Just Say the Word Matthew 8:8

Just Say the Word How much does God have to say before you will obey Him? How many times must God say something before you believe it & obey? Warned against failing to listen to & obey God, Isa. 6:8-12 (Matt. 13:14-15)

It only took a word for God to… Create the world, Psa. 33:4-9; Heb. 11:3 “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,” 33:6 (Heb. 11:3) “For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast,” 33:9

It only takes a word for God to… Uphold all things, Heb. 1:3 (Col. 1:17) To bear, to carry, keep from falling “By the word of his power” Christ is the Preserver of the Universe Calm the storm, Mk. 4:37-41 “Peace I leave with you,” Jno. 14:27

It only took a word for God to… Heal, Matt. 8:8, 13, 16 Only speak a word, 8:8 Healed that same hour, 8:13 With a word, 8:16 “They cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them…” (Psa. 107:19-20)

It only took a word for God to… Reveal His mind, 1 Cor. 2:6-13 Revelation, 2:10-12 The things which God has prepared Inspiration, 2:13 Spoken in words the Spirit taught Confirmation, 2:4-5 Demonstrated the power of God in order to validate faith

It only took a word for God to… Speak a word that produces faith and saves sinners, Rom. 10:8, 17 Gospel, Rom. 1:16-17 Word of the cross, 1 Cor. 1:18-21 Implanted, Jas. 1:21 Purifies & saves by giving life, 1 Pet. 1:22-23; Jno. 6:68 The faith once for all delivered, Jude 3

It only takes a word for God to… Judge us, Jno. 12:48 “The word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” Judged by the things written in the books, Rev. 20:12 According to our works

When God Speaks… Do we listen & obey? Do we argue, dispute & gainsay? Samuel, 1 Sam. 3:9-10 Israel, Rom. 10:21; Isa. 6:8-12 Cornelius & his house, Acts 10:33

When God Speaks… How to be saved “I feel I’m saved…I was saved when I believed...before I was baptized…” Believe & be baptized, Mk. 16:15-16 For remission of sins, Acts 2:38 Saves us, 1 Pet. 3:21

When God Speaks… Music in worship “I like the instrument…I want the instrument…I’ll be playing the instrument in heaven…” “You can’t tell me it’s wrong” Sing: Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16

When God Speaks… Moral conduct Modest dress, 1 Tim. 2:9-10 Shamefastness & sobriety Dancing, 1 Pet. 4:1-3 Lewdness & lust, Rom. 13:11-14 Associated sins, Eph. 5:11

When God Speaks… Moral conduct Drinking, 1 Pet. 4:3 All of its forms Fornication, 1 Cor. 6:18 Flee, not flirt Companions, 1 Cor. 15:33-34 Influence of evil is deceptive and corrupting

When God Speaks… Marriage, divorce and remarriage, Matt. 19:6, 9; Rom. 7:2-3 One cause to put away & remarry Non-Christians are under Christ’s law Repenting of unlawful remarriage means ending the sinful relationship (Mk. 6:17-18)

We Must Speak What God Speaks God speaks to us in His Son, Heb. 1:1-2 “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11)

We Must Hear What God Speaks …This is a rebellious people, Lying children, Children who will not hear the law of the LORD; Who say to the seers, “Do not see,” And to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us right things; Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits.” (Isa. 30:9-10)

Hear What God Speaks and Do What God Says “…they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them.” (Ezek. 33:30-32)

“Just Say the Word” What word do you want to hear? “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Luke 8:8 “Take heed how you hear” Luke 8:18 What word do you want to speak? “The oracles of God” 1 Peter 4:11