A High View of Scripture
A High View of Scripture
Ephesians 2:19-22
Sunday PM Service 5-27-07
Text
Ephesians 2:19-22 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. NASB
Introduction
Tonight I won’t be talking about anything you don’t already know but as Peter said, “I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them.” And as the Apostle Paul told the Philippians, “To say the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.” So tonight, I want to renew our minds to some things that we already know but which are absolutely essential for progress and growth. I believe there are two foundational and essential things that must be present in order for a church or an individual to grow spiritually, those two things are: “A High View of God” and “A High View of Scripture”. Tonight I want us to consider the second of these, the need for “A High View of Scripture”.
As the passage we just read from Ephesians indicates the church is built on the foundation of Scripture. This is what Paul means when he states that God’s household has, “been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit”. (Expound – “the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone” = Scripture, particularly the N.T.).
In discussing a High View of Scripture there are many things we could talk about, this evening, however, I want us to focus our thoughts on obtaining a high view of Scripture by noting the priority and authority that Scripture must have in our churches and our lives in order for genuine spiritual growth to take place.
If we are going to have and maintain a high and proper view of our God, the first essential for spiritual growth, then we are going to have to have an on going encounter with our God. So, how are we going to do that? How are we going to see our God and be brought into a continuing, ongoing, encounter with Him?
– Are we going to see Him in a dream like Daniel? – I doubt it.
– Are we going to see Him in a vision like Isaiah did in Isaiah 6? – I doubt it.
– Are we going to come into His presence like the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus? – I doubt it.
– How then? How or where are we going to meet our God and come into His living presence? Where does our God confront us today? It is in His living Word as we prayerfully meditate on it.
Remember how the author of Hebrews describes God’s Word – Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Scripture is not just written words in a book like a novel or a textbook. Scripture is alive and active, it is powerful, and God speaks in a personal and lively way to His people through His Holy Word. Through God’s Word we can come face-to-face with our God. This is why His Word must have priority and authority in our lives.
So, what do I mean by priority and authority? By “priority” I am referring to the level of importance which we place on God’s Word. How important God’s word is in our lives. Another way to say this would be how important is it for us to know God’s Word in detail? That is what I mean by “priority”. By “authority” I am referring to our level of acceptance of God’s Word. To what degree do we believe and obey God’s Word? To what degree do we really believe that God’s word is sufficient? Another way to say this would be how much are we willing to let God’s Word be the sole rule in our lives? Both things, priority & authority, must be present for growth to take place. For growth to take place God’s Word has to be important enough to us to find out what God has said, and then once we find out, we must be willing to obey. This evening we will briefly discuss both of these matters beginning with:
The Priority of Scripture
Just how important should Scripture be to us? Or, said another way, just how important is it for us to know God’s Word in detail?
Well, the first thing I would say about this matter is that we can’t believe or obey God’s Word if we don’t know it. That’s just common sense. So common sense tells us that it is of utmost importance for us to know God’s Word in detail.
Second, Scripture itself commands us to know God’s Word and it commands us to know it for several specific reasons. Note the several reasons that Scripture commands us to know God’s Word. We are commanded to know it for:
Spiritual Success
Note, Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Knowing and keeping God’s Word results in spiritual success. Next note that we are commanded to know God’s Word for:
Spiritual Growth
Note, 1 Peter 2:1-2 1 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation. In these verses Peter commands us to start desiring the word if we want to grow. It is the Word of God that is the food of Spiritual growth. After all he had been through, note how Job expressed this necessity, Job 23:12 I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. (Expound and note we have to start eating to grow). Next note that we are commanded to know God’s Word for:
Spiritual Service
Note, Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. The Greek construction that Paul uses in this verse commands us to continually, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you”. The point is this, in order for the spiritual service commanded in Col. 3:16 to take place, the Word of God must continuously dwell in us, or literally, continuously fill us up. It is being continually filled up with the Word of God that enables us for Spiritual service. Next note that we are instructed to know God’s Word to:
Protect Us From Sin
Note, Psalm 119:9-11 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy word. 10 With all my heart I have sought Thee; Do not let me wander from Thy commandments. 11 Thy word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against Thee. It is God’s Word that identifies sin for us and works within us through God’s power to enable us to resist the sin which continuously entices us. Next note that we are instructed to know God’s Word because:
It Is the Only Objective Source of Absolute Truth
This is Paul’s point in Romans 3:3-4 3 What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? 4 May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, “That Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, And mightest prevail when Thou art judged.” Every person, and anything a person may say is subject to error. But God’s Word is always true, always right, always 100% reliable. Proverbs makes this same point in:
Proverbs 30:5-6 5 Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. 6 Do not add to His words Lest He reprove you, and you be proved a liar. Every Word of God is tested and proven true, and if we try to add to it or take away from it, we are going to be wrong and subject to God’s chastening.
