UNLOCKING THE MYSTERY—INTRODUCTION
2 Timothy 3:16-17

Unlocking the Mystery Series
September 13, 2009
Pastor Nathan J. Thompson

This morning we begin the new message series, “Unlocking the Mystery.”  This fall we will look at 10 important images, or parts of the Bible, that can better our understanding of this book.  They will help open up its true meaning.

One of the misnomers people often have about the Bible is that there are two different Gods and two completely different stories.  In fact, some talk about the God of the Old Testament, and a totally different God in the New. 

Some say they rarely look at the Old Testament because it is so filled with laws, battles, killings, and stuff that is hard to read and understand.  Many say they prefer the New Testament and the stories of Jesus’ love and grace.

Yet through these weeks, we want each person to see and understand how the whole Bible is one story, one message, and one purpose.  It actually reveals that God had a master plan from the time of creation and that His plan can be seen unfolding from the beginning of time until now.

We can see that His ultimate plan from the time of creation will be revealed at the end of time.  God is not some random God and neither is His history.  He is involved, is in charge, and is leading every step of the way.

What Bible scholars often lift up is that there is a constant and continual red line that can be drawn from Creation right through the Bible to Revelation.  This red line is called God’s “Salvation History,” or as the German scholars referred to it, “Heilsgeschicte.”

In this salvation history of God each part fits together.  By seeing how God worked in that early history often helps us better understand things like certain New Testament passages, words that Jesus spoke and why Jesus needed to die.  Martin Luther once said that he could see Jesus and God’s grace on every page of the Old Testament.

So, these weeks we will follow and point to this salvation timeline.  Major Biblical themes will be lifted up to help you better understand God’s salvation plans.  Bible resources are available at the kiosk in the lobby and in Shepherd’s Hall.  Stop by and check them out.

As we begin this series, I will focus on how this Bible is God’s Word, how it was inspired by God Himself and how it is alive and living. I know that many people today think the Bible is just a lot of nice sayings, stories and helpful insights.

Some people believe that the Bible is a good book, but that it is no different from the writings of other religions or spiritual philosophers.  As a result, some pick and choose only the things they like in the Bible, and discount that there is truth in God’s word.

Ultimately, many today do not search the Scriptures for answers and truth.  Many say it’s all about love and it doesn’t matter how you live your life.  And there are some who say that the Bible is simply archaic, out of date, and its teachings are out of step with modern life.

However, in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 the Apostle Paul said, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that all God’s people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

All Scripture is God-breathed—in other words it is inspired by God.  This does not mean that the Bible fell out of heaven in this form; it does not mean that God dictated and moved the hands of the writers to write perfectly.  That is not how it happened.

Rather, God’s Holy Spirit worked in the hearts and lives of these writers as they wrote down their experiences of God’s love and grace and as they shared God’s truths.  God’s Spirit worked as they lived their faith in community and wrote accounts of history, worship and hope.

I challenge you to sit down sometime with both the Bible and a novel; read parts from each one.  You will soon discover that the Bible has words that speak to you, that inspire and challenge you, that give you reassurance and hope.  They are not like any other book.

The reason, of course, is that the Bible is God-breathed, it is living and it helps you hear the voice of God and Jesus.  If you read the Bible with an open and receptive heart it has the power to change you, to renew you, to motivate you to action.  It is a powerful thing.

It has often been said that you can read through the Bible from cover to cover every year of your life and it will speak to you differently each year.  For as your life and situations change, God’s word will inspire and speak to your needs in new and different ways.  It is a living word.

Through the years I have had so many people tell me that they may have read a certain passage of Scripture many times, or have heard many sermons on it, and yet one day that passage came alive in a brand new way.  God spoke to them in a new way as they saw His truth revealed.

Martin Luther, as you may know, became a PhD doctor and Bible teacher back in the 1500’s—he taught Bible at the University at Wittenberg.  He said that one day, as he studied Paul’s words that we are saved by God’s grace through faith, it was as if scales fell from his eyes; God’s truth was revealed and it was as if he were born again.

As a result of this God-breathed message, Luther helped lead the Reformation.  The centerpiece of his message was God’s Word alone, God’s grace alone, received by faith alone.  God’s inspired word changed the church, the world and all of history.  It is inspired by God.

I know there are many people who are trying to cast doubt on God’s word question its reliability.  Books and movies like the Da Vinci Code try to claim it is all a conspiracy, and certain scholars today claim it is not authentic.

Yet the truth is that the Bible is historically reliable.  In fact, archeology continues to discover ancient writings and artifacts that support the truth of Bible history and support the message of Jesus and the early church.

In fact, there are more than 20,000 ancient New Testament manuscripts, with the earliest fragments just a few years after Jesus with many other documents supporting this New Testament history and message.

In contrast, writings such as Aristotle’s Poetics has a 1400-year span between when it was written and the earliest manuscript.  Yet no one questions its authority.  Remember, my friends, there are far more documents and evidence to support the Bible message than to not support it.

The second reason I believe the Bible is that it has passed the test of time.  Through these many centuries, people have tried to discount the Bible, have examined it from every angle and have put it into computers to analyze and disprove.  Yet no one has been able to get rid of it.

The reality is that the Bible was not just thrown together with some random books and stories.  Rather, it was the books and messages in which people found inspiration that were kept.  It was the books the church leaders found true and reliable that made it into the Biblical canon.

Yes, my friends, God even worked in the criteria and choices that were made in the included documents.  God’s hand is seen in how no one has been able to destroy these sacred works, and how they continue to inspire and give life to people all over the world.  All we can say is that the Bible is a miracle of God.

The third reason I believe the Bible is because it works.  In my years of ministry I have witnessed countless times how this God-breathed word has worked in people’s lives.  From those who have been motivated by this word to reach out in mission, or to give generously of their gifts and resources, God’s Word has inspired great faith and action in many.

I have also seen this Word of God bring comfort to those in grief, repentance and forgiveness to those who are burdened in sin, and hope and new life to those who are lost.  I have also seen our church rise up in faith and vision as God’s Word has led us forward in some amazing ways.

In my personal life, I have heard God speaking often to me in His Word; I have experienced His call and challenge to live boldly for Him, and to follow His call to new opportunities.  I have heard His comfort and love as I have struggled with loss and hurt.  His word in alive in me.

“All Scripture is God breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that all God’s people may be equipped for every good work.”
—2 Tim. 3:16-17

My friends, I invite you to join us as we learn about the Bible and about God’s salvation history.  May we all be open to hearing and listening to God’s word so that God’s Spirit may breathe in us His truth, His love and His new life.