We'll meet me again in Mark chapter. 7 together to look at
one particular verse As we begin.
Is very important session in the word of God.
Mark chapter 7, And look here with me in verse 5.
Before we read one, we pray again.
Oh, Lord. You are the truth.
Your word is truth. Help us understand.
It set us free by the truth sanctify Us by the truth.
Lord, we trust that what is prepared for us today, will
advance us further into greater confidence.
To contend for the faith. That was once delivered, we
pray, Lord, that this would be maybe even a turning point for
some. We just ask that what would be
delivered would be done in the power of the spirit, the wisdom
of the spirit, and faithfulness, to your will and your mind
pertaining and regarding this subject.
But we trust in you. We love you.
That's why we're here. Would you sense our love for
you? And Lord, more importantly, we
realize your great love for us. In Jesus name we pray.
Amen. Mark 75.
And the Pharisees. And the scribes ask them.
Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of
the elders but eat with defiled hands.
There's no question that this interrogation was something that
the religious leaders of Jesus day brought to him.
But I want to borrow the concept of this idea here and present
followers of Jesus Christ Here. And Now with a a similar
question. Why do we as followers of Jesus
Christ? Not uphold or practice prominent
traditions in Christendom of our day.
I'm sure you are fully aware that there are many branches
within Christendom that champion and put great emphasis on
certain beliefs and practices that are established in the name
of sacred tradition. And it's very likely that some
of you have been challenged by friends or family, who have
wondered about your lack of adherence, to these specific
customs and rituals or beliefs. That have no strong or
consistent basis in the Bible. and it's also very likely that
your initial response to such inquiries have been something
along the lines of well, because the Bible says And the reason
why you would give such a response is because you appeal
to scripture and the reason why you appeal to the authority of
the scripture is because you wholeheartedly believe that the
scripture alone is the Supreme and final rule regarding all
faith and practice. Now, that loyalty and that
Fidelity to the scriptures was the very heartbeat of the
Reformation. One of the known slogans of that
time, is something that you are familiar with a Latin phrase
called Sola, scriptura Sola scriptura, which was heralded
and declared charged by Martin Luther during the 1500s.
And some have a misunderstanding of what Sola scriptura means and
believe it to understand that there are some within
Christendom namely us who believe that the Bible is the
only Authority. And that is not what we
necessarily agree to that. The Bible is just this
Standalone kind of rule and measure meant of certain things
and there's no other sense of authority over us.
That's not how we understand. The term know the Bible itself.
Testifies and speaks of various kinds of authority, there is
Parental Authority, there is civil Authority.
There is even Church Authority among other types of authority
and none of those things. Conflict with our faithfulness
and are surrendered to the scriptures or at least they
shouldn't. When we speak about Sola
scriptura, which simply means scripture alone with that
communicates, is that the Bible pay?
Very close attention to this? That the Bible is the only
infallible. What is infallible mean?
It means incapable of making mistakes.
The Bible is the only infallible and all-sufficient Rule and
standard for Spiritual truth. That is what Sola scriptura
essentially means. Parents can make mistakes
government can promote error. You can even have clergy and
leaders within the realm of the church who could be misguided
with the presumptions and their judgments, but the Bible alone
is unique in that. It has an inability to be
untrue. And by virtue of unable being
wrong, it demands all other authorities to submit to its
inherent claims. you might be wondering why Sola scriptura was
Champion during the 1500s the 16th century in the main reason
is because it was a statement of protest against the Roman
Catholic Church And why was the Roman Catholic Church being
protested against because what they believed then?
And what they still believe today is nothing close to this
view of scripture. The Roman Catholics as well as
Ethan Orthodox and other traditional churches.
They see the scripture as an authority but not the authority
and there's a big difference. It's important to note that
these branches of traditional and Orthodox Churches, if I can
use that word have their differences and we're not going
to speak on those differences today.
