Plain Talk Vol.19, No.7, Pg.5 - Cedar Park Church of Christ

Vol. 19, No. 7	September, 1982
*USE YOUR BIBLE*

THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT BOUND (2 Tim. 2:9)

INTRO.

1. Though Paul finds himself in bonds and hindered from his work, he takes courage in the fact that God's word cannot be so fettered. There are many ways in which this is so.

I. THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT BOUND IN ITS RELEVANCE

A. Because the basic needs of men have not changed

1. Men still need salvation & the gospel reveals it, Rom. 1:16 2. Men still need reproof, rebuke, & exhortation from the word, 2 Tim. 4:2 3. Men still need to know how to live & the Bible tells them, Matt. 4:4 4. Men still need faith & it comes from the word of God, Rom. 10:17

B. Because of its source

1. The Word-giver is the man-maker; the word is for the man, all men. 2. To say that God could not give an ever-relevant reflects on His power; to say that God could but would not reflects on His integrity. 3. Man's view of God and His word are inseparably connected.

II. THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT BOUND IN ITS POWER

A. Is still God's power to save sinners, Rom. 1:16

1. Is able to make believer of unbeliever, Mk. 16:15,16 2. Is able to bring the rebellious to repentance, Acts 2:38ff 3. Is able to furnish believers unto all good works, 2 Tim. 3:17

B. Still works in believers, 1 Thss. 2:13

1. Still able to build up, Acts 20:32

III. THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT BOUND IN ITS SUFFICIENCY

A. Sufficient to make man all God would have him be, 2 Tim. 3:17

1. Gives us all things pertaining to life and godliness, 1 Pet. 1:3 2. Never needs revision, amending, up-dating

B. Everything added or deleted in religion is man's apology for God's work.

IV. THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT BOUND IN ITS JUDGMENT

A. The standard of right by which all will be measured 1. Jn. 12:48, Rom. 2:16 2. Not bound by good intentions, doctrines & traditions of men, feelings or opinions.

CONCLUSION:

A. Only sense in which God's word can be bound is in man's rejection of it 1. Not allowing it free course, 2 Thss. 3:1 2. Veiled to them that perish, 2 Cor. 4:3,4 3. We must not make the mistake of so binding it...

Dan S. Shipley

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