Back to the Basics- The Word of God
Opener:
Good Morning Family of Christ church! We are thrilled that you are here joining us this morning. This morning we are beginning a new sermon series entitled “Back to the Basics”. During this series we will be covering a number of different topics. This morning our sermon is on The Word of God.
I want to share with you some interesting facts about the bible. For starters, the bible is the best-selling book of all time with an estimated 5 billion copies sold. In fact, an estimated 100 million copies of the bible are sold every year.
The word bible is derived from the Greek word (ta biblia, which means scrolls or “the books. While the bible was inspired by God, it was written by a wide variety of authors. The profession of these authors varied as some were shepherds, farmers, kings, priest, and even some fishermen.
The bible was written over a 1,500 year time period and had over 40 different authors. The books of the bible do not appear in the order that they were written in. In fact, the books are divided for the sake of convenience and logical historical development.
This morning were are going to talk about how powerful the Word of God is and how we can use the Word of God in our lives.
I. The Word is powerful
A. Supernatural
a. The Word of God, when it is spoken in faith, will produce a miracle. When the Word is spoken in faith, it will overcome what may seem to be insurmountable odds.
b. The bible says in Isaiah 55:11 11 So shall My 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
c. There is supernatural power in God’s Word, it will not return empty.
d. The Word will accomplish God’s desires and purposes. It will get the job done!
e. Not only will the Word accomplish what God pleases it will prosper. To prosper means to succeed in measurable terms. In other words, it will be successful and flourish.
B. Living Word
a. God’s Word is not just some letters written on a page. It is not some piece of literature that is dead, rather, God’s Word is alive and well. Hebrews 4:12 says: 12 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.
b. In order to understand that God’s Word is living, we need to understand the nature of God. Since God is Eternal and He is living, we can then understand that His Words are living.
c. I look at the Word of God kind of like an onion. It has different layers to It! We can read the Word of God one day and understand what it is conveying on the surface level and then read the same verse at a later time and gain a deeper understanding of that same verse.
d. The Words of that verse did not change, but our understanding changed. The Holy Spirit, who is our teacher, revealed something deeper to us.
C. Nothing hidden
a. As we continue in Hebrews chapter four verse 13 says: And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
b. Every believer has good reason to give special attention to their spiritual condition.
c. The Word penetrates to the depths of our most inner being and illuminates and convicts us of sin. This conviction leads us to repentance which then brings healing in our lives.
d. It does not pay to try to hide things before the Lord, He knows all, and see’s all. Therefore, don’t fight the revealing Word, embrace God’s truth, receive His truth, and live by His truth.
D. Hammer Time
a. The Word of God when spoken faithfully is like a hammer that crushes everything that is evil within our hearts.
b. The bible says in Jeremiah 23:28-29 28 “The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; And he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?” says the LORD. 29 “Is not My word like a fire?” says the LORD, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
c. In this particular passage God is using the symbol of a Hammer to reveal to us how powerful that His Word really is.
d. Now I am not a construction worker, but I have worked on a couple project during my lifetime.
e. Having a hammer around can be very useful. By far, my favorite way to use a hammer is to demolition things. Not only do hammers demo things, but they also can be used to put things back together.
f. We are all called to speak God’s Word faithfully and when we do: all kinds of positive things will begin to happen, the obstacles and opposition that you are facing in your life will be broken.
g. When you begin to speak the Word of God over your life and others, God will begin to bring restoration, He will begin to put things back in proper order.
h. I love the fact that, we do not have to guess if God’s Word will work. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. Three times Jesus spoke the Word to Satan: “It is written”. Jesus was using the Word to defeat Satan’s schemes. We too need to use the Word. “It is written” say that with me” It is written”
E. Know the truth
a. The Word of God is full of truth. This truth, when accepted is something that is powerful.
b. In fact, John 8:31-32 Says: 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
c. The devil, the enemy of your soul, is full of lies, full of deception; in fact, there is absolutely no truth in him. While on the other hand, God not only stands for truth, He is truth. It is impossible for God to lie!
d. This all powerful truth, the Word, has the ability to make you free in every area and aspect of your life.
e. Whatever addictive behavior that may have a grip on you: whether that is drugs or alcohol, You can be set free in Jesus. You are more than a conqueror because the Greater one lives inside of you and His truth permeates your heart and life.