But one thing that makes the Protestant Christian faith
unique is this distinct conviction.
Which is everything that God requires of us as found and
finalized in the written word of God.
Notice that I'm not saying that everything that the prophet said
or everything that the apostles taught or necessarily are
necessarily found in the Bible but we do believe, is that in
God's? Providential wisdom, he has
preserved. What is sufficient and what
you're holding in your hand today?
Scripture does not share its preeminent place, With the
papacy with Bishops with ancient oral teachings, with church
fathers subjective Revelations or anything else for that
matter. It stands alone as the source by
which we must judge everything. And I'm fully aware that as I'm
saying this, there are many objections to this principle.
And I'm not going to pretend that in one session.
We're going to address every single argument, but my hope and
presenting this to you today, is that, for those who do hold to
this view, you would be more encouraged and strengthened in
your faith and for those who might be conflicted that you
would at least reconsider The View that you might hold that
scripture is not the only infallible source for Faith and
practice and one of the most common objections to what I am
presenting to you, today's, for those who reject Sola scriptura,
they kind of drum. This one argument over and over
and it's that scripture itself doesn't that teach Sola
scriptura. And so it's a self refuting
argument. It doesn't stand because it's
circular, there's nothing within scripture that says you need to
hold to the infallibility of the Scripture alone, and that
there's no other source of infallibility that can help you
in your faith or worship toward God.
And so, it just has no legs. And what I want to say is that
just because there isn't a particular or explicit statement
that is phrased to one's preference or like League liking
does not dismiss the conviction itself because what you will
find in the Bible, undeniably is that it does declare its own
infallibility and its own sufficiency.
And that is enough for us, to be honest with ourselves to make a
logical conclusion, right? You might not find one specific.
Verse that says the written word of God Alone is the dominant
source for what you need in. Your walk with God, you might
not find something like that but you don't find something like
that for the Trinity either. What you do is you gather the
evidence from cover to cover and then you are able to make it
consistent and harmonious conclusion, based on the data
that has been presented to us divinely.
And so we see here that there is infallibility and sufficiency
and I'm going to show that to you in a moment.
And here's what I want you to do is that once you are able to
hear and see the unique identity and the adequate function of the
word of God, you have to again And ask yourself is there a need
for a infallible source to work with the unrivaled?
Nature and ability of God's word.
Is there a need? Psalm 19:7.
The law of the Lord is perfect. Reviving The Soul.
The testimony of the Lord is sure making wise, the simple,
the law of the Lord is perfect not just in its historical data
or whatever scientific inferences they're in, but its
ability to revive the soul to take that dormant Spirit of
yours. And to Get into perfect
alignment and right standing with your Creator and your
savior. Now, if it's perfect in that
purpose, is there anything else that is needed to be added to
accomplish that specific goal? If I claim anything is perfect,
but I am also claiming is that there is no need for
supplementation or subtraction in order for it to be effective
in its specific, right? The law of the Lord is perfect,
Proverbs 35 and 6 Every word of God proves true.
He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Do not add to his words. Lest he rebuked you and you be
found a liar. Can the warning be any clearer.
The Holy Spirit, informs us that there is a serious danger for
those who would claim that any ordinance?
Any ritual? Any belief?
Any Doctrine? Any practice is off.
Authorized by God though. It is not warranted by the word
of God. Do not add to his words.
Now, those who would again resist or argue against Sola,
scriptura would say. Well, the written word of God Is
Not the Only manifestation of the word of God.
Because to them. There is also another stream and
that stream, mainly is sacred tradition, which is to believe
the oral law. The oral teachings of the
Apostles that were passed down in succession though.
They were not recorded like what we have in our Bibles.
And to add to that, and we'll touch on what what I just said
later on. But to add to that, you have
specifically the Roman Catholic Church.
