Title: On This Rock I Stand – Part 5

Speaker: Bishop Calvin Hooper

Date: September 28, 2025

Series: On This Rock I Stand

Main Text: Luke 6:46–49 (NKJV)

“He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock…”

Series Overview

This message concludes our exploration of the Authority of the Bible, which is one of five foundational truths:

Authority of Scripture

Inerrancy of Scripture

Clarity of Scripture

Necessity of Scripture

Sufficiency of Scripture

Today, we conclude the Authority of Scripture with its final two characteristics.

Four Key Characteristics of the Bible’s Authority:

1. The Claims of the Bible

What the Bible says about itself.

2. The Conviction of the Bible

What it does in our hearts when we hear and obey it.

Key Scriptures: Psalm 119:11, 2 Corinthians 10:5

Hide the Word in your heart, not just in your mind.

Let the Word govern your life, not your emotions.

The Bible empowers us to resist sin.

Conviction requires three spiritual habits:

Pay attention to the Word

Pursue God with all your heart

Prize the Word and apply it

3. The Completeness of the Bible

The Bible is whole. It needs no additions or upgrades.

It stands alone as full, final, and flawless.

Commentaries and other resources can support our study, but the Bible proves itself.

The Holy Spirit affirms its authority in the hearts of believers.

Key Scripture: John 7:37–39

Quote from Westminster Confession (1643):

“Our full persuasion and assurance… is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts.”

4. The Conclusiveness of the Bible

The Bible is not just true—it is the truth.

Key Scriptures:

John 17:17

Psalm 12:6

Proverbs 30:5

Matthew 24:35

Numbers 23:19

God’s Word is the final authority on all matters.

The Bible defines truth. It does not borrow it from any other standard.

Obedience to the Bible is obedience to God.

Illustration: Strong Tea vs. Weak Tea

The same ingredients are used, but the strength depends on how long the tea steeps.

The longer you stay in the Word, the stronger you become spiritually.

Time in the Word = Strength in the Spirit.

Memory Verse

Psalm 119:11 (KJV)

“Thy word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.”

Call to Action

Read the Word daily

Receive it with faith

Rest in its truth

Respond in obedience

Don’t just agree with the Bible—build your life on it.