Having A Biblical Worldview by Apostle Emmanuel Iren: MP3 Download & Sermon Notes

Standards fall without structure

Standards obey the law of gravity, they fall

If you don't put up a structure to consciously and deliberately uphold them, they will fall

That is why we teach on orthodoxy from time to time. What do we believe as believers?

The final authority of Scriptures

The doctrine of the authority of Scripture is the belief that the Bible alone is the ultimate and supreme authority in all matters of faith, doctrine and practice

If anyone is giving you any advice, the moment you are able to establish what the Word of God says, that is the end of all arguments

Romans 3:4

There is no negotiation. If God says it, I believe it and that settles it forever

In Protestant circles it is called Sola Scriptura, the Latin expression for Scripture alone

The Protestant Reformation is the reason you have a Bible in your hands. Once upon a time only the religious elite had access

The printing press also made Bibles available.

Because only a few had access to the Scriptures, it was easy for guardrails to be taken out of the way and for extremes to be entertained in the church

The reformers saw that the church had begun to do things that were not biblical. For instance, payments were made for sin. There were different prices.

If you lie, there is a payment you make, and when you pay, your sins, quote and unquote, are lifted

Martin Luther was studying the Bible and saw that the just shall live by faith

Out of that conviction came the Latin expressions: faith alone, grace alone, to the glory of God alone, and Scripture alone

Understand how far we've come in church history so that we will not set back the progress people have made

The liberty you have in Christ, people died so that you can have it. They stood firmly, refusing to recant.

It caused a lot of strife, a lot of battles, so that you can take the Word of God for what it says

Final authority means the Bible has the last word on all matters of right or wrong

Every experience must be judged by the authority of Scriptures. Church traditions must be judged by the authority of Scriptures

It doesn't matter how long it has been practiced. If it is wrong, it is wrong

Illustration: the Samaritan woman

John 4

She said, "Our fathers worshipped on this mountain." Samaritans share the same descendants with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

She was talking about centuries of devotional practice. Jesus told her she did not know what she worshipped. It can be done for centuries and be wrong

Even traditions must be measured against the authority of the Word of God. "This is how we've been doing it." Well, what does the Word of God say?

Somebody says, "I fell into a trance, I saw heaven." When you know the Word of God and listen carefully to some of these dreams, you will know it was malaria. Chloroquine will solve the problem.

Take one in the morning, one in the evening, one every 8 hours

The Bible as the lens through which you see the world

This is what makes you a believer. Not just coming to church, not just being part of a service group, but that the Bible has become the lens through which you see the world

The Word of God must be your yardstick for understanding what is right and what is wrong

Psalm 119:105

This is how I navigate, how I walk through life. This is how I know where to go and with whom I must go. This is how I know what is right and what is wrong.

The Word of God orders my steps

So many people come to church but don't have a biblical worldview. That shouldn't be you

The Word of God must influence how you reason. Sometimes believers get carried away and say, "Put Scripture aside." You never put Scripture aside

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God

2 Timothy 3:16 to 2 Timothy 3:17

1. Given by inspiration of God

   God is the source of all Scripture

   Peter put it this way 2 Peter 1:20 to 2 Peter 1:21

   It means that God is the source

   Illustration: Joseph

   Genesis 37

   God knows how to lead people in a way that it seems the outcome of their life was based on decisions they made by themselves

   But it was the kairos of God bringing them into those situations to end where He wants them to end

   Because God is a Spirit, He doesn't always have to say go. He can put in you the nudge to go. It is very important to understand the leading of God

   God shows Joseph a dream that one day his brothers will bow to him. He doesn't have to tell him go to Egypt, or join a political party and rise up the ranks

   The dream itself can elicit what the brothers think to be a natural carnal response.

   Step by step everyone is acting in a manner they think is free, but they are contributing to the prophetic story so that it ends up where God wants it to end

   When people say, "You say the Bible is the Word of God, but it was written by men," it can be both. God is so sovereign that He can walk with the freedom of men

   God arranged the life experiences and exposure of everyone who wrote the Bible, so that when they were writing, what they wrote was the exact will of God

   Imagine someone born into a family where the father was a politician. He saw all that went on in the nation. He got to be part of a campaign.