That would also say that not just sacred tradition, but we
also have a need, the church, their Church being the ultimate,
interpreter and determiner of Truth since she has been given
Authority by Christ to do. So what that means is this and
it means many things. But here's the main concern for
that, That the leaders in the Roman Catholic Church can
invoke. What they believe as their
god-given Authority and make it binding on the conscience.
This is something that you must believe in.
This is something that applies to you as a Christian.
And the magisterium has that apparently has that prerogative,
given by God, that's the case that they make. and the main way
that those teachings, and those doctrines are determined is
through ecumenical Church councils throughout history.
There have been many of them and what that really means is that
you have a gathering of Bishops worldwide who come to discuss
these matters and then they either affirm or refute
doctrines or heresies and then applies to the universal church.
And one that I want to bring to your attention to your attention
in particular is one of the most significant councils That make
it obvious that where we stand. As Protestant, Christians is
vastly different to where the Roman Catholic Church stands.
Now, I'm fully aware that some of you might have Roman Catholic
friends more Roman Catholic family members.
I'm not here to pick on your Roman Catholic family member or
your friend. My duty here is to speak about
what the church teaches to present that data to you and
then you make your conclusion. and so, the council that I am,
speaking of here is the Council of Trent The Council of Trent
was a series of meetings that began in 1545.
And these series of meetings were organized for the sole
purpose of refuting, the message and the movement of the
Reformation. And what I want to quote you in
a moment here, some of the decrees that were determined
within that counsel over the years and there are two things
that you need to be prepared. For the first thing that you
must understand is that these dogmas, these cannons that have
been defined during the Council of Trent have never been
revoked. Since.
In other words, they are still an application today.
In other words, they still apply to you because you're going to
realize that they do apply to you.
Secondly, what you're going to hear is that quote, these things
is the repeated word, anathema, anathema.
Some of, you know, that word. Some you may not know that word
and are Roman Catholic friends would say that the definition of
that word varies there they would say that early on the word
anathema could have included the meaning of being accursed being
cursed, right? We see that usage there even in
Galatians chapter 1, but they would also argue that later on
it took a more Dominant definition, which simply means
to be excommunicated from The Community of Faith.
Here's the point that I'm trying to make regardless of what
definition you hold to and not them is not good.
Okay, it's not a pleasant thing. It's not good.
And it is regardless of the severity of the definition that
apologist might hold to. It is undeniably an expression
of condemnation, an expression of condemnation for those who
would not hold to the belief that they say are crucial and
essential to. What they would say, is the
Christian faith. And so I want to Simply quote to
you now and I need you to lean in and pay attention to the
wording. And I'll my head's going to be
down so that it's going to require you to lean a little bit
more and use a little bit extra strength to pay attention.
I'm going to read to you now. Few statements from the sixth
session of the Council of Trent. Remember, this is on par with
the authority of the word of God to them.
This is not subordinate, this is not opinion because of their
view of the authority of the magisterium this is binding to
the conscience. The 6th Council.
Of the Council of Trent, the sixth session rather under the
title justification, cannons. Quote Cannon, 12.
If any one shall say that justifying faith is nothing else
than confidence in the Divine, Mercy, pardoning sins for
Christ's sake. Or that it is that confidence
Alone by which we are Justified. Let him be anathema.
Cannon, 14. If anyone saith that man is
truly absolved from his sins and Justified because that he
assuredly believed himself, absolved and Justified, or that,
no one is truly Justified, but he who believes himself
Justified and that by this faith alone Absolution and
justification are affected. Let him be anathema.
Let me translate to that. If you believe in justification
by faith, you are anathematized Canon 23.
If anyone's saith that Justice received is not preserved and
also increased before God through good works.
Now pay attention to this but that the said works are merely
the fruits and signs of justification obtained but not a
cause of the increase their of let him be anathema.
In other words, if you believe that good works are the fruit of
your salvation, you're wrong. You need good works to be
justified, works are not the fruit of your salvation.
They are a means, by which you can experience the grace of God.
