Transcript: Jesus Christ's Personal Message: Understanding the Holy Spirit's Role

Music Music Today, we are going to talk about the inspired Word of God and discuss what it is and who it is about and our responsibility in keeping it near and dear to our own hearts as we travel this straight and narrow road that leads to the eternal kingdom where we will be privileged to live with our dear Savior, Jesus Christ, and Abba Father forever and ever. But first, we must know and understand the word inspired or inspiration is an authoritative term which is used for the Holy Spirit's supernatural guidance of those who have received special revelation from God as they penned and wrote the books of the Bible. the end result of this inspiration that the Bible conveys in the truths which God wanted his people to know and to communicate to the world. It is widely known that a primary purpose of the Bible is to lead people to a personal relationship with their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Everything taught by the Bible on any subject is helpful and instructive for everything that leads to a complete Christian life in Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 and 17 declares Every scripture that is God-breathed, given by his inspiration, and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, and for training in righteousness, in holy living, in conformity to God's will, in thought, purpose, and action. Verse 17, so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work. As you read the Holy Scripture, you begin to see that Christianity relates to the real world and the Bible's declarations about the earth and its beginning in history are completely trustworthy and true. The Bible is infallible, which means everything that it teaches is true on everything of which it speaks. There is not one word of God that is void of power. In Luke chapter 1 verse 37 the word tells us, For with God nothing is ever impossible, and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment. How encouraging. The Bible is not just a useful frame of human ideas, but rather it makes plain and unmistakable the mind of God himself and makes known his will and plan for man's life in the here and now, and yet for the future kingdom in which he now lives. inspiration of God's word is a statement which boils down to framework a statement about the greatness of God God is intelligent and able to communicate with man whom he created in his image God knows everything about all reality in creation and is absolutely faithful and true We see this in Revelation chapter 3 verse 7. And to the angel messenger of the assembly church in Philadelphia write, These are the works of the Holy One, the True One, He who has the key of David, Who opens and no one shall shut, Who shuts and no one shall open. And the second scripture that declares God's absolute power and faithfulness is found in Revelation chapter 21, beginning in verse 4. God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more. Neither shall there be anguish, sorrow, and mourning, nor grief, nor pain anymore. For the old conditions, the former things, and the former order of things has passed away. And he who is seated on the throne said, see I make all things new also he said record this for these sayings are faithful accurate incorruptible and trustworthy and true they're genuine and he further said to me it is done I am the Alpha and the Omega the beginning and the end to the thirsty I myself will give water without price from the fountain springs of the water of life. Verse 7 He who is victorious shall inherit all these things and I will be God to him and he shall be my son. You see, when our precious Savior is the only one that can make all things new it follows that ideas communicated by divine revelation are true and conform to reality as God knows it. God overruled human limitations and sinful biases so that his chosen spokesmen were able to write what he inspired them to write God guided the thought in which he made known and imparted to the men who wrote the Bible so that it was without error accomplishing the objectives that he intended And the same divinely inspired word of God, which so wonderfully describes the grace of God and the salvation which is available to all who believe, is equally plain about the judgment of all who reject the grace of God. The tendencies of liberal interpreters of the Bible is to emphasize passages dealing with love of God and to ignore passages dealing with his righteous judgment is completely unbalanced and unjustified. The scriptures which deal with God's judgment are just as inspired and accurate as those which speak about the doctrines of grace and salvation. And the Bible is very clear that judgment awaits the wicked, and the second coming of Christ is the occasion for worldwide judgment unparalleled in Scripture since the time of Noah's flood. And Apostle Paul gives us clear insight into his advice that he gave Timothy in regards to being very watchful and not to follow the evil men who were stalking those who could be easily deceived. Paul urged him to continue living as he was because his mother and grandmother had taught him about spiritual matters in his day. Timothy's conduct grew out of what he had learned from Paul, which gave him personal convictions. His convictions grew stronger because Paul's life had backed up the truth that Timothy had learned from him, and furthermore, they were consistent with the scriptures that he had known all of his life. These inspired writings conveyed wisdom and lead to personal salvation from sin because, because they point to Christ Jesus our Savior. So therefore, they are reliable, true, and powerful. Paul wanted to reemphasize the importance of scripture in Timothy's present and future ministry. His emphasis in verse 15 was on its importance in Timothy's life in the past. Let's look at that. in 2 Timothy chapter 3 beginning in verse 14. But as for you, continue to hold to the things that you have learned and which you are convinced, knowing from whom you learned them, and how from your childhood had knowledge of and been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to instruct and give you the understanding for salvation, which comes through faith in Jesus Christ, through the leaning of the entire human personality on God in Christ Jesus in absolute trust and confidence in his power wisdom and goodness Verse 16 Every scripture is God given by his inspiration profitable for instruction for reproof and conviction of sin for correction of error and discipline in obedience, and for training in righteousness, in holy living, and conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action. Verse 17. So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work. Continuing in chapter 4, verse 1, I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by in the light of his coming and his kingdom, herald and preach the word. Keep your sense of urgency. Stand by. Be at hand and ready. Whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable, whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome. You as a preacher of the word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong and convince them, rebuking, correcting, warning, urging, and encouraging them, being unflaggingly and inexhaustible in patience and teaching. Verse 3, for the time is coming when people will not tolerate and endure sound and wholesome instruction. But having years itching for something pleasing and gratifying, they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the airs that they hold. Verse 4. And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions. As for you, be calm and cool and steady and accept and suffer unflinchingly every hardship. Do the work of an evangelist. Fully perform all the duties of your ministry. Wow. So we see at the end of these inspired scriptures that Paul ends with a warning, telling his spiritual son that there is a time coming to the church when men will not hear the practical truths of the Bible. They will prefer imaginative or speculative opinions which do no good for the salvation of the soul. They endeavor to corrupt and destroy and defile the wholesome doctrine which Jesus declared as he left his church as an example to follow when he warned, Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me. In Matthew chapter 16, verse 24, we see this, where Jesus said to the disciples, If anyone desires to be my disciple, let him deny himself, disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interest and take up his cross and follow me. Cleave steadfastly to me, conform wholly to my example in living and if need be in dying also. We see this as well in this warning, that these people follow after their own lusts and gather together many teachers who say what they want to hear and hate the teachers and preachers and the doctrine which they hate and are opposed to. Paul's last words to Timothy were before he was going to be tried and executed. In 2 Timothy chapter 2 beginning in verse 8, we read where his main concern was not to prolong his life. He warns Timothy by saying, constantly keep in mind Jesus Christ the Messiah as risen from the as the prophesied king descended from David, according to the good news that I preach. For that gospel I am suffering affliction, even wearing chains like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained or imprisoned. Therefore I am ready to preserve and stand my ground with patience and endure everything for the sake of the elect, God's chosen, so they too may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with the reward of eternal glory. Apostle Paul's concern was that his spiritual son in the faith would follow the commands that he left with him. And let's not forget, all of these commands are commands for all future sons and daughters in Christ Jesus to follow as they receive instruction of the inspired word of God. Christ's followers should not be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord as outlined in 2 Timothy 1, verse 8, which declares, Do not blush or be ashamed then to testify for our Lord, nor of me a prisoner for his sake, but with me take your share of the suffering to which the preaching of the gospel may expose you and do it in the power of God. Paul tells Timothy to be a partaker with him in the affliction, which also involves enduring hard times and suffering danger. He warns his spiritual son about keeping that which was committed to him, as spoken in 2 Timothy 1.14, which warns, Guard and keep with your greatest care the precious and excellent adapted truth which has been entrusted to you by the help of the Holy Spirit who makes his home in us. Did you hear that? He makes his home in us. Hallelujah. Paul tells Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Jesus Christ, that is found only in Jesus. In 2 Timothy 2, verse 1, So you, my son, be strong, strengthened inwardly in the grace, spiritual blessing that is to be found only in Christ Jesus. He tells Timothy to constantly remember Jesus Christ as the direct object of his remembrance. In 2 Timothy 2, verses 7 and 8, he says, think these things over. I am saying, understand them, grasp their application, for the Lord will grant you full insight and understanding in everything. Verse 8, constantly keep in mind Jesus Christ, the Messiah, as the risen Lord from the dead, as the prophesied king, descended from David according to the good news, the gospel that I preach. And also, Paul directed Timothy to show himself approved unto God, rightly dividing the truth found in 2 Timothy 2, verse 15, which declares, study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved, tested by trial, a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing, accurately dividing, rightly handling, skillfully teaching the word of truth. No matter what Paul was going to suffer, he knew that the word of God is not bound nor could it be. In 2 Timothy 2, verse 90, he declares, For that gospel I am suffering affliction, even wearing chains like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained or imprisoned. Well, at this point in time, people may be asking themselves, listening to this message for the first time, well what is the word of God and what does that really mean simply said the word of God is the message of God and from God the word of God is the means by which God makes himself known he declares his will and he brings about his purposes do you know that personally God has all plans for your life in mind. In Jeremiah chapter 29, beginning in verse 13, the word declares, For I know the thoughts and plans I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you a hope in your final outcome. Then you will call upon me, and you will come to me and pray, and I will hear you and heed you. Then you will seek me. Require me as a vital necessity. And find me when you search for me with all of your heart. You know, often we do not know our own thoughts nor our own minds. But God is never at any uncertainty within himself about plans that he has for us. We are sometimes fearful that God designs and plans are against us or opposed concerning us but he knows the contrary concerning his own people that there are thoughts of good and not of evil Even that which seems evil is