What Makes The Bible Different?
Hebrews Series
4.12,13
March 19, 2014 * Chester FBC, Chester, IL * Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker
Introduction:
A The writer of Hebrews was concerned that his audience see the importance of the Word of God.
1 Most of the words the author wrote in the first four chapters of Hebrews were from the O.T.!
a When God speaks (through His Written Word or through the Living Word) it is different from the words spoken of men.
b IL. It is obvious when you play secular music vs. Christian music. There is something different about the songs.
2 Heb. 4.12,13 describes just makes His Word different from all other words.
a Through out Hebrews, the author encourages his audience to give attention to His Word.
b What makes His Word different?
B Hebrews 4:12-13 (NASB) 12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
1 Let’s look at what makes His Word different.
2 Pray
I The Bible is different in Its Inspiration
A Hebrews 3:7 (NASB) 7 Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE,
1 The Holy Spirit is God, who inspired every word that is in our Bible.
a He chose men to reveal His words to over the course of about 4,000 years. (Revelation)
aa The process is called inspiration.
bb The process of His Word becoming the soundtrack of our lives is illumination.
b David wrote Psalm 95, but Heb. 3.7 tells us that the Holy Spirit spoke Ps. 95 to David’s pen.
B It isn’t just David’s poems & songs that are inspired by God.
a The entire Bible is God breathed.
b It is never wrong because God is never wrong.
aa The purposeful placement of this text should not go unnoticed to us.
bb We just read about “rest” in v. 11.
Hebrews 4:11 (NASB) 11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.
cc We can know that rest belongs to us because the Bible tells us so!
II The Bible is different in Its Operation
A Man can come up with some pretty flowery & effective words (Gettysburg Address, FDR’s speech about Pearl Harbor, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” & “Yesterday”).
1 But God’s Word is living/powerful whose operation is described in two ways.
a The Word is Alive/living! (Zao), & is where we get our word for “zoology.”
aa It means more than just being “alive”; it has the meaning of “animate life.”
bb It is constantly active, reproducing life in us.
cc In this context, Paul is warning his listeners who are hesitating in trust Christ, who are even considering falling back into Judaism, had better be urgent & diligent in seeking to enter God’s rest, because the Word of God is alive.
dd The Word is not static, but active/alive!
b The Word is Active! (Means energize, brings life where there is death.)
aa IL. Putting a battery in a toy, plugging in a vacuum.
bb His Word brings activity where there has been inactivity.
2 The Bible stands in witness to itself .
a It converts the soul.
Psalm 19:7-11 (NASB) 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. 10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.
b It encourages the heart
Psalm 119:49-56 (NASB) 49 Remember the word to Your servant, In which You have made me hope. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me. 51 The arrogant utterly deride me, Yet I do not turn aside from Your law. 52 I have remembered Your ordinances from of old, O LORD, And comfort myself. 53 Burning indignation has seized me because of the wicked, Who forsake Your law. 54 Your statutes are my songs In the house of my pilgrimage. 55 O LORD, I remember Your name in the night, And keep Your law. 56 This has become mine, That I observe Your precepts.
c The Word sets us free;
John 8:31-32 (NASB) 31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
d The Word cleans us up:
John 15:3 (NASB) 3 "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
John 17:17 (NASB) 17 "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.
B The Power of God’s Word operating in our lives cannot be measured but it can be observed.
1 In the story of Mutiny on the Bounty, we see the power of the Word displayed.
a 9 mutineers, 6 native men, and 12 Tahitian women and children went ashore at Pitcairn Island in the year 1790.
aa There lifestyles soon fell into chaos, and one sailor began distilling alcohol.
bb Soon the chaos plunged into debauchery and crime.
b Within 10 years (1800), only white man survived, surrounded by native men and children born in depravity.
aa One day the ol’sailor found a Bible in an old chest & began to read it, taught it to the others.
bb The result was that his life, and ultimately the lives of all those left in the colony were changed.
cc In 1809, a ship discovered the island and found that it become prosperous (no jail, no whiskey, no crime, no laziness.)
2 The Bible is alive, active and brings life to things where once dead!
T.S.: The Bible is different in its Inspiration, Operation, and . . .
III The Bible is different in Its Penetration.
A Hebrews 4:12 (NASB) 12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
1 The use of the word “sword” does not suggest that God uses His Word to slaughter/slay the saints.
a It is true that the Word cuts the heart of sinners with conviction (Acts 5.33; 7.54.)
aa Acts 5:33 (NASB) But when they heard this, they were cut to the quick . . .
bb Acts 7:54 (NASB) Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him.
b The word “sword” means a short sword/dagger.
c The emphasis is on the power of the Word to penetrate/expose the inner heart of man.
2 Dividing the soul from the spirit is talking about what happened at our conversion experience. (Have an outline of a figure of a man with these words on his chest ‘body’ ‘soul’ ‘spirit’.)
a Our body is the (Physical life,) the soul is the (mental life,) and the spirit is the (spiritual life.)
aa Everybody has these three parts that they can be divided into.
bb 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NASB) 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
(‘natural’ is in reference to two things: a lost state of being & it is the Greek word for ‘soul.’)
bb At the Fall of Adam, the spirit (eternal/spiritual) part of us was separated from God, & death was the result.
b When the Word of God penetrates our souls, it frees the dead spirit that has been entombed in his/her own soul.
aa Once that takes place, the Spirit of God rules the spirit of man; God takes possession our souls & spirits.
bb At the moment His sword frees our spirit from our soul, a miracle happens called “salvation.”
