Latest / Providence Baptist Church - Sermons / 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Transcript

2 Timothy 3:14-17 · Providence Baptist Church - Sermons

0:00
I want you to think of a time when a friend, family member, fellow church member, or even maybe your own child came to you with a complex problem in his life.
0:14
! Hold that memory.
0:18
He came to you for help and you want to help him.
0:22
His problem is messy.
0:25
It's confusing.
0:27
It's hard to understand.
0:28
It's complicated in every respect.
0:32
You listen.
0:34
You think.
0:35
You even pray while he is explaining the problem to you.
0:41
Then the most important moment happens.
0:44
He stops and it is your turn to speak.
0:48
You have to say with words something.
0:53
What will you say?
0:55
It is the most important moment for him.
0:58
Will you immediately choose his side of the situation in order to please him?
1:03
Or will you lean on a recent podcast you heard recently on kind of his question?
1:12
Or will you lean on your prior education and what a long ago professor said in a lecture you heard long ago?
1:23
The question is this.
1:27
What will be the foundation from which you will build upon in helping your friend, family member, fellow church member, or child?
1:36
This is where what you believe about the sufficiency of scripture comes into real life.
1:44
Maybe you can resonate with this feeling.
1:48
Life seemed more simple when you were young and in college.
1:52
But now three kids deep into the married life things don't seem so simple.
2:00
Maybe life has become more complex than what you ever thought and you find it more difficult to apply scripture to yourself and your family.
2:12
The sufficiency of scripture has real life consequences for both faith and practice.
2:20
One author describes getting this doctrine wrong as both devastating and unending.
2:29
The stakes are high for getting this doctrine right.
2:33
For the time we have this morning, let us dive into the doctrine of the sufficiency of scripture.
2:40
For the sake of our friend, seeking our counsel, for ourselves as we navigate through these complex times, and for the glory of God who gave us his word.
2:52
So it will not surprise you that our text today will be 2 Timothy chapter 3.
2:57
So please turn with me in God's word to 2 Timothy chapter 3.
3:05
And the verses we will be zoning in on here is 14 to 17.
3:14
But first, let us pray for our time together.
3:18
So pray with me.
3:20
Father, as we read your word together this morning, being reminded that your word,
3:26
that you have spoken is enough for us no matter our circumstances.
3:31
Help us through the work of your son and the power of the Holy Spirit to rightly divide and interpret your word
3:41
so that we might rightly live out your word for your glory and your glory alone.
3:49
Amen.
3:50
2 Timothy 3, 14 to 17.
3:56
This is Paul writing his last letter to Timothy.
4:00
The word of God reads,
4:02
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed,
4:11
knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings,
4:18
which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
4:25
All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
4:37
that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
4:44
There are several doctrines of scripture we could teach from this text.
4:51
We could talk about the necessity of scripture, its inspiration, its authority, etc.
4:58
But today we will zoom in on the sufficiency of scripture.
5:03
This doctrine asks a simple question.
5:09
Is scripture enough?
5:12
Is scripture enough?
5:15
My goal today is to show you from this text that the answer is yes,
5:21
even though there are no literal scripture is sufficient verse in scripture.
5:26
In the complexities of this life, there is hope in looking to Jesus from God's word and the Holy Spirit for counsel in any area of our life.
5:38
At the risk of contradicting my claim, I will begin with some, I believe, helpful definitions outside of scripture for us.
5:47
Then we will deep dive into 2 Timothy 3.
5:50
I will give you one short definition and one long definition.
5:54
So, first, the shorter one.
5:58
When I was in college, probably the most influential theologian for me was John Frame.
6:05
Maybe because he leaned into the spicy side of theological debates.
6:09
But most probably because he took really complex topics in systematic theology and explained them in really short and memorable bites.
6:19
For a simple person like me, that was a lifesaver.
6:25
One definition has been with me for years, though.
6:30
John Frame defines theology like this.
6:34
Theology is the application of scripture to every area of life.
6:42
Theology is the application of scripture to every area of life.
6:51
In the same book, The Doctrine of the Word of God, John Frame goes further to say that
6:56
scripture contains all the divine words needed for any aspect of human life.
