Getting The Word Out

January 4, 2004

Morning Worship

Text: Hebrews 4:12

Subject: The Word of God

Title: Getting the Word Out

There is nothing in this world anymore important than the Word of God. The word is life giving, life changing, and life blessing. The word of God is law. Nothing can undo what the word says. Even though Paul says that we are under grace and no longer under the law, the law of God is still valid to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. It is of the utmost importance that we know the word and endeavor to get the word out to the entire world. Often we get so caught up in our own little world of grace that we fail to understand the significance of the command of God to, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature…” We simply get so caught up in our own relationship Jesus that we don’t hear what He is saying.

A man and his lawyer squared off in court against his opponent and two lawyers. "I want you to hire another attorney to help with my case," he told his sole counselor. "The other fellow has two." "That’s not necessary," replied his attorney. "I can defend you by myself." "I still want a second person," the defendant insisted. "When one of the plaintiff’s lawyers is talking, the other one is thinking. When you talk, nobody’s thinking."

God is talking today and it is time for the church to start listening closely to every word – not only what has been said but what is being said.

The word of God is designed to touch every division of the tricotomy of man – spirit, soul and, body.

I. The Word is Physical.

A. It is alive. Psalm 147:15, “He sends out His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly.” When Hebrews says that God’s word is living it means that there is activity going on. Psalm 107: 20 shows some of the activity of the Word of God. “He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” God’s word brings healing. It is active. Matthew 8:5-13 (Read) Jesus did not need to go in order to heal. He sent His word.

B. The Word is powerful. It is sharper than a two edged sword. Isaiah said, “He has made my mouth like a sharp sword.” Because he spoke the word of God. Is. 55:11, “So shall the word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” The things that God has called His word to do shall be accomplished.

II. The Word of God is Spiritual.

A. The division of the soul and spirit. It can separate the soul (thoughts and emotions) from the spirit. Paul says that the word of God is the sword of the Spirit. Let’s take a little time to understand the words that are translated “word”. The word of God that is spoken of in this passage is logos. It refers to a complete thought or expression of a complete idea. It refers to the whole Bible. Jesus is the living logos. The Bible is the written logos. The Holy Spirit utters the spoken logos. The other word is rhema. It refers to a single promise given by God. When standing in the face of adversity, the rhema becomes a weapon of the spirit. It does not stand on its own authority but in the fact that it comes from the logos. We can stand on the rhema in the authority of the logos and expect to receive from God.

B. It divides the joints and marrow. The word goes to the inner most parts of your being. The word separates fact from fiction, truth from lies, and life from death. John 1:1,4,”In the beginning was the Word… In Him was life…

A. B. Earle wrote this story.

A number of years ago an incident occurred which greatly endeared the Bible to me, and caused me to feel safe without any carnal weapon. All in a moment, I found myself surrounded by six men demanding my purse. I was where I could not defend myself or obtain help from man. I confess to a strange palpitation in my heart. It seemed clear that my purse or life must go. At that instant something seemed to say:

"Tell them who you are."

With much difficulty I said to them:

"I am a minister of Jesus Christ. My business is to preach Christ wherever I go, and you know you are making a demand upon me that you cannot meet at the judgment seat of Christ."