoke God’s Word by the power of the Holy Spirit
2 Peter 1:20-21— Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of
Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. [21] For prophecy
never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were
carried along by the Holy Spirit.
c. God’s Word is God-Breathed.
2 Tim. 3:16-17— All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,
rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, [17] so that the man of God
may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2. Holy Inspired Men Put God’s Word into Writing
Old Testament Writings
a. Moses—Deuteronomy 27:3— Write on them all the words of this law when you
have crossed over to enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, a land
flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers,
promised you.
b. Jeremiah 30:2-3—”This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Write in a book
all the words I have spoken to you. [3] The days are coming,’ declares the
Lord, ‘when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity and
restore them to the land I gave their forefathers to possess,’ says the Lord.
c. Habakkuk 2:2— Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make
it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.
New Testament Writings
a. Jesus’ Promise—John 14:25-26—”All this I have spoken while still with you. [26]
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will
teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 16:12-13—I have much more to say to you, more than you can now
bear. [13] But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all
truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he
will tell you what is yet to come.
1). His words: the Gospels, 2). Guidance in truth: Epistles, 3). What is to come:
Revelation of the future. In other words, Jesus promised the New Testament
writings.
b. Gospels are inspired, yet carefully investigated and written.
Luke 1:1-4—Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that
have been fulfilled among us, [2] just as they were handed down to us by
those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. [3]
Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the
beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you,
most excellent Theophilus, [4] so that you may know the certainty of the things
you have been taught.
c. New Testament Writings equal with Old Testament Scripture
2 Peter 3:15-16—Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as
our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. [16]
He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His
letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and
unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own
destruction.
3. The Scriptures Have Authority
a. Because it is God speaking in and through them—Jeremiah 23:28-29—Let the
prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word
speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the Lord. [29]
“Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a
rock in pieces?
b. Because they will not pass away—Matthew 24:35—Heaven and earth will
pass away, but my words will never pass away.
4. We are called to pay attention to His Word—2 Peter 1:19-21—And we have the word
of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a
light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your
hearts. [20] Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about
by the prophet’s own interpretation. [21] For prophecy never had its origin in the will of
man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
5. The Holy Spirit Helps Us Understand the Bible – 1 Corinthians 2:10-12—but God has
revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
[11] For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within
him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. [12]
We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we
may understand what God has freely given us.
What is your practice of reading the Bible?
When you read the Bible, do you understand what you read?
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