INTRO: We have been given tools by God to develop, and continue to grow the personal relationship with Him, His Way of Life, and ultimately His eternal family. Among those tools are what He has granted just to His People in this Age, before the millennium.

There are two main convicting agents – The WORD of God and the SPIRIT of God.

Benefit Statement: We are assigned the task of using these spiritual tools of eternal Life to grow in our personal relationship with our Creator and Father. So as these tools of God’s Communication to His People convict you – that means to lay a weight upon the mind to the point where it it motivated and therefore do something about what has been laid on it …we are to learn HOW and therefore become responsible to actually DO conversion with His ever-present help.

SPS: It therefore follows that we MUST know HOW to work with God’s Spirit and Word. Let’s discuss God’s WORD and YOU.

BODY:

1)   The Word of God is “God-Breathed” – “AC should have granted a degree in “Biblical Studies”, not what we did do and that was “Theology”. That uses reasoning by man. But the study of God is not really what is done in Theology. It means God-Speak or study of God.” * Don Ward

The Bible claims to be the inspired Word of God – In NT Jesus treats the OT as authoritive:

            Matthew 24:15 (New King James Version) 15  "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand),

John 10:34-36 (NKJV) 34  Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, "You are gods" '? 35  If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36  do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'?

{{{{{Jewish thought is not necessarily linear in style. We in the westerner world normally go from basic universal truths toward a conclusion.

1 Corinthians 1:22 (New King James Version) 22  For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;}}}}}

The precious truths or the Bible are revealed through various methods.

Inspiration of the Bible – It is the Holy Book.

            Holy things have God’s active presence in them

John 6:63 (KJV) 63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV) 16  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17  that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

“theopneustos” – “inspired: is “God Breathed”   

What does that mean concerning how we receive the Bible. Did God dictate the words of the Bible? We’ll get to that.

God asks the question “whom shall he teach knowledge?”. Let’s note the principal qualifications for understanding scripture.

Hebrews 5:9-13 (NKJV) 9  And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10  called by God as High Priest "according to the order of Melchizedek," 11  of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12  For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13  For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

James 1:21 (NKJV) 21  Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 

 

2)   How does God work with you through His Word?

Since the Word is God-breathed … What does that mean concerning how we receive the Bible. Did God dictate the words of the Bible?

Basis for the doctrine - Etymology

{{{{The word inspiration comes by way of the Latin and the King James translations of the Greek word θεοπνευστος (theopneustos, literally, "God-breathed") found in

{{{{{ 2 Tim 3.16-17: All scripture is given by inspiration of God [theopneustos], and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. }}}}}

The question arises did God dictate the words of the Bible. There are two basic theories regarding “plenary inspiration.” The word plenary means, complete in every respect : absolute, unqualified. Some exegetes claim that God in essence dictated the Bible word for word. This is called verbal inspiration. Other exegetes believe that God inspired the words of the Bible but did not dictate every word.

2 Peter 1:20 (NKJV) 20  knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, {epilusis ep-il’-oo-sis 1) a loosening, unloosing 2) metaph. Interpretation}

We have used this verse to say that the Bible interprets the Bible which it does. However, based on the next verse---the subject is how the Bible was communicated to the writers.

2 Peter 1:21 (NKJV) 21  for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit

Peter also claims divine authority for the Apostles (3:2) and includes Paul's letters as being counted with the Scriptures (3:16).

2 Peter 3:2 (NKJV) 2  that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,

2 Peter 3:16 (NKJV) 16  as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures..

The scriptures were not given by men, but AS they were inspired. (Imagine yourself in Christ’s presence being told this is the WORD. Would you want to get it down word for word? But …you could not do that without help from God). Based on these scriptures we can safely conclude that God did not dictate every word of the Bible.

The internal evidence of the Bible claims it is the inspired word of God. Besides the direct accounts of written revelation, such as Moses receiving the Ten Commandments, the Prophets of the Old Testament frequently claimed that their message was divine by the formula "Thus says the LORD" (for example, 1 Kgs 12:22–24;1 Chr 17:3–4; Jer 35:13; Ezek 2:4; Zech 7:9; etc.).

In the New Testament, Jesus treats the Old Testament as authoritative and says it "cannot be broken"

John 10:34-36 (NKJV) 34  Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, "You are gods" '? 35  If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36  do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'?

Matthew 24:15 (NKJV) 15  "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand),

The Hebrew Old Testament was translated into Greek in circa 260s B.C. New Testament writers basically quoted from the Septuagint including Jesus himself.

