The Power of God’s Word
Hebrews 4:8-13
8For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
9There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
11Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Introduction:
I. The Energy of God’s Word –
The word powerful is from the Greek word “dunamai.” Dynamite was invented by Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel in 1866 and was the first safely manageable explosive stronger than black powder. Nobel originally sold dynamite as "Nobel's Blasting Powder" and later changed the name to dynamite, from the Ancient Greek word dýnamis (d??aµ??), meaning "power". I share this to let you know that God’s Word is spiritual dynamite! I fear that the church has failed to appreciate the power of the Word of God. The Apostle
a. Its authority – the word of God
It is His Word. Do you believe this? His Word is our only hope. We are dead and His Word is life-giving.
THE MEASURE OF GOD'S WORD
The Word of God is the measure of our lives. Imagine different teams of men building a house with everyone measuring by their foot, not tape measure. The carpentry, flooring, coverings, windows and doors would be a mess. It simply would not come together. That's why we use the square, the tape measure, the plumb line, the level!
No society, church, family or individual can build well without using the standard of God's Word. It is the rule for our lives.
b. Its agency - The Gospel is what God Himself has set in motion. It is the power of God.
Paul acknowledged this power in Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
The gospel that he preaches is that mighty agency which God Himself has set in motion, and the object of which is the salvation of all who put their faith in it, to whatever nation or race they may belong. He has, perhaps, in his mind the reception he had met with in other highly civilised cities. (Comp. Acts 17:32.) He had himself once found a “stumbling-block” in the humiliation of the Cross; now, so far from being ashamed of it, it is just that of which he is most proud. The preaching of the Cross is the cardinal point of the whole gospel.
c. Its animation – “quick” is translated living. The Word is life giving and quickening. Paul writes the following:
Ephesians 2: 1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
The Word of God is resurrection power, life changing power; power to completely, radically transform us in Christ.
II. The Effect of God’s Word - cutting and piercing, dividing.
Paul had in mind the Roman gladius, a short sword that became synonymous with the might of the Roman legions, is one of the most iconic weapons of ancient history. Compact yet deadly, the gladius played a crucial role in Rome’s military conquests, contributing significantly to the expansion and maintenance of the Roman Empire. It was developed for close combat and was between 18-24 inches long with an edge on both sides and a sharp point.
a. It is surgical – precision- A soldier wielding a sword can take life but a surgeon with a scalpel can give life. That’s what God’s Word does; wielded by the Holy Spirit it convicts, convinces and converts us. Where there was death there is now life.
b. It separates – we find this throughout Scripture. Wheat from chaff, goats from sheep, true from false, real from counterfeit, saved from the unsaved.
c. It scrutinizes – penetrating.
NOTHING IS HIDDEN FROM GOD
R.C. Sproul: "There are many things in my life that I do not want to put under the gaze of Christ. Yet I know there is nothing hidden from Him. He knows me better than my wife knows me. And yet He loves me. This is the most amazing thing of all about God’s grace. It would be one thing for Him to love us if we could fool Him into thinking that we were better than we actually are. But He knows better. He knows all there is to know about us, including those things that could destroy our reputation. He is minutely and acutely aware of every skeleton in every closet. And He loves us."
(From a sermon by David Scudder, El Roi "The Strong One who Sees" Part 2, 3/27/2011)
III. The Exposure of God’s Word
Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Jeremiah 23:24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
a. Accessibility –
Psalms 139: 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 5Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. 6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. 7Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
b. Accountability – Him with whom we have to do.
“We can run but we cannot hide.”
WHO'S WATCHING?
I remember the story of that man who wanted to steal a goat. He took his four children and said to them: "You hide there, you hide by my left, you hide at my back, you hide by my right. If you see anybody coming, give me a sign that I will quickly stop whatever I 'm doing."
But as he moved to catch the goat, one of the children exclaimed, "Papa, wait, wait."
The man said, "What is the matter? Is somebody coming?"
The child said, "No, who is watching this way?" He pointed to the sky. In other words the father had taken care of the north, east, south and west but the small child pointed to and asked about heaven? How about God? Does He not see you? The man left the goat.
Those of us who think we can hide anything from God deceive ourselves.
(From a sermon by Daniel Olukoya, Candidates of Heaven and Hell, 5/9/2011)
Conclusion: GOD’S WORD DESCRIBED
An unknown writer said, "This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity."
(Source Unknown. http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/b/bible_value_of.htm. From a sermon by Ricardo Rodriguez, Examine ME O Lord, 9/14/2012)
AND IT CAME TO PASS...
"The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me." -- Martin Luther
During a Sunday class the question was asked, "In your time of discouragement, what is your favourite Scripture?"
A young man said, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want" Psalm 23:1. A middle age woman said, "God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" Psalm 46:1. Another woman said, "In this world you shall have tribulations, but be of good cheer, I have overcome this world" John 16:33-35.
Then old Mr. John who was 80 years old, with head of white hair and dark black skin, stood up and said with as much strength as he could muster, "It says, 'And it came to pass...' 85 times in the Bible." The class started to laugh a little, thinking that old Mr. John's lack of memory was getting the best of him.
When the snickering stopped, he said, "At 30, I lost my job with six hungry mouths and a wife to feed. I didn't know how I would make it. At 40, my eldest son was killed overseas in the war. It knocked me down. At 50, my house burned to the ground. Nothing was saved out of the house. At 60, my wife of 40 years got cancer. It slowly ate away at her. We cried together many a night on our knees in prayer. At 65, she died. I still miss her today.
"The agony I went through in each of these situations was unbelievable. I wondered where was God. But each time I looked in the bible I saw one of those 85 verses that said, 'And it came to pass' I felt that God was telling me, my pain and my circumstances were also going to pass and that God would get me through it."
(From a sermon by Stephen Sheane, The Table of Shewbread, 5/25/2011)