That God’s Word is the only objective source of absolute truth is stated clearly by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:9-13 9 but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” 10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. (Expound). Another important reason for knowing God’s Word is that:
It Is A Source of Joy
Jeremiah 15:16 Thy words were found and I ate them, And Thy words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Thy name, O Lord God of hosts. There is great joy in knowing God’s Word. His Word provides us with a source of Joy that can be found no where else.
Ignorance Is No Excuse
The final point I would make concerning our need and obligation to know God’s Word is that we must know it because God does not allow the excuse of ignorance. You have probably heard the old saying, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse”, which demonstrates that even man’s law does not allow ignorance as an excuse for lawbreaking. Ignorance of God’s Word is not an acceptable excuse for not obeying it because God has made it available to us and expects us to search it out and know it. The Scripture makes it clear that we are responsible and accountable for knowing God’s Word. Note:
Proverbs 14:18 The naive inherit folly, But the prudent are crowned with knowledge. This verse shows us that the naïve, those who don’t know, are held accountable for their naïveté, for their not knowing.
Jeremiah 29:13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. This verse makes it clear that God expects us to seek Him and promises that we will find Him when we are serious about our search.
Matthew 7:7-8 7 “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. 8 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. Ignorance is no excuse because the Lord has promised to satisfy all of our genuine and righteous inquiries.
Romans 10:17-18 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. 18 But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.” This verse indicates that we are responsible to know because the Word has gone out. It is available, and because God’s Word is available it is incumbent upon us to know it.
Romans 1:18-20 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. These verses tell us that God holds men accountable for not knowing Him through His general revelation of Himself in creation. If God holds man accountable for not knowing Him in His general revelation, then how much more will He hold us accountable for not knowing Him through the much clearer and more detailed special revelation of His Word. If we do not know God’s Word on a matter it is because we have chosen, for whatever reason, not to know it. And for all such ignorance God will hold us accountable.
The point is this; God’s Word must be a priority in our lives. We are obligated to know God’s Word which means we must take the time and make the effort to find out what His Word says. (Expound – no matter how good the preaching and teaching, if all you are getting of God’s word is what you are getting at church, you are not getting enough). We must study God’s word on our own, and if we don’t, then:
We will not have spiritual success.
We will not have spiritual growth.
We will not be enabled for effective spiritual service.
We will not be able to identify and avoid sin.
We will not know the Truth.
We will not have the fullness of Joy we could have.
We will stand without excuse before God for not knowing and keeping His revealed will.
To have any Spiritual progress folks, we simply have to make knowing God’s Word in detail, a priority in our lives.
But we should also note that knowing God’s Word is not enough. We must also recognize the authority of God’s Word. Again, when I speak of authority, I am referring to the degree to which we yield to God’s Word. For the believer, God’s Word must be the “final word”, the final say-so on any and every matter to which it speaks.
You will recall that the Pharisees, Scribes and the Jewish people, knew God’s Word, but for the most part it did not do them any good because they did not believe it and submit to it. Submission to God’s Word is the proof that we are true believers. Note, Hebrews 4:2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. This verse makes it clear that knowing the Word isn’t enough. To profit from the Word we must accept it as having authority over us.
To grow spiritually, God’s Word must not only be a priority in our lives, it must also have reigning authority in our lives. We live in an age where it seems that everyone has an authoritative opinion about everything. Just tune in one of these TV or Radio talk shows, where the world gets together to pool its ignorance, and note how everyone seems to be an authority on everything. The point is that these days, everyone serves as their own authority. (Expound – this comes from the prevailing philosophy of our culture – existentialism – truth comes from within).
As Christians we must be careful that we do not fall into the pattern of our age. Christians must recognize that truth does not come from within the individual but externally, from the revealed Word of God. Said another way, as Christians, we are not entitled to our own opinions, we are to have the mind of Christ.
When we have the mind of Christ we should never be intimidated by those with opposing view points because the mind of Christ is right and everything against it is wrong. Note 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no man. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ. We are to stand on the Word of God and not be intimidated by any so called knowledge that goes against it.