This fact delivers a powerful blow to those who contend that God dictated every word of the Bible. Moreover, it provides an indictment to the Sacred Names people. On the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was sent to the New Covenant church each person heard the word in their own language.

Plenary inspiration – means the WHOLE thing is included.

Verbal Plenary Inspiration is dictated by God word for word.

Other exegetes declare that each word was inspired by God but not dictated.

Hebrews 1:1-2 (New King James Version) 1  God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2  has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;

So …sometimes the writer did not understand what the vision or dream was about, but meanings needed to be given later (Dan 9,10). Some of the Bible was spoken by Jesus Christ.

He had an earthly ministry with 12 apostles and various others who were there as well. The 4 gospels were written later. Those words are thus recorded.

1 Corinthians 7:6-7 (New King James Version) 6  But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment. 7  For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.

So …God didn’t dictate every last word of the Bible. (Sacred Names movement does not work)

God does not communicate through cultural changing meanings. But He does rely on clear language which are able to print in each language and at the same time, retain the meaning. It is meant to be translated and taught without hair splitting It is to be accessible to all people in all lands written over hundreds of years and yet fits together and written to be understood by the average person.

There are sources you can turn to in order to find the finer points of the meaning of a word, and in some case we can turn a teaching that way. Such as “hell” being three differing things and therefore words.
 

3)   How do YOU work with GOD through His Word?

There are two main convicting agents – The WORD of God and the SPIRIT of God.

SO …HOW do we interact with that information God has given in His Word? Through His ministry.

Romans 10:14-15 (New King James Version) 14  How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15  And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

Romans 10:16-20 (New King James Version) 16  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?" 17  So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18  But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: "Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world." 19  But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: "I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation." 20  But Isaiah is very bold and says: "I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me."

And you MUST be going on to maturity.

Isaiah 28:9 (New King James Version) 9  "Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts?

These are people who are not just being taught, but acting on it with God’s Guidance through His Word.

            (Already read Heb. 5:9-13)

Hebrews 5:11-14 (New King James Version) 11  of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. [hearing with knowledge, but not understanding the weight of the need to change self] 12  For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13  For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14  But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Now …how does the Spirit of God work with the Word and YOU?

            There are two main convicting agents – The WORD of God and the SPIRIT of God.

So as It convicts you – that means to lay a weight upon the mind to the point where it it motivated and therefore do something about what has been laid on it.

The HS as we shall see, the Holy Spirit does not speak to us, but It puts this conviction and weight upon our mind.

John 16:12-13 (New King James Version) 12  I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13  However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

The Holy Spirit is the Guide and influences and convicts us through the Word of God.

John 6:63 (NKJV) 63  It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

John 17:17 (New King James Version) 17  Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

The disciples had spent hundreds of hours with Him and heard all kinds of things including the Olivet Prophecy. He gave them signs and YET they did not get it until after His resurrection. – He appears to them and God opens the mind with this “weight” of conviction.

Luke 24:44 (New King James Version) 44  Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me."

The three main divisions of the OT are described in Lk 24.44.

So the principle preaching of the gospel is that OF Jesus Christ and what He expects.

Luke 24:45 (New King James Version) 45  And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

Luke 24:46-48 (New King James Version) 46  Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47  and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48  And you are witnesses of these things.

{{{{Luke 24:49 (New King James Version) 49  Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."

{{{{Luke 24:50-53 (New King James Version) 50  And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51  Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. 52  And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53  and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.}}}}

 

Conclusion: Since we are to work together with God to develop Faith and that comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God …We must put the Word of God into us by the means God has provided …His Holy Spirit which open sour mind to be convicted and motivated to become like HIM.

            (Romans 10:17 (NKJV) 17  So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.)

{{{Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) 6  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.}}}

We, of course, are to take advantage of something the world does not have …     Revelation –

1 Corinthians 2:9-16 (New King James Version) 9  But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." 10  But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11  For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13  These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14  But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15  But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16  For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

·         The Word of God is God-Breathed

·         How does God work with you through His Word?

·         How do YOU work with GOD through His Word?

CLOSE: “God’s Word and YOU” – THIS is HOW to interact with God as HE does with YOU …

James 1:21-27 (New King James Version) 21  Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness [not resisting the information, as some only receive it without action] the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22  But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24  for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25  But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. 26  If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. 27  Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NKJV) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.