I Am Not Ashamed: Written to Teach Us

David Krueger

I Am Not Ashamed • Sermon • Submitted 7 years ago

Romans 15:4

Scripture

Inspiration of the Bible

Infallibility

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Christians need a commitment to the Word of God.

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Text:"For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (, NASB95)

Theme: Christians need a commitment to the Word of God.

Date: 06/25/15 File name: Romans45.wpd ID Number: 111

The Apostle is right in the middle of a discourse on disputable matters and Christian Liberty when he drops a in a golden nugget of theological truth. I refers to the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ who became our substitute on the cross. In verse 3 he writes, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” All the contemp, all the reproach, all the scorn, and all the disrespect that sinners have directed toward God in their rebellion against Him, was borne by the Christ in his suffering on the cross. We are transgressors, broken by sin, but God offers us a fix for our sin through the shed blood of His Son. Christ died in the sinner’s place, taking upon himself the wrath that was meant for us.

But there is another golden nugget in this discourse, and it comes in vs. 4, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (, NIV84). Everything the Apostle has written here has been written about before in the past that we might be encouraged in the faith, and maintain our hope in God.

He’s referring of course to the Jewish Scriptures — our Old Testament. The Jewish Scriptures are also our Scriptures and everything ... everything ... in them was written for our edification, and our hope. And of course we have a New Testament that tells us the story of our Christ, and his Church.

For Confessing Christians the Scriptures are our absolute authority for faith and practice. Billy Graham calls the bible, “The constitution of Christianity.” When any question of doctrine or practice arises within the church, we ask—or at least we should ask—only one question: “What does the Bible say?”

So what should we believe about the Bible. Let me offer two propositions and a summary statement.

I. PROPOSITION #1: THE BIBLE IS TRUTH WITHOUT ANY MIXTURE OF ERROR

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” (, NIV)

1. inerrancy is a major tenant of belief of Confessing Christians

a. liberal theologians and pastors generally approach the Bible as a series of historical documents written by very human authors who were trying to promote their own agendas and theological beliefs

documents written by very human authors who were trying to promote their own agendas and theological beliefs

1) they believe that — like any other historical document — the Bible contains factual errors, distortions, religious propaganda and exaggerations

factual errors, distortions, religious propaganda and exaggerations

b. Confessing theologians and pastors approach the Bible as a work written by men, but inspired by God the Father through the God the Holy Spirit

men, but inspired by God the Father through the God the Holy Spirit

1) guided by the Holy Spirit, the various authors of the 66 books of the Bible, wrote exactly what God wanted the readers to hear

exactly what God wanted the readers to hear

2) the guiding inspiration of the Holy Spirit kept their writing free of error

c. unfortunately the doctrine of the Inspiration of the Scriptures is perhaps the chief theological divide in the church today

theological divide in the church today

1) there are many denominations that abandoned their belief in an inerrant Bible a long time ago

Bible a long time ago

2) call me naive ... call me stupid ... but I believe God gave us our Bible, and it is truth without any mixture of error

truth without any mixture of error

2. the Bible is a book that all church members need to own, to read, to study and to bring with them when they come to church

with them when they come to church

a. why? our central text gives us the reason . . .

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” (, NIV)

ILLUS. If you don’t want to spend $125 on a leather-bound, gold-edged, study bible that’s fine ... you can download the Bible onto your iPhone for free!

that’s fine ... you can download the Bible onto your iPhone for free!

b. the Apostle Paul emphatically tells us that everything written in these pages was written to teach us about God and how to have a relationship with Him

written to teach us about God and how to have a relationship with Him

1) without the Bible, we would be groping in the dark for truth about eternal matters

There Are Three Words We Use to Describe the Bible: Inspired, Infallible, and Authoritative

A. 1st, THE BIBLE IS INSPIRED BY GOD AND REVEALS GOD TO MEN

1. The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God's revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy.

to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy.

a. that statement comes right out of our congregation’s Confession of Faith and I believe it’s a statement that supports the inspiration, infallibility, and authority of the Bible

believe it’s a statement that supports the inspiration, infallibility, and authority of the Bible

2. we believe this because the Scriptures themselves maintain that they are inspired by God alone

God alone

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (, KJV 1900)

a. the word inspiration in the Greek is theopneustos, and literally means God- breathed

breathed

b. through the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit, the writers of the Bible wrote exactly what God wanted us to know

what God wanted us to know

c. God used each writer’s unique writing style, cultural background and vocabulary, but the true author of the Bible is the Holy Spirit

but the true author of the Bible is the Holy Spirit

ILLUS. You might say those men and women who penned the Bible were ghost writers ... Holy Ghost writers

writers ... Holy Ghost writers

3. because the author of Scripture is God Himself, the Bible does not merely contain a word from God, it is the revelation of God to men

a word from God, it is the revelation of God to men

a. it is completely true from through

1) some of you may be thinking, “Come on, Pastor. Do you really believe all the Bible is accurate in all it claims?”

Bible is accurate in all it claims?”

