The Nature of God’s Word | 2 Peter 1.16-21

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,”

18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.

19 And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,

20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.

21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

“When the Bible speaks, God speaks.”

—John Calvin

Sermon Title—

Three Insights into the Nature of God’s Word.

I.  Proves that God’s Word

is Not Based Upon  

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

NLT 2 Peter 3:3-4

3 First, I want to remind you that in the last days there will be scoffers who will laugh at the truth and do every evil thing they desire.

4 This will be their argument: “Jesus promised to come back, did he? Then where is he? Why, as far back as anyone can remember, everything has remained exactly the same since the world was first created.”

Matthew 24:1-2

1 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple.

2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

In other words, Jesus prophesied that the Temple of Jerusalem,

the place of worship, would be utterly destroyed.

Matthew 24:30-35

30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

32 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.

33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.

34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Psalm 115:3

Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.

Psalm 145:17

The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.

Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Psalm 19:7-10

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;

9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

Psalm 119—

160 The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules.

165 Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.

171 My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes.

172 My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right.

174 I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight.

162 I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.

Home Group Questions

• In what ways have you been challenged concerning the truthfulness of Scripture?
• How does prophecy prove the truthfulness of Scripture? (Read Mt. 24.1-2)
• Why do you think its essential for believers to trust in the truthfulness of Scripture?