"What Saith the Scripture?" Romans 4:3 I. Introduction. A. There are many standards and authorities of men. 1. Since they are human, subject to change. 2. Such adjust with the times and the demands of the people. B. Some human authorities can be wise in their professions. 1. Physicians, lawyers, and others. 2. They try to reach a mutual standard, acceptable to their specific profession. 3. Books are written to catalog and preserve their discoveries and knowledge(becomes their appeal for practice). C. Human wisdom, at its best, is flawed. 1. Changes with the times and the dictates of mankind. 2. Some accurate; some not so accurate; some useful; some destructive. D. For the followers of Christ, the first and last appeal is the scriptures: 1. Complete: James 1:25. 2. Thorough: II Timothy 3:16-17. E. Interesting facts: 1. "Scripture" appears 32 times in KJ(31 in NT). 2. "Scriptures" appears 21 times in KJ(all in NT). 3. "Word of God" appears 49 times in KJ(45 in NT). 4. "Gospel" appears 110 times in the NT(KJ). II. Body. A. When it comes to religious beliefs and teachings--there is only one way to determine God's will: Romans 4:3. 1. The early disciples appealed to the scriptures of the Old Testament and accepted the revelation of the New Testament. 2. They never appealed to human authority for guidance: Acts 4:31. 3. These Christians could be called "book, chapter and verse" disciples. 4. Jesus would encourage: John 5:39. a. Often he said: "...that the scripture might be fulfilled." b. Taught about the word(sower, etc.). 5. Constant appeal to the scriptures is the way of a Christian. B. Respect for the word of God is emphasized by inspired men. 1. Why? Romans 1:16. 2. Inspired(God-breathed) revelation: II Timothy 3:16-17. a. When they had this--they had what is needed. b. Note how they used it and what it accomplished. 3. Hence, this exhortation: II Timothy 4:2-4. 4. When the respect for man's opinions and ideas outweighs the respect for the New Testament--we are in big trouble! 5. The first Christians spoke the word of God with boldness: Acts 4:31. C. The need for respecting and following the scriptures: 1. Remember--we are "thoroughly(completely) furnished unto every good work." 2. God is not dead and His word is not dead: Hebrews 4:12. 3. The revelation from God is all we have--there is none other. 4. Always remember: Romans 10:17. 5. Through the scriptures, we have hope: Romans 15:14. 6. The acquiring of true wisdom: II Timothy 3:15. D. The power of the scriptures: 1. Make a sinner a saint: I Peter 1:23-25. 2. Jesus taught the seed is the word of God: Luke 8:11. 3. The blessing: Luke 11:28. 4. The Sword of the Spirit: Ephesians 6:17. 5. These realized its power: Acts 6:7. 6. Made "wise" Timothy--from a babe(II Timothy 3:15). E. The scriptures and scriptural teaching must be kept pure. 1. Some erred in Christ's day because they "knew not the scriptures"(Matthew 22:29). 2. Traditions can "make void the word"(Mark 7:13). 3. Paul stated: II Corinthians 2:17. 4. Peter warned: II Peter 3:16. 5. Hence: Galatians 1:8. 6. All apostasies come from a disrespect for the scriptures (individual and churches). F. The basis for every Christian's action as a disciple; the standard for each local church. 1. Some reject(or dislike) the appeal to the scriptures. 2. Always consider: what saith the scripture--there is no other standard from God. 3. Note: I Timothy 3:15. 4. Some find appealing to the scriptures to be upsetting and out of fashion for our times. III. Conclusion. A. Respect for God will produce respect for His word. B. The gospel is all that we have to obey God and live for Him.-jy