One of the most quoted passages is 2 Timothy 3:16-17, yet have we really taken the time lately to examine it as we should?  That is our intent today...

1)  You Can't "Pick And Choose"
a.  Many try to decide what's important to them and leave the rest out.

b.  2 Timothy 3: 16-17 is very clear about the intent of everything written in God's Word.

c.  vss 14-15 clearly state how important the scriptures are that Timothy learned
          1. the sacred writings taught to him by his mother and grandmother.  These were the standard of
              conduct in his life. - he learned the Old Testament (OT)
               a. they offered hope - Roman 15: 3-4 - OT shows God's faithfulness
               b.  we are admonished by the OT scriptures -1 Corinthians 10:11

d.   The OT scriptures taught to a young Timothy taught him through the promises, prophecies ,shadows and types about the Messiah to come.  Paul talked about they were a schoolmaster to bring them to Christ   Galatians 3:24).  Since now "faith is come"obedience to Christ is necessary to this salvation. (Galatians 3: 25-29) "for as many of you who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."  Putting on Christ means to be guided completely by His Words, living in complete obedience to ALL that is taught.
e.  What is our response to God's Word as Christians?  Let's go to point 2...

2)  It's Just Not The Red Letters (the Word's of Christ in some editions of the Bible)

a.  Years ago we had a visitor in Bible class one Lord's Day morning who made a startling statement.The discussion was about a particular passage written by Paul and the response was something on the order of, "well that's Paul's opinion and not the gospel in the red letters." I must confess to you I had never heard anyone actually say that. What do vss 16 and 17 say?

     1.  "ALL scripture is given by inspirtation of God.." - vs 16
          a.  Jesus said He would leave a Comforter, A Guide - inspired writers are telling us what Jesus Himself
               wants us to learn.
          b.  ASV - "every scripture inspired by God...
          c.  great controversy over which is more accurate - Lenski says "the one is just as correct as the other
               as far as the Greek is concerned..."
     2.  "All scripture is given by inspiration of God..."- vs 16
          a.  Greek - "theopneustos" - "God breathed"
          b.  All scripture includes both the OT and the NT
          c.  even though all had not been revealed, yet what had been given to that point is inspired -
               2 Peter 1: 20-21
          d.  1 Thessalonians 2: 13,  1 Corinthians 14: 37,  John 16:13
          e.  Some view the scriptures written by men to be inspired in the same way that someone is
               inspired to write a book or a song.  The Scriptures, though, are not the words of mortal men,
               but men inspired by the Holy Spirit who wrote God's very Word! 
     3.  " and is profitable for..
          a. it's for our benefit, it's useful.  it shows the all-sufficiency of the Scriptures.
     4.  doctrine -didaskalia
          a.  teaching, instruction.  The Bible has all the doctrine we need.  Regarding all God wants us to
               know.
     5.  reproof -elegmos
          a.  Trench says of the verb form  - "to rebuke another with such effectual wielding of the victorious arms
               of the truth, as to bring him, if not always to a full confession, yet at least to a conviction of his
               sin."    It's showing someone they are wrong and need to change. 
     6.  correction  - epanorthosis 
          a.  Wuest says it's "restoring to an upright or right state, correction or improvement"
          b.   Barnes says the Scriptures are "a powerful means of reformation, or of putting men into the
                proper condition in regards to morals" 
          c.  In other words the scriptures tell how turn wrong into right!
     7.   for instruction in righteousness  - 
          a.  teaching us what is right
          b.  "the whole training and education of children which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals
                 and employs for this purpose, now commands and admontions, now reproof and punishment:
                 whatever in adults also cultivated the soul, especially by correcting mistakes and curbing
                 passion, hence, instruction which aims at the increase of virtue; in biblical usage,
                 chastisement, chastening." - Wuest
     8.  that the man of God may be perfect (or complete), throughly furnished unto all good works"
          a.  nothing is lacking, Jude 3 - it has been delivered once and for all
          b.  we do all in the name of the Lord - Colossians 3: 17
          c.   1 Peter3:18,  Hebrews 9:26-28 there is no more a need for modern day sacrifices and no
               more need for modern day revelations
          d  the 4 items listed above (doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness) convey
              the fact that God's Word is complete and it alone is adequate to make the man of God complete
              and instills in that man the desire to do everything God wants him to do for salvation.