We truly have a great salvation. Consequently, we should understand the amazing fullness of the salvation that God gives us through faith in Jesus and cooperation with the Holy Spirit as he works within us.
Our salvation is both comprehensive and exhaustive, and not just limited to the initial experience that occurs when a person receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Ours is truly a great salvation. It includes salvation from the penalty of sin, which, for believers, is a past work of God in their lives. The New Testament portrays salvation in the present tense as a process that started with our conversion and continues from day to day. God is at work in us to deliver us from the sin that surrounds us. This is not only salvation from the punishment of sin or the very presence of sin, it is also salvation from the power of sin. Salvation from the presence of sin, is a future experience for all Christians.
Today I want to talk about the Bible’s role in helping each believer experience this great salvation.
For an audio recording of this sermon click the YouTube link at the end of the manuscript.
Scripture Reading:
2 Timothy 3:14-17 NLT But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Introduction
Memorial Day is a day to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.
Originally known as Decoration Day, it started in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.
In past years it has been a time of getting together with friends and family for picnics, barbeques, going to the beach, and for having a great time outside. Unfortunately this year because of Coronavirus our activities have been severely impacted in most places in the country and especially here in California. We won’t have the big parades, we can’t have big family gatherings, and we can’t meet together yet as a church. But this doesn’t mean that we can’t honor those who died while serving in the military.
While this holiday is to those who died while serving in the military I do think that this Memorial Day we can and should honor those who are serving today in the face of the dangers surrounding Coronavirus. This includes, in addition to our active duty members of the military, National Guard soldiers helping in some parts of the country, it includes our police officers, fire fighters, EMT personnel, those clerks in the supermarkets and drugstores, those people delivering food and other things to our homes, and of course it includes our healthcare workers. Some of these people we never even think about nevertheless recognize and honor for the things they do for us but we can be intentional about thanking and honoring them this year.
Text:
2 Timothy 3:14-15 NLT But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
For the past several weeks we have been talking about experiencing our great salvation. Our salvation is both comprehensive and exhaustive, and not just limited to the initial experience that occurs when a person receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Ours is truly a great salvation. It includes salvation from the penalty of sin, which, for believers, is a past work of God in their lives. It also includes salvation from the presence of sin, which is a future experience for all Christians. Salvation from the presence of sin comes, as we said last week, at the end of the ages when Jesus Christ returns to fully redeem believers from their human sinful state.
Philippians 3:20 NLT Philippians 3:19 NLT But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.
Hebrews 9:27-28 NLT And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.
Our text today speaks of the Bible’s role in helping each believer experience this great salvation.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 NLT But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
We come to know Jesus through the good news of, the Bible, God’s Word.
Romans 10:14-17 NLT But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “ Lord , who has believed our message?” So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
Through this same Word, we learn about our heavenly home.
John 14:1-3 NLT “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.
Hebrews 13:14 NLT For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
God has also given us the Bible so we can experience deliverance from the destructiveness and evil of today.
If you ignore God's Word there is no way to experience the fullness of God’s salvation
The writer of Hebrews was talking to believers, to Christians, when he warned them against ignoring the messages that teach us how to experience redemption in every area of life
Hebrews 2:1-4 NLT So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.
And Paul talked about this same thing in his letter to the believers in Rome.
Romans 15:1-6 NLT We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is both interesting and profitable for us to see how Jesus used the Scriptures.
He used the Scriptures when confronted and tempted by the Devil. In Matthew 4:1-11 used the phrase “it is written” three times.
Matthew 4:4 KJV But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:7 KJV Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Matthew 4:10 KJV Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Jesus also used the Scriptures when defining his purpose for taking on the form of a man and coming to the earth.
Luke 4:16-21 NLT When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord ’s favor has come. ” He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”
So today let’s talk about some practical suggestions regarding our use of the Bible.
A. The Bible reveals God’s nature and the way of salvation
First of all it reveals that God is Spirit
John 4:24 NLT For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
The Bible reveals that Jesus is the perfect representation of God
Hebrews 1:3 NLT The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.
If we have seen Jesus we have seen the father
John 14:9-11 NLT Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.
It's recorded in the Bible that Jesus declared that He is the only way to the Father
John 14:6 NLT Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
Romans 10:9-11 NLT If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”
This is why Paul told Timothy to remember what he had been taught from the Scriptures. As it said in our text.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 NLT But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. It goes on to say
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
B. The good news about God recorded in the Bible is used by the Holy Spirit to cause the new birth when one receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
John 3:5-6 NLT Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.
Romans 1:16-17 NLT For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
It says that same thing at
Habakkuk 2:4 NLT “Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.
James 1:21 NLT So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
1 Peter 1:23-25 NLT For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.” And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.
C. The Bible serves as milk that nourishes us following our conversion experience.
1 Peter 2:1-3 NLT So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness
Matthew 4:4 NLT But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
John 6:32-33, 35 NLT Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
D. The Bible provides authoritative guidance for conduct that both pleases God and brings satisfaction to the believer.
2 Timothy 3:16 NLT All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
So here’s what Paul is saying here. Scripture is:
- Profitable for teaching.
- Profitable for disapproval.
- Profitable for correction.
- Profitable for instruction in righteousness.
Hebrews 4:12 NLT For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
E. The Bible is intended to equip receptive and responsive believers for fruitful service to God and others.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Ephesians 2:10 NLT For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Always remember that the Bible is a spiritual book. It is an inspired book produced by the Holy Spirit as he worked in and through men. Only with the Holy Spirit’s help can you fully grasp God’s Word for your life.
1 Corinthians 2:14 NLT But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.
Conclusion
Here are several practical suggestions as you decide to study the Bible with more diligence and spiritual hunger.
- Look for promises to claim.
- Look for commands to obey.
- Look for sins to avoid.
- Look for failures to avoid.
- Look for examples to follow.
- Always look to the Savior for guidance and help.
Psalms 119:104 NLT Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.
So, how can you find more time to spend in God’s Word? Spend less time in front of TV screens or on your devices. Spend less time cheering on your favorite sports team. Let me give you some examples;
By the time a typical American student graduates from high school today, he or she will have spent more than 30,000 hours in front of a screen (including video games, tablets, laptops, and TVs).
Any guess how long it takes to read the entire Bible—all 66 books? It takes just 80 hours.
We have the time. The question is, how will we use our time? God gave us his Word to give us the wisdom we need to live a fulfilling and productive life.
Make the most of this awesome gift by making time to study it today and every day.
By using the Scriptures to teach and instruct you, our precious Savior wants to save you from the faults and flaws to which human nature is so inclined. He will speak to your heart through the Scriptures if you will let him. Don’t neglect your great salvation by ignoring God’s Word.
The Bible speaks of the great Savior who wants to save you from the penalty of sin. He is willing to redeem you today if you will come to him in faith, committing your life to him.