Canon 30. if anyone saith that after the, grace of
justification has been received, To every penitent sinner.
The guilt is remitted and the debt of Eternal punishment is
blotted out in such wise that there Remains Not any debt or
temporal punishment to be discharged either in this world
or in the next and purgatory. Before the entrance to the
kingdom of heaven can be open to him.
Let him be anathema. Did you understand that?
If you believe that all your guilt, all your sins have been
washed away and that you are not need in your not need for extra
cleansing in this life or even in the next life is something
that you're familiar with which is Purgatory, then anathema.
And I was reviewing these things last night and thinking about
them. And here's the question that
came to my mind. Maybe it went through yours.
Which interpretation of God's will do.
I yolk myself to if I hold to the view that scripture is a
Authority but the magisterium is another which one do I obey?
Which one do I submit to, which one do I say?
Yes? And amen.
Well, if you're Roman Catholic, you would have to say the
magisterium You would have to say the magisterium because the
magisterium has apparently been given the authority from Christ
to interpret scripture. You can't do that with your
Bible alone necessarily and so you need to trust in the
institution that God has placed an inspired by his spirit.
So that means what I just read to you is amen.
So, what am I supposed to do? Am I supposed to trust the words
of the Apostle, Paul who said, in Ephesians 2:8 and 9, for by
Grace, we have been saved through faith, and this is not
of your own doing. It is the gift of God, not a
result of works, so that no one may boast.
Or am I supposed to put my trust in Canon, 14 of the 6th session
of the Council of Trent? Am I supposed to put my absolute
heart? In the hand of the truth of
Hebrews. 10:14 that tells me that by one sacrifice.
I've been perfected for all time.
For those who are being Sanctified or my supposed to
live under the umbrella of Canon 30, that tells me.
That I might need some extra purging before the Gates of
Heaven are open to me. See, this is what it boils down
to. This is why I'm bringing this to
your attention. The reason why I believe what I
believe is because I choose to put my trust in the clear
infallible, word of God, not in the word of fallible, men.
And I invite you to do the same. I love the words of the Apostle.
Paul who said this in First Corinthians 4:6, you can turn
there because it's a great passage and 1st Corinthians 4:6.
Paul says, I've applied all these things to myself.
And Apollo's for your benefit brothers that you may learn by
us, not to go beyond what is written. that none of you may be
puffed up in favor of one against another What is Paul
saying, you're he's calling the Corinthians to use the scripture
and, yes, Paul believed that his own writings were scripture.
He called to the Corinthians to use their standard of judgment
concerning the leaders based on what has been written, not by
their own imaginations, not by their own feelings, not by their
own arguments, not by anything else.
Don't go beyond what has been already established and written.
What about what he says to the same Corinthian Church who
thought that they had the authority to determine what
happened in the worship service and how Christians should
exercise their gifts. And how do they should relate to
one another? Well, the same Paul says, in
First Corinthians 14, just scroll their few chapters later
and notice what he says to the same group of people and First
Corinthians 14. Verse 36.
Or was it from you that the word of God came?
Or are you the only ones it has reached?
If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, he should
acknowledge that. The things I am writing to you
are a command of the Lord. Wow.
Paul actually believe that what he wrote was commands from God?
Yes, she was fully aware of that as you're going to discover in a
moment and he's asking the same church to acknowledge that
regardless of gifting, regardless of any private
experience as the prophets in the church might have
experienced, right? Right, no matter what kind of
thus says the Lord? No matter what?
Kind of spontaneous leading of the spirit?
There was Paul says, if you're really a profit you would
acknowledge my word, which is God's word and you would submit
to it, you would submit to it. You would realize that this has
supreme authority that this has ultimate say it has the final
say of what you believe and how you practice your faith.
Why is that? Because the Apostle Paul was
among the other apostles who have been handpicked by Jesus,
Christ, himself to lay the foundation of the church,
according to Ephesians 2:20 That's that's very important to
understand the Apostle's have been handpicked.
