Elevate God’s Word

Last week, we looked at Titus 1:9 and began to answer "Where Do We Go from Here? or  the “Purpose of the Church.” We discovered we must first engage God’s word. Now, in the second article of this series, we will learn how we must elevate God’s word.

Time and time again, those needing help, have been struck by the Bible’s total relevance in their lives. Oftentimes they will say things like: “This is the exact help I need” or “I wish I knew this earlier,” or “I can’t believe this came from the Bible.” Once, we start to search inside God’s word for the answers of life, we find ourselves elevating His word.

When we elevate God’s word, we place His word above everything else. Again, looking at Titus 1:9, we find this in the phrase: “holding fast to the faithful word.”

The word "faithful" does not speak to the faith we place in the word, but the inherent nature of the Word. God’s word is faithful. This is because of who God is and how God inspired the Word. 

Who God Is

Faithful means trustworthy, dependable, and true. The word is faithful because God is faithful. His character assures His word can be trusted. He is holy (Isa 6). He is perfect (Matt [5:48]). He is righteous (Ps 1[19:13]7). He is true (Num [23:19]). He is faithful (2 Tim [2:13]). God’s attributes safeguard His word.

How often do we get this mixed up? We think God’s word is faithful because we believe in it. Instead, Paul returns our minds to the correct way of thinking: We should believe in God’s Word because it is faithful. By nature, God’s word is an objective fact. A.W. Tozer writes,

“God’s word is true whether we believe it or not. Human unbelief cannot alter the character of God.”

God's word is faithful because God is faithful.

The first reason we elevate God’s word is because of who God is. The second reason we elevate God’s word is because of how God inspired His word.

How God Inspired His Word

When we hear the word inspired or inspiration, we may think of our favorite song or a touching movie, this is not Biblical inspiration. Instead, Biblical inspiration means the Scriptures have been given to us by God through men. This is a foundational belief of Christianity. 

Breathed-Out

First, God inspired the Scriptures using the unique personalities, circumstances, and backgrounds of the human authors. In fact, he breathed-out the Scriptures through men. In 2 Timothy [3:16], Paul records this very fact, writing, “All Scripture is inspired by God.” The word for inspired is literally theopneustos. Theopneustos means God-breathed. Theo is God; pneustos is breath. This means the holy, perfect, righteous, true, faithful God breathed out the Scriptures through men (2 Tim [3:16]; Zech [7:12]; Psalm 19). 

Verbal Plenary Inspiration

The Bible we hold is His word given to us. This word is inspired both in part (verbal–Matt [5:18]) and in whole (plenary–Ps 1[19:16]0). This is called verbal plenary inspiration. Therefore, every section of the Scripture is equally inspired. One section cannot be more authoritative than another. The words of Moses, Jesus, Paul are all preserved and delivered through the inspiration of the Scriptures. God is the author of your Bible. A perfect God has given us a perfect message through inspiration. As a result, God’s word is inerrant (Ps 19:7–9), infallible (Isa 40:8), sufficient (Prov 30:5–6; 2 Tim [3:17]), and agreeable (John [10:35]). It’s the very oracles of God (1 Thess [2:13]). He has spoken in the Scriptures perfectly for every aspect of life.

One Meaning and Interpretation 

Furthermore, when God speaks, He has a single meaning—one intention. Simply, God means what He says and says what He means. Therefore, every Scripture verse has only one correct interpretation. Second Peter [1:20]–21 reads, 

“But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” 

God is the author of the Scriptures and He has a single intent. While there can be many applications, God has given us a one meaning. 

If we understand the full impact of Biblical Inspiration, then we will elevate the Scriptures to their proper place in the church and in our hearts. For, God has a clear method of directing His people. We find this method in and through His word. We must hold fast to His faithful word. If we engage God’s word, we will elevate God’s word. If we elevate God’s word, then we are finally in the position to explain God’s word to His people and exalt His son, Jesus Christ. 

Holding Fast the Faithful Word: Reclaiming a Lost Commitment 

Unfortunately, churches have often failed to retain this foundational hold on the faithful word. Often, the decision is not intentional. Instead, the pressures of ministry, the challenges of life, and the very real needs of many have crowded-out what is essential. 

Soon, ministry is in full swing. We are busy, but we neglect what is most important—God’s word. A quote often attributed to C.H. Spurgeon says,

“A time will come when instead of shepherds feeding the sheep, the church will have clowns entertaining goats.”

In short, the church has failed to keep “the main thing, the main thing.” When this happens, a church has stopped being a church. 

Therefore, the elders of Grace Chapel have decided to guard against this potential drift. In the coming year, we have decided to focus on the core of our faith—"What We Teach." Here we find the greatest potential for unity and growth (Col 2:1–3).