7:13
This is his short and memorable definition of the doctrine of the sufficiency of scripture.
7:18
For a longer one, I'll quote Wayne Grudem in his systematic theology.
7:26
Scripture's sufficiency means that scripture contains all the words of God he intended his people to have.
7:36
That's at each stage of redemptive history.
7:40
And that it now contains everything we need.
7:43
God to tell us for salvation.
7:46
For trusting him perfectly.
7:48
And for obeying him perfectly.
7:52
I'll read that one more time.
7:55
Scripture's sufficiency means that scripture contained all the words of God he intended his people to have.
8:03
At each stage of redemptive history.
8:06
And it now contains everything we need God to tell us for salvation.
8:11
For trusting him perfectly.
8:13
And for obeying him perfectly.
8:19
One author I read commented on Grudem goes on says one of the strongest points about this definition.
8:27
Is that it allows us to say though we must believe in the progress of revelation.
8:33
Being God didn't say everything he wanted to at once.
8:36
But did so incrementally.
8:39
At any point during scripture's composition.
8:42
It would have been correct to say that the books already written.
8:46
Had the characteristic of sufficiency.
8:50
The characteristic of sufficiency.
8:54
In short, Old Testament saints.
8:57
Like David or Moses.
8:59
Etc.
9:00
Could rightly say in their own day.
9:04
That scripture is enough.
9:09
But let us be like the Bereans from Acts 17.
9:12
And let us examine the scriptures ourselves.
9:15
To see if these things are so.
9:18
Like I said.
9:19
The stakes are high.
9:21
For getting this doctrine correct.
9:23
So our text.
9:25
Second Timothy 3.
9:26
14 to 17.
9:27
Gives us a simple two point outline.
9:32
Just a simple two point outline.
9:34
The first two verses is the first point.
9:37
The last two is the last point.
9:39
Evenly divided.
9:41
It is.
9:42
Scripture is enough.
9:44
For faith.
9:47
Scripture is enough.
9:49
For faith.
9:50
And that's verses 14 to 15.
9:52
And the last two verses.
9:55
16 to 17.
9:55
Is the second point here.
9:57
I'm dividing it up.
10:00
Scripture is enough.
10:01
For practice.
10:03
Scripture is enough.
10:05
For practice.
10:07
For faith.
10:08
And practice.
10:10
I want you to notice that it is not.
10:12
The opposite order.
10:14
Here.
10:14
It is not.
10:16
Practice.
10:17
Then faith.
10:19
But.
10:19
Paul puts it.
10:20
It is faith.
10:22
Then.
10:23
Practice.
10:24
As we'll see.
10:26
The first.
10:27
Is the foundation.
10:29
Of the second.
10:30
The first.
10:32
Is the foundation.
10:33
Of the second.
10:35
So.
10:36
First.
10:36
Scripture.
10:37
Is enough.
10:38
For faith.
10:40
Verses.
10:41
14 to 15.
10:43
Look with me.
10:44
Verse 14 reads.
10:44
But as for you.
10:46
Continue.
10:46
Continue.
10:47
Or remain.
10:48
In what you have learned.
10:50
And have firmly believed.
10:52
I'll say.
10:53
Faith.
10:54
Knowing from whom.
10:56
You learned it.
10:58
Notice.
10:59
The progression.
11:00
From having learned.
11:02
To having firmly believed.
11:04
From having learned.
11:05
To having firmly believed.
11:07
Not only that.
11:09
That.
11:09
But Timothy.
11:10
Heard the word.
11:11
From his family.
11:14
Here.
11:15
Is a clear.
11:15
Call.
11:16
To parents.
11:17
Although.
11:18
We cannot impart.
11:19
A saving knowledge.
11:20
Of God.
11:20
To our children.
11:22
Which is the role.
11:23
Of the Holy Spirit.
11:24
We are called.
11:26
To be faithful.
11:27
To teach them.
11:28
Scripture.
11:29
So they might.
11:30
Learn.
11:31
The truth.
11:32
Let us.
11:33
Not only.
11:34
Speak.
11:35
The truth.
11:35
And love.
11:36
To our children.