As Christians we must be fully convinced of the fact that we do not have a right to our own opinion. Rather, we are obligated to have the mind of Christ. In other words, we are obligated to seek out and hold God’s opinion on every issue. This is what Proverbs means when it states, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. On any and every matter, it is God’s perspective that we should be seeking. As Christians, our every opinion and thought is to brought into agreement with God’s Word. This is what Paul meant by his instruction in 2 Corinthians 10:5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
God’s word is the only thing we can count on in absolute terms. Only God’s word is sure and permanent. As Romans 3:4 states, May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, “That Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, And mightest prevail when Thou art judged.” Note also:
Psalm 119:89 Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven.
Psalm 119:160 The sum of Thy word is truth, And every one of Thy righteous ordinances is everlasting.
Note that these verses tell us that God’s Word is settled forever. It is immutable, unchanging.
Now, does this mean that it is settled until science comes up with a different opinion? No! Or until philosophy comes up with a different opinion? No! Or until psychology comes up with a different opinion? No! Or, and watch this one, until religion comes up with a different opinion? We must be very careful that we do not let religious or church traditions contradict the Word of God. We are bound by the Word of God, not the traditions of men. This was the point Jesus made concerning the religious traditions of the Pharisees in Matthew 15:1-9 1 Then some Pharisees and scribes *came to Jesus from Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” 3 And He answered and said to them, “And why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 “For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 5 “But you say, ‘Whoever shall say to his father or mother, “Anything of mine you might have been helped by has been given to God,” 6 he is not to honor his father or his mother.’ And thus you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 “You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, 8 ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. 9 ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’” We must be very careful that it is God’s Word that rules our lives and not church traditions. For example, we must do what we do because it is God’s way, not because it is the Baptist way. (Do you know there was a time when Baptists taught that it was wrong to wear clothes with buttons?)
Now note again, Psalm 119:89 Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven.
So God’s Word is settled forever, and note where it is settled—in heaven, where God rules. So where God rules, His Word is settled. If God rules in our lives, then His Word is settled in us. It has hold of us. This means that if God said it, that settles it. We accept it, agree with it, and submit to it.
God’s Word must reign supreme in our hearts. Have you ever been around someone where God’s Word was being read or taught and the person said, “well, I know the Bible says that, but I just don’t agree with that”. I know you may find this hard to believe, but I have personally witnessed this very thing several times in the course of my ministry. Every time I see this, I am just amazed and am strongly tempted to grab the person’s Bible and just rip that given page out of their Bible.
If God’s Word says something, I don’t know where we get the idea that we have the option of disagreeing and disregarding it. But whenever we do this, at that point we become practicing humanists – we become our own god. Note Colossians 2:6-8 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.
The basic idea behind humanism is that man is the ultimate authority in his life. In other words, in humanistic philosophy, man decides for himself what is right and what is wrong. This is the prevailing attitude of our day. We, however, are not to do this. We do not decide for ourselves what is right and what is wrong, Christ does. And when we decide to make those decisions ourselves and become the authority in our lives instead of letting God’s Word be the authority in our lives, then we become practicing humanists.
When we fail to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, everything in our life view becomes distorted. It is only when we compare ourselves with God’s Word that we understand ourselves and others rightly. When we judge ourselves by comparing ourselves with anyone or anything else, we are without understanding. Note how the Apostle Paul states this:
2 Corinthians 10:12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.
When we make evaluations based on anything other than God’s Word, our view of things becomes distorted because we are following after man’s foolishness rather than God’s wisdom. Viewing and evaluating ourselves and our opinions against the Word of God removes all such foolishness and gives us the proper perspective through which to view ourselves and others. Note:
James 1:21-25 21 Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does.
Only as we give God’s Word absolute authority in our lives will we be able to see things clearly and have a right view of things and be able to remember what sort of people we ought to be. Only as God’s Word rules and reigns in our lives will we have spiritual success and make spiritual progress. In summary, we have got to let God’s Word be the supreme authority in our lives. This is what it means to believe in the sufficiency of Scripture. We do not have the right to hold any opinion that disagrees with Scripture. And, we are obligated to find out God’s Word on a matter before we come to any conclusions. This is essential for spiritual growth. We must not only affirm the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture, but by our obedience we must also affirm the sufficiency of Scripture. (Expound).