The Power of God’s Word
Power
the ability to do something or act in a particular way, especially as a faculty or quality.
the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.
The word of God is life changing and transforming
Often we fail to comprehend how powerful God’s word is
Many Christians today spend little to no time in God’s word
They often wonder why they may see little to no change in their lives
The ability to be transformed by God’s word is directly connected to the time we invest in God’s word
Romans 12:2 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Transformation takes place as our minds are renewed by God’s word
Hebrews 4:12-13 12 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. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
1. The word of God is alive and active
a. The word of God is Living
b. It is life changing
c. When God created all things He did so by His word
d. 1 Corinthians 3:6 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.
e. The word of God is a seed
f. When the word of God is spoken into a life it is planted and what is produced as it is watered and cultivated is the kingdom of God
g. Genesis 1:1-5 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
h. Mark 5:37-43 37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.
2. The word of God is surgical
a. We are told it is sharper than any two edged sword
b. It not only confronts the sinner of their sin, but it brings restoration and life to the children of God
c. It penetrates past the surface
d. Here it says it penetrates soul and spirit, joints and marrow
e. There is no place that the word of God will not touch
f. We can choose to submit to the word of God or rebel against the word of God
g. Deuteronomy 30:19-20: 19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
h. But when we submit, life is found
i. When we rebel is when death and destruction stand before us
3. The word of God exposes
a. It judges the thoughts and attitude of the heart
b. The word judges means able to discern
c. It reveals the motivations within us
d. We can lie to everyone and we can fool everyone, but we can’t fool God
e. Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
f. Psalm 119:130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
g. When we are confronted by the word of God it will either be life to our bones or it will cripple us
h. For the one who submits they will see the purposes of God accomplished in their lives
i. God has given us a freewill
j. When we are confronted by the word of God we only have two choices
k. But God will never force us to do anything
l. He will always present His word to us calling us to obedience and repentance
m. But healing and restoration can only be found when we respond rightly to the word
4. Nothing is hidden from Almighty God
a. Everything is uncovered
b. Everything is laid bare before the one who we will give an account
c. Romans 14:10 10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister[a]? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.
d. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
e. We must remember that the believers that the author of Hebrews was writing to were considering abandoning faith in Jesus Christ
f. How does God deal with us when we go in the wrong direction?
g. He confronts us with His word
h. He uses His word to not only correct us but to comfort us
i. He loves us unconditionally and He loves us too much to allow us to live in our rebellion and disobedience
When believers fail to spend time daily in God’s word they are robbed of what God desires to do
It is only through time spent daily in God’s word that we are changed
As we build our life on the word of God, it is the word of God through the power of the Holy Spirit that will transform, mold, shape, and change us.
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