11:37
Daily.
11:37
But also.
11:39
Help us.
11:40
We also.
11:41
To pray.
11:42
For them.
11:42
Daily.
11:43
To have the gift.
11:44
Of a firm.
11:46
Faith.
11:48
Look with me.
11:48
Next verse.
11:49
15.
11:50
It reads.
11:51
And how from childhood.
11:52
You have been.
11:53
Acquainted.
11:54
With.
11:54
Or known.
11:55
The.
11:56
Sacred.
11:57
Writings.
11:58
Which are able.
11:58
To make you.
11:59
Wise.
12:00
For salvation.
12:02
Through.
12:03
Faith.
12:04
In Christ.
12:05
Jesus.
12:06
There are two things.
12:07
We can say.
12:08
About this verse.
12:09
As it pertains.
12:09
To.
12:10
Scripture's.
12:11
Sufficiency.
12:12
First.
12:13
We can say.
12:14
That Timothy.
12:15
Learned.
12:16
And known.
12:17
The scriptures.
12:18
Even from an early age.
12:19
Like we just.
12:21
Pointed out.
12:21
The ESV.
12:22
Puts it.
12:22
As.
12:23
Have been.
12:24
Acquainted.
12:24
With.
12:25
The sacred writings.
12:27
I'll be short.
12:28
With this.
12:28
Application.
12:30
You cannot.
12:31
Do.
12:32
What.
12:33
You do not.
12:34
Know.
12:34
Know.
12:35
You cannot.
12:36
Do.
12:37
What.
12:37
You do not.
12:38
Know.
12:39
Another.
12:40
Way.
12:40
We can.
12:40
Put it.
12:41
Is.
12:41
You cannot.
12:42
Practice.
12:43
What.
12:44
You have not.
12:45
Heard.
12:46
Or.
12:46
Read.
12:47
Cannot.
12:47
Practice.
12:48
What.
12:48
You have not.
12:49
Heard.
12:49
Or.
12:49
Read.
12:50
Knowledge.
12:51
Of.
12:51
God.
12:52
Is.
12:52
Not.
12:53
Enough.
12:53
For.
12:54
True.
12:54
Faith.
12:55
As.
12:55
James.
12:56
Points.
12:56
Out.
12:56
With.
12:57
The demons.
12:57
Having.
12:58
A belief.
12:59
In.
12:59
God.
12:59
But.
13:00
Not.
13:00
A trust.
13:01
Christ.
13:02
As.
13:03
Paul.
13:03
In.
13:03
Romans.
13:04
10.
13:04
Writes.
13:05
So.
13:05
Faith.
13:05
Comes.
13:06
From.
13:06
Hearing.
13:07
And.
13:07
Hearing.
13:08
Through.
13:08
The word.
13:09
Of.
13:09
Christ.
13:12
Second.
13:13
On this.
13:13
On.
13:14
Verse.
13:14
15.
13:15
Neither.
13:17
Paul.
13:17
Nor.
13:17
Timothy.
13:18
Had.
13:18
The complete.
13:19
Canon.
13:19
Of.
13:20
Scripture.
13:20
That is.
13:21
To say.
13:21
Not.
13:22
All.
13:22
Sixty.
13:22
Six.
13:23
Books.
13:23
Were.
13:24
Available.
13:25
To.
13:25
Either.
13:25
Paul.
13:25
Or.
13:25
Timothy.
13:27
Primarily.
13:28
Paul.
13:28
Means.
13:29
The old.
13:29
Testament.
13:30
When.
13:31
He.
13:31
Uses.
13:31
The word.
13:32
Writings.
13:33
Sacred.
13:33
Writings.
13:34
In.
13:34
This.
13:34
Verse.
13:35
This.
13:36
Is.
13:36
Significant.
13:37
And.
13:37
I point.
13:37
This.
13:37
Out.
13:38
Because.
13:38
Of.
13:39
What.
13:39
He.
13:39
Writes.
13:39
Next.
13:41
Able.
13:41
To.
13:41
Make.
13:42
You.
13:42
Wise.
13:42
For.
13:43
Salvation.
13:44
Through.
13:44
Faith.