Have been hand-picked in such a way that they've been in dude,
with a specific kind of responsibility and that
responsibility is whether by word or by writing what they
said was determined as foundational to the faith of the
church when you lay a foundation.
It's something that says you're building on this.
You're not adding to this, you're not expanding on it
unless you are building upon what it says and what it
determines already. So the foundation has been laid
and Paul and the other Apostles realized that they had that
unique call a call. That could not be passed down a
call. That was not succeeded.
A call that was unique to them and to them alone.
And what about that? Perfect, I believe it's one of
the greatest Declarations of the marriage, between the
infallibility, of the word of God and the sufficiency of the
word of God. And those who oppose the view of
Sola scriptura don't like when it's quote, and I'll tell you
why in a reason. But you know what, you probably
memorize it, but let's just rehearse it again.
Second Timothy 3. Verse 15 to 17.
Speaking to Timothy and he says, oh, and how from childhood you
have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able
to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Notice that the, the sacred writings are able to make you
wise unto salvation. In other words, if you if you
engage with the Bible. Yes, there are some things that
are harder to understand but not impossible, to understand,
right. Because the claim is that we
cannot Stand the Bible. So that we need the help of the
church at large who have infallible ability to determine
what the Bible says. Okay.
It might be hard but what is essential the main things are
the plain things. And what we have here is that if
you engage with the Bible, you will have the direction.
You need enough to be saved. Why isn't the Salvation verse
16? All scripture is breathed out by
God. And Profitable for teaching, for
reproof for correction, and for training in righteousness.
And I love this in verse 17, that the man of God, may be
complete equipped for every good work wise unto salvation and
equipped, to be what God calls me to be as a man of God, when
God calls you to be, as a woman of God, it is sufficient.
And I know those who, again, resist this proponents, that
that view tradition and others, as the same as scripture, in
terms of its Authority. I don't like this and they have
two main arguments to why the first one is that they don't see
Paul's words here as excluding, any other type of authority by
which we can be made Sanctified. There's nothing here.
This is the argument. There's nothing here that says
okay we believe scripture is inspired by God but it doesn't
mean that God can Inspire other means other systems to also help
us grow to help us know. And I can see where they're
coming from because you look at James chapter 1, you don't have
to turn there but if you want, you can James chapter 1 verse 4
and James, they're speaking about trials and he's calling
the Christians to be faithful in their Trials of the let those
trials have its full effect on them.
Why that they may be complete. That they may be matured.
In other words, God has ordained specific things in your life,
difficult things in order to Chisel you and to make you more
of the man that he wants you to be or the woman that he's called
you to be. I'm not arguing that the Lord
doesn't use the church that the Lord doesn't use people with
specific gifts to help us or even trials and Life to assist
us and to guide us into the will of God.
What I am saying is that, nothing else in all the Bible
says that something is breathed out by God except for the
scriptures. Infallible infallible.
Infallible and inerrant unable to make a mistake and it is void
of error. That's what we believe and
that's what is only declared concerning the very word of God
that you and I love. Secondly, some would propose
that. What Paul is speaking here of
concerning all scripture is just the Old Testament.
It's just the Old Testament and New Testament was a recognized
though. They didn't have a new testament
library. And so what Paul is really
speaking about here is the Hebrew scriptures and that opens
up too many other problems, right?
But, you know, very well and I hope you do that even at this
time, Paul recognized New Testament books, as scripture, I
can spend the next 10 minutes to show you how Paul believe that
about his own writings and various Epistles.
But Paul also believe that about his contemporary writers and
just in case you don't know these references.
I want to give them to you, so that you are mindful of this.
And the reason I'm going to tell you why this is important in a
moment here, but look here with me.
I first Timothy 5:8, you're in. Second Timothy scroll, back to
First Timothy 5:8, excuse me? 5:18 and notice the words of
Paul here, when he's seeking to teach about pastors in the
church, For the scripture says so.
