GREAT BIBLE WORDS
INSPIRATION
2 Timothy 3:16
Introduction:
God’s words were given through men superintended by the Holy Spirit so that their writings are without error. This fact was virtually taken for granted by the Jews.
“The thought is not of God as breathing through Scripture, or of Scripture as breathing out God, but of God as having breathed out Scripture. Paul’s words mean, not that Scripture is inspiring (true though this is), but that Scripture is a divine product, and must be approached and estimated as such. God’s ‘breath’ (i.e. the Holy Spirit) produced Scripture, as a means to the conveyance of spiritual understanding. Paul’s meaning is clear beyond all doubt. He is affirming that all that comes in the category of Scripture, all that has a place among the ‘sacred writings’, just because it is God-breathed, is profitable for the guiding of both faith and life.
“On the basis of this Pauline text, English theology regularly uses the word ‘inspiration’ to express the thought of the divine origin and quality of Holy Scripture.” —New Bible Dictionary
I. INSPIRATION MEANS “GOD BREATHED”
A. Scripture is a divine product, 2 Timothy 3:15, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
B. The word “Scripture” means “writings,”
1. They come from the holy God, Joshua 24:19, “And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. 20 If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.”
2. They were delivered by holy men, 2 Peter 1:21, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
a. They came through the prophets, 2 Samuel 23:2, “The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.”
b. It was the Lord’s doing, Matthew 21:42, “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?”
3. They were designed to make us holy, Romans 16:25-27, “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26- But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 27- To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.”
II. THE DESIGN OF THE SCRIPTURES
A. The “breath” or “spirit” of God in the Old Testament DENOTES THE ACTIVE OUTGOING OF DIVINE POWER.
1. As in the creation, Psalm 33:6, “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.”
2. As in revelation to and through the Prophets, Isaiah 48:16, “Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.”
B. Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecies are Proof that the Scriptures are God-Breathed.
1. Not a bone of Jesus’ body was to be broken, Psalm 34:20, “He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.”
PROOF: John 19:31-33, “The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:”
2. They pierced His hands and feet, Psalm 22:16, “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.”
PROOF: John 20:25, “The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
3. They cast lots for His vesture, Psalm 22:18, “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.”
PROOF: Matthew 27:35, “And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.”
C. The God-breathed Scriptures are to lead us in the way of holiness to happiness, Psalm 144:15, “Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.”
1. He has forgiven our transgressions, Psalm 32:1, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”
2. Happy is the man who has trusted the Lord, Psalm 40:4, “Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.”
3. Happy is the man that keeps God’s Word, Jude 21, 24, “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 24- Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,”
CONCLUSION