Church Online

“Can It Be Trusted?”
April 21, 2024
Cityline Church
Jack Anthony Sheets
Lead Pastor

14  But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,  15  and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17  so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

WHAT IS THE BIBLE FOR?

• To know who God is.
• To tell the story of human history from God’s perspective.
• To shape and form us into a people of God so we can partner in the ongoing story of God.

CAN THE BIBLE BE TRUSTED?
17  “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18  For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19  Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great
in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17-19

Jesus’ view of the scriptures:

• The Bible is a story that reaches its peak in his lifetime.
• The Bible is trustworthy.

35  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Matthew 24:35

• To Jesus the Bible is authority.

Our trust in the Bible comes from our trust in Jesus, not the opposite. We trust the Bible because we trust in Jesus.

18  Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Matthew 28:18

WRESTLING WITH THE IMPLICATIONS
If Jesus is the Lord, or the authority of our life, and if Jesus has chosen to mediate his authority through the scriptures, that is why we chose to come under the authority of the Bible.

16  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in
righteousness, 17  so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

12  For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to
dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12