So, Paul says, and First Timothy 5:18 For the scripture says you
shall not muzzle an ox when it Treads out.
The grain stop. That's in Deuteronomy.
That's something that's found in Deuteronomy.
Paul pulls that out by principle to apply to how leaders should
be compensated to some degree for their service in the church.
You shalt not muzzle an ox, when it turns out the Grain and then
beautifully, he says and the laborer, deserves his wages,
where's that found? Luke.
Paul puts the Gospel of Luke on par with the book of
Deuteronomy. Paul believed that Luke's
writings had the same Authority as the writings of Moses in
Deuteronomy. And so he brings Luke and he
brings Deuteronomy and the same breath, he exercised the
authority of the word of God from both sources during his own
lifetime. During the infancy of the early
church. First Timothy 5:18, what about
Peters words? And second Peter chapter 3.
There he is. Discussing Some people who are
pressing the church about different doctrines and he says
here in 2nd Peter 3:15. And count.
The patience of the Lord. I salvation just as our beloved
brother, Paul. Also wrote to you concerning the
wisdom, given him as he does in all his letters, all his
letters. When he speaks in them of these
matters, there are some things in them that are hard to
understand, pause, that comforts me.
Because if Peter had trouble understanding Paul's writings,
that means when I come to a text like Romans, I'm like this is
kind of difficult. Well, Peter struggled to do some
reading regard. That are hard to understand
which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction,
as they do the other scriptures. Paul's writings is in the same
category of scriptures. So if second Timothy 3:15 to 17
scriptures there refers solely to the Hebrew scriptures then
what do you do with text like this?
When Peter says if a Paul's letters are also scriptures this
also shows and this is the point that I want to make this also
shows that the recognition The circulation and the formulation
of the New Testament library was in operation during the lifetime
of the Apostles. And why I say that is because
those who hold to sacred tradition would say that if you
don't hold to sacred tradition, then you got to deny what you
believe to be the Bible. Why is that?
Because it's tradition that has compiled.
What you claim to be your Bible. In other words, at some point in
history, you had Christians who had the leading and the
authority to determine which books belong here and which
don't, there is no index in your Bible that says these books
belong. Who's going to determine with
all the different letters going around?
What belongs in the library and what doesn't?
And if you if you don't say tradition, then you have to also
deny your Bible. But hold on let's just make this
point clear to recognize what is authoritative in the Bible.
Does not automatically equate that you are infallible, does
it? I don't have to be infallible in
order to recognize what is divine.
And there is a Criterion by which the early Christians were
able to identify what was scripture and what could be
disregarded. But we don't have time to get
into that. What I want to say is this that
even if it is a tradition Okay, it's a tradition that's founded
in the Bible. It's not something that happened
outside of the Bible. Outside of the scripture.
We just had to references right there to show us that it was
birthed and it was happening and it was occurring during the
lifetime of the Apostles, when the very scriptures you and I
love were being formulated. That's something very important
to understand. Now, I know some of you might be
wondering something because I know this, I'm not a prophet nor
son of a prophet. Because some of you and some
others have messaged me concerning one particular verse
that is troublesome. It's kind of a thorn to this
whole belief in this conviction. It's in second Thessalonians, 2
verse 15. Here's a Paul says and it seems
to be a proof text that confirms how the written word of God is
appear to sacred tradition. Second Thessalonians 2 verse 15.
We read here. So then Brothers.
Stand firm and hold to. What's that word?
The Traditions that you were taught by us either by are
spoken word or by our letter, uh-huh.
You see Paul mentions Traditions that were taught by him and the
other church leaders. And some of them were
transmitted by his word which confirms that there is some kind
of oral Doctrine. That was transmitted that they
taught and was passed down from generation to generation.
That's the argument. But here's the question, we have
to ask ourselves. Do you really believe that when
Paul used the word tradition here that he is referring to
extra-biblical Revelation? That is equal to God's word?
