EVERYONE NEEDS A BOX TOP

2 PETER 1: 16 - 21

 

 

  16 ¶ For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

 19 ¶ We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

 

The story is told of a teacher that divided the class into three groups.  The first group she gave a box full of puzzle peaces.  To the second group she gave a puzzle with the wrong box top.  To the third group she gave a puzzle with the right box  top.  She told them to empty out their box and begin putting their puzzle together.  They had one hour.  The first group was having a hard time.  They had no box top to look at.  Remember the puzzle is to look like the picture on the box top.  They had no picture.  They slowly found a few pieces that fit together, but had no idea what it should look like.  The second group was having trouble because the box top they had did not go with that puzzle.  No matter haw hard they tried they could not find any pieces that matched the picture.  Group three was busy putting their puzzle together just like the box top.  Everything was going smoothly.  Everyone was working well together.  Group one was getting frustrated both with the puzzle and with each other.  They could not find enough peaces for the edge.  Group two was fighting with one another as to where the pieces went.  Some were putting pieces together that did not fit or match.  Some of the group had just set down and gave up.  Some said this is the wrong box top.  This puzzle is not this picture.  Finally the teacher told them what she had done.

 

2 Peter 1: 1  Peter is writing to those who had obtained a like precious faith.

Verse 5 – 8 he is trying to build up their faith by adding to it the Christina virtues.

Verse 11 – 13  he wants to assure them about the one upon which their faith is based. 

He did not teach them fables.  He was an eye witness of these things.  This prophecy was of the Holy Spirit.  The Bible is the only standard from God for man’s spiritual practice while upon this earth.  If we accept the Bible as our authority we must believe certain things about it.

I.       THE BIBLE IS INSPIRED OF GOD.

Peter said; “that God had given us all things that pertain to life and Godliness through knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue.”  But did he give us a box top?

A picture, something to look at and follow?  Yes the Bible.

          A.      Isaiah 55: 10 – 11  God’s word is always fulfilled, mans word is not.

10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

God’s word is given to accomplish what it was written for.

B.               Heb. 4: 12  God’s word is powerful and can change the heart of man.

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

God’s word gives us god’s pattern and if man will obey it, it will change our heart and belief to obey his word and not mans.

 

 

 

C.               2 Tim. 3: 16 – 17  The Bible claims inspiration for itself, it’s inspired writers and prophets.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

1.       2 Peter 1: 20 – 21  Prophecies of the Bible are inspired.

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

                   2.       1 Cor. 13: 8 – 10  Inspired prophets are dead and prophecy has ceased.

8 ¶ Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

The Bible is complete, it is the perfect Word of God, Our pattern for obedience to God and our Box Top.

3.                 Rev. 22: 18 – 19  Man is not to add or subtract from the Bible.

18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Don’t substitute another box top.  The picture is complete; don’t change it in any way.  Don’t make a translation with a different interpretation.  There will be many with the plagues written there.

II.               MANS STANDARDS ARE GREATLY INADEQUATE.

A.               Gal. 1: 11 – 12  The Bible is not of men, their authorities or translations.

11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

God inspired the Bible.  He used man to write and prophesy, but only his

Inspired word.

B.               Jeremiah 10: 23  Man could not do it on his own.

23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

C.      Acts 22:1 – 3  Paul faced the council to tell them he persecuted Christians with all good conscience and wrong.

1 ¶ And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

The high priest insulted Paul by having him slapped in the mouth.  Paul let him know he knew the law and they broke it slapping a Roman.  Let not your conscience be your only guide because you to could be wrong.  Only the Bible can be our safe guide because it is of God.  He made the box top.

 

 

 

 

 

C.               Gal. 1: 8 – 9  Man has failed miserably accepting his own feelings, dreams, visions and lessoning to false teachers of such belief.  Paul says don’t even accept an angel.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

We are a little lower than the angels, so who are we to change God’s word?

III.             WE DO NOT NEED A “NEW REVELATION”, or “NEW HERMENEUTIC”.  THE BIBLE IS ALL SUFFICIENT TO MEET OUR EVERY SPIRITUAL NEED.

A.               Titus 2: 11 – 15  It is our box top to teach us how to live.

11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

 15 ¶ These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

          B.      2 Peter 1: 3 – 4  It is our box top to show all that pertains to life and godliness.

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

          C.      Matt. 6: 33  Our box top to show us if we do our part God will do his.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

If your not a Christian tonight you are like the ones trying to put the puzzle together without a box top.  You are not in Christ, so know matter how much you know or try it is hopeless without Christ.  You must first put on Christ and then you can see clearly God’s plan is for you.

 

If you’re a Christian and have fallen away you are like the ones with the wrong box top you know you once had a clear picture of salvation, but you have let sin cloud your vision once again and you can not see clearly.  You need to repent and come back to your fist love.  Jesus Christ.

 

If you’re a Christian living faithful unto God you no doubt are the ones with the right box top the Bible.  Let us continue to study and never accept anything more or less than the truth.

 

Do you need to come to Jesus tonight.  Don’t let the devil hold you any longer.  Will you come?