Temple Baptist Church - 6-8-2022
John 1:1-2
Introduction:
A. Last week, we took a biblical look at the "Existing" Word of God. From Eternity past through Eternity future. I use the words "past" and "future" for us earthlings as eternity has no time and, therefore, no past or future.
In order to understand what I am preaching about concerning the Word, we need to understand the biblical history behind it. We have the Eternal Word on both sides of time with the Existing Word between. Word-to communicate with words, either spoken or written. There was a spoken Word from Genesis until the completion of the Inscribed Word at the end of the Apostolic Age. Since the completion of the Inscribed Word, there has been no spoken Word. God no longer needs to speak from heaven because "that which is perfect" has come. There is no need for dreams, visions, biblical tongues, etc. in our day.
B. Because we no longer have a spoken Word, there are many who have gone into extra-biblical revelations such as visions, dreams, unbiblical tongues, the myriad of "bibles" on the market that allows individuals to personally choose which one that they want to use. The Word of God is not about sinful man's discernment of what is or is not the Word of God!
1. To these, the inscribed Word of God is not sufficient for faith and practice.
2. Extra-biblical revelation is anything that is outside of the Bible that becomes pertinent to changes of doctrine and doctrinal practice.
3. Either the Bible is the final authority for faith and practice or something else is!
4. How important is your Bible?
a) The Bible tells us about Jesus Christ. John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
b) The Bible is the only means of salvation. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
c) The Bible is our teacher from which we get sound doctrine. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
d) The bible is our stability, comfort, and hope. Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
e) This list could go on and on but I feel that you realize the importance of your Bible.
C. This is one of those times when I am not sure just how to break down this message so we will just dig in tonight and then get it done.
D. The Bible reminds us that what we have, the inscribed Word of God, is not only sufficient but also "more sure." In Psalms, chapter 12, the Lord gave a promise to His children that carries forward to every generation.
Psalms 12:6-7 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (7) Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
E. In these verses, we find the promises of both a pure Word (The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times) coupled with a preserved Word (Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.).
F. In the Book of 2 Peter, which deals with the end times, the Bible says this:
2 Peter 1:16-21 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (17) For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (18) And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. (19) We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. (21) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
G. Interesting that John began the Gospel of Divinity by calling Jesus Christ the Word! This also occurs in our text, John 1:1, 1 John 1:1, and Revelation 19:13. Most people never realize that the Bible gives the same attributes to both Jesus Christ the Word and the Bible.
H. I want to take my time as to allow each of you to follow along in your Bible because, at this point, we will allow the Bible to speak.
J. Next week, I will give you my "short list" of these common attributes that apply to both the Incarnate Word, Christ Jesus-Jehovah God, and the Inscribed Word, your Bible.
"A More Sure Word" Continued."
These messages are not an argument for the Word of God, and neither are they an argument about the Word of God.
These messages are simply apologetics, explanations of doctrine.
As a Bible believer, I am both an Apologist and Polemist.
K. Since we no longer have either extra-biblical revelation such as God speaking in an audible voice, dreams, visions, biblical tongues, signs, etc.—we MUST have the Inscribed Word of God in its completeness. Anything that causes either confusion or division is not of God as He is not the Author of confusion according to the Scripture. Our knowledge of God, Jesus Christ, salvation, sanctification, prophecy, and doctrine are found only in the Bible. If "bibles" are contradictory, then we must reject them at this point as they cause confusion and division.
L. One of the difficulties that people have is that they try to separate or divorce the Incarnate Word, Christ, from the Inscribed Word, the preservation of the Scriptures. To do this, one must "cherry pick" what verses of the Bible that they choose to believe and what verses of the same Bible that they choose not to believe. We do not have the presence or the spoken Word of the Incarnate Christ today, but we do have the preservation of the inscribed Word which is the foundation of all that we know and believe.
M. The verses below pertain to the Incarnate Word and belief is consistent among God's men concerning Christ, but the same verses that pertain to the preserved Word there is an inconsistency among the same men. This is what the Bible teaches on the subject.
1. The Incarnate Word is an Eternal Word - vs 1 “In the beginning”
Psalm 90:1-3 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.
The Inscribed Word is an Eternal Word
Psalm 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
2. The Incarnate Word is an Ever-Present Word - vs 1 “the Word was with God”
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Hebrews 1:12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
Psalm 102:27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
The Inscribed Word is an Ever-Present Word
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Psalm 12:6-7 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
3. The Incarnate Word is the Faultless Word - vs 1 “Word was God” - equal (you cannot separate Jesus Christ from His Word, they are one and the same)
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Isaiah 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
1 Peter 2:22-23 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
The Inscribed Word is The Faultless Word
Psalm 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times
Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Psalm 119:140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
4. The Incarnate Word is the Authoritative Word - vs 3 “all...made...him”
Mark 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
Mark 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
Mark 4:39-41 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
The Inscribed Word is the Authoritative Word
Peter 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
Proverbs 13:13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
Romans 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
5. The Incarnate Word is the Essential Word - vs 3 “and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
Colossians 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The Inscribed Word is the Essential Word
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
6. The Incarnate Word Gives Life - vs 4, 14 “in him was life...light of men”
1 John 1:1-2 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Inscribed Word Gives Life
John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Philippians 2:16 Holding forth the word of life;
7. The Incarnate Word is an Illuminating Word - vs 4 “light of men”
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
The Inscribed Word is an Illuminating Word
2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
8. The Incarnate Word is a Fathomless Word - vs 5 “comprehended it not”
Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
The Inscribed Word is a Fathomless Word
1 Corinthians 2:9-14 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
9. The Incarnate Word is the Rejected Word - vs 9-11 “knew him not...received him not”
Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
John 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
The Inscribed Word is the Rejected Word
Hebrews 3:15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
1 John 5:6-12 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
10. The Incarnate Word is the Living Word - vs 14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us”
Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
The Inscribed Word is the Living Word
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
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