There are very there, are two very important words in this
verse and depending on your translation in might be one word
and it's word that that expands our understanding of the
scripture. So then you see that so then
your translation might say what they're for, okay?
What is therefore, therefore see what I did there, what is there
for there for? You gotta zoom out, you gotta
understand a pulse tires connected to a larger context
and what is that larger context? What We here in verse 15.
Are we not? Now come here verse 13, but we
ought always to give thanks to God for you Brothers beloved by
the Lord because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved
through sanctification, by the spirit and belief in the truth
to this. He called you through our gospel
so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord.
Jesus Christ. So then Brothers stand firm and
hold to the Traditions that you were taught by us.
Whatever tradition Paul was referring to was in connection
to their confidence of their standing in the gospel.
And if you want to expand the context, we know that in the
beginning of chapter 2, he speaking about the second coming
of Jesus Christ. So, these traditions and all the
word, Traditions really means in the original is handed down.
These Traditions things that were handed down.
Paul was speaking about clearly were linked to and consistent
with the substance of his Apostolic teaching and you would
find it yes through his word. But it would also be found in
his letters. That's why he says buyer word or
by our letters, right? The idea that what he spoke by
his word is some additional peripheral kind of thing.
It doesn't make sense because the very connection To the
tradition. There is what was handed down?
Concerning the gospel and choose about the return of the Lord.
Jesus Christ, not things out there that, that we can't find
in our Bibles or things. I might even conflict with our
Bibles, no simply things that were handed down, and because he
was an apostle, he could do that by word, or he can do that by
letter, which is also important. There is no indication here
whatsoever that this verse teaches that things would be
passed down by word from one generation.
You to the next. There's nothing of that.
All Paul is saying is I'm an apostle.
And as a living Apostle, at this time, when he wrote this, he
sang and it's logical. That my word is just as
authoritative as my writings are, my writings are just what
my thoughts are, obviously inspired by the spirit recorded
on Papyrus, right? So I can speak to you, what God
wants you to know? Because I'm alive, or I can
write these things to you and he has And they were equally
authoritative as long as they were alive.
But what do you do when they cease to live?
What is the church to do? If they don't have access to the
living, active voice of these apostles who been endowed with a
specific portion of the spirit and Grace to lay the foundation
of the church for the people of God.
Well, let me put it this way. One thing is for certain there
is no hint that the New Testament teaches that there is
some infallible rule that is coming your way that will help
you determine things. In other words, there's nothing
in the Bible that says, there is a post Apostolic Authority, that
is on the same level as the Bible that you can rely on very
soon. Nothing.
So what are you left with a very comforting truth?
You are comforted by the realization.
That the very testimony of the Bible calls us.
And invites us to look to its unparalleled perfectly reliable
guide. To who God is what he has done,
what he will do and what it is that he demands of us.
And this, he has placed in the possession of his people.
People often quote, 1st Timothy 3:15.
That the church is the pillar in the butcher's of Truth.
As a proof, text of the church is authoritative in the same
regard as the scripture. But they didn't finish the verse
early on. Paul says, I'm writing these
things to you. So that, you know how to conduct
yourself in the house of God. What I'm writing to you is what
is authoritative? What?
I am delivering to you is to determine how you conduct
yourself in the church. And what is a pillar do?
Does it create truth? Like what we see in the Council
of Trent? No, a pillar.
Uphold something. So the church has any relation
to the word of God. It is to guard the truth.
Protect the truth. Be faithful to the truth.
And I use this verse to end last week session.
And if you haven't heard last week session, and you want to
know more because I could take us to Jesus appeal to the
scriptures as his ultimate Authority.
Visit that sermon again to get an idea of how Christ leaves no
room or no entertainment of thought that he actually
believed there was something on par with the word of God.
