The sermon by Eric Bechler focuses on paragraph seven of chapter one from the Second London Baptist Confession of 1689, discussing the clarity of the Holy Scriptures with respect to salvation. The speaker clarifies that while not all scriptures are equally clear, those necessary for salvation are sufficiently clear for both the learned and unlearned. He references the Reformation debate, highlighting Luther's advocacy for private interpretation and the risks of misinterpretation. The sermon emphasizes that while some scriptures are difficult, the essential messages for salvation are accessible to all. It underscores the importance of seeking Jesus through the scriptures, supported by biblical references from 2 Timothy, Psalms, and John. The speaker encourages the use of hermeneutics for proper interpretation, suggesting that supernatural intervention is not required, only ordinary means such as reading, praying, and meditating on God's Word. The sermon concludes by urging listeners to be diligent in studying the Bible, following the example of the Bereans, and teaching children to value the scriptures for eternal life guidance.

A reading today from the Second London Baptist Confession of 1689 comes again from chapter one of the Holy Scriptures. Today we look at paragraph seven. All things in scripture are not alike, plain in themselves, nor alike, clear unto all. Yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other that not only the learned but the unlearned in a due use of ordinary means may attain to a sufficient understanding of them. So we continue in our look at the Holy Scriptures today focusing on the clarity of Scripture with respect to those things that are necessary for salvation We'll start with what our paragraph is not saying first.

It is not stating that all scripture is clear Second it is not stating that we must rely on others for the proper interpretation of Scripture such as the teaching offices of the church. There was a debate about this following the Reformation and Dr. Sproul explains. Luther argued for the right and responsibilities of Christians to read the scriptures for themselves and for the right of private interpretation. That the basic message of the scriptures, what is necessary for salvation, is clear.

But he also worried, he warned, against reading into scripture things that are not there to Luther the importance of getting the message of salvation to every person in the world far outweighed the dangers of corruption from private interpretations. The Roman Catholic hierarchy feared that if people were left to interpret the Bible for themselves, sex denominations and splinter groups would arise. That is exactly what has happened. So what is it that our paragraph is saying? First, all things in scripture are not alike, plain in themselves, nor alike, clear unto all.

Some parts of scripture are not so clear or simple to understand. In fact, some parts are quite difficult to understand. Peter expresses this thought with regards to some of Paul's writings where he says, in which are some things hard to understand, in 2 Peter 3.16. He then expresses some dangers that result, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction. We can all agree that there are difficult parts of scripture, that there are parts of Scripture where interpretations have differed, where disagreements have actually continued for centuries and probably will continue on past our lifetimes.

And yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation are so clearly propounded and open in some place of scripture or other that not only the learned but the unlearned in a due use of ordinary means may attain to a sufficient understanding of them. Paul in his writing Timothy tells him that the Holy Scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus, 2nd Timothy 315. The psalmist declares the law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.

And the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. Psalm 19, 7 & 8. And of course, your word is a lamp into my feet and a light into my path in Psalm 119, 105. If you are concerned about your salvation, where do you go? To whom do you turn?

Peter answered this when Jesus asked the disciples if they would leave with the others who had just left from following him, and Peter answered, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also, we've come to believe and know that you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God, John 6, 68, and 69. We must seek Jesus and we must turn to His words, the Holy Scriptures. It is only in the Scriptures that we find clearly those things necessary for salvation.

Searching the scriptures and interpreting the scriptures is not just for the learned, but also for the unlearned. We don't need a PhD in theology to properly interpret scripture. There are proper rules for interpreting the Bible. This is what we call the principle of hermeneutics. One of these rules is that we should interpret the implicit in light of the explicit, or that the obscure must be interpreted in light of the plain.

The Holy Spirit is not the author of confusion and God will not say one thing and then later contradict what was previously written. As we just said the law of the Lord is perfect. The psalmist tells us the unfolding of your words give light. It imparts understanding to the simple in 119-130. The simple or the unlearned are able to attain understanding of God's words.

Supernatural intervention is not required, just the due use of ordinary means. That should encourage us. We need to read our Bibles. We need to pray. We need to memorize and meditate on God's Word.

We need to be like the Bereans in that they receive the word with all readiness and searched the scriptures daily. Acts 17 11 Solomon tells us when you walk they will lead you when you lie down they will watch over you and when you awake they will talk with you. For the commandment is a lamp and a teaching a light and the teaching a light and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life. Proverbs 6 22 and 23. It should be our way of life praying, reading, studying, meditating, and living it out daily.

This should be how our lives look. Moses in speaking to the people as they were renewing their covenant with God reminded them that this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you nor is it far off. It is not in heaven that you should say who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us that we may hear it and do it nor is it beyond the sea that you should say who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us that we may hear it and do it. Nor is it beyond the sea that you should say, who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it. But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart that you may do it.

Deuteronomy 30, 11-14. How comforting to know that the Word of the Lord is near to us. It should be in our hearts, and I hope that we will all be not just hearers of the Word, but also doers of the word. I'd like to close with some words from Matthew Henry on 2nd Timothy 3, verses 14 through 17. Those who would learn the things of God and be assured of them must know the Holy Scriptures, for they are the divine revelation.

The age of children is the age to learn and those who would get true learning must get it out of the scriptures. They must not lie, bias, neglected, seldom or never looked into. The Bible is a sure guide to eternal life. The prophets and apostles did not speak from themselves but delivered what they received of God. It is profitable for all purposes of the Christian life.

It is of use to all and for all, for all need to be taught, corrected, and reproved. There is something in the scriptures suitable for every case. Oh, that we may love our Bibles more and keep closer to them, then shall we find benefit and at last gain the happiness therein promised by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the main subject of both testaments. We best oppose error by promoting a solid knowledge of the Word of Truth, and the greatest kindness we can do to children is to make them early to know the Bible. How blessed we are that all of us, even our children, are able to attain sufficient understanding of those things necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation in the words of the Holy Scriptures.

Amen.