The Power of God’s Word

The Power of God’s Word Not a dead letter! Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Power of God’s Word Not a dead letter! Luke 8:11 (NKJV) 11 "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. . . 15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

The Power of God’s Word Not a dead letter! 1 Peter 1:22-23 (NKJV) 22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

Power In God’s Spoken Word The Power of God’s Word Power In God’s Spoken Word World’s made – Gen. 1; Ps. 33:6; Heb. 11:3; All things upheld – Heb. 1:3; 2 Pet. 3:7 Prophecies fulfilled – Isa. 46:9-10 Worlds made… (Psa 33:6 NKJV) By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. (Heb 11:3 NKJV) By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. [click] All things upheld… (Heb 1:3 NKJV) who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (2 Pet 3:7 NKJV) But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. Prophecies fulfilled: 2500 or so in the Bible; 2000 at least have already been fulfilled (Isa 46:9-10 NKJV) Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, {10} Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,'

Power In God’s Spoken Word The Power of God’s Word Power In God’s Spoken Word Miracles of Christ on earth – Mat. 8:23-27; Luke 7:11-16; 8:49-56; John 11:43,44 Miracles of Christ on earth (Mat 8:23-27 NKJV) [Calming of the storm] Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. {24} And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. {25} Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" {26} But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. {27} So the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" (Luke 7:11-16 NKJV) [Raising the dead man at Nain] Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. {12} And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. {13} When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." {14} Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." {15} So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. {16} Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people.“ ***NEXT SLIDE FOR MORE…

Power In God’s Spoken Word The Power of God’s Word Power In God’s Spoken Word Miracles of Christ on earth – Mat. 8:23-27; Luke 7:11-16; 8:49-56; John 11:43,44 Miracles of Christ on earth [continued] (Luke 8:49-56 NKJV) [Raising the ruler’s daughter] While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher." {50} But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." {51} When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. {52} Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, "Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping." {53} And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. {54} But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Little girl, arise." {55} Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. {56} And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened. (John 11:43-44 NKJV) [Raising Lazarus] Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" {44} And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go.“ [next slide]

Power In God’s Spoken Word The Power of God’s Word Power In God’s Spoken Word The resurrection – John 5:28,29; 1 Thes 4:14-17 The Resurrection Combining prophecy with miracle… (John 5:28-29 NKJV) "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice {29} "and come forth; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. (1 Th 4:14-15 NKJV) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. {15} For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.

Demonstrated By Comparison The Power of God’s Word Demonstrated By Comparison Power of food & medicine – Mat 4:4; John 6:27; 1 Pet 2:2; Heb 5:12,13; Psalm 107:20; Mat 13:15 Power of Food and Medicine (Mat 4:4 NKJV) But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" (John 6:27 NKJV) "Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him." (1 Pet 2:2 NKJV) as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, (Heb 5:12-13 NKJV) For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. {13} For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. (Psa 107:20 NKJV) He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. (Mat 13:15 NKJV) For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.'

Demonstrated By Comparison The Power of God’s Word Demonstrated By Comparison Power of food & medicine – Mat 4:4; John 6:27; 1 Pet 2:2; Heb 5:12,13; Psalm 107:20; Mat 13:15 Power of light – Psalm 119:105, 130; 19:8; Prov. 6:23; Ep. 5:13 Power of Light (Psa 119:105 NKJV) Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. (Psa 119:130 NKJV) The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. (Psa 19:8 NKJV) The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; (Prov 6:23 NKJV) For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life, (Eph 5:13 NKJV) But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.

Demonstrated By Comparison The Power of God’s Word Demonstrated By Comparison Power of food & medicine – Mat 4:4; John 6:27; 1 Pet 2:2; Heb 5:12,13; Psalm 107:20; Mat 13:15 Power of light – Psalm 119:105, 130; 19:8; Prov. 6:23; Ep. 5:13 Power of fire & hammer – Jer. 5:14; 20:9; 23:29; Luke 24:32 Power of Fire and Hammer (Jer 5:14 NKJV) Therefore thus says the LORD God of hosts: "Because you speak this word, Behold, I will make My words in your mouth fire, And this people wood, And it shall devour them. (Jer 20:9 NKJV) Then I said, "I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name." But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not. (Jer 23:29 NKJV) "Is not My word like a fire?" says the LORD, "And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? (Luke 24:32 NKJV) And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?"

Demonstrated By Comparison The Power of God’s Word Demonstrated By Comparison Power of food & medicine – Mat 4:4; John 6:27; 1 Pet 2:2; Heb 5:12,13; Psalm 107:20; Mat 13:15 Power of light – Psalm 119:105, 130; 19:8; Prov. 6:23; Ep. 5:13 Power of fire & hammer – Jer. 5:14; 20:9; 23:29; Luke 24:32 Power of rain & seed – Gen. 1:11; Lk 8:11; Isa. 55:10,11 Power of Rain and Seed (Gen 1:11 NKJV) Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth"; and it was so. (Luke 8:11 NKJV) "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. (Isa 55:10-11 NKJV) "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.