sometimes designed for good. God's thoughts are all working towards the expected end for each one of us. for I know the thoughts I think towards you says the Lord thoughts and plans for welfare and peace not of evil and hope in your final outcome when God says that I have thoughts of peace for you we need to understand that this is his love which is moved towards his people we see this in the word or scripture that God would perform and repeat his word and his promises to them until they would call upon him for that fulfillment of his word and promises to come to pass. His people must pray and seek and search for him. And the promise is that he would hear them and they will find him and get this, that they must seek him or search for him with all of their hearts. Please understand, the phrases such as the word of God, the word of the Lord, are used in the commanding of God's word that brought the creation into existence, which is found in Genesis 1. But also in 2 Peter 3, beginning in verse 3, we see that through the word of God, this same world that was created was also destroyed through the waters of the flood. Beginning in verse 3, the word tells us, To begin with, you must know and understand that scoffers and mockers will come in the last days with scoffing, people who walk after their own fleshly desires and say, What is the promise of his coming? For since the forefathers fell asleep, all things have continued exactly as they did from the beginning of creation. Verse 5, for they willfully overlook and forget this fact, that the heavens came into existence long ago by the word of God, and the earth also which was formed out of water by means of water. you see God's word is the primary means by which he is present and working in the world he acts in this world by means of his word and he becomes personally known through his word as told in 1 Samuel chapter 3 verse 21 for instance when Samuel was in Shiloh verse 21 tells us and the Lord continued to appear in Shiloh for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh through the word of the Lord. You must know that the word is powerfully creative and the scripture tells us that God's word and its purposes are incapable of being resisted or withstood. Isaiah chapter 55 verse 11 declares, So my word that goes forth out of my mouth, It shall not return to me void without producing any effect, useless, but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose and shall prosper in the things for which I sent it. And Jeremiah chapter 23 verse 29 tells us, Is my word not like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? well the words of the Lord are as penetrating as fire and powerful as a hammer how many of you know that both fire and hammer can be destructive and yet they can be refining in the sense that God's word arouses and strengthens the conscience and crushes within the heart everything that is evil vain and unrighteous. As fire, God's word is the great purifier, which destroys all that is untrue, false and fraudulent, leaving only the genuine, pure and honest. Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12 declares, for the word of God speaks, is alive, full of power, making it active, operative, energizing and effective. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life, soul, and the immortal spirit and joints and marrow of its deepest part in our nature, exposing and shifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. I am sure that those of you who have been in God's church for a number of years and learned that when reading and studying the word of God, it begins to act like a mirror and show that we cannot escape the notice of God when he exposes all the insincerity, the unbelief and hypocrisy that we have held dear. And just like scripture declares God's word is sharper than any two-edged sword and exposes the deepest part of our nature and is noticed by him. What power! God's word has the power to penetrate all pretense and discern the thoughts and intents of the heart as we just read. In these times, if we are honest with ourselves and before God to repent of our sin, He begins to open up our hearts that we desire to be sincere and want not to hide or deceive him or ourselves or others any longer. The understanding is that the truth of God is all penetrating and searching, and that real thoughts and intents of the heart will be brought to the light. And if there is any insincerity and self-deception, there can be no hope of escape unless repented of, turn back to God, and conform to his precious life-giving commands. Dear listener, let's not forget that God's word is a personal message of our dear Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is Logos which shows the deity of our Lord as shown in John chapter 1 verse 1 In the beginning, before all time was the word Christ and the word was with God and the word was God himself The word, who is Jesus in Greek means Logos which means divine expression which is referring to Christ, who was himself God, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father. God, in speaking of his word, reaches a culmination in sending his Son, which is found in John 1, verse 14. And the word Christ came flesh, human, incarnate, and tabernacled, fixed his tent of flesh, lived a while among us, and we actually saw his glory, his honor and majesty, such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace, favor, loving kindness, and truth. We learn that God's word is totally dependable, and it represents his permanent commitment as shown in 1 Peter 1, verses 24 and 25, which declare, For all flesh, mankind, is like grass, and its glory, honor, is like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flowers drop off. But the word of the Lord, divine instruction to the gospel endures forever, and this word is the good news which was preached to you. You see, when God's word is heard and responded to, his word meets deep needs in the human heart and provides joy and satisfaction and confident direction, which can be achieved in no other manner. Paul refers to himself as Timothy's teacher in 2 Timothy 3.10. He says, Now you have closely observed and diligently followed my teachings, conduct, purposes in life, faith, patience, love, and steadfastness. Since sound instruction in the faith is essential to the spiritual growth of Christians and to the development of the church. The Bible throughout the scripture gives special attention that is directed to the danger of false teachers Christians are warned to test those who pervert the true gospel in 2nd Timothy chapter 3 verses 13 and 14 when Paul warns, but wicked