The necessity of Scriptures

Light from the Word • Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago

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The necessity of Scripture is being highlighted by presenting the factors that make it necessary which are 1) our sinful flesh; 2) our immediate environment and 3) the broader environment, that is the sinful society where we live.

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Introduction

On October 31, 1517, in Wittenberg, Germany, a young monk was nailing in anger some papers on the door of a church. He was frustrated because he felt like all of his life he was lied to. He had sincerely followed all the church's teachings, his personal convictions, and what he had thought it is best for his spiritual life, but at some point in his spiritual journey, he had made a discovery that made him realize how wrong he was. A discovery that would change his life, the church, and the whole Western world. He discovered some truths that made him do everything possible so that other people could hear about them. He wrote books, preached to the people, and spoke to the rulers of his day so that others may see what he discovered. Who is this man, and what did he discover? This man was Martin Luther, and on those papers that he nailed on the church's door were written the truths of the Bible against a corrupt church and false spirituality that was built on human traditions and lies. Why was it like that? Because no one had the Bible in his language back then, the catholic church fed people lies and no one could fact-check them till one day when Martin Luther decided to translate the Bible into german language at the risk of his life. His whole message can be summarized in two words: Sola Scriptura (Only the Scripture). But why?

I. Because of our sinful flesh

-our mind, feelings and decisions are unstable and deceitful

Je 17:9. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

We can not understand ourselves sometimes. Right?

-without the aid of the Spirit, our mind and thoughts are totally opposite to those of God

Is 55:8–9. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts

-Our mind is inclined to have a wrong view of God

Galatians 5: 19-20 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies

-That is why the Scriptures tell us not to trust in our own mind and intuitions, for they are unreliable.

Proverbs 28:26 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool

-And this is why we need the Word to understand both God and ourselves

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

-Just as an eye, to which nothing but black had been previously presented, deems an object of a yellowish white, or even of a brownish white, to be perfectly white.

II. Because of our environment

a) That is our family

There is a consistent connection between our relationship with our parents, particularly our father, and the ability to develop a close relationship to God. We associate the term “father” with our experience of our male parent. When we are introduced to the idea that God is “heavenly Father,” we project our relationship with our father onto our heavenly Father. If our relationship was warm, loving, and caring, we are more easily able to develop a close personal relationship with God as our heavenly Father. If our father was distant and emotionally detached, we will have difficulty cultivating a close personal relationship with God. For example, there was a minister who has been in ministry for more than thirty years. His father was an abusive alcoholic who regularly beat him when he was in the fog of alcoholic rage. Additionally, the only time he ever heard the words “I love you” from his father was when he was drunk. For this particular minister both the idea of God as father and the word “love” were poisoned. If we grew up with a harsh and demanding dad, a capricious or abusive dad, an emotionally absent dad, a friendly but weak dad, or a passive and “hands-off” dad, our dad experience affects our view of ourselves as well as our view of God.

b) The traditions we grew up in

Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition.

Matthew 15:1-3 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?

c) The society and system in which we live (whole world)

which 1) is dominated by satan

1 Jn 5:19 The whole world is under the control of the evil one

2) is contrary to God’s word

1 John 2:16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

3) has something to say about God, about sexuality, about money, about family and its view on almost all things is completely wrong.

4) is always changing and is so untrustworthy, but the Word of God is never changing

Matthew 24:35 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

III. Because of Satan

a) Satan not only controls the system of this world but, apart from the system, he can himself is acting upon people lives

by 1) blinding their mind

2 Co 4:4. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God

2) by bringing demonic teachings

1 Timothy 4:1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

Conclusion

I want to close by quoting 2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Without the teaching, the rebuking, the correcting and training of Scripture we are left pray to our 1) Sinful flesh; 2) our environment (traditions, upbringing and society) and, ultimately, we are left pray to 3) Satan himself.