13:45
In.
13:46
Christ.
13:47
Jesus.
13:48
Here.
13:49
Is.
13:49
Something.
13:49
Important.
13:49
I.
13:50
Don't.
13:50
Want.
13:50
You.
13:50
To.
13:50
Miss.
13:51
Paul.
13:52
Is.
13:52
Saying.
13:52
That.
13:52
By.
13:53
Reading.
13:54
The old.
13:54
Covenant.
13:55
The old.
13:55
Testament.
13:56
The old.
13:56
Covenant.
13:57
You.
13:57
Can.
13:57
See.
13:59
The new.
13:59
Covenant.
14:00
That.
14:01
Is.
14:02
Salvation.
14:02
Through.
14:03
Faith.
14:03
In.
14:03
Christ.
14:04
Jesus.
14:06
We.
14:06
Can.
14:06
Say.
14:06
Further.
14:07
That.
14:07
This.
14:07
Gospel.
14:08
State.
14:08
Statement.
14:09
This.
14:09
Gospel.
14:09
Summary.
14:10
Salvation.
14:11
Through.
14:11
Christ.
14:12
Salvation.
14:13
Through.
14:13
Faith.
14:14
In.
14:14
Christ.
14:14
Jesus.
14:15
Can.
14:16
Be.
14:16
Found.
14:17
In.
14:17
Both.
14:18
The old.
14:18
Testament.
14:19
And.
14:20
The new.
14:21
Testament.
14:21
Testament.
14:25
Next.
14:26
Enough.
14:27
For.
14:28
Practice.
14:31
Enough.
14:32
Scripture.
14:33
Is.
14:33
Enough.
14:34
For.
14:35
Practice.
14:37
Read.
14:37
Verse.
14:38
Sixteen.
14:38
With.
14:38
Me.
14:40
All.
14:40
Scripture.
14:41
Is.
14:41
Breathed.
14:42
Out.
14:42
By.
14:42
God.
14:43
And.
14:43
Profitable.
14:44
For.
14:44
Teaching.
14:45
For.
14:45
Reproof.
14:46
For.
14:47
Correction.
14:48
And.
14:48
For.
14:48
Training.
14:49
In.
14:49
Righteousness.
14:51
There is a lot we could say.
14:55
About this verse.
14:56
But I'll only highlight points that are related to our topic of sufficiency.
15:01
All.
15:01
Scripture.
15:03
All.
15:03
Scripture.
15:03
Is.
15:04
A.
15:04
Continuation.
15:05
Of.
15:05
Our.
15:05
Last.
15:05
Point.
15:06
That.
15:06
Both.
15:06
Old.
15:07
Testament.
15:07
And.
15:07
New.
15:08
Testament.
15:09
Point.
15:09
To.
15:09
Salvation.
15:10
In.
15:10
Christ.
15:11
Both.
15:11
Covenants.
15:12
Point.
15:13
To.
15:13
The.
15:13
New.
15:13
Covenants.
15:14
Culminating.
15:15
In.
15:16
Christ.
15:17
Paul.
15:17
Goes.
15:18
On.
15:18
To.
15:18
Give.
15:18
Two.
15:19
Descriptions.
15:19
Of.
15:20
Scripture.
15:20
That.
15:21
Of.
15:22
God.
15:23
Breathed.
15:24
And.
15:24
Profitable.
15:26
Profitable.
15:27
There is a detail here with the word that the ESV renders as breathed out by God that
15:33
I don't want you to miss.
15:35
Paul smashes two words together to make one new word.
15:42
Nowhere else does this word exist besides outside this one text.
15:47
He makes a brand new word.
15:48
These two words are both God.
15:51
He smashes it up against spirit or breath.
15:55
He makes a new.
15:56
So God breathed or breathed out by God as the ESV expands out for us.
16:02
But for us today I want you to dwell on the fact that in this one.
16:07
I'm sorry.
16:08
Usually incorrectly this is used to point to the inspiration of scripture.
16:11
But for us today I want you to dwell on the fact that in this one word Paul is reminding
16:17
us that the spirit is required for a right understanding of the word.
16:24
The spirit is required.