men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and leading others astray and being deceived and led astray themselves. Verse 14, but as far as you, Continue to hold to the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced, knowing from whom you have learned them. There is an example, and maybe I should say a testimony as well, of a young person who was broken hearted and was struggling with the sin of infidelity his mother was living in when she moved out of the home to live with another man. This young person displayed great wisdom in differentiating between sympathy for sin versus godly wisdom. The mother professed to be a Christian, but her actions proved otherwise. The young person was dealing with anger as well, because she was unfaithful to his father, whom he loved very much and had great respect for. looking for comfort and for guidance from his church youth leaders. He told them of his concern for her soul and the fact that his younger siblings were under her control and influence. The younger siblings were in a church-led group with these same teachers and leaders. The adult youth leaders in the church, instead of giving the young person comfort, guidance, and wisdom in his situation, They scorned and belittled him for judging his mother instead of having compassion on her for her wrong choices. The young person was wiser than his church leaders when he said to his father and adult believers in his family, they don't know the scriptures that talk about sins of infidelity. In 1 Corinthians chapter 5, beginning in verse 11, the scripture openly declares, But now I write to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of a Christian brother if he is known to be guilty of immorality or greed or is an idolater, whose soul is devoted to any object that usurps the place of God, or is a person with foul tongue, railing, abusing, reviling, slandering, or is a drunkard or a swindler or a robber. No, you must not as much as eat with such a person. What business of mine is it? And what right have I to judge outsiders? Is it not inside the church upon whom you are to pass disciplinary judgment, passing censuring a sentence on them as facts require? God alone sits in judgment of those who are outside. Drive out that wicked one from among you. Expel them from the church. You see, dear listener, not only does teaching need to be right, but also the teacher needs to be right and just before God's eyes. Today there are too many untrustworthy teachers endeavoring to teach the precious word of God, which can change the whole character, the mind, and the heart in even the most ignorant, unruly, mean-hearted individuals. A teacher who is not truly born again and characterized by living in faith in Christ should not teach God's word or lead any kind of a group in the church, especially a youth group. Timothy, by what he was taught by Paul, did not simply learn about the truth, but he truly believed and was exercised in faith in what he was taught. This belief in faith was quickened and energized by the Holy Spirit, who inspires the priceless and treasured word of God. You must understand, dear listener, that learning the scriptures is not enough for any one of us. It is the responsibility of the teacher to educate and impact those taught to believe in the power of the Holy Spirit and his working in their lives. And it is the responsibility of the student to earnestly desire to learn about the truth and become like a Berean in the scripture who poured over the word of God to prove it and learn it. and mostly, get this, to live it, only because Timothy truly became a believer in Christ Jesus did he recognize all that was in his teacher Paul, who was a faithful and dedicated servant of his Lord and Master. Timothy learned the Holy Scriptures from infancy, but he was not saved until he later was taught by Paul. It is necessary as a Christian, as a parent, that we teach our children God's word from infancy, but that in itself is not salvation. It is a step toward salvation, because salvation is a personal decision in one's life. Salvation is a lifelong work in one's life. It is not a once-saved, always-saved doctrine, like many have been wrongly taught. The scriptures make one wise unto salvation because they are divinely inspired. They could not lead to salvation if they were not inspired. The word of God does what it does because of what it is. It is just as our message declares today. The inspired word of God is a personal message of Jesus Christ. If it were not inspired, it would not lead unto salvation. No tradition should be accepted unless it is in full agreement with the written word. God-inspired, correct meaning is having been breathed out by God. Because the word of God is God-breathed, It is also profitable and beneficial for teaching, for reproof, for conviction, and for correction, which causes one to stand upright in faith, and lastly, for instruction, which means training with discipline and chastening in righteousness. Dear one, this means that God's instruction with discipline for us as his children is always within God's right as our Heavenly Father taught in Hebrews chapter 12 beginning in verse 5. And have you completely forgotten the divine word of appeal and encouragement in which you are reasoned with and address as son? My son, do not think lightly or scorn to submit to the correction and discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage and give up and faint when you are reproved or corrected by him. For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom he loves, and he punishes, even scourges every son whom he accepts and welcomes into his heart and cherishes. Verse 7, you must submit to and endure correction for discipline. God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not thus train and correct and discipline? Now if you are exempt from that correction and left without discipline in which all of God's children share, then you are illegitimate offspring and not true sons of God after all. We need to remember, too, that God allows each one of us to experience opposition, to make us stronger in the faith, just like the example of the young person who had a serious issue with his mother's infidelity and also with dealing with false teachers in his youth group. It is easy to become discouraged when we encounter hard times, but the value of divine discipline in our lives is that it prepares us to reign with Jesus Christ one day. Let us become encouraged and remember that God's discipline assures us that we are his sons and daughters. All believers are partakers of discipline. Let us rejoice and be glad that God disciplines those whom he loves. .