Series: Where Do You Go From Here? – City Church of Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN
Hebrews 6:1, Let us go on to maturity.
We continue our look at the characteristics of a spiritually mature believer. A Biblically measured Christian is one who has a growing knowledge of God’s Word and is using this knowledge as a standard of living. For such a Christian the Bible is the criteria by which he lives his life. It is the decisive factor in all his decision-making.
2 Timothy 3:16-17, 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 straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do. (NLT)
All Scripture is inspired by God…
The Bible came from God.
It is a God-breathed book.
How did God write this book?
2 Peter 1:20, 23, You must understand that no prophecy of Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves or because they wanted to prophesy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God. (NLT)
The Bible is not the product of human ingenuity.
God moved on the writers of Scripture, watching over them as they wrote, insuring that the product of their writing was the object of divine trustworthiness.
…is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right… Useful means practical, beneficial, relevant.
1. Through the Bible I can learn what is true.
John 17:17, Your word is truth. Through the Bible we are able to understand the wisdom of God. Satan’s favorite tool is deception.
John 8:44, Satan has always hated the truth. There is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character. He is a liar and the father of lies. (NLT)
John 8:23, You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (NIV)
2. The Bible exposes what is wrong.
The Bible confronts our wrong ideas about life.
The Scripture cuts to the heart of the matter.
Hebrews 4:12, The Word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are…(NLT)
Without the wisdom of God’s Word, the dividing line between right from wrong gets blurred.
Proverbs 14:12, There is a way of life that seems harmless enough. Look again—it leads straight to hell.
3. The Bible develops character. It is not just about information. It is about transformation.
James 1:22, It is a message to obey, not just to listen to. The end result: A person who is thoroughly prepared for life.