Sermon Central
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The Power Of God's Word Series
Contributed by Brad Beaman on Feb 6, 2022 (message contributor)
Summary: We must avoid a famine like is mentioned in Amos 8:11. He calls it a famine of God’s Word. Instead long for God’s Word like a newborn baby longs for milk. Why? Because God’s Word is powerful! God’s Word causes spiritual growth.
The Word of God is powerful. A detachment of soldiers came along with officials of the chief priest and Pharisees to arrest Jesus. He asked them, who do you want? “Jesus of Nazareth”, they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. At his word the armed soldiers drew back and fell on the ground (John 18:3-6). God’s Word is powerful!
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Lila and her husband were expecting their fourth child and looking forward to the new baby’s arrival with eager anticipation. Then, unexpectedly, their dreams were shattered by a miscarriage.
Not only was Lila grieved by the loss of the child, it soon became apparent that her life was in grave danger. Serious complications suddenly became evident, and she was rushed by ambulance to the hospital.
Lila was vaguely aware of her surroundings as she slipped in and out of consciousness. Her family was at her side encouraging her, and many friends and loved ones were praying fervently.
During the crisis, she found it nearly impossible to focus her mind on anything except for one clear impression that persisted in her mind. “I can endure…I can survive…I can withstand…all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Somehow, in spite of the loss of blood and the close proximity of death, she was aware that she was not remembering the words just right. Yet, intuitively she understood that God was promising to see her through.
Two weeks later, she returned home weakened but alive. While reading her Bible, she suddenly remembered the exact Scripture.
How she praised God for His Word, which had penetrated the fog of unconsciousness with a powerful promise of strength and provision!
This story came from The Ten Basic Steps: Lesson 5-The Power of God’s Word
God’s Word is Powerful! One of the great statements on the power of God’s Word is 1 Peter 1:23-2:3
23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,
“All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.
1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
The Word of God Endures vs. 23-25
God’s word endures because of the one who originates it, God. He is eternal and powerful. The seed of God’s word is imperishable. Verse 25 is a powerful statement on God’s Word enduring. “but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
The contrast is taken from Isaiah 40:6-8. The grass, flowers in the hot climate would last only for a season. Men are like grass and their glory like the flowers that fade and fall. You may remember prominent individuals that were household names and now they are seldom mentioned. They are gone and their glory has faded. All that was temporal. But the word of God lasts forever.
Jesus said Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Matthew 24:35 Your Word O Lord is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens Psalm 119:89. God’s Word is powerful and God’s Word endures.
God’s Word works new birth vs. 23
Peter says you have been born again through the imperishable seed, living Word of God. The Bible is revelation of God to man. In the Bible we find what God has to say to us. He tells us the way to him. We encounter God who inspired the Bible in His written Word.
The ultimate revelation of God to man is in Jesus Christ. Jesus said if you have seen me you have seen the Father. That is why Jesus is referred to also as the Word of God, the Living Word of God.
We are born again through the Living Word Jesus Christ. But ii is God’s Written Word the Bible that tells us of Christ, makes clear God’s plan of salvation. God’s Word is power unto salvation. We come to Jesus to have our sins forgiven and have a relationship with God.
Peter says it was the Word of God that was preached to them. When God’s Word is preached people find new life in Christ.
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