16:27
The second description is that of profitable or useful, advantageous, beneficial, gain.
16:34
This is followed by four uses of scripture that is meant to be comprehensive in nature.
16:41
These include for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training or upbringing in righteousness.
16:48
Read the last verse with me.
16:52
Verse 17.
16:54
That the man of God may be complete.
16:58
Equipped for every good work.
17:01
To remind us of the old covenant promises leading into the new.
17:05
This man of God may be complete.
17:10
Or as my older ESV renders it, competent.
17:15
This word is similar to the equipped word in the last half of this verse.
17:21
They share a root.
17:24
So it goes.
17:26
This is where I'm going with this.
17:27
So it goes from complete to equipped.
17:32
I think Paul is wanting you to make that connection.
17:38
For what is he equipped for?
17:41
For every good work.
17:44
Since the words for all and every, all and every, are the same in the Greek language.
17:52
I want to point out the connection Paul is making when beginning with, beginning with all scripture.
18:00
And then ending on every good work.
18:05
Connecting scripture with good work.
18:08
He completes the circle of his point that scripture is enough for both faith as well as practice.
18:17
I want you to think back to our original question.
18:25
What will be the foundation from which you will build upon in helping your friend, family member, fellow church member, or child?
18:34
By looking closely at the doctrine of the sufficiency of scripture,
18:38
I hope you will be encouraged to challenge yourself to apply all of scripture to all of life.
18:46
That in the tense moments this week, you will take the initiative to step back and ask how scripture speaks into your current circumstance.
19:00
With time, practice, and the Holy Spirit, by seeking to obey God's word in every area of your life,
19:10
you will become even more competent to speak godly counsel to those in need.
19:17
From friends, family, church members, coworkers, whoever God places in your life.
19:25
And as Proverbs 3, 5 to 8 says,
19:28
Do not lean into your own understanding,
19:56
but into the wisdom of God alone found in his word.
20:02
Those complexities of life will still be complex,
20:06
but the word remains the same.
20:10
It will be true,
20:12
wise,
20:14
life-giving,
20:15
and a sufficient...
20:17
So in closing,
20:18
I want to leave you with two warnings
20:21
and two exhortations.
20:23
Two warnings
20:24
and two exhortations
20:26
on the topic of the sufficiency of scripture.
20:31
The first warning is this.
20:35
Beware of what I will call
20:37
good book fatigue.
20:41
Good book fatigue.
20:43
Every fall season,
20:48
Christian book publishers
20:49
all come out with their annual catalogs
20:52
of books that are new and forthcoming.
20:56
If you are a huge nerd,
20:58
you look forward to this every year.
21:00
I do.
21:03
But as time has gone by,
21:06
I not only get less excited,
21:08
but I tend to ask the question more and more
21:11
about most of the titles I see.
21:15
Does someone really need this?
21:19
But don't get me wrong.
21:20
I have read some great books
21:22
that were very niche
21:24
that has had a big impact on me.
21:28
But for us,
21:30
who are in the broadly reformed corner
21:33
of evangelicalism,
21:35
there is a warning here.
21:37
Let us guard against
21:40
merely holding scripture up
21:42
in high regard
21:43
by saying it has both,
21:45
is both authoritative
21:46
and sufficient
21:47
while not reflect,
21:50
reflecting this
21:51
in our reading practices.
21:54
I want you
21:55
to compare
21:57
how much time
21:58
you are in scripture reading
21:59
and praying
22:01
to the times
22:02
you are consuming
22:03
even good
22:04
resources
22:05
on scripture.
22:07
Think books,
22:09
audiobooks,
22:10
podcasts,
22:11
etc.
22:13
Again,
22:14
reading good books
22:15
is good and beneficial,
22:17
but let us not
22:18
neglect time
22:19
reading,
22:21
meditating,
22:22
studying,
22:23
and memorizing
22:24
the very words
22:26
of God
22:27
that he has given
22:28
to us
22:29
in our own language.
22:30
do not feel
22:33
as if you have
22:34
to read
22:34
all the good books.
