“How Does It Read to You”

Scripture:       II Timothy 3:16-17

C.I.:                How to Read the Bible (8)

We’ve been studying…. – If the N.T. only contained the gospels – would we know how God desires for believers to live in an unbelieving world (relationships, service, worship, organization, etc.)?

I. How to Read & Understand the Epistles (Letters)

A. The Universal Need & Purpose for the Epistles

1. The gospels make followers of Jesus – the epistles teach us how to follow!

a. Since faith in Jesus is only a start – He anticipated our need for more information:

1) (Jn. 14:26), “H.S., whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you ALL THINGS.” 

2) (Jn. 16:12-13), “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. -
But when He, the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into ALL THE TRUTH.”

3) (I Tim. 3:14-15), “I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long [i.e. this letter is just as good as Paul being there in person]; but in case I am delayed; I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”

4) So while the gospels bring us to faith – the epistles bring us to maturity!

b. The message of these letters is universal – and was intended to be shared.

1)  (I Cor. 7:17), “…as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. – And so I direct in all the churches.”

2) (I Cor. 16:1), “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also….”

3) (Col. 4:16), “When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part, read my letter that is coming from Laodicea.”

4) Thus, the epistles were written for ALL of God’s people – to bring us to perfection!

B. The (Not so Perfect) Perfect Church

1. The greatest creation of God is the one He created last … HIS CHURCH!

a. This is the one thing Jesus had in mind to create – before He created anything else.

1) (Eph. 1:4), “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before Him.”

2) (Eph. 3:10-11), “…that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. – This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus.”

b. He was so anxious for it to be done right – that He took personal responsibility in every phase of it

1) He purchased it – (Acts 20:28), “…to shepherd the church of God which He purchased….”

2) He laid it’s foundation – (I Cor. 3:11), “For no man can lay a foundation other than the….”

3) He built it – (Matt. 16:18), “I will build My church and the gate of Hades shall not….”

4) He is still constructing it – (Eph. 2:20-21), “…having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets [i.e., their writings], Christ Jesus Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord.”

5) ILLUST.: But is there such a thing as a “Perfect Church”? (God’s Part vs. Human Part).

6) ILLUST.: Professionals pick only the best materials with which to build – Jesus picks from the “discard pile” – and then makes us perfect!!!

c. The fact that in the epistles - God calls for His people to live according to certain practices – demonstrates that there is a “perfect standard”!!!

1) The Letters seek to bring the human side – into conformity with the divine side.

(i) (II Tim. 1:13), “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me.”

1.     “Standard” = A model, example, used in the sense of a prototype.

2.     This idea of a “prototypical standard” – is a principle used throughout the Bible.

(ii) (Heb. 8:5), “Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, ‘See,’ He says, ‘that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown….”

2) The answer is, “Yes, there is a perfect church!” – And that is what God calls each of us to be!

d. Some have asked, “But are these ‘Love Letters’ to be read, or ‘Blueprints’ to be followed?”

1) This creates a false dichotomy – For they are both!

(i) The love of the writer - (I Cor. 16:24), “My love be with you all.”

(ii) The love from the Author - (Eph. 6:23), “…love from God the Father and the Lord J.C.”

(iii) Clearly the Epistles were motivated by and written in “LOVE”!

2)  The Architect of these “Blueprints” – doesn’t accept changes to His plans!

(i) (Rom. 16:17), “Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.”

(ii) (I Cor. 4:6), “Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and to Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you might learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant one against the other.”

(iii) (II Thess. 3:19), “If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame.”

3) Thus, the epistles of the N.T. – are letters He has sent to us in His love – which He intends for His people to follow! God’s authoritative word - is intended for all people - of all times and is to be obeyed!!!

CONCLUSIONS:

The story of Jesus in the gospels brings non-believers to faith in Him that they may be saved – (Mk. 16:16).

The epistles were written to bring these people to maturity in Him, “Like newborn babes, long for the pure milk
            of the word that by it, you may grow in respect to your salvation,” (I Peter 2:2).