   All of that led up to a point where he can now write a book about the nation

   He didn't influence where he was born or the exposure he got. Maybe by chance he happened to be at the very place where something notable in the history of the nation happened.

   These are things God can influence

   Illustration: Peter

   Acts 10

   Peter had the impression that salvation was for the Jews alone. God could have explained from the Scriptures that salvation is for all men. Instead, He gave him a trance

   He sees animals. "Take, kill, eat." Peter says, "No, Lord, I can't eat what is unclean." God says, "Don't call what I have called clean unclean"

   By the time he wakes up, the men from Cornelius's house are at his doorstep. God says, "Follow them, doubting nothing"

   By the time he got to Cornelius's house, by experience he had a new conviction Acts 10:34

   "I being a Jew ought not to be here. This is not my tradition. This is not what I thought ought to be. But I perceive"

   He came into a new understanding.

   When relaying the story to those who came from Jerusalem and questioned him for going to Cornelius's house, he remembered the word of the Lord about the baptism of the Holy Ghost Acts 11:16

   Imagine Peter still a little unsure of what is happening. While he is preaching, the Holy Ghost falls on the house. Now he has seen it with his eyes. His conviction is changed forever

   So God in His sovereignty brought the Bible writers into experiences where what they wrote was the Word of God

2. Profitable for doctrine

   When I read the Bible, I arrive at a doctrinal position

   This is important today, especially among Pentecostals and charismatics. I was doing a study on the different beliefs of church denominations. Study the Catholics, they know what they believe.

   Study the Reformed, the Lutherans, the Methodists, they know what they believe. Come to Pentecostals, it depends on the church you attend

   Now there is a new dimension of Gen Z Christianity: your truth, my truth.

   We have a Bible study, you say what the Scripture means to you, and I say, "I don't see it that way. The way I look at it"

   What do you mean the way you look? Doctrine is not your invention. Doctrine was well established before you were born. It will still be true after you

   Romans 3:4

   Doctrine is not "as the Spirit leads" the way people say it. It is established. The Spirit of God will never contradict the written Word

   That is how people join a cult without knowing, because you allow people to come up whimsically with strange ideas

   Someone says he has caught a new dimension. He brings salt, mixes it, puts honey and calls it a salt water honey service. Another says bring fish next Sunday.

   Now you wonder why every night you are swimming. You are not the only one, there are people swimming with you. Every morning you wake up, your leg is on the wall, crossed

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   Apostle Emmanuel Iren

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   People accuse serious churches of being too serious. When they have serious questions or serious problems, they come back

   Doctrine is a long established, inherited way of thinking or acting

   When I read the Bible, I want to see and understand what Paul believed. Some people have accused Paul of saying things Paul never said.

   Some preach from Paul's writing and Paul in heaven says, "I never saw it that way"

   We have coined phrases to excuse the exegetical understanding of the Bible. We call it Rhema. What is Rhema? They say revelation. Revelation is apokalupsis. So what is Rhema?

   We have allowed people who don't really know Greek to confuse us

3. For reproof

   The Greek word translated reproof is elegchos. Lexicon is simply the dictionary

   It is important to check the root meaning of words. Reproof sounds like correction, but the Greek word actually means conviction. It should be translated proof. It was used as proof, evidence, in other instances

   When I come to the Word of God and study it, I have evidence. That is what faith is Hebrews 11:1

   Thank God for experiences, but the Word of God is my evidence

   As we try to explain to atheists that there is a God, using nature and so on, the Bible is the ultimate evidence

   When you go to the first page of the Bible, it discounts and discredits whatever impression you have that there is no God. It doesn't even pay attention to that Genesis 1:1

   Hebrews 11:6

   That is my evidence. Thank God for good arguments, but I believe it because the Word of God says it

