Sunday am 28 April 2019 – Johan Esterhuizen
2 Tim. 3:16-17 (NIV & AMP); Luke 24:25-27; Josh. 1:8; Jer. 6:16; Prov. 22:6, 28; Ps. 119:9-10, 104-105; Heb. 4:12-13; Eph. 2:10; 2 Pet. 1:5-6; Ex. 20
The foundation for living is the Word of God. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. The word ‘inspired’ comes from the Greek word ‘theopneustos’. ‘Theo’ means God, ‘pneustos’ means ‘breathed.’ All Scripture is breathed into by God. When you speak, you breathe, and you breathe the words that are formed by your mind and your intellect. At the time that Paul said this, there was no New Testament yet, so he was referring to the old writings, the Old Testament. On the road to Emmaus Jesus expanded the Old Testament and revealed to them His life and death (Luke 24:25-27).
The full counsel of God is given to us that we may profit. ‘Profit’ means beneficial, productive, useful, complete, practical; an indispensable instrument and tool, comprehensive and sufficient. The opposite of ‘profit’ is ‘debt’. If you are not profitable in any area of your life, you are not profitable and in bondage to that situation. All Scripture is given to bring us out of that situation. Why is there so much debt today? It is a day of instant gratification. There are some synonyms for ‘debt’. Owing, obligated, liable, in deficit, in default, insolvent, incumbent, in over one’s head, tied up, out of pocket, destitute, penniless, needy, lacking, distressed, dead-beat, having a wolf at the door, living hand to mouth, empty, having seen better days, gone to the dogs, wrack and ruin, impoverished, bad off, hard up, beaten down, reduced to ruin, free stripped, bereaved, reduced, unable to make ends meet, embarrassed, broke and busted. It is bondage. Any area of our life where we are in bondage, we are in debt.
God’s Word not only instructs us in salvation through Jesus Christ, but it gives every truth, every principle, every standard, every warning, so that we may live salvation according to His will. Ps. 119 uses 8 synonyms to describe the Word of God. Testimonies, precepts, judgements, statutes and so on. It is divided into groups of 8. No matter where you go in the book of Psalms, it tells you what happens when you obey God’s Word. God’s Word is the foundation of our lives (Josh. 1:8). God’s Word is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). Thus says the Lord, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it’ (Jer. 6:16). The ancient paths are not old fashioned, but they are the established and perpetual ways of God that work (Prov. 22:6). Do not move the ancient boundary Which your fathers have set (Prov. 22:28). The Word is God is the template by which we live. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path (Ps. 119:105).
The Word is profitable for reproof or rebuke, and that must happen. A father who loves his children will correct them. Heb. 4:12-13 and Eph. 6 describes God’s Word as a sharp two edged sword. It penetrates the mind, the soul and the heart; the intent. It answers our needs. We do not need to be in debt, we can be free. There is no white-washing of sin in God’s Word. People have to know the standards of God’s Word and live by it. God’s Word steers us away from sin (Ps. 119:9-10).
The word for ‘equipping the saints’ is a medical term. It is used to describe the correcting of a broken limb (Eph. 4:12-13). The Word of God is given to correct us and to mend us so that we can be thoroughly equipped for every good work (Eph. 2:10).
The Word of God is profitable for training in righteousness. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness (2 Pet. 1:56). We have to be trained in those areas.
They came to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matt. 22:36-40). All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, the old and the new. The new reveals what is in the old. The first four commandments are in relationship to God. The other six commandments have to do with our relationships with others and ourselves (Ex. 20). God is meticulous about our character.