Do We Have a Right to Our Own Opinions?

Text: II Peter 1:16-21

 

I.         When two disagree, one will say “Well, everyone has a right to their own opinions.”

            A.        It is a statement saying, “I disagree with you, but that is okay. Your thoughts are just as good as mine.”

            B.        In some sense this is right. We may be equally wrong.

            C.        But it is a mistake to apply this to God’s word

                        1.         God is not limited like man. We must not put God on the same level as man - Isaiah 29:15-16

                        2.         God’s words are not left to man to interpret - II Peter 1:20-21

                        3.         All Scripture comes from the mouth of God - II Timothy 3:16-17

                        4.         It was revealed to us by the Spirit of God through the apostles, who gave the very words of God - I Corinthians 2:12-13

                        5.         It is better to trust God than man - Psalm 118:8

II.        The Bible claims to be truth

            A.        John 17:17 - God’s word is truth

            B.        John 18:37 - Those of the truth listen to Jesus

            C.        By staying with Jesus we abide in the truth - John 8:31-32

III.       The Bible is not clever fables - II Peter 1:16

            A.        Such is a common declaration.

                        1.         People speak of the “creation myth” as if it didn’t really happen as the Bible teaches.

                        2.         It is not a collection of Jewish fables.

            B.        Paul stated that his words came from God - Galatians 1:11-12

            C.        The apostles refused to alter the word because it was truth - II Corinthians 4:1-2

            D.        Myths are for the perishing - Titus 1:13-14

            E.        Having nothing to do with fables - I Timothy 4:6-7

            F.        Can you image the apostles teaching fables while making such strong denials?

            G.        Fables are subject to alterations and interpretations, but the word of God is not a collection of fables.

IV.      The Bible was not founded on the authority of men - II Peter 1:17

            A.        It is God who bore witness to His own revelation - Hebrews 2:1-4

            B.        It was God who declared Jesus as the one to listen to - Matthew 17:4-5

            C.        As Thomas declared, Jesus is our God and our Ruler - John 20:28

            D.        God has spoken to us through His Son - Hebrews 1:1-2

            E.        It is Jesus who holds all authority - Matthew 28:18

            F.        The Holy Spirit took Jesus’ words and gave them to the apostles - John 16:12-14

            G.        We then believe Christ through their words - John 17:20

            H.        It was received as the word of God - I Thessalonians 2:13

            I.         Man is subject to change his mind. God is unchanging.

            J.         The works of man are subject to alteration and interpretation as different men come on the scene, but the Bible comes from God who is unchanging. We have no authority to alter it.

V.        Man’s thought does not matter

            A.        Jesus once asked a question - Matthew 16:13-17

                        1.         It didn’t matter what other people thought

                        2.         The only important answer was the one that come from the Father

            B.        In a contest between God and man, God is always true - Romans 3:4

            C.        Belief comes from hearing the words of God - Romans 10:17

            D.        Without faith it is impossible to be saved - Hebrews 11:6

            E.        When we accept Jesus’ testimony attests that God is true - John 3:33-36

            F.        I John 5:10 - We must believe the witness of God

            G.        We know the truth - I John 5:19-20