F. Living Right
a. The heart is a gateway. It is a private place where we store our inner most secrets. We store our treasures there.
b. It is when we hide God’s Word in our heart that we will have a deeper appreciation for Him. The bible says in Psalm 119:11 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
c. Hiding God’s Word in our heart is the antidote against sin. In other words, it protects us from the poisoning effects of sin. It prevents us from sinning therefore protecting us from the consequences of sin.
i. Sin brings death, but the gift of God is to have His Word in our hearts to protect us!
II. Using God’s Word
A. Studying
a. Learning how powerful God’s Word is one thing, but then we have to use the Word in our lives.
b. Before we can use the Word, we need to know the Word, study the Word.
c. The bible says in 2 Timothy 2:1515 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
d. An approved workman is one that meditates on the Word, studying the Word. This studying is something that we need to diligent about in our lives.
e. To meditate means to think deeply or to reflect on it.
f. When studying God’s Word, it is imperative that we accurately and correctly handle the Word.
g. When we study and meditate on the Word, it then influences us in how we live our everyday lives.
B. Sanctification
a. When we mediate on God’s Word it takes our spiritual journey to the next level. Which brings us to sanctification.
b. Sanctification is the process that we surrender our lives to God on a greater level which in turn frees us from sinful habits in our lives.
c. Jesus prayed for his disciples in John 17:17 and part of that prayer is found in verse seventeen which says: 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
d. To live a sanctified life, simply means to live a life set apart from the world. While we live in the world, we are not of the world.
e. We are called to live by God’s standard, not the world’s standard.
f. Let me say this about sanctification, it does not happen overnight. It is a process! It takes time! Tell your neighbor “It takes time”. So you need to be patient with yourself and others through this process of sanctification.
C. Completes us
a. When we use and follow God’s Word, it perfects us and completes us.
b. The bible says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
c. When I was growing up, our family did not attend church very often. Because of this, I was simply unlearned concerning the things of God.
d. I had to learn how God would like me to handle situations. I had to learn how to carry myself. Trust me when I say “ This took time and is still happening to this day”
e. Truly God’s ways are higher than our own. We need to glean from the Scriptures to instruct us in righteousness.
f. Once we adhere to this instruction, God has equipped us to do good works for Him!
D. Health and healing
a. When we use God’s Word it provides us health and healing in our bodies.
b. The bible says in Proverbs 4:20-22 20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.
c. It is God’s heart to bring healing in our lives. God’s healing extends to all diseases and infirmities.
d. The bible say 1 Peter 2:24 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose [a]stripes you were healed.
e. By His stripes, WE ARE HEALED!!!! Not possibly be healed. Not maybe healed. Not likely be healed. YOU ARE HEALED!!
f. Believe it and receive it!
Closing:
As we wrap up our time together this morning, there are so many more things I could share about the Word. It truly is living and active! It is absolutely without a doubt more powerful that any force here on the earth and in the supernatural realm.
As we have come to understand this morning, we need to study the Word of God in our lives. We need to take time regularly and consistently spending time in God’s Word. We are workman that is not ashamed because we are rightly dividing God’s Word.
Not only do we need to know the Word, then we need to begin to apply it to our everyday living. We need to use the Word of God in our lives and speak into the lives of those that we encounter. Let me say this “ When we begin to speak the Word of God in faith, we will begin to see miracles happen around us!”
I am going to close this morning by praying a priestly blessing over your lives: Numbers 6: 22-27 22 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:
24 “The LORD bless you and keep you;
25 The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” ’
27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”
You do not want to miss next week as we will be talking about hearing God’s voice and knowing God’s will for our lives.
