The Difference the Scriptures Make

2 Timothy 3:16-17

16 All scripture is breathed out (given by inspiration - KJV) by God, and is profitable for teaching (doctrine), for reproof, for correction, for training (instruction) in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be competent(perfect), equipped (thoroughly furnished) for every good work. [ESV]

The Turangi Evangelical Church was started in 1968 with a desire that the Bible be given a priority in preaching and living.

2 Timothy 3 contains some of the most instructive New Testament verses about the difference the Scriptures make. We are blessed to have available in our language “The Scriptures.” Timothy is reminded of the difference his Godly mother Eunice and grandmother Lois made in his life because they had exposed him to the Scriptures that made him ‘wise to salvation’.

The Scriptures are the rock to which we must come in ‘these last days” days of change, uncertainty and trouble.

The Scriptures filled the teaching and life of Jesus. He had absolute trust in ‘the Scriptures’. He could say “It is Written” and quote from the Scriptures found in Deuteronomy 8:3; 6:1,16 to defeat the devil.

He claimed the Scriptures were a witness about himself:

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you

have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness of me” (Jn 5:39).

Jesus believed “Scripture could not be broken.” (John 10: 35)

As He walked on the road to Emmaus he spoke to the two he met on that road:

“and beginning at Moses and all the prophets he interpreted/opened

to them the Scriptures concerning himself.” (Lk 24:27)

What Scripture said, God said. Scripture must stand above every authority.

The early Apostles of Christ constantly quoted and trusted the Scriptures.

They would tell of events in the life of Jesus and how they were “according to the Scriptures. They quoted from the Law of Moses, the Psalms and the Prophets – all parts they considered to be “Scripture”.

The Gospel is found in the Scriptures:

“that Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he was buried, and that was raised the third day according to the Scriptures.”

(1 Cor 15:3).

In the 15th century the reformers grasped 2 Tim 3:16-17 with a new affection and as they took a stand against a corrupted Christendom it was on the basis of “the Scriptures’ Their cry was: “sola faith, sola scripture, sola Christ”.

The words of 2 Tim 3:16-17 are simple yet profound.

1. The Scriptures Make The Difference Because They Have Divine Origin

All scripture is breathed out (given by inspiration - KJV) by God,

God made the difference. God all knowing, all wise, all loving, has though

the Scriptures revealed to us and all that we need for salvation and life.

God revealed in the Scriptures sufficient for you to know Him and the way of salvation. Some things he did not reveal as Moses said:

“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the

things that are revealed belong to us and to our children

forever that we may do the all the words of this law” (Deut 29:29).

God is trustworthy, and His Scriptures are trustworthy, inerrant. In all God has recorded whether that is recording creation, or history, on the nature of man, or in marriage, or any matter for our salvation and living, it is trustworthy.

The Scriptures will not lead us into error. In the words of my friend -“God will not put you crook!”

Timothy is being told of the Difference the Scriptures make because they are of Divine Origin so he may confidently trust the a Scripture in teaching, and in application to His life for Divine Blessing.

2. The Scriptures Make The Difference Because They Have Divine Blessing

and is profitable for teaching (doctrine), for reproof, for correction,

for training (instruction) in righteousness:

It has benefit, gives advantage – Now not all things are profitable in life.

· Exercise: is good physically but godliness is profitable in all. (1 Tim 4:8);

· Arguments: Some strive over words – to no profit (2 Tim 2:14).

· Heritage: Some argue about race, genealogy, circumcision

– but while these may give you benefits and advantages over others,

in the matter of salvation it does not profit. (Rom 3:1; Gal 4:1)

· Good works: are good but in salvation they do not profit (Titus 3:8)

But the Scriptures are given of God, for a profitable purpose in the life of the Man of God – they make one wise to salvation (3:15), and they then completely equip the Man of God, make him competent for every good work.

They are profitable for:

‘teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction”

3. The Scriptures Make The Difference Because You Have Divine Purpose 3:17

God’s Divine Scriptures, give Divine Blessing, for a Divine Purpose

“That the man of God may be competent, equipped of every good work”

God wants us to read, understand and apply the Scriptures.

Timothy can stand firm and serve the Lord with absolute confidence in the Scriptures. He can rely on them, teach them and preach them.

What place do the Scriptures have in you life?

Are we occasional readers?

Are we casual readers?

Are we selective readers?

Are we committed readers?

Ezra studied God’s Word to know it, then applied it to His life, then taught it to His people (Ezra 7:10).

We can read it, listen to it, memorize it, meditate on it, study it, pass it on.

Based on Message 23 January 2022 ©John 2022