The Power Of The Word Series

SERIES: UNDERSTANDING POWER PRINCIPLES

THE POWER OF THE WORD - POWER PRINCIPLE FIVE

OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this teachig you will be able to:

• Identify the source of the Word of power.

• Define the "rhema" and "logos" Words of God.

• Explain how Jesus met the challenge of Satan through the Word of power.

• Explain your responsibility for God's Word of power.

• Summarize the powerful purposes of God's Word.

• Explain why your own words are important in relation to spiritual power.

KEY VERSE:

For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. (Job 22.28)

INTRODUCTION

The Holy Bible is the written Word of the one true and living God. There is special power in these words of God: For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11) You will never receive the fullness of God's power until you experience the power of His Word.

THE SOURCE OF THE WORD

God is the source of power and of His written Word. This makes the Word of God powerful:

The Lord gave the Word: great was the company of those that published it.(Psalms 68:11)

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men,but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in youthat believe. (I Thessalonians 2:13)

God actually created the world by His Word:

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word ofGod, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.(Hebrews 11:3)

God created the heavens by His Word:

By the Word of the Lord were the heavens made. . .(Psalms 33:6)

God continues to uphold the world and all things as they are by the power of His Word:

Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person,and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himselfpurged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.(Hebrews 1:3)

"RHEMA" AND "LOGOS"

There are two different Greek words used in the Bible for the Word of God. One of theseGreek words is "logos" and it refers to the total utterance of God. It is the completerevelation of what God has said.

The second word, "rhema," refers to a specific saying of God that applies specifically to aspecial situation. The total "logos" revelation of the Word of God is powerful, but when

God quickens a "rhema" word from His written Word, it is especially powerful. WhenGod quickens a "rhema"word, a verse you have read many times before suddenly takes onnew meaning. You can see how it applies to a specific situation you are facing.

The"rhema" Word gives you the answer, revelation, or comfort needed at the time.

THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS

The power of God was delegated to Jesus Christ but that power must be tested because strength increases under pressure. A major confrontation between the power of Jesus andthe power of Satan came early in the earthly ministry of Christ. Before proceeding withthis lesson, read about this encounter in Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12- 13; and Luke 4:1-13.

First, Satan tried to get Jesus to turn stones into bread. The power of Jesus which soonwas to turn water into wine surely could have turned stones into bread. But to do so inthis situation would have been acting independently of God and using His power forpersonal benefit.

Next, Satan tried to get Jesus to cast Himself down from the top of the temple todemonstrate His power. He even misapplied Scriptures to persuade Him it was all right todo so. In the third encounter, Satan tempted Jesus with the appeal of worldly power. Satan saidhe would give up all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would worship him.

In each of these power struggles, Jesus met the challenge with the Word of God. Jesusquoted Scriptures applicable to the immediate situation. He used the "rhema" Word ofGod.