SUPERHEROE S WORD SUPERHEROE S OF THE WORD Defending the integrity of the eternal word of God

WHEN THE WORLD NEEDS SUPERHEROES “No matter how many times you save the world, it always manages to get back in jeopardy again.”

THE FAITH IS IN JEOPARDY “Likewise, in the spiritual climate, pollution has almost blotted out the self-revealed God. Unless we can remove that pollution, the spiritual world may likewise suffer from the loss of a consciousness of God.” -- Reuel Lemmons (Forward to Redigging the Wells Monroe E. Hawley)

WHAT KIND OF SUPERHEROES? We need superheroes who will defend the word of God. Only the word of God can bring unity back to the church with a common standard. Only the word of God can cut through the confusion and restore an unpolluted Christianity.

WHY WE NEED A STANDARD Without a standard to which all can agree, confusion ensures. How do you measure carpet? How do you measure fabric? How do you measure gasoline?

WHY THE BIBLE AS STANDARD? Its claims are amazing and historically sound. It claims to be the inspired word of God. It has been successfully defended for two millennia and counting.

THE BIBLE CLAIMS TO BE INSPIRED 2 Timothy 3: Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

2 PETER 1:3, “…seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence….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.”

TWO STATEMENTS FROM PAUL 2 Thessalonians 2:15 – “So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.” Galatians 1:11-12 – “For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”

THE BIBLE CLAIMS TO BE COMPLETE 2 Timothy 3:17 – “…so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” Jude 1:3 – “Beloved…I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.”

WE NEED NOTHING ELSE Galatians 1:8 – “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!

THE BIBLE IS OUR FINAL AUTHORITY 1 Peter 4:11 – “Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God….” John 12:48 – “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.”

REALLY – IT IS THE FINAL AUTHORITY 2 John 1:9 – “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.” Romans 10:17 – “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

REMOVING SPIRITUAL POLLUTION Spiritual pollution happens when we depart from the standard of the Bible. In any religious discussion: I may be right and you wrong. You may be right and I be wrong. We might both be wrong, or right. The Bible will ALWAYS be right.

AM I A SPIRITUAL SUPERHERO? Am I in God’s word? Is God’s word in me? Am I willing to defend the truth of God’s word even when opposed by others? Am I able to defend the truth? If not – it’s time for training to begin!