B The expression “joints & marrow” is equally as interesting.
1 Our joints are on the outside of our bones and the morrow is in our bones.
a The Word works in the external and internal parts of our lives.
b The moment we accept His Word as truth we are governed by Him.
aa Until we surrender we are eternally lost.
bb Our spirit is governed by the natural man until we are saved.
c As a Christian, you will never be spiritual until the sword of the Word of God enters your life and cuts away that which doesn’t belong.
2 Many years ago, a young man named Lew Wallace journeyed to the Middle East & Southern Europe to write a book refuting the Bible.
a As a he read the Bible he was seeking to disprove, his heart began to be stirred.
b Before Wallace could finish writing his own book, he was brought under conviction & was gloriously saved.
aa He immediately changed the focus of his book and the classic Ben Hurr was birthed.
bb His Word can cut through intellectual arguments and bring a doubter to Christ.
T.S.: The Bible is different in it’s inspiration, operation, penetration, and finally, . . .
III The Bible is different in Its Revelation
A God knows our hearts & His Word reveals our thoughts.
1 Have you ever thought a Pastor or Evangelist was speaking directly to you during a sermon?
a Any & every time you think that it is actually the Word of God moving in your thoughts.
b His Word reveals to us our intentions, motives.
aa If they are self-directed/wrong, the Word exposes our sin.
bb When His Word penetrates/moves over heart, exposes sin it is proof that “there is no creature hidden from His sight. . .”
cc Every secret/private is exposed before the eyes of the Almighty.
2 v.13, “open” had distinct meaning in ancient times: First, it was a move used by wrestlers; Secondly, it was used in a court of law. (Get pictures for these two illustrations, Kelsee.)
a A wrestler would put his hands around the throat of his opponent, bring him face-to-face.
aa In a court of law, a dagger would be fixed on the chest of the accused with the sharp end butted up against the underside of his chin. Ensuring they would have to face their accusers, jury during the trial.
bb When an unbeliever comes under the scrutiny of God’s Word, he/she will come face-to-face with the perfect truth about God . . . the truth about himself/herself.
b In v. 12, “. . . and able to judge the thoughts & intentions of the heart.”
aa The word for “judge” is where we get our word for “critic.”
bb God analyzes the facts perfectly, but also the human motives/intentions, & beliefs . . . He makes no mistakes!
cc The shams & hypocrisy will be revealed, all false professions of faith (no matter how orthodox, no list of good works will count for anything.)
dd Lost people (unbelieving people) will have to give an account to the Judge who already has seen all the evidence, case.
B Many years ago a man conned his way into the orchestra of the emperor of China although he could not play a note.
1 Whenever the group practiced or performed, he would hold his flute against his lips, pretending to play but not making a sound.
a He received a modest salary and enjoyed a comfortable living.
aa Then one day the emperor requested a solo from each
musician. The flutist got nervous. There wasn’t enough time to learn the instrument.
bb He pretended to be sick, but the royal physician wasn’t fooled. On the day of his solo performance, the impostor took poison and killed himself.
b The explanation of his suicide led to a phrase that found its way into the English language: “He refused to face the music.”
2 The Word of God makes unbelievers face the music about themselves, believers face the music about how good God is.
Conclusion:
A The Bible is different than any other book on your shelf.
1 The Bible is different in its . . .
a Inspiration (Inspired by the Holy Spirit)
b Operation (Alive, energizes, sets us free, cleans us up)
c Penetration (Awakens our Spirit from our Soul).
d Revelation (Reveals our intentions, motives)
2 These truths about God’s powerful word should arrest the Christian’s attention.
a The Bible deserves our careful consideration, our constant meditation, and complete application to our lives.
b I would add only one thing . . . God’s Word needs to be declared to those around us.
c Where is Word is ignored or unknown, there is death & darkness.
B Over 160 years ago, four Indians from west of the Rocky Mountains traveled over 3,000 to St. Louis, arriving at the doorstep of General William Clark, the superintendent of Indian Affairs.
1 Two of Indians drop dead due to exhaustion, the two remaining Indians were treated with much fanfare & given a tour of St. Louis.
a Opera, symphony, theaters, and a local Catholic Cathedral.
b For a while, it wasn’t clear what the purpose of the Indians’ visit was not clear. Finally they revealed that they had heard of “The White Man’s Book of Life,” and had come to “hunt for it” and “to ask for teachers to be sent” to their tribe.
c At the close of their visit in St. Louis, one of the Indians named Ta-Wis-Sis-Sim-Nim stood at a banquet and gave a farewell address:
“My people sent me to get the white man’s Book of Heaven. You took me where you allow your women to dance, as we do not ours; and the Book was not there! You took me to where they worship the Great Spirit with candles, and the Book was not there! You showed me images of the Great Spirit and pictures of the Good Land beyond, but the Book was not among them to tell me the way. I am going back the long trail to my people in the dark land. You make my feet heavy with gifts, and my moccasins will grow old in carrying them, and yet the Book is not among them! When I tell my poor blind people, after one more snow, in the big council, that I did not bring the Book, no word will be spoken by our old men or by our young braves. One by one, they will rise up and go out in silence. My people will die in darkness, and tey will go a long path to other hunting grounds. No white man will go with them, and no white man’s Book to the way plain. I have no more words.”
aa The Indians parting speech was published in an 1833 issue of Christian Advocate and Journal.
bb Approximately 100 missionaries responded to the call of Native missions.
d People today are still hungry for the guidance and living water found in the Word of God; We must not grow weary in reaching or bullied into silence.
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