ILLUS. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, leading Evangelical theologians and pastors were growing ever more concerned with the increasing influence of liberal scholarship in Evangelical pulpits, colleges, and seminaries. The veracity of the Scriptures were being questioned, and some were openly denying its truthfulness. In October 1978, 300 of the world’s leading conservative biblical scholars gathered in Chicago for the International Council on Biblical Inerrancy. During that conference, a subcommittee produced a “Statement on Biblical Inerrancy” that was subsequently signed by all those attending the conference. It is simply known as "The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy” and it is the defining document for those who accept the inerrancy of the Scriptures.

pastors were growing ever more concerned with the increasing influence of liberal scholarship in Evangelical pulpits, colleges, and seminaries. The veracity of the Scriptures were being questioned, and some were openly denying its truthfulness.

In October 1978, 300 of the world’s leading conservative biblical scholars gathered in Chicago for the International Council on Biblical Inerrancy. During that conference, a subcommittee produced a “Statement on Biblical Inerrancy” that was subsequently signed by all those attending the conference. It is simply known as "The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy” and it is the defining document for those who accept the inerrancy of the Scriptures.

2) yes I do unhesitatingly believe in the inerrancy of the bible, and unashamedly ascribe to the "Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy"

ascribe to the "Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy"

B. 2nd, THE BIBLE IS INFALLIBLE AND WILL NOT LEAD MEN ASTRAY

“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. 11 By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” (, NIV)

ILLUS. Charles H. Spurgeon, a great English pastor of the 19th century, wrote of the Bible: “The Bible is ... a star without a speck; a sun without a blot; a light without darkness; a moon without paleness; a glory without dimness.

“The Bible is ... a star without a speck; a sun without a blot; a light without darkness; a moon without paleness; a glory without dimness.

1. if the Bible is God’s true revelation, then that means it is an infallible document

2. what do I mean by the word infallible?

a. I’m glad you asked, let me explain it to you!

b. it means that the Scriptures will do what they are designed to do – lead men and women, boys and girls – into a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and guide them in their Christian life

women, boys and girls – into a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and guide them in their Christian life

3. the Bible tells us everything we need to know about the One in whom our deepest trust should be placed

trust should be placed

a. in its passages and through its pages, you will meet the One true Living God Search the scriptures; for . . . they are they which testify of me. (, KJV)

Search the scriptures; for . . . they are they which testify of me. (, KJV)

b. when the apostle John writes, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (), you can know without a shadow-of-a-doubt that what he says is true

power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (), you can know without a shadow-of-a-doubt that what he says is true

C. 3rd, THE BIBLE IS AUTHORITATIVE FOR OUR LIVES

1. because the Scripture is true, it is authoritative

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (, NIV)

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (, NIV)

• “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (, NIV)

2. it is authoritative whether you believe it or not

a. all men, of all ethnic groups, of all religious persuasions will be judged by it

ILLUS. Adrain Roger, late Pastor of Bellview Baptist Church, Memphis, TN once told the story about a captain on the bridge of his ship during a dark and stormy night. On the horizon he noticed a light dead-ahead on a collision course. He had his signal officer dispatch a message to the light in question, “Alter your course ten degrees south.” The reply from the light came back, “Alter your course ten degrees north.” The captain had a second signal sent, “Alter your course ten degrees north. I am a captain.” But the light sent a signal back, “Alter your course ten degrees south. I am a seaman third class.” By this time the captain is becoming annoyed. He had a third message dispatched, “Alter you course ten degrees south. I am a Air Craft Carrier.” The reply came, “Alter your course ten degrees north. I am a lighthouse.”

3. the Bible is authoritative for our lives

a. it warns us of dangerous behaviors and guides us safely through life

b. our problem is we think we have the right of way and we want the Gospel Lighthouse to change instead of us

Lighthouse to change instead of us

4. The Bible Is Truth Without Any Mixture of Error

II. PROPOSITION #2: THE BIBLE IS OUR ONLY SOURCE FOR FAITH & PRACTICE

1. Christians ought to be a people of The Book

2. that’s a way of saying that we have no other place to go to for what we believe, or what we do, or how we run the church other than the Bible

what we do, or how we run the church other than the Bible

A. OUR ALLEGIANCE IS TO SCRIPTURE ALONE

1. Baptists have stubbornly insisted that nothing outside of the Bible can serve as a rule for our faith or for our practice

for our faith or for our practice

a. the rallying cry of the Reformation was Solo Scriptura—Latin for Scripture Alone

b. it is the formal principle that guides us as a local New Testament Church and as a people called Baptist

people called Baptist

2. some churches depend on Creeds to define their faith and practice, but Baptists respond with, “What does the Bible say?”

respond with, “What does the Bible say?”

3. some churches depend on Traditions to define their faith and practice, but Baptists respond with, “What does the Bible say?”

respond with, “What does the Bible say?”

a. now, traditions are not necessarily bad

“So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.” (, NASB95)

b. as Baptists, we have our traditional ways of doing things

1) the way we worship

2) the way we celebrate the Lord’s Supper

3) the way we organize for & support missions

4) even the basic design of our churches

c. but as much as possible, we have based what we believe, and what we do and the way we do it on clear Biblical teachings

way we do it on clear Biblical teachings

1) if there is not a clear Scriptural basis for doing something, the church should probably not do it regardless if it is culturally acceptable or not

probably not do it regardless if it is culturally acceptable or not

4. The Scriptures Are Only Source for Faith and Practice

... if the Bible truth without any mixture of error, and ...

