Intro: God’s word is the primary means by which He is present and working in the world. We can't see God with our physical eyes, but He acts in this world by means of His word. He becomes personally known to us through His word. His word tells us His will. His word is powerfully creative. He spoke everything into existence and sustains it by His word.
I. God's word and its purposes are irresistible. [Isaiah 55:10-11] 10 "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, 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. The meaning of these verses is plain. The hearts of people without God's word are what the earth would be without the rains of heaven—barren and sterile. How would we know about God and the truth if not for His word? God says in these verses that his truth shall accomplish an effect similar to that produced by descending showers. The rain never descends in vain. It makes the earth fertile, beautiful, lovely and causes it to produce. So it is with God's truth in the spiritual world. When God's word enters your heart it will produce spiritual life and growth. The comparison of truth with descending rain is a beautiful metaphor. Anyone who follows the teaching of God's word becomes fruitful and prosperous in the way rain refreshes the new grass and tender plants causing growth. The scriptures are a proclamation of God's will, it is a description of His character and works. Anyone who gives serious consideration to the word of God, and puts their trust in Him, can expect to enjoy a blessed and abundant life. Psalm 1:1-3 (NLT) 1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.
II. God’s word is totally dependable and everlasting. [Isaiah 40:8] The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. God's word represents His everlasting commitment to mankind. In contrast to the grass and flowers, God's Word never fails but it endures forever. This truth greatly comforts and encourages those who read God's words and live accordingly. We cannot depend on the words of others but we can put full trust and confidence in the word of God. When we read it, hear it and respond to it, God's word meets the deepest needs in the human heart and provides joy, satisfaction, and confident direction for our lives that can be achieved in no other manner. Luke 4:4 Jesus answered the devil saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'" Just as our bodies can not live without bread, neither can our soul live and prosper without God's word.
III. God's word is powerful. [Heb. 4:12]Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. The word powerful translated means to energize. It means to say that God’s word is living and it energizes. Because it is the powerful, word of God, it can not be defeated in its purpose. The Bible has all the essentials of the life and power of God to do His work! Not only that, its penetrating power is greater than any double-edged sword and cuts to the innermost being of a person so that it exposes and judges the thoughts, attitudes and motivations of the heart. It is able to discriminate between what is spiritual in man and what is merely human because (it penetrates even to dividing of soul and spirit and joints and marrow. Joints represent the soul and marrow represents the spirit. It separates a proud soul from a humble spirit. It separates a sinful soul from a righteous spirit. It separates a rebellious soul from an obedient spirit. The inner life of a Christian is often a mixture of motivations, both spiritual and human.
It takes a supernaturally discerning agent such as the Word of God to sort these out and to expose what is of the flesh and what is of the spirit.
Conclusion: We can never hope to know God or the truth and be successful in this life apart from His word. Our spiritual life would starve and die thereby bringing only defeat and misery. Jesus said a Christian does not live by bread alone but by every word of God. [Luke 4:4]
Invitation: God's word says a man must be born again to see the kingdom of God. Have you been born again? You can be born again by confessing your sins to Jesus and asking Him to forgive you and Invite Him into your life as your Savior and Lord. If you have not done this, now is the perfect time! Don't put it off!
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