THE CASE FOR THE NEW TESTAMENT: POWER OF THE WORD by Dr. Shah, Clearview Church, Henderson, NC

Introduction:  In two weeks from now, we will have an Apologetics Conference right here at Clearview Church. We will have scholars from east coast and west coast, all the way to Louisiana in the south, and all the way to Ontario, Canada in the north. Our topic will be the Bible, more specifically the text of the New Testament. Our world is desperately lost and needs to hear the Bible. Even the church needs to hear the Bible because it appears that we are just as lost ourselves. One of my nightly rituals is to watch an episode or two of the Andy Griffith show. Over the years, I have seen each episode at least 5 times. One of my favorites is the episode titled “Back to Nature” when Andy takes Opie and his buddies on a camping trip, along with Barney and Gomer. Early in the morning, Oppie takes off to pick some berries, and when the kids wake up, they assume that he’s lost. Barney and Gomer decide to go look for him. Now, the day before, Barney had bragged about his pioneer skills, but, very quickly, they find themselves going in circles, and Andy has to come and rescue them. If you remember, Gomer was in on what Andy was doing to help them, but Barney was totally lost. This is a picture of how lost both the culture and the church are right now, and it is becoming harder and harder to tell if the world is Gomer and the church is Barney or vice versa. Our culture, and even the church, has walked so far into the woods of sin and evil, that we are totally lost. If we’re ever going to stop going in circles and come out of the woods, we will have to return to the Book, the Bible. Last weekend, we focused on the “Nature of the Word,” today we will focus on the “Power of the Word.”

2 Timothy 3 (page #1826) 1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!…14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Context: Along with 1 Timothy and Titus, 2 Timothy is referred to as Paul’s Pastoral letter. It is so called because it was written by Paul, a veteran pastor (also missionary, theologian, and evangelist), to Timothy, a young pastor (whom he referred to several times as his “son in the faith” – 1 Timothy 1:2; 1 Corinthians 4:17). There is a great sense of urgency in this letter. Most scholars agree that 2 Timothy was probably Paul’s final letter before he was beheaded on the Ostian Way in Rome by Nero. So, as Paul was facing imminent death and as he was surveying the state of the world, he felt compelled to warn and encourage young Timothy, his son in the ministry. Listen again to 2 Timothy 3 (page #1826) 1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come.” Some people mock that statement – “Last days? It’s been 2000 years!” Don’t forget 2 Peter 3:8 that “with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” Furthermore, every generation is poised and ready to be in the last days. There’s not a single prophecy that needs to be fulfilled for Jesus to return. He can come back any moment. We, in 2026, are living in perilous times more than ever (Greek word is “khalepos” = hard, bad, evil, dangerous, even demonic, same word used in Mark 5 to describe the demon possessed man’s strength). If you don’t believe that, let’s read the list of 18 descriptors again starting in verse 2 “For men will be:

The first 4 are about selfishness. The coming of smart phones and ready access to a camera has radically changed how we see ourselves.

• lovers of themselves, 
• lovers of money, 
• boasters,
• proud,

The second 2 are about disregard for authority. Gone is the sense of fear that people had towards those in authority.

• blasphemers,
• disobedient to parents,

The 4 “un” words are the sins of omission. Now, we don’t even expect these things, because doing so would be odd!

• unthankful,
• unholy,
• verse 3 unloving, 
• unforgiving,

The 2 represent a lack of any boundary in speech and behavior. I can now twist your words, take you out of context, and cancel you.

• slanderers,
• without self-control,

The next 2 words are hard to translate because they have qualities that could be good in a different context. What was supposed to be noble and good is no used for the wrong purpose.

• brutal, (untamed, savage)
• despisers of good, (un-lovers of good)

The last 4 are describing false teachers in the church. Everyday there’s another pastor or ministry leader who is exposed for some sin and evil.

• Verse 4 traitors, 
• headstrong,
• haughty,
• lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 

The final one comes in a clause. Here, there may be a whole lot of talk about tradition, liturgy, discussions about God, ideas about the world, politics, and religion, but what is missing is power.

• Verse 5 “having a form of godliness but denying its power.”

Application: Did Paul just describe America in 2026? Can you see how everyone of these 19 descriptors is all around us, even in the church? 

