"Written for our Instruction."

This is the outline for the devotional I gave this morning at Orientation:

2 Timothy 3:16-17: “Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

I. The scriptures teach our position in Christ.

Ro 4:13-25 note v. 23-24"Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned unto him; but for our sake also, unto whom it shall be reckoned, who believe on him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead."

A. The text:

1. Paul has just proved that Abraham was justified by faith, and makes the point that his justification was a pattern: It was not written for his sake alone.

2. The reason scripture contains this record was not for "for the record" of rote history

a. to show that Abraham simply passed that way;

b. to communicate something peculiar that relates only to him . . .

3. The reason scripture contains this record was to teach, reprove, correct, and train us, assuring us that righteousness is what God requires and accepts relating to our salvation.

B. We must learn from what is written:

1. We have the common privilege of righteousness.

a. In future tense, from Abraham's perspective, righteousness shall be imputed to us.

b. In present tense, the way of justification is by an imputed righteousness,

c. For the future there is hope: of the continuation of this mercy that is the same now as it has been and so will ever be as long as there are children of men to be justified;

2. We have a common duty, which is to believe God.

a. In the same way Abraham believed the power of God in raising up an Isaac from the dead womb of Sarah, so we are to believe the same power that raised Christ from the dead.

b. We are also to depend upon his grace in raising up Christ; "who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification." (Ro 4:25)

Transition: Because Paul puts a special emphasis on Christ's resurrection, we learn by what is “written for our sake also” the evidence that we are not justified by our own works, but by obedient dependence upon the finished work of Jesus Christ and his righteousness.

II. The scriptures teach our ministry to one another, namely, helping the weak.

Ro 15:1-6 note v. 4 “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.“

A. Two principles reinforce the fact that as a Christian you are qualified and licensed to be a help to the weak.

1. Ro 15:1 “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.”

a. These things were written to teach that we must “bear the infirmities of the weak.” Christ bore with his weak disciples, and prayed for them.

b. But there is more: sympathizing with them, being concerned for them, ministering strength to them. This is bearing one another's burdens.

2. Rom 15:2 says things were written to teach that we must not please ourselves, but our neighbor. We must not make it our business to gratify all the little appetites and desires of our own heart.

B. We understand that

1. That Christ did not please himself for his own ease, safety, or pleasure.

2. Instead He emptied himself, and made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant: and all this for us: to bring us righteousness and to set an example. His whole life was a self-denying self-displeasing life.

3. In the same way we are to bear with and serve, emptying ourselves in order to provide hope.

Transition: These things were written to teach, reprove, correct, and train us to go and do likewise: “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction.”

III. For Further Study, the scriptures teach
a. How to value one another: 1 Cor 9:3-16 note v. 9-10 “For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.” God is not concerned about oxen, is He? Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops.”

b. How to “order our affections”: 1 Cor 10:1-6 note v. 6 “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.”

c. That the gospel of Jesus Christ is sufficient and efficient: John 20:31 “but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in his name.”


Conclusion:

Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor wrote these "directs":
· That people must be taught the principles of religion, and matters of greatest necessity to salvation . . .
· That they must be taught it in the most edifying, advantageous way . . .
· That personal instruction is recommended to us by Scripture, and by the practice of the servants of Christ, and approved by the godly of all ages, is, so far as I can find, without contradiction.
· It is past doubt, that we should perform this great duty to all the people, or as many as we can; for our love and care of their souls must extend to all."

These passages teach us there are only two ways to study the Bible: with your mind made up; or, to let it make up your mind.