On This Rock I Stand – Part 8

The Necessity of Scripture

Luke 6:46-49

Introduction

So far, we have dealt with the authority, inerrancy, and clarity of Scripture.

Today, we focus on the necessity of Scripture — how it is necessary for:

1. Knowing the Gospel

2. Knowing how to live right

3. But not necessary to know that God exists

I. Necessary for Knowing the Gospel

Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes...”

Paul declared that salvation comes only through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God provided a way of salvation through His Son, who died for our sins, rose again, and now offers eternal life to all who believe.

1 Corinthians 15:1-5 gives the four basic truths of the Gospel:

1. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.

2. He was buried.

3. He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

4. He appeared to many witnesses.

The Gospel is good news — the message that God loves us and provided salvation through Jesus Christ. Yet, there are many false gospels today:

- The gospel of religion says “Do good works.”

- The gospel of materialism says “Your worth is what you own.”

- The gospel of liberalism says “I’m okay, you’re okay.”

- The gospel of society says “Do what feels good.”

But the true Gospel declares: “You are a sinner, but God loves you. Jesus died for your sins and rose again. If you place your faith in Him, you will be saved.”

Romans 10:9 – “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Faith in the Gospel brings transformation. What man cannot do by effort, God does by His power.

The Gospel reveals the righteousness of God “from faith to faith.” Faith is not just how we begin — it is how we live.

Paul understood that the Word of God has power to break through wrong mindsets — the belief that good works save, that time is unlimited, or that there is no judgment. The Gospel alone can free us from these lies.

Those who reject the truth will have no excuse because…

II. Not Necessary to Know That God Exists

Romans 1:19-20 – “What may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain… so that they are without excuse.”

God has revealed Himself clearly in three ways:

1. Through Creation – The universe declares His glory.

Psalm 19:1 – “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”

Everything we see bears witness to an intelligent Creator.

2. Through His Word – Scripture reveals who God is, what He desires, and how we should live.

3. Through His Son –

John 1:18 – “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son… has made Him known.”

Jesus is God in the flesh. He walked among us, and we beheld His glory (John 1:1, 14).

Creation, Scripture, and Christ all declare the reality of God.

III. Necessary for Knowing How to Live Right and Knowing God’s Will

Matthew 4:4 – “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

The Word of God is essential nourishment for the believer. Just as physical food sustains the body, the Word sustains the spirit.

Acts 2:42 – “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer.”

The early Church grew because they were devoted to the Word. The same Word that saves us also teaches us how to live right.

2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.”

Paul outlines four benefits of Scripture:

1. Doctrine (Teaching) – It shows what is right.

The Bible is always right. In a world of “relativity,” truth is found in what God says, not in what feels right to us.

2. Reproof – It shows what is not right.

God’s Word exposes sin and error. True love tells the truth, even when it convicts. The apostles didn’t water down the Word, and neither should we.

3. Correction – It shows how to get right.

When our lives are out of order, the Word leads us back.

Romans 10:9 reminds us that salvation is found in confessing and believing in Jesus.

1 John 1:9 assures us that if we confess our sins, He will forgive and cleanse us.

4. Training in Righteousness – It shows how to stay right.

A believer who studies and applies the Word will grow in holiness and avoid many pitfalls.

Illustration

During the Pony Express, riders carried mail 1,900 miles from Missouri to California in just ten days. Weight was limited, and even saddles and clothing were lightened — yet each rider carried a full-sized Bible. Despite every effort to minimize weight, they refused to travel without the Word.

That’s how necessary the Word of God is for us — we cannot travel through life without it.

Closing Thought

The Word of God is not optional — it is necessary.

It saves us, guides us, corrects us, and trains us to live a life that honors God.

Stand firm on the Rock of His Word — it is the foundation that will not fail.