1. Inspiration II Timothy 3:13-17

2. Introduction-1 Paul told Timothy that evil men and imposters would grow worse and worse- v. 13 He urged Timothy to be steadfast in the things that he had learned He had learned many of those things from the Holy scriptures Paul said that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God- v. 16 This is the subject that I want to consider this morning

3. What Inspiration Is-1 This is the only place in the New Testament (NKJV) where the word is found, though the idea is found in many places The Greek word, theopneustos, literally means God-breathed It refers to the way in which prophets and writers of the Old and New Testament received messages from God to deliver to others They did not write their own ideas and opinions

4. What Inspiration Is-2 But they received their messages directly from the Holy Spirit Peter wrote, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation, for the prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”- II Pet. 1:20-21 Peter is saying the same thing as Paul We can rely on the scriptures as being from God

5. The Need for Inspiration-1 We all want to live the best life possible, and we all have sins that need to be forgiven- Rom. 3:23 & Rom. 6:23 But we can’t find the best way and forgiveness by our own thinking and wisdom Jeremiah 10:23 says, “O LORD I know the way on man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” The wise man warned, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”- Prov. 14:12

6. The Need for Inspiration-2 The Lord wants us to know His way, His will and His plan for the forgiveness of our sins Eph. 5:17- “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” But we cannot discover His will because His thoughts are far higher than our own thoughts- Isa. 55:8-9 The only way we can know God’s will is as He has revealed it to us- I Cor. 2:11 He has done that by the process of inspiration

7. The Nature of Inspiration-1 Some today believe in what might be called “idea inspiration” That the Holy Spirit gave those who wrote the scriptures ideas and they then developed and recorded them according to their own understanding Jesus promised that when his disciples were brought before governors and kings the Holy Spirit would give them the message they were to speak- Mt. 10:18-20

8. The Nature of Inspiration-2 Paul said that he received the words that he spoke I Cor. 2:12-13- Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

9. The Nature of Inspiration-3 “Idea inspiration” depends on human thinking which is subject to error- Gal. 2:11 The Holy Spirit selected the from the writer’s or speaker’s vocabulary the words that He wanted to use to convey God’s message So that the Bible contains God’s word not the words of man God said what He means and He means what He has said

10. The Result of Inspiration-1 We have God’s word available to us today It is living and powerful- Heb. 4:12 The gospel is God’s power to save all who believe- Rom. 1:16 It is able to edify the saved and secure for them an eternal inheritance Acts 20:32 says, “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

11. The Result of Inspiration-2 God’s word is able to supply our every spiritual need II Tim. 2:16-17- All scripture is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. It reveals the way to the best life A life free from the guilt and the burden of sin

12. In Conclusion Through inspiration we have God’s will, His way and His plan for us revealed to us That revelation is complete- Jude 3 We ought to appreciate God’s word, study it frequently and be sure we are using it to guide our lives Are you doing that this morning?