A lot of people do not see the importance of the Bible. But it is not unmportant to Christians. We believe in it, as the saying goes, "from cover to cover." No matter who thinks that the Bible is unimportant, it is still important. Why?
I. Verse 16a - The Bible is important because it was/is inspired. A. "Inspiration" literally means "God-breathed." (Clarified in 1 Peter 1:20-21) 1. I have no technical knowledge of how the Holy Spirit inspired these men, but He did it. 2. The Holy Spirit does not make mistakes. B. The Bible is a unique gift of God to us of the revelation of Himself. 1. What we really know about God is what has been revealed in scripture. 2. We can't make God be just what we want Him to be C. Hopefully, the Bible that you hold in your hand is in your heart and head. II. Verse 16b - The Bible is important because it is profitable. A. It is profitable for doctrine - What we believe. 1. What we believe must be based on the Bible. 2. We have no choice as to whether or not God is the creator, that Jesus came to save us from our sins, etc. B. It is profitable for reproof and correction. 1. Reproof means that the Bible tells us about right and wrong, and that it reproves us when we do wrong. We base morality on the Bible. 2. Correction means that if an action contradicts the Bible it is to be corrected. C. It is profitable for instruction in righteousness. 1. The Bible tells us that we are not righteous, but that our righteousness is imputed - given through faith in Christ. 2. Imputed righteousness is to be lived out by us and affect our behavior. III. Verse 17 - The Bible is important because it matures us. A. The word "perfect" here means complete or mature. 1. We mature in the faith as we grow in our knowledge of the bible. 2. If we are not growing in the faith, it is because we are not heeding the Bible. B. The Bible thoroughly prepares us to do good works. 1. The Bible prepares us to work for the Lord. 2. The Bible puts us to work for the Lord, witnessing and ministering..... C. If you want to mature in your faith read and study the Bible. There is no substitute for it. The Bible is important for all of these reasons. If we are to be growing, effective Christians, we will have to be familiar with the Bible. We must choose the Bible over Oprah, TV sitcoms, hollywood hotshots and the collected wisdom of the world.
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All of these materials are free of charge. There is no copyright on them and you are free to use them as you see fit. I am happy to be of assitance to you in your preaching/teaching minstry.
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