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Scripture Reading:  Isaiah 55:6-13

 

The Word of God is not Bound

 

Intro.

1.  2 Timothy contains Paul’s tender affection for a faithful servant & friend, & filled with repeated admonitions to endure hardships for the gospel, & thus receive the reward:  1:8-12; 3:10-12; 4:5-8, 16-18.

2.  2 Tim. 2:8-10 – Though Paul was in bonds as an evildoer, the word of God was (is) not bound!  Therefore:  Endure & serve!

3.  Chained (bound, ASV):  deo – “to bind, tie, fasten…to forbid, prohibit, declare to be illicit” (Thayer, 131).

  a.  Paul was imprisoned; restricted in his work.

  b.  Word of God is not bound -- Not restricted or limited.

4.  The gospel would continue to fulfill its mission – cf. Phil. 1:12-14.

5.  Some ways in which the word of God is not bound.

 

I.  THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT BOUND IN ITS RELEVANCE.

  A.  Because of its Source:  God – 2 Tim. 3:16 (“God-breathed”).

    1.  Accomplishes its purposes – Isa. 55:8-11.

    2.  Only 3 options:

      a.  God could not give an ever-relevant word (Impugns His power).

      b.  He could but would not (Impugns His integrity).

      c.  He could & did:  Reveals & testifies of His power, integrity, wisdom & love!

    3.  How we view God & how we view the word of God are inseparably connected!

  B.  Because the Basic Needs of Men are Unchanged.

    1.  Men still need salvation, & the gospel reveals it – Rom. 1:16.

    2.  Men still need correction & encouragement from God – 2 Tim. 4:2.  (cf. Needs of children from parents; Our need from God.)

    3.  Men still need to know how to live, & Bible tells them – Matt. 4:4.  (cf. $ spent on “How To” books!!)

    4.  Men still need faith, God’s word still supplies source Rom. 10:17.

  C.  Because of its Universal Application Mk. 16:15.

    1.  No barriers to its application:  Whatever language, land, culture or church – God’s word applies.

    2.  Church autonomy is not a restriction to the preaching of God’s word, either!  (Acts 11:22; 15:23; 16:4-5)

 

II.  THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT BOUND IN ITS POWER.

  A.  It is Still God’s Power to Save Sinners – Rom. 1:16.

    1.  Is able to make a believer out of an un­believer, as it (“the faith”) produces personal faith by its revelation of truth & righteousness – Rom. 1:17.

    2.  Is able to bring the rebellious to repentance – Acts 2:37-41.

    3.  Bible is not a book of dead words – Heb. 4:12.

        -Acts 7:38 – Living oracles given to later generations.

  B.   It Still Works in Believers – 1 Ths. 2:13.

    1.  Matures (1 Pet. 2:2), strengthens (Acts 20:32); comforts (Rom. 15:4), instructs (2 Tim. 3:16), etc.

    2.  We must use this great blessing God has given us!

 

III.  THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT BOUND IN ITS SUFFICIENCY.

    -(“An ample amount or quantity of what is needed, enough, adequate.”)

  A.   It is Sufficient to Make us all God Would Have Us to Be – 2 Tim. 3:17.

    1.  All things pertaining to life & godli­ness – 2 Pet. 1:3.

    2.  Church work, organization, worship, lifestyle, & doctrine.

    3.  Never needs revision, amending or updating!

  B.    Everything Added to or Deleted from Bible Teaching is Man’s Apology for God’s Work.

    1.  Creeds, confessions of faith, etc. – Supplant the Bible.

    2.  “New revelation” – Bible is insufficient.

    3.  Direct operation of the Spirit – Denies the Spirit’s work in producing the word of God (Jno. 16:13-15; 14:26).

    4.  Incorruptible & abides forever – 1 Pet. 1:22-25.

 

IV.  THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT BOUND IN ITS JUDGMENT.

  A.   It is the Standard by which all will be MeasuredJno. 12:48; Rom. 2:16.

    1.  Its authority & judgment is not limited/restricted by:

      a.  Good intentions (1 Sam. 15:3, 15).

      b.  Doctrines & traditions of men (Matt. 15:3).

      c.  Feelings & opinions (Acts 26:9).

    2.  Must live within its authority because we will be judged by it.

 

Conclusion

1.  Only sense in which God’s word can be bound is in man’s rejection of it – Acts 13:44-46.

    a.  By not allowing it free course; hardening our heart to it (2 Ths. 3:1).

    b.  Allowing sin to conceal its message from us (2 Cor. 4:3-4).

2.  We must not make the eternal mistake of binding (restricting, limiting) its relevance, power, sufficiency & judgment in our lives (law of liberty, Jas. 1:25).