What should our response be? 5 “…And from such people turn away!” The Greek word is “apotrepo.” A better translation: “Have nothing to do with them.” Either we can waste our time criticizing them and fighting them or we can do what Paul tells Timothy and us to do? Turn away. Yes, there’s a place to stand for your biblical convictions, but don’t waste your time here.

Now, from verses 6-13, Paul takes a little digression. First, in vs. 6-9, he discusses the fate of such people – 9 “but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all….” Second, in vs. 10-13, he commends Timothy for following him faithfully – 10 “But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions…”

In verse 14, he’s back to what he was saying in verse 5. Contrary to the people who 5 “having a form of godliness but denying its power…” 14 “But you must continue…” This is one of the most overlooked sections in the whole Bible: In the last days, evil people, and even false teachers, will have a form of godliness but no power. On the other hand, you will have power if you continue. Continue in what? Jesus? Holy Spirit? Prayer? Worship? Fellowship? Evangelism? Yes, but here it’s something else. Listen again – 14 “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” What’s the source of our power contrary to the people of the last days? The “hiera grammata” or “sacred writings,” translated “the Holy Scriptures.” In the very next verse, we read that often-quoted passage – 2 Timothy 3 (page #1827) 16 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable…”

Typically, we just look to this passage for the doctrine of “inspiration” of Scripture, but it also teaches us a very important and neglected doctrine of the “animation” of Scripture. John Feinberg defines animation as “the power of God’s word to accomplish God’s purpose in people’s lives.” We know that God’s spoken word has power. We often quote Genesis 1:3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.” We know that there was power in the Jesus’s words – “Lazarus, come forth,” and he did! We know that the incarnate Word, Jesus, is also powerful. But did you know that the Bible, the written Word itself, is also powerful! First, the Old Testament tells us that:

• Psalm 19 (page #848) 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.”
• Psalm 119 (page #955) 86 “All Your commandments are faithful…93 I will never forget Your precepts…105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path…130 The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. For by them You have given me life.”

Someone might say – “That’s just Old Testament talk…” Let’s turn to the New Testament:

• John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
• Hebrews 4       12 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
• Then, it is our passage – 2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

When we say that the Bible has power, we are not saying that this is the fourth person of the Trinity or that we should worship the Bible. No, this is the voice of the true Triune God. God is Spirit, and we can’t see him, but we can hear him. This is where he is speaking. Yes, he speaks in creation and history, but here he speaks very clearly and specifically. This is where we know which God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit we are following. There are many counterfeits. Here is the lie detector.But it is more than all that. This book is powerful because God’s word is the demonstration and the outworking of his will and his power.

How does the Power of the Word work?

1. In Lost People

• Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
• 1 Peter 1:23 “having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.”
• James 1:18 “Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth…”

Even those who reject Jesus will have to face the power of the word.

• 2 Corinthians 2      16 “To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.”

2. In Saved People

• What to believe, what not to believe – 2 Timothy 3    16 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof…”
• How to get right, how to stay right – 2 Timothy 3       16 “…for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

What should be our response to the Word?

• 1 Peter 2      1 “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,”
• Ephesians 6:17 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;” Jesus used the Scriptures to counteract the Enemy – “It is written” Daily I have to choose to obey the Holy Spirit’s reminder of God’s Word over my thoughts and plans.
• Psalm 119        9 “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.”

We often stop at the end of 2 Timothy 3, but if go on to 2 Timothy 4        1 “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”

Illustration: England before and after Wesley – J. Wesley Bready. According to one bishop, morality and religion “had collapsed to a degree never before known in any Christian country.” With Wesley’s preaching, both in England and here, there were countless souls were converted, churches were revived, slavery was abolished. There was in interest nationwide in education, people were saving money and being generous, the gin craze was curbed, and the global missionary movement was born.

Jeremiah 23:29 “Is not My word like a fire?” says the LORD, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” The preaching of the Word broke the heart of many in England for God.

It also cleanses the hearts of those who receive it like the gentle rain.

Isaiah 55.        10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

Illustration: Country preacher and the dirty straw basket to draw water.

We think it’s just prayer, Holy Spirit, or Jesus. All those are true, but without the Word, it’s impossible.

It’s more than just the how (plans), it’s also more than just the what (materials). It is the power.

As evil people pour salt in our water and make it non-potable, we’re going to pour gallons and gallons of Jesus water (the Word of God) that will dilute the salt enough and make it drinkable again. Prepare for a lot of overflow!

Are you saved? Are you in the Word? Is the Word in You?