... if the Bible is our only source of faith and practice, then ...

III. SUMMARY: THE BIBLE’S MESSAGE IS THE ONLY HOPE FOR SINNERS

“and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (, NIV)

1. Paul tells Timothy that the Scriptures make one wise unto salvation

2. the Bible’s central message is the story of salvation

ILLUS. On December 31, 1961, W. A. Criswell, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas preached a 4-hour non-stop sermon to his congregation on New Year’s Eve. He began with the book of Genesis and finished in the book of Revelation, tracing what he called the “scarlet thread through the Bible.” In that sermon he said that the greatest conflict throughout the ages has been between the evil of Satan, and the love of God. Though there are sixty-six books in the Bible, Criswell said there is but one single story — the story of God’s redemptive work that unfolds on throughout the Word of God and reaches a crescendo with God’s saints in glory who have washed their robes in the blood of Christ and come out white as snow.

preached a 4-hour non-stop sermon to his congregation on New Year’s Eve. He began with the book of Genesis and finished in the book of Revelation, tracing what he called the “scarlet thread through the Bible.” In that sermon he said that the greatest conflict throughout the ages has been between the evil of Satan, and the love of God. Though there are sixty-six books in the Bible, Criswell said there is but one single story — the story of God’s redemptive work that unfolds on throughout the Word of God and reaches a crescendo with God’s saints in glory who have washed their robes in the blood of Christ and come out white as snow.

a. throughout both Old and New Testaments three strands of God’s unfolding story of grace are found

grace are found

1) the Bible tells us about the bringer of salvation

2) the Bible tells us about the way of salvation

3) the Bible tells us about the heirs of salvation

3. the Scriptures are the source of true salvation and godly living

A. THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT MAN HAS A PROBLEM

1. that problem is called sin – it separates us from God

“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (, NIV)

“Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.” (, NIV)

• “Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.” (, NIV)

B. THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT MAN’S SIN CONDEMNS HIM TO AN ETERNITY IN HELL WITHOUT GOD

HELL WITHOUT GOD

1. tells us that God will keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, " NASB95

C. THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT GOD HAS A REMEDY FOR OUR PROBLEM

1. that remedy is the righteousness of God administered though grace when we openly and unashamedly confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior

and unashamedly confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (, NIV)

ILLUS. Martin Luther tells of having a dream in which he stood before God on the day of judgment – and Satan was there to accuse him. When Satan opened his books full of accusations, he pointed to transgression after transgression of which Luther was guilty. As the proceedings went on, Luther's heart sunk in despair. Then he remembered the cross of Christ – and turning upon Satan, he said, "There is one entry which you have not made, Satan." The Devil retorted, "What is that, heir Luther?" And Luther answered, "It is this – the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sins."

judgment – and Satan was there to accuse him. When Satan opened his books full of accusations, he pointed to transgression after transgression of which Luther was guilty. As the proceedings went on, Luther's heart sunk in despair.

Then he remembered the cross of Christ – and turning upon Satan, he said, "There is one entry which you have not made, Satan."

The Devil retorted, "What is that, heir Luther?"

And Luther answered, "It is this – the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from

all sins."

Application

In the Apostle Paul writes: "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." This morning, I feel something like a football coach who takes his team aside from time-to-time and drills them on the fundamentals, because they are so easily forgotten. It is too easy for us to become sidetracked, and to lose sight of what is basic and fundamental to the faith.

As Christians, we believe that the message of the bible is the only hope for lost men.

As Christians, we believe the bible is the only source for faith and practice.

As Christians, we believe that the bible is truth without any mixture of error.

God’s Word will always guide us correctly!

ILLUS. A number of years ago, Linda and I went skiing out at Winter Park, Colorado. Besides being a beautiful place to ski, Winter Park is a center for handicapped skiers. One the slopes you’ll see skiers with only one leg. Some have no arms. Others are paraplegics and ski in a sled-like device. The most amazing people are the blind skiers, impossible as that sounds. Paired with sighted skiers, the blind skiers are taught on the flats how to make right and left turns. When they master that, they are taken to the slalom slope, where their sighted partners ski behind them shouting “Left!” and “Right!” As they obey the commands, they are able to negotiate the course and descend the mountain. They depend solely on the sighted skier’s word. It’s either complete trust or catastrophe. What a vivid picture of the Christian life. In this world, we are often blind as to what course in life to take. We must rely solely on the Word of our Lord in the Scriptures about what course to take. His Word gives us the direction we need to finish the course.

As they obey the commands, they are able to negotiate the course and descend the mountain. They depend solely on the sighted skier’s word. It’s either complete trust or catastrophe.

What a vivid picture of the Christian life. In this world, we are often blind as to what course in life to take. We must rely solely on the Word of our Lord in the Scriptures about what course to take. His Word gives us the direction we need to finish the course.

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