The Authority of the Bible: Sermon Outline
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon Outlines Tags: Bible Lessons on the BibleAuthority of the Bible — Sermon outline by Tom Moore explaining the authority of the word of God and the folly of refusing to obey it.
I. Introduction
A. We are living in a time when a great many people have little or no respect for authority.
1. Our jails are full of those who do not respect the authority of our government.
2. We have many children in our world today who do not respect the authority of their parents
3. And there is a host of people who do not respect the authority of the Bible
B. We today need to recognize authority ….
The captain on the bridge of a large naval vessel saw a light ahead on a collision course. He signaled, “Alter your course ten degrees south.” The reply came back, “Alter your course ten degrees north.”
The captain then signaled, “Alter your course ten degrees south. I am a captain.” The reply: “Alter your course ten degrees north. I am a seaman third-class.”
The furious captain signaled, “Alter your course ten degrees south. I am a battleship.” The reply: “Alter your course ten degrees north. I am a lighthouse.”
C. If we do not recognize where true authority lies – then we will be making many wrong decisions in this life.
II. Discussion: We believe in the authority of the Bible because…
A. THE INSPIRED, INERRANT WORD OF GOD EXISTS
1. Acts 10:36 … The word of God was sent to us through Jesus Christ
2. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 … inspired, furnishes us completely
3. John 17:17 … God’s word is truth
4. John 8:32 … this truth can set us free
5. John 17:7-8 … what Jesus taught were the very words of God the Father
6. The Bible is the very oracles of God (Romans 3:2)
7. The Bible is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17)
8. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 … the Bible is the word of reconciliation
9. The Bible is the word of righteousness (Hebrews 5:13)
10.”Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it” (Psalm 119:140) … free of corruption, free of error
11.God’s word will ultimately judge everyone … John 12:48
B. THE BIBLE IS COMPLETE, UNIFIED, AND INDESTRUCTIBLE
1. 2 Peter 1:3 … all-sufficient
2. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 … completely furnishes us…
3. James 1:25 … those obedient to the Bible will be blessed
4. 2 Peter 1:20-21 … Holy men spake by the Holy Spirit
a. Sixty-six books … written over a period of 1600 years, by forty different men (with varying backgrounds), in three languages
b. Yet the Bible is perfect in harmony…
5. “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89).
6. 1 Peter 1:23-25 … shall stand forever
C. THE WORD OF GOD IS …
1. Powerful … Hebrews 4:12-13
2. Able to cleanse … “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9).
3. Capable of purifying the soul … 1 Peter 1:22
4. Able to build one up … Acts 20:32
5. Perfect … James 1:25
6. Complete … 2 Timothy 3:16-17
7. Enduring … Matthew 24:35
D. CHRIST HAS ALL AUTHORITY AND HAS GIVEN US INSTRUCTIONS
1. Authority was given to Jesus by the Father …Matthew 28:18
2. Today Christ speaks through the Bible … Hebrews 1:1-2
3. Christ’s words are truth … John 17:17
4. The way of salvation is not found in man’s words … Jeremiah 10:23
5. We must do all by the authority of Christ … Colossians 3:17
6. Christ’s words can be understood … Ephesians 3:3-4
E. WE MUST FOLLOW AND KEEP THE WORD OF GOD
1. If we love Christ we will obey Him … John 14:15
2. We must study to be approved of God … 2 Timothy 2:15
3. We must remember God’s word … 2 Peter 3:2
4. Hold forth the word of life … Philippians 2:16
5. Hold to sound words … 2 Timothy 1:13
6. Continue in God’s word … 2 Timothy 3:14
7. Preach the word … 2 Timothy 4:2
8. Standfast for God’s word … 2 Thessalonians 2:15
9. Be an example in the word … 1 Timothy 4:12
10.Contend earnestly for the faith … Jude 3
F. WE MUST HANDLE GOD’S WORD ARIGHT
1. Handle God’s word in the right way … 2 Corinthians 4:2
2. Study to be able to handle God word in the right way … 2 Timothy 2:15
3. Do not hear only … James 1:22
4. Do not be led astray … 2 Peter 2:1; 3:9
5. Do not be deceived … Ephesians 5:6-10
G. GOD WARNS US NOT TO HANDLE HIS WORD IN THE WRONG WAY
1. Do not add to or take away from the word of God …
a. Deuteronomy 4:2
b. Proverbs 30:5-6
c. Revelation 22:18-19
2. Do not pervert the Gospel … Galatians 1:6-10
3. We are not to be unskilled in God’s word … Hebrews 5:12
4. We must be knowledgeable … Romans 10:2-3
5. We must not be disobedient … Hebrews 2:1-3
6. The Bible will judge us … John 12:48
III. Conclusion: The close of this sermon on the authority of the Bible
A. We must respect authority, and most importantly we must respect God’s authority.
B. We truly respect the word of God, we will:
1. Study it
2. Love it
3. Obey it
C. If we do not respect God’s authority we will not go to heaven
D. Invitation