   If you're not strong on this, you will be led astray in this generation. It's not your perspective. It's not what culture considers normal

   No matter how popular some strange ideas are, my evidence is in the Scriptures

4. For correction

   The Greek word used here means to straighten what is bent

   Take bone correction. Someone has an accident and the leg is broken. They set it and put structures so that the bones can grow straight

   That is what the teaching of the Word of God does. It straightens up your ideologies

   You don't come to the Word of God to reinforce what you already think is right. You don't look for a church that reinforces what you already think is right

   It is part of the ministry of the Word of God to sometimes rebuke you. Sometimes you read the Bible and come to a conviction: "I've been a fool." That is the Word of God

   If the voice of the Holy Spirit is always only pampering you, there should be correction. Sharp correction, in love though

5. For instruction in righteousness

   I know what is right because I've seen it in the Word

   Culture may have different opinions. There will be varying opinions on dressing, on finances, on marriage. I have received instruction in righteousness, not suggestions

   If you're a child of God, it is not a suggestion, it is an instruction

   We live in an era where people try to be philosophical. "God is love. Christians, you love everybody." By that they mean accept everybody

   Illustration: the person you love

   Someone you love has toothpaste on his beard and doesn't know. Will you just accept him the way he is as he goes out? Or she wears her clothes inside out.

   "I love you, so you do you." Is that how to love?

   You step out like that and discover you were wearing two different shoes, and the person who claims to love you saw it at home and didn't tell you. What will you think of that person?

   The onus is on someone who loves you to tell you, as gently as possible, that if you continue like this you will destroy your life. "I'm saying it because I love you"

   Because you love your children, you don't allow them to do whatever they want. If he wants to touch something that will kill him and you take it away, he will cry

   Before they clock three you would have saved them from killing themselves at least 100 times. They want to touch electricity. They want to do dangerous things. When you don't let them, they cry

   Because you love them, even their crying will not be enough to stop you

   I thank God that the message of the grace of God in Christ is prevailing in the church.

   But we must be careful of another extreme, where we begin to give people the idea that even if they have no evidence of faith in their life, it is okay. It is not true

   Christianity is either demonstrative or you are an impostor

   Paul and the widow

   1 Timothy 5:8

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   Paul was teaching on wealth. If you don't take care of the widow in your family, you have denied the faith

   Some things are so integral to Christianity that if we see them absent in your life, we can conclude

   How can you see someone vulnerable and not help? I'm not even talking about moral sin. You have someone needy in your house. The husband who was the caregiver died.

   The person does not have daily food

   You did not come up with an initiative just to help the person get an easier passage in life. You have the resources, but it didn't occur to you

   Paul didn't say you are doing the wrong thing. He said you have denied the faith. It is inconceivable for a child of God. He said you are worse than an infidel. Strong words

   Christianity is demonstrative. If I don't see some things in your life, I can conclude you never believed or you have recanted your position

   A Christian standing in front of his parents hurling insults. A man standing in front of his wife and punching her in the eyes, on the nose.

   Paul was saying this to a church, so there are people in church who do foolish things like this

   They can sit in false comfort: "I know who I am. I'm the righteousness of God in Christ." You are an impostor

   We must not come to a point where our knowledge of grace stops us from holding people accountable

   Paul and Onesimus

   Philemon 1:6

   You did business with someone, the person defrauded you, but the person is now a believer. Paul says, because I know the integrity of your faith, I won't have to speak too much English

   He knew that by forgiving this person it would be clear that Philemon is a child of God. So he doesn't have to talk much

   You must have friends in Christ who hold you accountable like that

   Maybe a friend overheard you talking to your wife. He says, "Who were you talking to like that? Call her back. Apologize." Not "grace, brother, don't worry." Your friends must check you

   Sisters and brothers in Christ who will check you, even on what you wear out. Friends who will ask, "You liked that post. Explain to me how did it bless you?"

