The Sufficiency of Scripture
Psalm 19:7-14; 2 Peter 1:1-3
By Scott Carlson
January 23, 2014
INTRODUCTION: WHAT DO WE NEED?
B. FOR LIFE AND GODLINESS
People look everywhere for answers and solutions to
? Does this exclude anything?
living a fulfilled life. From relationships to religion,
dieting and exercise to entertainment and pleasure,
finances and morality, people have questions about
how they should live life. And there is no shortage of
people who claim to have the answers.
? Where do people go to answer life's questions?
Where should we go to find the answers?
In theology, the term we use to describe the
importance of the Bible in answering life's questions is
"sufficiency."
Definition: suf·fi·cient
1. enough; adequate.
II. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS
A. THE BIBLE MAKES LIFE SIMPLE
You only have to go to one place to find out all that you
need to know to please God.
B. THE BIBLE IS COMPREHENSIVE
We will never fully understand everything that can be
known about God, but Scripture contains all that God
requires us to know on earth. "Sufficiency of Scripture"
means that the reader need not waste time seeking
answers to life's questions elsewhere.
1. The Bible Is Sufficient For Sound Theology.
I. THE SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE
Key Verses: 2 Peter 1:1-3
Definition of the Doctrine: The Sufficiency of Scripture
means that God has provided knowledge in the Bible of
everything a person needs to please God and
experience a relationship with Him.
A. THE BIBLE HAS EVERYTHING WE NEED
2 Peter 1:1-3
1. True Knowledge Of [God]...
? In the context of this passage, "true knowledge" is a
synonym for what? From last week's lesson, is there
anywhere else we can get specific and true knowledge
Deuteronomy 29:29
2. The Bible Is The Standard For Teaching
2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 1 Peter 4:11
3. The Bible Introduces Christ
In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge.
Colossians 2:3; John 5:39; Acts 10:43; 18:28; 1
Corinthians 5:3
4. The Bible Instructs About Salvation From Sin,
Death And Hell.
of God?
2 Timothy 3:15; Proverbs 19:21
? In this passage, what does "true knowledge provide?
5. The Bible Is Foundational For Spiritual Growth.
2. ...Contains Everything We Need.
Exodus 24:3, 4; Deuteronomy 4:5, 14; 1 Peter 2:2; Acts
20:32
? Everything we need for what?
6. The Bible Cleanses.
B. CHRISTIANS FALL INTO THE TRAP OF
John 17:17; Ephesians 5:26; Psalm 119:9
7. The Bible Is Sufficient For A Full Life
GOING BEYOND SCRIPTURE.
1. Legalism
Matthew 23:23, 24
Psalm 19:7-14
These verses teach us that Scripture is the basis for
salvation and revitalization (Psalm 1:2), wisdom (James
1; Proverbs), joy (Philippians 4; 2 John), and
understanding.
2. Non/Un-Biblical Theology
Galatians 1:8
Last week, we learned that some Christians deny the
authority of Scripture by neglecting verses in the Bible
that they don't understand or don't like. On the other
8. The Bible Is An Unerring Guide.
hand, we need to be careful too that we don't add to
Psalm 17:4; Proverbs 6:23; 2 Peter 1:19
theology that which God has not revealed. This doesn't
9. The Bible Is The Judge Of All Things.
Isaiah 8:19, 20; Acts 17:11
mean we can't make logical conclusions from Scripture
(Hebrews 11:19), but it does mean that theology needs
to be grounded in Scripture, not contradict clear
10. The Bible Offers Hope.
Scripture, and be the reasonable result of a proper
Psalm 119:49; Romans 15:4
hermeneutic.
3. Christian Books
III. PROBLEMS
Ecclesiastes 12:11-13
A. THE WORLD SETS ITSELF AGAINST THE
TRUE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD.
CONCLUSION
Romans 1:18-23
As Christians, all aspects of life should be weighed
2 Corinthians 10:5, 6
against, sifted and viewed through the words of
1. Psychology
Scripture. Life becomes simpler because we only need
(psyche)= spirit
one source to equip us for all life and godliness. This
doesn't preclude the learning of "secularii" sciences,
(logos)= study
histories or other studies, but it undergirds them and
? Should mankind claim authority for spiritual things?
enhances them (Proverbs 1:7; Colossians 2:3). The
sufficiency of Scripture means that if we never read any
2. Worldly Wisdom
book other than the Bible, we will have read all that we
1 Corinthian 1:18-25
need to read in order to please God and live a full and
i
3. Unusual Doctrines/Hermeneutics
Hebrews 13:7-9
4. Philosophy
meaningful life.
i
Hermeneutics: 1. the branch of knowledge that deals with
interpretation, esp. of the Bible or literary texts.
ii
Colossians 2:8
Secular: 1. a : of or relating to the worldly or temporal <secular
concerns> ; b : not overtly or specifically religious