22:38
In light
22:39
of knowing
22:40
that scripture
22:40
is enough,
22:42
let us dig
22:42
deep into his word
22:44
so that we will
22:45
practice his word
22:46
out into the world
22:48
for the glory
22:49
of the creator
22:49
and sustainer
22:51
of the universe.
22:52
So,
22:54
second warning.
22:57
Beware of requiring
22:58
what scripture
22:59
has not
23:00
required.
23:03
Beware of requiring
23:04
what scripture
23:05
has not
23:06
required.
23:07
Jesus warns
23:08
of this
23:09
in Mark 7.
23:11
I'll read.
23:12
This is Mark 7,
23:13
5 to 8.
23:14
And the Pharisees
23:16
and the scribes
23:17
asked him,
23:18
Why do your disciples
23:19
not walk according
23:20
to the tradition
23:21
of the elders
23:21
but eat with
23:22
defiled hands?
23:24
And he,
23:25
Jesus,
23:25
said to them,
23:26
Well did Isaiah
23:28
prophesy of you hypocrites.
23:30
As it is written,
23:31
This people
23:32
honors me
23:33
with their lips,
23:34
but their heart
23:34
is far from me.
23:36
In vain
23:37
do they
23:37
worship me,
23:38
teaching as doctrines
23:40
the commandments
23:41
of men.
23:43
You leave
23:43
the commandment
23:44
of God
23:45
and hold
23:46
to the tradition
23:47
of men.
23:51
If scripture
23:52
is enough
23:52
for both
23:53
faith
23:54
and practice
23:55
as we've seen,
23:56
we need to be careful
23:57
to reflect this
23:58
in the things
23:58
we require
23:59
of one another.
24:01
Which leads
24:02
to a question.
24:04
Does what
24:04
you believe
24:06
about God
24:07
think
24:08
theological bent?
24:11
Does your
24:12
theology
24:13
reinforce
24:14
scripture
24:14
is sufficient?
24:16
Or will it
24:17
call into question
24:19
scripture's
24:20
sufficiency
24:20
to others
24:22
around you?
24:24
Beware,
24:26
brothers and
24:26
sisters,
24:27
of becoming
24:28
convinced
24:29
of a belief
24:30
that you first
24:31
saw in a book
24:32
or heard
24:33
in a podcast
24:34
and only
24:36
then saw
24:37
in scripture.
24:39
Beware.
24:43
Pray that
24:43
you would
24:44
see clearly
24:45
the difference
24:46
between the
24:47
tradition of
24:47
men
24:48
and the
24:49
commandment
24:49
of God.
24:53
Now,
24:54
to the
24:54
exhortations.
24:57
First,
24:58
I'll call this
24:59
exhortation,
24:59
new problems,
25:01
ancient answers.
25:03
New problems,
25:04
ancient answers.
25:06
Jeremiah 6,
25:07
16 says
25:07
this,
25:09
thus says
25:10
the Lord,
25:11
stand by the
25:12
roads and
25:13
look and
25:14
ask for the
25:14
ancient paths
25:15
where the
25:17
good way
25:17
is and
25:18
walk in it
25:19
and find
25:20
rest for
25:21
your souls.
25:22
But they
25:23
said,
25:24
we will not
25:25
walk in it.
25:25
that was
25:28
Jeremiah 6,
25:29
16.
25:31
In an
25:31
increasingly
25:32
complex world
25:33
where we
25:34
do not know
25:35
what might
25:35
come next,
25:37
rest assured
25:38
that the
25:39
path has
25:40
been made
25:40
and it
25:41
is not
25:42
new,
25:43
but ancient.
25:45
Built
25:45
into this
25:46
doctrine that
25:47
scripture is
25:47
enough is
25:48
the truth
25:49
that no
25:50
matter how
25:51
complex
25:52
the next
25:53
biomedical
25:54
technology
25:55
might
25:55
be around
25:56
the corner.
25:58
Scripture
25:58
is enough
25:59
for us
25:59
to think
26:00
through
26:01
and make
26:02
decisions
26:02
on
26:03
whatever
26:03
the world
26:04
might throw
26:05
at us.
26:06
Let us
26:07
not refuse
26:08
to walk
26:10
on that
26:10
ancient
26:11
path.
