The Core Values of FWC #2c – Biblical authority Lovingly Applied Pastor Mark Schwarzbauer, Ph.D.

This is my Bible. It is the incomparable, inerrant, authoritative Word of God. I am what it says I am. I can do what it says I can do. I have what it says I have. I choose to live as it calls me to live. I am open and ready to receive from God’s living Word.

II Timothy 2:24-26

Part One: The Core Values of FWC Continued

The Core Values at FWC Everyone needs a personal relationship with God (John 3:3). Emphasis Biblical authority accurately interpreted and lovingly applied (II Timothy 3:16, II Tim. 2:15). Authority

Part Two: Biblical Authority

Our Supreme Authority- The Bible In part one we learned that “inerrancy” is essential to authority.

The correlation is clear If you take away inerrancy you erode authority. If you take away inerrancy you make man the authority instead of God and His Word. St. Augustine “If you believe what you like in the Gospel, and reject what you don't like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself.”

Part Three: Accurately Interpreted

Accurately Interpreted II Timothy 2:15 Rightly dividing. II Peter 3:16 Not distorting. Two steps of hermeneutic- proper interpretation and application. Do Devotions Daily, Study Often, Be Faithful Always.

Part Four: Lovingly Applied

Lovingly Applied Some people wrongly think you need to compromise the truth in order to “love” and not offend people. Others wrongly think you need to beat people into submission with it.

Lovingly Applied We need to apply God’s Word with God’s Love. Never with compromise. Always with true compassion.

False Love When someone compromises the truth in order to “love” and not offend people, they are not loving the person. They are deceiving themselves and in actuality only loving their being accepted. To distort and compromise God’s Word is to HATE people as it can send them to hell!

False Love Loving people by beating them is not loving either. It is often lashing out from their own self- condemnation.

Lovingly Applied We need to apply God’s Word with God’s Love. Never with compromise. Always with true compassion.

II Timothy 2:24-26

Galatians 6:1

God’s Word… God’s Word is a lamp to guide - Psalm 119:105 He sent for His Word and healed them - Psalm 107:20. God’s Word washes - Ephesians 5:26. God’s Word is to give hope - Romans 15:4.

God’s Word… II Timothy 3:16, 17 equipped for every GOOD work. God’s Word is not a hammer to beat people, or a rock for condemnation. Yes, we must always speak the truth, BUT ALWAYS IN LOVE. Ephesians 4:15.

Closing… Inerrancy… Instead of making God’s Word subject to man’s authority which inevitably leads to compromise, We stand on His Word as inerrant and authoritative.

Closing… In a culture that constantly manipulates and twists peoples’ words, we are called to accurately and faithfully represent God’s Word.

Closing… Among some who want to use God’s Word as a hammer to beat others, often for the very things they fall short in, we are called to use God’s Word lovingly applied as the powerful life giving force that heals.