INSPIRATION – WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

By Dr. Eric C. Stumpf, Senior Pastor

St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church – Munster, IN

Oct 13 & 14, 2007 + Pentecost 20 + 2 Tim 3:14-4:5

             A Lutheran grade school teacher took her children caroling at a nursing home.  As they walked the halls they would stop and sing one of the carols.  She noticed one of the more enthusiastic singers had slightly modified the wording of the son.  Where he was supposed to be singing, “Noel, Noel” (Noel meaning Christmas or Christmastide), he belted out, for all to hear, “No hell, no hell, born is the King of Israel.  We might smile at his revision, but it certainly describes the purpose of Jesus’ coming.  All who believe in Jesus do not fear sin, death, the devil, or hell.  (LHM, Jun 3, 2007)  Our salvation is certain in the one who rose from the dead.  But how do we know this?  Why do we have confidence in that declaration?  It comes to us through the inspired Word of God.

            The heart of our text today is 2 Tim 3:16, the inspired Word.  What does that mean for us?  And, I think it is also important to point out what it does not mean, as well. 

Inspiration

            Inspiration is at the center of our text.  Our translation has “God-breathed,” although “inspiration” communicates well.  In part the dictionary defines inspiration as “the action or power of moving….”  Many of us, if not all, have had inspiring moments that have moved us.  Look at some examples from Scripture where God moved things.

            First, Genesis 2:7, God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living thing.  Inert clay has no animation of itself, but when God’s breath entered it, it became a living thing, the clay was empowered with life.

            Second, John 20:22-23, And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.  The risen Jesus on that Easter Sunday came to show them he was alive, he had destroyed the power of death, now he inspires and empowers them to forgive sins and bring salvation Christ won for mankind.  That breath of forgiveness continues to this day as your called pastors breath that forgiveness to you.  Forgiveness comes from Jesus, it moves, equips and compels forgiveness.  Now it is part of your life as you forgive one another.

            Third, Mark 15:37, …with a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.  On the cross the creating breath of God which brought men to life, is also the breath of sacrifice which pays for the sins of the world.  His offering of himself brings freedom and salvation to us.

            Fourth, 2 Tim 3:16, the verse we have heard includes …to make us wise unto salvation through faith in Christ. In London’s Hyde Park there is a place called Speakers Corner, where anyone can exercise his freedom of speech.  On man standing on a crate said, “People tell me that God exists, but I can’t see Him.  Some say there is life after death, but I can’t see it.  People say there is a heaven and a hell, but I can’t see them.”  He stepped down and another man struggled to step up on the crate. He said, “People tell me that there is green grass, but I can’t see it.  People tell me that there is blue sky above, but I can’t see it.  People tell me there are trees nearby, but I can’t see them.  But then, there is a reason.  I am blind.” (LHM, June 9, 2007)  God’s Word is more than history or stories, moral lessons or poetry, it is the living God-breathed inspiring words of life that changes people, enlightens the spiritually blind, captivate hearts, equip God’s people to do his will, and bring salvation into their lives. 

What It Doesn’t Mean

            The word warns us the Scriptures can be misused.  In 2 Timothy it is misused when people seek to change its purpose.  Man tries to manipulate the Word for their own purposes, to “suit their own desires.”  The sinful desire of humans to control the Word for their own designs is a misuse of the Word.  Teaches to say what their itchy ears want to hear.  This is often the problem.  People grow tired of what they think is the sameness of the Word.  “Oh, I have learned all that stuff in Sunday School years ago, it holds nothing new for me today.”  Or they become enamored with new and far out interpretations or secret codes hidden, some claim, in the Word.  It all leads away from the truth of the Word.  If we were to compare it with food, the difference between sound doctrine and desires to satisfy itchy ears is the same difference between a healthful meal that satisfied our hunger versus cotton candy that can’t satisfy our hunger or needs. The sugar may for the moment satisfy a certain craving, but it can not sustain.  I observed a similar difference in our tour guide in Wittenberg, Germany.  He was a walking book of knowledge about Luther, the Reformation, the difference between the doctrine of the church and Luther’s teaching;  however, because he had grown up under the Communist regime he did not believe in God.  He had and still was saying No to God. 

What Does This Mean?

            Let me summarize so far.  God’s Word is inspired, it is God’s power through his Holy Word to convict us of our sins, to bring Good News of salvation in Christ, and it makes us wise unto salvation through faith in Jesus.  The Word can be misused and bent to be controlled by sinful man for other purposes.  This must be avoided.  But it does have a holy purpose – it is to bring salvation in our lives.

            Have you ever started to look for something and wound up finding something better?  If so, you have experienced serendipity.  In 1827 John Walker mixed some chemicals with a stick.  Quite by accident he scraped his mixing stick against a stone and the stick burst into flames.  Matches were created.  In 1945 Percy Spencer was working around a magnetron and his chocolate candy bar in his pocket melted.  The first microwave was born.  It was serendipity.  In the mid-1940’s George deMestral was hiking and stopped to pull burrs off his socks.  He was intrigued and looked at them under a microscope and he came up with Velcro.  When God’s Word goes out, it brings salvation.  Therefore the Word charges us to preach it, herald it, share it, bring it to other’s attention.  The Word also tells us to be ready to go with it.  There is never a time the word is not need in a person’s life, even in less favorable times, the word can bring favor.  Use it to convict, childe, admonish, because of its dynamics it can change the direction of a person from a sinful outcome to a God pleasing outcome, in your life and in your friends.

            God’s Word is inspired and is the power to move us in a godly direction.  It is not under our domination to do as we please, but its purpose is to make us wise unto salvation through Jesus Christ.  Read it, meditate upon it, inwardly digest it so you may continue to grow in God’s grace and direction.  Amen.

SDG