Brushwood Press

BRUSHFIRES | WEEK 11

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A Discipleship Series from Brushwood Press | BrushwoodPress.com

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Core Doctrine: Biblical Authority – Scripture Alone (Sola Scriptura)

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Verse: Isaiah 55:11 (CSB)

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“So my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.”

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Book Context:

The book of Isaiah, written in the 8th century B.C., is one of the most theologically rich and prophetically expansive books in the Old Testament. Isaiah spoke both judgment and hope to the people of Judah. In chapters 40–66, the tone shifts to comfort and future redemption. Isaiah 55 is a poetic invitation to seek the Lord, emphasizing the power and reliability of God’s Word. Verse 11 declares that when God speaks, His purposes are never frustrated. His Word is not wishful—it is effective.

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Core Doctrine:

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Sola Scriptura means that Scripture alone is the final, infallible authority for faith and life. Isaiah 55:11 reminds us that God’s Word is not just true—it is effective. It doesn’t merely inform or inspire—it accomplishes what God sends it to do. His Word is His instrument, His messenger, His creative force. It never returns void.

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When God speaks, galaxies are born (Genesis 1). When He speaks, dead bones rise (Ezekiel 37). When He speaks, the soul awakens to salvation (Romans 10:17). Scripture is not passive ink on ancient pages—it is the living breath of the Almighty, still working, still speaking, still saving.

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If we believe this, we don’t need to dilute the message, decorate it with gimmicks, or apologize for its sharp edges. We need only to open our mouths and speak what He has already declared.

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Danger of Not Holding to the Core Doctrine – Week 11: Biblical Authority – Scripture Alone

 

(Cycle 2 Perspective: The Slow Drift Into Silence)

 

When we stop holding Scripture as our final authority, we don’t always crash—we drift. The loss is slow. Subtle. Respectable, even. We still say we “believe the Bible,” but we start to filter it through personal stories, political pressures, cultural moods, or the fear of sounding offensive.

 

And before long, we stop speaking with conviction. Not because we’ve changed our minds—but because we’ve lost our courage.

 

This is how churches become quiet about sin while loud about relevance. How sermons become therapy instead of truth. How Christians start quoting influencers more than apostles.

 

The danger here isn’t just false doctrine—it’s forgotten doctrine. It’s when we let God’s Word be one voice among many instead of the voice above all. It’s when we feel the pressure to edit God’s words so they’re easier to accept, less costly to follow.

 

And here’s the tragedy: when we no longer tremble at His Word, we lose its comfort too. A diluted Bible doesn’t just make us soft on sin—it makes us fragile in suffering. We end up with nothing solid to stand on when the storms come.

 

But when Scripture is our supreme authority—when we don’t apologize for it, edit it, or explain it away—we are free. Free to speak the truth in love. Free to be misunderstood. Free to suffer with hope. Because we know the voice we’re following isn’t ours—it’s His.

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Conversational Evangelism:

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In a world flooded with opinions, many are skeptical that any word can be trusted—much less ancient Scripture. But here’s a question that cuts through the noise: “What if there’s a word that actually changes things when it’s spoken?” That leads directly to Isaiah 55:11.

You don’t have to convince people of Scripture’s authority by defending every detail. Let the Word do what it does—pierce, heal, convict, and restore. You’re not trying to make the Bible relevant—it already is. You're not trying to manipulate people’s hearts—you’re delivering the message that transforms them.

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Call to Action:

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This week, speak God’s Word with confidence. Whether you're sharing the gospel, encouraging a friend, or correcting in love—know that you are releasing something alive. His Word will never fall to the ground in vain.

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Also, open your Bible expecting more than information. Expect movement. Expect fruit. Expect the God who sends His Word to finish what He started in you—and in the lives of those around you.

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Fire Starter Question:

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When did God’s Word first “hit home” for you—and how can you speak it boldly, knowing it will accomplish more than you could ever do on your own?

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