The Power Of God's Word

THE POWER OF GOD’S WORD

Study Text: Psalms 107: 19 – 20

Introduction:

- The great reservoir of the power that belongs to God is His own Word, the Bible. If we wish to make it ours, we must go to that Book.

- Yet people abound in the Church who are praying for power and neglecting the Bible. Men are longing to have power for bearing fruit in their own lives and yet forget that Jesus has said: "The seed is the Word of God" (Luke 8:11).

- They are longing to have power to melt the cold heart and break the stubborn will of those to whom they witness, and yet forget that God has said: "Is not My Word like as a fire? and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" (Jer. 23:29).

- If we are to obtain fullness of power in life and service, we must feed upon the Word of God. There is no other food so strengthening.

- If we will not take time to study the Bible, we cannot have power, any more than we can have physical power if we will not take time to eat nutritious food.

- We cannot obtain power, and we cannot maintain power in our own lives, and in our work for others, unless there is deep and frequent meditation upon the Word of God.

- If our leaf is not to wither and whatsoever we do is to prosper, our delight must be in the law of the Lord and we must meditate therein day and night (Psalm 1:2-3).

- We shall discuss the topic under three sub-headings:

1. The Composition of God’s Word

2. The Characteristics of God’s Word

3. The Capacity of God’s Word

1. The Composition of God’s Word

- The word of God is composed of:

i. The whole Scriptures as written in the Bible 2 Tim 3: 16 -17

ii. The truth of the Scriptures preached by a true servant of God

iii. The gospel message preached by any faithful believer to a sinner to receive salvation.

iv. The promises received and believed upon from the scriptures

v. The prophetic utterances by a true servant of God, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that has basis in the scriptures. 2Kings 7: 1- 2

vi. The pronouncement of judgement upon the wicked by a true servant of God under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that has basis in the Scriptures.

vii. The declaration of the word of authority against the kingdom of darkness under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and that can be supported with the scriptures.

2. The Characteristics of God’s Word Heb 4: 12 – 13

1. It is A Living Word (v. 12a)

- The Bible, the word of God, is unlike any other book you have in your home or in the library. This places the Bible in a unique category all to itself.

- The word of God is no dead letter, but as the word of the living God it cannot itself fail to be living. As the living word it continues through each age with compelling relevance.

2. It is a Powerful Word (v 12b)

- The word translated “powerful” is the word from which we get energy and energetic. The word literally means “at work.” Only the living, active Word of God can transform us.

- Well, it is living and active and so when we read its words they reach out and touch the needs of our lives in an almost tangible way.

- Isaiah 55:11 describes scripture as being a living agent or messenger that God sends to touch our lives. Listen to what God says in this passage... " ....My word will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." So, unlike any other book, the Bible is living and powerful.

3. It is a Penetrating Word (v 12c)

- Like a sharp sword which can lay open the human body with one slashing blow, so the sword of the Scripture can open our inner life and expose it to ourselves and to others.

- What the author is saying is that God’s Word can reach into the innermost recesses of our being! No heart is too tough and no soul is too dark. “When God wills it, his word can pierce anyone.

4. It is a Discerning Word (vv. 12d -13)

- From this passage, we can see three truths.

i. God Sees Everything There Is No Escape.

- We want God to see us when we are hurting and when we are going through difficult times. We want Him to see and come to our aid.

- But when it comes to our sin and wrongdoing we would rather that God looked the other way. But verse twelve concludes by saying that the Word of God “… is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.