SERIES:  Beliefs Under Construction

TITLE:   Something to Follow

TEXT:  2 Timothy 3: 10-17 (p.996)

 I.  BECAUSE THERE IS A WAR GOING ON

Karl Marx once called religion “the opium of the masses.’

Some crutches people use to cope;

1. (Escapism)
2. (Cynicism)
3. (Humanism)
4. (Supernaturalism)

Two myths people have:

1. The Bible is (too difficult) to understand.
2. The Bible is (boring).

II.  BECAUSE THERE IS A WAY TO DEFEND

The Bible is indispensable to the Christian faith, if you attempt to follow Jesus without it, you’re not going to get very far.

Three truths that need highlighted from verse 16:

1. “breathed out by God”   See also 2 Peter 1: 19-21- p.1018
2. “all”
3. “Scripture”

What is the Word of God profitable for?

1. (Teaching)- refers specifically to divine instruction, or doctrine.
2. Reproof- carries the idea of rebuking in order to (correct misconduct) or false doctrine.
3. (Correction)- After exposing false teaching, Scripture then (builds up).
4. (Training) in righteousness- Insight into truth, but also building up.
5. Competent and equipped- take on (challenges).

A few miscellaneous thoughts:

1. Don’t just read the Bible; let the Bible read you.
2. Don’t just read the Bible; let your mind and heart dwell on it.
3. We need to accept the Bible as the final authority.
4. We need to make the Bible part of our daily diet.
5. Practice it.

NEXT WEEK:   From Bottom Up- Isaiah 40: 12-31; Job 38-41