THE BIBLE: GOD’S BOOK OF GRACE. 2-16-03

THE BIBLE: ITS PURPOSE PSALM 19:7-9, 10-11, 12-14; 2 TIMOTHY 3: 14-15, 16-17.

PLEASE OPEN YOU BIBLE TO PSALM 19.

The Word of God was given to us for a purpose and that purpose is clearly spelled out in two Scripture passages—one from the O.T. and one from the N.T. The purpose of the Word of God is to instruct us and inspire us to follow the way of God. It is God’s manual for successful living. It is the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions are to be tried.

Through the years some revered books have been grossly misused. The Koran, for instance, inspires young men to become suicide bombers set on killing innocent people whom their sacred writing teaches them to hate. They do so thinking their cruel acts will ensure their entry to paradise. Mormon sacred books still urge men to marry many wives to have as many babies as possible to provide bodies for spirits waiting to be born. Such revered words do more harm than good. We are grateful to have a sacred Book with higher purposes, a Book that really does come "from the mouth of God. (Matt. 4:4). But even our Scriptures can be and have been misused.

Christians have the opportunity and obligation to learn and teach what the real purposes of the Scriptures are. Only with such knowledge can we be sure that we are using and encouraging other to use the Scriptures properly. This lesson will teach us that the Bible is God’s supreme standard for salvation and for Christian living. Learning such truths will help us live up to His’ standard and teach others to do the same: These truths lead believers to love and encourage, not to hurt or kill.

The Law or Word of God is perfect, as is the Lord who stands behind it. It convicts of sin and leads us to seek forgiveness and moral strength from the Lord. The Holy Scriptures have two main purposes. First, they seek to lead to salvation in Christ. then these inspired Scriptures become the standard and source for doctrine and godly living.

Psalm 19 had been described as the greatest poem in the Book of Psalms. It is a masterpiece on the subject of God’s revelation, first through nature (vv. 1-6), then through His Word (vv. 7-11), and finally to the human heart. (vv. 12-14).

In Vs. 7-9 David described the effective nature of the Law of the Lord. Just as the sun is the dominant feature of God’s natural revelation in Vs. 4-6, so the Law was the dominant element in God’s specific revelation in the O.T.

In Vs. 7-9 the Law, God’s special revelation, reflects the character of its author. Different names are used for the Law, synonyms that point to the whole of God’s special revelation. The Law is the soul of life that God has laid down for His children to follow. Four things about the Law are in vs. 7-9. These are found in six sentences. These comprise the most comprehensive statement in the Bible about its significance for human life.

First, let me call attention to the names of God. Vs. 1-6 use the general name for God---Elohim. This is appropriate because these verses are about the revelation of God the Creator in His creation. The Lord is the personal name of the God who made the covenant with Israel—Yahweh. The words of the Lord are in each of the six statements and the word Lord is also in Vs. 14. The sevenfold appearance of the name of Israel’s God (i.e. Yahweh)….is intended to suggest the perfection of His revelation. This repetition of the words of the Lord also shows that the Law is from God and reflects the Lord’s character. What He expects of His people is that they be like Him.

The second thing about the six statements is the use of six different words for the law. Four of these are basically synonyms for the law. Just as in Psalm 119, several different words are used for the same reality. The law can also be called testimony …statutes …commandments …judgments. The use of fear in Vs. 9 is more of a response to the law than another name for it. Actually, the law or Torah can refer to one law, the Ten Commandments, to all the laws given to Israel, to the first five books of the Bible, or to the entire Bible.

The third feature of the six statements is the use of six different words that describe this Word of God. It is perfect, just as it is the God who inspired it. It is complete as well as being without flaw. Everything we need to know about God, His will, His truth about us, and His purpose for our lives is giving in His Word. Nothing needs to be added: It is complete.

It is sure in the sense of being completely trustworthy. It is right because it shows us the right way to live. It is pure in the sense of being "radiant" It is clean in the sense of containing nothing unclean. It is true in every way and in every part.

The fourth feature of the statements in vs. 7-9 is the list of six benefits from being in the Word of God. Converting the soul can refer to initial conversion or to "reviving or "restoring" the soul. Here is God’s provision for our greatest need. Making wise the simple promises that the Word will impart to the humble or inexperienced person, who comes to the Word with a willingness to learn is made wise in how to live in God’s will and way. Rejoicing the heart is one benefit of living the right way according to God’s Word. Enlightening the eyes, means providing the insight needed to see reality through the eyes of faith. These benefits are enduring forever. Indeed, the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

Vs. 10 uses two comparisons to show the surpassing worth of the Word of God. The word for gold refers to pure gold. Throughout the centuries gold has been considered among the most valuable possessions. But the psalmist knew that knowing God through His Word is more valuable still . Fortunes can vanish, but knowing God through His Word can never lose its value.