   You need friends in your business like that

The context behind the verse

2 Timothy 3:16

A lot of people just go to verse 16. Look at the flow of thought from verse one

2 Timothy 3:1 to 2 Timothy 3:5

Despite all the things he said before, look at verse 5

It is possible to be headstrong, unforgiving, unloving, and still have a form of godliness. Meaning you still go to church

So he is saying, let this Bible influence your worldview, your perspective to life, how you live

The body of Christ must turn around. There is something we are getting wrong. The other religions we accuse of being false, look at their perspective to welfare

Illustration: the prince in Qatar

A billionaire in Kenya told me about a business trip to Qatar with one of the princes. Stupendous wealth

They were having meetings daily in what he thought was a hotel, because the place could take about 1,000 people.

He asked, "Where is your house?" The prince said, "This is my house." The living room could take 1,000 people at the same time

It was busy like a hotel. The prince said, "My house is open 24/7 for anybody who is hungry. They don't have to know me. They come in, go to the kitchen, serve themselves.

When they are done, they can take a shower, wear a new jalabiya and go home"

Not only was the pastor surprised, the prince was surprised that he was surprised. He said, "You are a priest? That's not how to talk. You don't do this? How do people eat?"

We do the opposite. In the name of pushing people to strive for financial goals, we shame the poor. We tell them it is because they are not deep spiritually

2 Timothy 3:10

He is talking about the Word of God influencing your perspective to finance, to marriage, to raising children, with godly fear and a sense of accountability that you will give account to God

You can be so religious that you read this text and it doesn't move you. But all Scripture is given for correction.

It must correct you so that you will be complete and thoroughly prepared for every good work

Raising children

There is a way to raise children. Don't use them to relieve your trauma, your bad day at work

I saw this with my eyes. A man's daughter, six at the time, was in the front of the car. He carried her head and hit it on the dashboard because he was angry.

We have monsters carrying Bibles

I don't recommend this, but some pastors called their friend who beats his wife and told him they were coming to beat him.

They said they would beat him before they showed him he was wrong, because some nonsense has to stop

I saw a woman who removed her glasses and showed me the scar. She had an operation because her husband punched her in the eye and it needed stitching. People like that usually cannot fight

Persecution comes with holding the Word

Paul warns them how culture will try to dissuade them from the instructions of Scripture

2 Timothy 3:10 to 2 Timothy 3:11

2 Timothy 3:12

When you stand on the Word of God like that, some people will hate you for doing it

You can be good at work and they still hate you because you won't compromise. They feel you are blocking them from doing things

Embrace it. It is part of holding to the final authority of the Scriptures to embrace the fact that there will be persecution

Conclude: there will be people who don't like me just because I choose to follow God. They will hate your God. And it's okay

2 Timothy 3:14 to 2 Timothy 3:15

He is reminding you of your roots. You will see some things in culture that confuse the common sense you learned in Bible study and devotion

Hold on to the things you have learned from a child. No matter the country you go to, hold on to your conviction

A lot of people, in the name of getting you to respect their position, will try to get you to disrespect yours. Demand that your position, your right to freedom of belief, be respected

Christians are so diplomatic now that we have lost our identity. We don't even know what we believe anymore

People on the other side have said that if they see any rainbow flag they can't guarantee your safety. I'm not saying it is right.

All I'm saying is this: what makes believers so ashamed of their position?

If you are oppressive with your position, threatening people, you are antichrist. That's not Christian

But be vocal and very clear. There is such a thing as teaching the truth in love

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. Because it is from God, it is for doctrine, for correction, for instruction in righteousness

The Word creates, upholds and builds

Psalm 33:6

Hebrews 1:3

That is why you must defend the Word of God in your life. Not only did He create all things, He upholds all things

This is how God preserves lives, by His Word. Hold on to His Word

Hebrews 4:12

Allow the Word of God to gain entrance into your life

Matthew 4:4, John 1:1

Acts 20:32

The Word of God is able to build you up

2 Timothy 3:17

The Word of God builds you up and furnishes you. Think of a house built and furnished. That is what the Word of God is doing in your life