26:15
Next,
26:16
my last
26:18
exhortation
26:18
is actually
26:20
coming from
26:20
Psalm 1
26:22
and I
26:23
did not
26:24
tell Nathan
26:24
this,
26:24
but he
26:25
put Psalm
26:25
1 in
26:26
your
26:26
bulletin,
26:27
which is
26:27
great.
26:29
Providence,
26:30
right?
26:31
The
26:31
providence
26:31
of the
26:32
Lord.
26:33
So,
26:34
you can
26:34
turn with
26:35
me there.
26:36
This is
26:36
where we'll
26:36
end.
26:37
Psalm 1
26:38
gives us
26:40
a way
26:41
to read
26:42
scripture
26:43
well.
26:44
psalm 1.
26:45
It is
26:47
not only
26:48
a rubric
26:49
to
26:50
read
26:52
the entire
26:53
psalms
26:54
well,
26:55
because it
26:55
gives us
26:55
a paradigm
26:56
for the
26:57
rest of
26:59
that book,
27:00
but it
27:00
gives us
27:01
a way
27:01
to read
27:02
and to
27:04
think about
27:05
scripture
27:05
well.
27:07
So,
27:07
I'm going
27:07
to read
27:07
it.
27:08
Psalm 1.
27:11
The Way
27:14
of the
27:14
Righteous
27:15
and the
27:15
Wicked.
27:17
Blessed is
27:18
the man
27:18
who walks
27:19
not in
27:20
the counsel
27:20
of the
27:20
wicked,
27:21
nor stands
27:23
in the
27:23
way of
27:24
sinners,
27:25
nor sits
27:25
in the
27:26
seat of
27:27
scoffers,
27:28
but his
27:29
delight is
27:30
in the
27:31
law of
27:32
the Lord,
27:33
and on
27:33
his law
27:34
he meditates
27:35
day and
27:36
night.
27:37
He is
27:38
like a
27:38
tree,
27:39
planted
27:40
by streams
27:41
of water,
27:42
yet yields
27:43
its fruit
27:43
in its
27:44
season,
27:44
and its
27:45
leaf does
27:45
not wither.
27:48
In all
27:48
that he
27:48
does,
27:49
he prospers.
27:51
The wicked
27:52
are not
27:53
so,
27:54
but they
27:55
are like
27:55
chaff that
27:56
the wind
27:57
drives away.
27:59
Therefore,
27:59
the wicked
28:00
will not
28:00
stand in
28:01
the judgment,
28:02
nor sinners
28:02
in the
28:03
congregation
28:03
of the
28:04
righteous.
28:05
For the
28:05
Lord knows
28:06
the way
28:06
of the
28:07
righteous,
28:08
but the
28:09
way of
28:09
the wicked
28:10
will
28:11
perish.
28:13
But his
28:14
delight
28:14
is in
28:15
the law
28:16
of the
28:16
Lord,
28:17
and on
28:18
his law
28:19
he meditates
28:20
day and
28:22
night.
28:25
As one
28:26
author puts
28:26
it,
28:27
you cannot
28:28
delight
28:29
in what
28:30
you do
28:31
not
28:31
meditate
28:32
on.
28:33
You
28:34
cannot
28:34
delight
28:35
in what
28:36
you do
28:37
not
28:37
meditate
28:37
on.
28:42
As the
28:43
Baptist
28:43
pastor
28:43
John
28:44
brought
28:45
us,
28:45
who is
28:45
one of
28:46
the
28:46
founders
28:46
of the
28:46
Southern
28:47
Baptist
28:47
Theological
28:48
Seminary,
28:48
has said,
28:49
let us
28:50
be those
28:51
who are
28:52
known to
28:53
be,
28:53
quote,
28:54
mighty
28:55
in the
28:56
scriptures,
28:57
mighty
28:58
in the
28:58
scriptures.
29:00
Let us
29:01
be mighty
29:01
in the
29:02
scriptures,
29:03
mighty
29:04
in our
29:04
faith,
29:06
and
29:06
mighty
29:06
in
29:07
our
29:08
practice.
29:10
Pray
29:11
with
29:11
me.