Sermon Tone Analysis

I. THE BIBLE: We believe the Word of God, the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, to be verbally inspired in all parts, and therefore wholly without error as originally given of God (2 Tim.

3:16; 2 Pet.

1:21).

This record is final, authoritative, and unchanging!

We believe the Bible to be the all-sufficient rule for faith and conduct (apart from integration with any other discipline) through the power of The Holy Spirit to regenerate, sanctify, and equip the believer for life and service (John 17:17, Heb.

4:12; James 1:18-27).

1.

The Bible is the Breath of God

2 Timothy 3:16

a. From where did we get the Bible?

{From God}

b.

What does it mean that the Bible is “inspired” or “God-breathed?” {qeo,pneustoj}

{The words are God’s words.

The Bible is the direct product of the creative act of God, in every stage and aspect of its formation, from its source in the mind of God until it reaches the hearts of men with it message.}

KEY: Inspiration has to do with the {record} rather than the {act} of revealing.

{The writers weren’t ‘inspired’, but the written words were.

Example: all the letters Paul wrote were not put in the Bible – only the inspired ones were.}

c.

How much of the Bible is “God-breathed?” {ALL of it, every Scripture}

i.

Some teach that the Bible “ {contains} ” the Word of God.

What is implied by this?

{this neo-orthodox view of scripture.

It implies that the entire Bible is NOT the actual word of God, but only some portions.

How do you determine what is and is not inspired?

Danger: we become a judge of the Law (James 4:11)}

ii.

Since all Scripture is “God-breathed” what does this imply about the historical or scientific accuracy of the Bible?

{It is all true.

Science is the handmaiden of the Bible.

Bible history is fact.}

{Neo-Evangelicalism views Gen. Chapters 1-11 non-literal}

Conclusion: We believe the Bible is verbally inspired in all parts.

2. The Breath of God and Men

a.

The writers were {prepared} by God.

(Gal.

1:15; Jer.

1:4)

Jeremiah 1:4

b.

The writers were {moved/driven} by the Holy Spirit.

{not an act of human will}

{fero,menoi pres.

pass.

ptc.

bearing them along, same word in Acts 27:15} Conclusion: We trust the Bible is therefore wholly without error as originally given of God.

3. The Breath of God and Jesus

a. Unchanging

Matthew 5:18 {the exact words and letters are preserved; cf Luke 16:17}

b.

Authoritative

John 10:35 {“the Scripture cannot be broken” (quoted Ps. 82:6: its authority cannot be annulled or denied}

Conclusion: We believe this record is final, authoritative, and unchanging!

4. The Breath of God is Truth

a. Trustworthy

The Bible is absolutely {Trustworthy} .

God’s {Character} is at stake.

b.

Powerful

What does Jesus mean by “sanctify them in truth?” {God sets us apart from sin and to Himself by means of the powerful truth of His Word.}

Conclusion: We believe the Bible to be the all-sufficient rule for faith and conduct.

5.

The Breath of God in Action

What is the value of Scripture?

Name the four uses listed in 2 Timothy 3:16.

a. Teaching

{instruction; imparting information or truth}

b.

Rebuking

{confronting sin with the Word of God; convicting}

c.

Correcting

{restoring to an upright state; improvement of character}

d.

Training

{practical education; discipline; change in behavior}

{The Bible is completely sufficient for our personal victories over sin.

Cf 2 Pet 1:3.

Therefore, secular psychology is not needed to address soul or spiritual problems.}

Conclusion: We believe the Bible to be the all-sufficient rule for faith and conduct (apart from integration with any other discipline).

6.

The Breath of God is Alive

a. Convicting

The Word of God is {living} and {Powerful} ,convicting the soul.

b.

Surgical

God’s Word probes the deepest recesses of the human {heart} , and through the power of the Holy Spirit, provides spiritual light for those who will accept its truth.

Conclusion: The Bible is all-sufficient rule for faith and conduct through the power of The Holy Spirit.

7. The Breath of God is Final

What will happen to those who add to or subtract from God’s Word?

Revelation 22:18-19 a. God has promised a {Curse} to all who would detract from the inspired Scripture.

{John’s writing of revelation finished the Canon around 95 AD}

8.

The Breath of God is Complete

b.

The Bible is {Complete} (Jude 3).

The cannon is {closed} .

{The 66 books of the Bible are the complete set of divinely inspired Scripture.

The early church simply formalized the books that were always regarded as authoritative (Cf BB pg 11).

Some denominations have added to the Scriptures non-canonical (non-inspired) books.

The extra books of the Apocrypha were never regarded as sacred Scripture by the Jews, nor by Jesus, nor by any of the Church Fathers.}

Conclusion: We believe the Bible consists of the sixty-six books of the Old and New

Testaments

9.

The Breath of God Applied