Section 1: The Authoritative Rule
THE SCRIPTURES INSPIRED
The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative, rule of faith and conduct
1 Thess. 2:13 - And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
2 Tim. 3:15–17 - and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Pet. 1:21 - For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
SECTION 1: The Authoritative Rule (Measure)
What’s the big idea: The Bible is God’s Final Authority on issues of faith and life.
Why does it matter: Those who accept God’s Word as from God Himself will use it as a standard to live by, no matter what other people say.
How do I live it out: Consult God’s Word on all issues of your life (faith, friends, family, and your future)
How can I know which is the true religion? is an important question frequently asked. It is deserving of an answer, since one’s eternal welfare is at stake. The real issue is the matter of authority. There are three basic kinds of religious authority: (1) human reason, (2) the Church, and (3) God’s Word. ß This will be our outline for the night
Human Reason
- Belief that the highest form of authority is you
- Judges 17:6 - In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.
- Judges 21:25 - In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.
- Human reason and scientism go hand in hand
- It fails to explain qualities of something (use illustration of sound and color)
The Church
- Belief that Christ gave authority to Peter who gave authority to other bishops and apostles and that has been passed down to us today
- Hebrews 9:15-17 - For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. 16 In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living.
God’s Word
- This view is based squarely on the conviction that God by nature is self-disclosing. He is a speaking God; He wishes to communicate with His creatures.
- The key difference between other religions and Christianity is that other religions see humanity in the dark seeking for something within themselves or beyond themselves. Christianity reveals God bringing light into the darkness as He comes down into the stream of human life and history and reaches out in love for fallen human beings.
- Hebrews 1:1-2 - In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
- Romans 10:8-15 - But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
We need to have the belief that God’s Word is final in our lives. My life has to line up with the Bible. We cannot choose what we want to line up with.