The Sufficiency of Scripture
Sermon Notes
“IS THE BIBLE SUFFICIENT …FOR THE FEW”?
2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Corinthians 3:4-6
l. Introduction
“Anchor” verse: 2 Peter 1:20-21 “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. In today’s “Christian” world lines are blurred as to the interpretation…or, misinterpretation of Scripture. Many of the traditional “Protestant” doctrines are often ignored, or misinterpreted at the expense of accurate teaching and, therefore, training and understanding of true believers. This creates confusion and concerns pertaining to the spiritual growth of believers.
ll. “Few” or “Many” Believers
a. LUKE 13:22-25
And He was passing through one city and village after another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin standing outside and knocking on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ and He then will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’
b. MATTHEW 28:19-20
19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to [b] follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you [c] always, to the end of the age.”
c. MATTHEW 7:13-14
13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
III. Sufficiency - WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH – one of the five “SOLAS” (this is not Scripture – but explains
the doctrine of “Sola Scriptura“ – Scripture alone.)
“The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for (1) his own glory, (2) man’s salvation, (3) faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing may be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men.”
IV. BUT we are not on our own…we do not have the right to misinterpret Scripture…or its accurate interpretation!
a. The sufficiency of Scripture is the Biblical teaching that the Bible is ALL THE REVELATION THAT IS NEEDED TO EQUIP Christians for life and service.
b. Scripture reveals -
Who God is
Who we are
Our broken status before God
Our way of redemption, and
The WAY WE ARE TO LIVE OUR LIVES (although imperfection will prevent us from achieving perfection in this area…for sure)
V. SECOND TIMOTHY 3:16 -17 (DIRECTION NOT PERFECTION)
16 All Scripture is [a] inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for [b] rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man or woman of God may be [c] fully capable, equipped for every good work.
VI. 2 CORINTHIANS 3:4-6
4 Such is the confidence we have toward God through Christ. 5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves so as to consider anything as having come from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, 6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
SCRIPTURE IS SUFFICIENT
READ IT
LOVE IT
TRUST IT
LIVE IT
THE Bible – what we have today…is what we have ALWAYS had as a matter of oral tradition, recorded history, and settled inspection and debate.
AND, since it is the Word of God it can be trusted. AND, when it says Scripture is SUFFICIENT for guiding us through this life…to the next. WE CAN BELIEVE IT!