When he dealt with Satan, he said it is written when he dealt
with Pharisees and Sadducees says the scripture, the
Commandment of God the word of God when he instructs his own.
I think of the two on the road to Emmaus who are heavy of
heart, confused about the events that took place concerning what
they believed to be the Messiah. Jesus went to the law to the
prophets. He went to the Hebrew scriptures
and walk with them, and open up to them what the word of God
says concerning his suffering. The word, the word, the word you
have Paul the word, my writings scripture, scripture.
All scripture is breathed out by God.
Yeah, the tradition is there. We don't believe tradition as a
dirty word as Protestants by the way.
Hold whatever tradition you want.
Does it submit to the word of God?
And this is why this is important.
Again, you're saying, what's this session about you thought,
last week as a foundation? Well, here's a little another
layer to the foundation because everything hinges on this.
Oh, we can talk about me, rheology.
We can talk about icons. We can talk about Mass.
We can talk about the Saints. We can talk about all of that,
but if we don't deal with the sole Authority for the church,
then we're just swinging at nothing.
Is scripture supreme authority, if not if not I make the case.
That there's trouble ahead for any Institution for any person.
There's trouble ahead and what I seek to prove to you again.
Is that in the coming weeks after a short little break, I
would present you. Some of the troubling things
that have immersed from The View.
That scripture alone is not. Sufficient is not the sole
standard and measuring stick for all truth.
But as Believers, what are we encouraged to do?
Let me reinforce this to test all things to that, which has
already been determined. It's not comforting.
This truth is not just to pick a fight.
This truth is about where we put our rest in where were relieved
and God's goodness and Redemptive history to say you
can trust in this. So near the end of the very
Cannon itself. Jude says in verse 3 again.
Let me remind you what was said last week, beloved, although I
was very eager to write to you about our common salvation.
I found it necessary to write appealing to you and I appeal to
you. Appealing to you to contend for
the faith. That was once for all delivered.
To the Saints, once for all delivered.
Why do I believe in scripture alone?
Because the scripture has a unique nature.
The scripture. Has a unique function.
This scripture has a testimony that no other source, no other
claim. No other system can claim for
itself. And because it has that unique
claim, the claim is being infallible.
Insufficient then, isn't it logical for all other sources of
authority to submit to the only thing that is perfect.
That's all. It is nothing complicated.
Nothing. Philosophical.
Very simple and I pray just like how the gospel simple you would
see the Simplicity of this principle and you would know the
freedom there and let's pray. Lord.
As we have been brought by you to Mark chapter 7, we want to
honor what your word says. Will we see clearly in that
chapter? That you regard the word of God,
the Commandment of God as Superior to all other things.
Well, we just ask that in this time of reflection.
There would be no mixture of personal opinion, but that we
would simply seek the voice of God.
The inscribed speech of God. we pray for those who might be
struggling in this area, That they would know that you are
gracious in our struggle. And that you Lord are willing to
guide us into truth. If truth is that which we want
Or for those who don't see the importance of this.
Help them realize that if what was said is true then the
evangelism field as much larger than what we thought Lord for
those who might still have questions.
With this ministry and other faithful Ministries and other
faithful, men, and women, who love your truth with, they be
brought to them, the answers that they are looking for.
Would you guide them guide us? And Lord though this is not a
exhaustive, understanding of this truth, may be a starting
point, maybe for some to dig, even deeper.
And to become even more encouraged by the authority of
the word of God. But for now, Lord, we pause we
pause to reflect what was given. And now, we give to our worship
and we want to let you know. Oh Lord.
That we believe your law is perfect.
We believe it has been preserved.
We believe that it is free from error.
We believe that it is enough to help us.
And that what has been made clear to us is necessary and
complete. Oh, Lord.
Bless our hearts. And this time of serious
discussion investigation, and Lord, guide us into the truth,
and Jesus name, we pray. Amen.
Let's stand and worship the true.
Ruth, the Living God, who has given us his truth.