Sermon Central
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Living By The Word Of God #1 Series
Contributed by Louis J Locke on Aug 10, 2024 (message contributor)
Summary: As followers of Jesus Christ, we know that the Word of God is essential for wisdom, direction, spiritual nourishment and power for life and ministry. Developing an ongoing habit of ‘feeding on the Word’ can be challenging, but it is as important to our spiritual life as ‘eating’ is to our physical.
SOURCE OF TRUTH & WISDOM
1. Truth: The Word of God is the inspired Word of God and is Ultimate Truth
• All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. ~ 2Timothy 3:16-17
• Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except thru Me’ ~John 14:6
2. Wisdom:
• The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; ~ Psalm 19:7
• The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: For attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight. ~ Proverbs 1:1-6
• Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. ~ Psalm 119:97-99
DIRECTION & GUIDANCE
1. God’s Word Gives Direction to our Lives
• Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. ~ Psalm 119:105 - Lamp (flashlight) to my feet, Light (floodlight) to my path: what’s happening close-at-hand as well as ‘down-the-road’ (discernment).
• In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. ~ Proverbs 3:6
• The Word of God will guide, correct, instruct, lead, teach and confirm (JP Phillips - 2Timothy 3:16-17)
SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT
1. Jesus said, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ~ Matthew 4:4 (quoting Deuteronomy 8:3)
2. Consider the natural / spiritual parallels regarding the need for ‘food’ for nourishment…
3. Needed for growth - …desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby ~ 1Peter 2:2
4. How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; ~ Psalm 119:103
POWER FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY
1. The Word is Powerful…
• For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. ~ Hebrews 4:12
2. Power in Spiritual Warfare
• Jesus modeled for us as He confronted satan’s temptations by responding: “It is written’’ ~ Mat 4:1-11
3. Power in Ministry
• And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. ~ Mark16:20
