The Power Of God's Word

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.