Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 2:8-13
God's Word is Not Bound
Intro.
1. 2 Timothy reveals Paul’s tender affection for a faithful servant and friend. It is filled with repeated admonitions to endure hardships for the gospel, and thus receive the reward, 1:8-12; 3:10-12; 4:5-8, 16-18.
2. Although Paul was in chains as an evildoer, the word of God was (is) not bound, 2 Tim. 2:8-10. Therefore, endure and serve.
3. Chained (bound, ASV) deo: “to bind, tie, fasten…to forbid, prohibit, declare to be illicit” (Thayer, 131).
a. Paul was imprisoned; freedom of movement was restricted.
b. Word of God is not bound; Not restricted or limited.
4. The gospel continues to fulfill its mission, cf. Phil. 1:12-14; Not bound.
I. GOD'S WORD 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; Micah 2:7.
2. Only three 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 and did: Reveals and testifies of His power, integrity, wisdom and love.
3. How we view the word of God is how we view God.
B. Because Our Basic Spiritual Needs Are Unchanged.
1. We still need salvation, and the gospel reveals it, Rom. 1:16.
2. We still need correction and encouragement from God, 2 Tim. 4:2. (cf. Needs of children from parents; Our needs from God.)
3. We still need to know how to live, and Bible tells us, Matt. 4:4.
4. We still need faith, God’s word still supplies its source, Rom. 10:17.
C. Because of its Universal Application, Mark 16:15.
1. No barriers to application: Whatever language, land, culture, or local church – God’s word applies.
2. The righteous walk in the ways of the Lord, Hosea 14:9.
II. GOD'S WORD 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 truth and 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.
-Living oracles given to later generations, Acts 7:38.
B. It Still Works in Believers, 1 Thess. 2:13.
-Matures (1 Pet. 2:2), strengthens (Acts 20:32), comforts (Rom. 15:4), instructs (2 Tim. 3:16), etc. We must use this great blessing.
III. GOD'S WORD 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 Be, 2 Tim. 3:17.
1. All things pertaining to life and godliness, 2 Pet. 1:3.
2. Church work, organization, worship, lifestyle, and doctrine.
3. Never needs revision, amending, or updating.
B. Everything Added to or Deleted from Bible Teaching is Man’s Rejection of God’s Work.
1. Creeds, confessions of faith, etc. supplant the Bible.
2. “New revelation” means the Bible is insufficient.
3. Direct operation of the Spirit denies the Spirit’s work through the word He revealed (John 16:13-15; 14:26).
4. Incorruptible and abides forever, 1 Pet. 1:22-25.
IV. GOD'S WORD IS NOT BOUND IN ITS JUDGMENTS.
A. It is the Standard By Which Everything is Measured, John 12:48; Rom. 2:16.
1. Its authoritative judgments are not limited and restricted by:
a. Good intentions (1 Sam. 15:3, 15).
b. Doctrines and traditions of men (Matt. 15:3).
c. Feelings and 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 our rejection of it, Acts 13:44-46.
a. By not allowing it free course; hardening our heart to it (2 Thess. 3:1).
b. By letting sin 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, and judgments in our lives (law of liberty, James 1:25).
By: Joe R. Price
Posted July 13, 2022