A Rhapsody On God's Penetrating Word.

Hebrews 4:12-13

“A Rhapsody on God’s penetrating word”

“The word of God is speaking – if the people of God will just listen.”

Sunday Morning Sermon

03.02.08

Intro:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVzow_Xto6M (TITLE AND TEXT)

The word of God is speaking – if the people of God will just listen. That’s right we have to put away our distractions, hush our worries, close our mouths, and open our hearts, – so that the word of God speaks to us. Today, if you hear his voice do not harden your hearts. If you want to hear, if you want to grow and move forward in your Christian walk – don’t harden your hearts. Your ears will hear the voice, your heart will make it apply to your life.

Don’t sit there and watch your watch, or worry about lunch. Let us focus, this morning, on the word of God speaking to us, and then applying this message to our lives – everyday.

Discussion: (Advance)

1 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV) –Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

If we ignore God’s word, dismiss it as an old book, refuse to get a version that we can understand, or simply don’t read it – how will we ever reach what the author of Hebrews calls “A Sabbath Rest”. One who does not read the Bible is no better off than the one who cannot read the Bible. Listen – It hardly demonstrates faith in God to ignore the tools he has given us to guide us.

Why do we ignore the word of GOD? Why do we hold on to our traditions rather than simply taking God at his word? Why is this book good enough for Sunday morning but not Thursday afternoon? Prayer is talking to God – reading his word is allowing him to talk back. Why do we volunteer to only be the speaker in our conversation with the creator? I know that God can calm our spirits – I know that he can give us confidence – I’ve felt him prompting my memory of his word. One time I was at the hospital with a church member and we were waiting for him to be called back to surgery. Across from us there was this older lady who smiled every time I looked at her – but for some reason I knew she was hurting and scared inside. I got up from my chair and went and sat down by her – and asked her if she would like to pray. She started to cry. She needed someone to pray with her and encourage her and remind her of God’s presence. Her husband had a heart attack, and she was scared. So we prayed and we were both blessed because of it. God can work through his spirit living inside of us – to prompt us for action. I didn’t need to read God’s word to tell me to get out of my chair and my comfort zone and offer prayer with someone I didn’t know. God speaking to us – will rarely be independent of his word. If we will take the time to read and listen – he will give us guidance through his word.

(Advance)

Psalm 46:10 (NIV) "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Why does it take our stillness for the king of kings and Lord of Lords to make himself known – The answer is something you almost have to experience – he won’t shout over the noise and junk in your life – he won’t shout over the attitudes, selfishness or the lack of love in your life. God calls us to him this morning, simply to be still – simply to be hushed – quiet and to first of all know that He is GOD.

The proper respect of God will allow us to approach his word with Humility and a desire for understanding.

If you have your Bibles with you, turn with me to (Advance) Hebrews 4:12-13 (Read)

I see two things this morning. One a command and one a warning.

Here’s the command: (Advance)

I. Here the word speak (12)

a. Let’s identify the word

The word of God has been understood in this context to mean Jesus – The Bible or the – The message from God. Jesus is called the word in John 1:1 and he’s called “the word of God” in Revelation 19:13. (Advance)

2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,