The teachings of the Scriptures are more precious than Gold. What about the personal pleasure derived from living by God’s Word? Life becomes more delightful than the taste of honey from the comb.

Vs. 11 begins a prayer to the Lord. Vs. 7-10 were about God’s Word. Then the psalmist addressed God directly about His Word. He humbly referred to himself as the Lord’s servant. The best benefit is the fact that a servant of the Lord is kept from evil because he is warned by the Word and finds great reward because he keeps the Word. Thus we discover that the Bible is a perfect standard of divine instruction. Another benefit of the Word of God is that by it believers are warned of dangers to avoid. The positive side of vs. 11 is the grateful acknowledgment to God of the great reward that comes from keeping the teachings of His Word.

Vs. 7-11 emphasize that the Bible is a perfect standard for our beliefs and practices. The Word of God is like a yardstick. Whenever we dare to lay our life down beside this divine yardstick, we see our sins and shortcomings. With God’s help we can seek to better measure up according to His standard. This is one reason we never graduate from Sunday School. Those who regularly see themselves according to God’s standard seek His forgiveness and power to live in His way. Those who don’t measure their lives by God’s standard use some human standard, which is often contrary to God’s standard.

A poll on morality found that 58% of Americans believe it is all right for an unmarried couple to live together. The same poll showed that 37% think profanity is acceptable. Although almost 75% said they are concerned about the moral condition of our nation, 44% said they base their moral decisions on what gives them the most satisfying and pleasing results. Only about 25% said their moral decisions are based on religious principles and biblical teachings. No wonder our nation’s moral condition is deplorable. People either do not know what the Bible teaches or they know but reject its standards in favor of doing what feels right to them at the time. This is a formula for moral disaster. The only hope for change is to adopt the Bible as the perfect standard for living.

The inspired poet ended this psalm with three earnest requests. He prayed that God would forgive his unknown sins, prevent him from becoming a rebellious sinner, and keep him faithful in his spoken and unspoken thoughts. The serious study of God’s Word leads to the praying of this kind of prayer.

Having affirmed the perfection of God’s written revelation, the psalmist turned to a painful awareness of his own imperfection. The lofty standard of God’s expectation brings conviction for sin. In these three verses David used four different terms to describe these shortcomings: errors…hidden faults…willful sins…great transgression. Notice the progression in this list. A person first becomes aware that he or she makes errors; these may well be hidden faults or unintentional sins.

The Psalmist suggested that God’s people often are incapable of realizing exactly where some of their sins are hidden. Overt sins have few hiding places. However, quiet sins my lie unnoticed. Sincerely reading God’s Word opens the door for Him to help His children discern those overlooked sins. Discernment prepares the way for the repentance that results in cleansing—and change. Thus the psalmist motivated to look inward at his previously unidentified faults, was able to ask and to receive forgiveness for those sins. But then comes deliberate, willful sins that result in great transgression. The psalmist’s prayer was that the Lord would give him complete deliverance from all these personal failures.

David began Vs.12 with a question asked by many others: Who can discern his errors? Here is an admission of guilt coupled with a plea that God would forgive all hidden faults. The psalmist recognized the fact of his unintentional transgressions—sins of omission as well as his willful sins. He acknowledged his responsibility for both kinds of disobedience. He also confessed his inability to overcome his waywardness as he prayed. Keep your servant also from willful sins.

David knew by experience that sin gains mastery over all human beings. His plea was for God to intervene lest such evil rule over him. The consuming desire of this servant was to be blameless and innocent of great transgressions. God’s forgiveness and cleansing delivers believers from the blame and guilt deserved because of sin. God warned Cain that his sin lurked at his door threatening to rule over him. He warned Cain to deal with it before it ruined him. Such sins threaten all of us at some time. Only God’s enlightenment through His Word can convict us of these sins and keep us from becoming enslaved by them.

In Vs. 14 David offered a concluding prayer as a benediction. He brings his hymn to a close in one of the classic prayers of the Psalter. He uses a term familiar in the priestly ritual, acceptable. To be made acceptable to God, he is told by his law in Lev. 1:3, that he must bring the properly prescribed offering, which will then be acceptable, pleasing to God; his Rock, his Redeemer, this very Psalm that he has written, the product of his pen, the sincere utterance of his mouth, the honest, meditative brooding of his heart. This is his sacrifice, his offering unto God. May God receive both it and him!

The Word of God is the standard that the Spirit uses to make us aware of our sins. The right way to respond to this conviction of sin is to repent, be forgiven, and live according to the Word. The people who heard Peter preach at Pentecost in Acts 2:37-41 repented. Jesus taught in Matt 7:24-26 that one test of having heard the Word is to obey it. James in James 1:22-25 compared those who fail to obey the Word to people who look in the mirror but do nothing about it.

