Maturing in Christ: Gods Word is More Sure

Maturing in Christ: Gods Word is More Sure     
2 Peter 1:16-21
Page # 1216

I. The Trustworthiness of the Bible
     1. God is good and sovereign.

The Westminster Confession - The fact is, the God who had the power and sovereign control to inspire the Scriptures in the first place is surely going to continue to exercise His power and sovereign control in the preservation of Scripture.

Isaiah 46:10 – “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, 'My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’”

     2. Jesus confirmed the Scriptures.

Matthew 19:4 – “He answered and said, ‘Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE.’”

Matthew 4:10 – “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go, Satan! For it is written, YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’”

     3. Lives are changed.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 – “…we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.”

     4. It is accurate and stands the test of time.

Isaiah 40:8 – “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”

Roman Emperor Diocletian said, “The Christian religion is destroyed and the worship of the gods restored.”

Voltaire said, “Fifty years from now the world will hear no more about the Bible.”

Thomas Payne said, “When I get through, there will be not five Bibles in America.”

     5. The manuscripts are consistent.

Wayne Grudem – “For over 99 percent of the Bible, we know what the original manuscript said. The Bible we have today matches the manuscripts.”

Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum – “The Dead Sea Scrolls that are dated from 100 B.C. to 100 A.D. reveal the same texts as those we have in our possession.”  

     6. Prophecies are fulfilled.

~The Old Testament is Promise
~The New Testament is Fulfillment

Psalm 22:16-18 – “For dogs have surrounded me; A band of evildoers has encompassed me; they pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”

Isaiah 53:2 – “For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; ….No appearance that we should be attracted to Him.”

Isaiah 53:3 – “He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.”

Isaiah 52:14 – “So His appearance was marred more than any man and His form more than the sons of men.”

Isaiah 53:6 – “But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.”

Isaiah 53:8-9 –“He was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people…His grave was assigned with wicked men, yet He was with a rich man in His death.”

Isaiah 53:10 – “He will see His offspring…”

Isaiah 53:11 – “As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied …will justify the many, He will bear their iniquities.”

      7. Men would not write the Bible, but God would.

John 6:66 – “As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

II. The Bible is “More Certain”

2 Peter 1:16-21    Page # 1216

     1. The Bible is not cleverly devised stories.    

     2. The human authors saw the Lord Jesus Christ.

     3. The Bible was written and preserved by God.  

     4. The Bible is surer than miracles or what we experience.

John 20:30-31 – “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”

Faith Sheet
Transformation Verse - Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…”    Acts 1:8 

Main Themes:
~ God wrote the Bible through human authors therefore it is trustworthy and eternal.
~ God’s Word, the Bible, is surer than miracles or what we see with our own eyes.

 #1- Reviewing This Past Sunday
Maturing in Christ: God’s Word is More Sure     
2 Peter 1:16-21

1. Read 2 Peter 1:16-21. What do you appreciate about God?
2. Why does Peter say the Bible is surer than tongues, miracles,
    signs, and wonders? (Read 2 Peter 1:2-3, John 5:39, and
    Colossians 2:9-10.)
3. Why is the trustworthiness of the Bible to reveal God, equip us
    for life, and direct us in all godliness so important in today’s
    world?
4. Pray for God’s people to grow in Christ-likeness and Biblical
    wisdom.

 # 2- Preparing for Next Sunday
Maturing in Christ: God’s Word is Sufficient   
Hebrews 1:1-4

1. Read Hebrews 1:1-4. What do you most appreciate about the
    Lord?
2. How did God speak in the Old Testament? (1)
3. How has God spoken in these “last days”? (2)
4. In what ways is Jesus unique as the Son of God? (2-4)
5. What function does the Bible play in your daily life, decisions,
    and family?
6. Praise Him and pray for our gathering this Sunday.