Not all accept the truth that the Word shows them. Josiah in 2 Kings 22:11-14 repented when he heard the Word read, but Jehoiakim in Jer. 36:22-24 rejected it and even tried to destroy it. When Paul preached in Athens in acts 17:32-34, some believed: but most mocked the message or postponed any decision.

This is still true today. Some hear the Word, are convicted, seek forgiveness, and live according to the Word. Other try to avoid hearing or reading the Word so they never really see themselves as God sees them. Others hear, but reject the message.

The Bible reveals God’s standard by which all will be judged---the standard of perfection. Only one person ever achieved that standard—our Lord Jesus. The purpose of God’s standard of perfection is twofold: to show His will for our character and conduct and to reveal our need for His help in reaching that standard. God’s law is like a mirror—we look there to see ourselves as we are, helpless sinners in desperate need of God’s mercy. And because of God’s great love for us He provided the Savior we need.

PLEASE TURN IN YOUR BIBLE TO 2 TIMOTHY 3.

4. PLEASE READ 2 TIMOTHY 3: 14-15

We will find that Paul’s final letter to Timothy, his son in the faith, is filled with practical instructions. Paul urged Timothy to give priority to teaching people the Scriptures in order to lead them to salvation, spiritual maturity, and effective service. This is one of the three Pauline letters called the Pastoral Epistles.(the others are 1Timothy and Titus.) Timothy was a young pastor who looked to Paul as his mentor. This second letter Paul wrote to Timothy contains much practical advice regarding pastoral ministry.

The three Pastoral Epistles are especially helpful in revealing the challenges the young churches were facing in the late first century. Probably Paul wrote this letter from his final Roman imprisonment about AD 67. He wrote to instruct and to encourage Timothy in his difficult Ephesian ministry. Timothy had been serving there in a leadership capacity for some time. Paul also wrote to ask Timothy to bring him some needed supplies and probably to be with him until his imminent execution took place.

Timothy had been taught the holy scriptures from the time he was very young. This would have been the OT as the NT did not exist as a collection at this time. Indeed, some of the N.T. books had probably not yet been written.

Timothy’s first teachers were his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois. Although Timothy’s father was a Greek, no mention is made of his being a believer or teaching Timothy. Eunice was either a widow or she was married to an unbelievers. In spite of these less- than-ideal conditions, she and Lois were faithful in teaching the Word of God to young Timothy.

Timothy had both learned and become convinced about the teachings of God’s Word. In Timothy’s mind, the truth he had learned was completely reliable because he knew those from whom he had learned it. The reliable people who stood behind the Christian doctrine that Timothy trusted so completely were the ancient prophets, Paul, Timothy’s mother Eunice, and his grandmother Lois.

Devout Jews gave instruction from God’s law to their children as soon as they were old enough to understand, usually about 5 years of age, requiring them to memorize key passages. The Law was so imprinted on the heart and mind of a Jewish child that he would sooner forget his own name than he would forget the law. The paramount value of the Holy Scriptures is that they are able to make one wise for salvation. These biblical truths point out our need for a Savior, then reveal Him as the Messiah, even Christ Jesus. A person receives this saving grace through faith in Him.

If Timothy had been converted during Paul’s first missionary journey, he probably also had been impressed with the witnesses of Barnabas and Barnabas’s cousin John Mark. These two colleagues of Paul on their journey doubtless gave a formidable testimony to the truth of the gospel.

Timothy had trusted Paul so completely that he was willing to leave his hometown of Lystra and follow the apostle to far-away and unspecified places. Timothy had held his position of faith for a long time, but Paul challenged him not to be moved. Paul’s plea shows that the danger Timothy faced was formidable.

In Vs. 15 if Timothy were to be swayed from his doctrinal position, he would have to leave a doctrine he had known and loved as long a s he could remember. It was from infancy that he had known the Holy Scriptures.

If Timothy would nurture his spiritual life in the Scriptures that he would use in his ministry, he would be fully qualified and prepared to undertake whatever tasks God put before him. What a tragedy for any Christian to be labeled as spiritually unprepared for a task when the means of instruction and preparation are ready at hand.

A poll of church members from the nation’s 12 largest denominations found that failure to believe the Bible results in false doctrines. Less than half (41%) believe in the total accuracy of the Bible. The group making the survey concluded, "The Christian body in America is immersed in a crisis of biblical illiteracy. How else can you describe matters when church going adults reject the accuracy of the Bible, reject the existence of Satan, claim that Jesus sinned, see no need to evangelize, believe that good works are one of he keys to persuading God to forgive their sins, and describe their commitment to Christianity as moderate or even less firm?"

NEXT WEEK FROM JOHN 5 AND ACTS 17 WE SEE THE BIBLE AS A TESTIMONY TO CHRIST. A.V. DAUGHERTY 2-16-03