Demonstrated By Comparison The Power of God’s Word Demonstrated By Comparison Power of food & medicine – Mat 4:4; John 6:27; 1 Pet 2:2; Heb 5:12,13; Psalm 107:20; Mat 13:15 Power of light – Psalm 119:105, 130; 19:8; Prov. 6:23; Ep. 5:13 Power of fire & hammer – Jer. 5:14; 20:9; 23:29; Luke 24:32 Power of rain & seed – Gen. 1:11; Lk 8:11; Isa. 55:10,11 Power of a sword – Ep. 6:17; Heb 4:12 Power of a Sword (Eph 6:17 NKJV) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (Heb 4:12 NKJV) For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Sufficiency of its Power The Power of God’s Word Sufficiency of its Power Produces Faith – Rom 10:17; John 20:30,31; Acts 15:7 Produces Faith: Romans 10.17 John 20.30-31 (Acts 15:7 NKJV) And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: "Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.

Sufficiency of its Power The Power of God’s Word Sufficiency of its Power Produces Faith – Rom 10:17; John 20:30,31; Acts 15:7 Makes wise unto salvation – 2 Tim 3:15,16; James 1:21; Rom 1:16 Makes wise unto salvation (2 Tim 3:15-16 NKJV) and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. {16} All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (James 1:21 NKJV) Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. Romans 1.16

Sufficiency of its Power The Power of God’s Word Sufficiency of its Power Produces Faith – Rom 10:17; John 20:30,31; Acts 15:7 Makes wise unto salvation – 2 Tim 3:15,16; James 1:21; Rom 1:16 Causes spiritual birth – James 1:18; 1 Cor. 4:15; 1 Pet. 1:22,23 Causes Spiritual Birth (James 1:18 NKJV) Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. (1 Cor 4:15 NKJV) For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. (1 Pet 1:22-23 NKJV) Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, {23} having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, (Eph 5:26 NKJV) that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,

Sufficiency of its Power The Power of God’s Word Sufficiency of its Power Produces Faith – Rom 10:17; John 20:30,31; Acts 15:7 Makes wise unto salvation – 2 Tim 3:15,16; James 1:21; Rom 1:16 Causes spiritual birth – James 1:18; 1 Cor. 4:15; 1 Pet. 1:22,23 Converts, sanctifies and purifies the soul – Ps 19:7; John 17:17; 8:32; 1 Pet 1:22; Eph 5:26 Converts, sanctifies and purifies the soul (Psa 19:7 NKJV) The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; (John 17:17 NKJV) "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (John 8:32 NKJV) "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (1 Pet 1:22 NKJV) Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

Sufficiency of its Power The Power of God’s Word Sufficiency of its Power Produces Faith – Rom 10:17; John 20:30,31; Acts 15:7 Makes wise unto salvation – 2 Tim 3:15,16; James 1:21; Rom 1:16 Causes spiritual birth – James 1:18; 1 Cor. 4:15; 1 Pet. 1:22,23 Converts, sanctifies and purifies the soul – Ps 19:7; John 17:17; 8:32; 1 Pet 1:22; Eph 5:26 Able to build us up and give an inheritance – Acts 20:32; Able to Build Up and Give and Inheritance (Acts 20:32 NKJV) "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. The Word of God is all-sufficient to it’s purpose…just as the physical Creation is good for its purpose.

Its Power Can Be Resisted The Power of God’s Word Its Power Can Be Resisted Jews resisted – 1 Sam. 15:23; John 5:31-47; Acts 7:51,52 False teachers resist the truth – 2 Tim 3:8 God does not force men to receive His word – Mat. 11:28-30; John 5:40; Rev. 22:17 Jews Resisted: (1 Sam 15:23 NKJV) For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king." John 5.31-47 [Even in the midst of the evidence of Christ’s miracles, the Jews rejected.] (Acts 7:51-52 NKJV) "You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. {52} "Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, [click] False teachers resist the truth (2 Tim 3:8 NKJV) Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; [click] No one is forced to receive His word (Mat 11:28-30 NKJV) "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. {29} "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. {30} "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (John 5:40 NKJV) "But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. (Rev 22:17 NKJV) And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Its Power Can Be Resisted The Power of God’s Word Its Power Can Be Resisted We Reject God’s Word: By Refusing to believe – John 5:46,47; 8:24 By refusing to repent – Rom. 2:4; Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30 By refusing to believe: (John 5:46-47 NKJV) "For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. {47} "But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?" (John 8:24 NKJV) "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." By refusing to repent: (Rom 2:4 NKJV) Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? (Luke 13:3-5 NKJV) "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. {4} "Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? {5} "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." (Acts 17:30 NKJV) "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, [NEXT SLIDE]

Its Power Can Be Resisted The Power of God’s Word Its Power Can Be Resisted We Reject God’s Word: By Refusing to believe – John 5:46,47; 8:24 By refusing to repent – Rom. 2:4; Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30 By refusing to confess – John 12:42,43; Rom. 10:9,10 By refusing to be baptized – Luke 7:29,30; Acts 2:38-41 By refusing confess: (John 12:42-43 NKJV) Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; {43} for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. (Rom 10:9-10 NKJV) that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. {10} For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. By refusing to be baptized: (Luke 7:29-30 NKJV) And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. {30} But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him. Acts 2:38-41… By not continuing in His word:

Its Power Can Be Resisted The Power of God’s Word Its Power Can Be Resisted We Reject God’s Word: By Refusing to believe – John 5:46,47; 8:24 By refusing to repent – Rom. 2:4; Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30 By refusing to confess – John 12:42,43; Rom. 10:9,10 By refusing to be baptized – Luke 7:29,30; Acts 2:38-41 By not continuing in His Word – John 15:6- 10; 2 John 1:9 By not continuing in His word: (John 15:6-10 NKJV) "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. {7} "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. {8} "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. {9} "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. {10} "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. (2 John 1:9 NKJV) Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. Give up your resistance and rebellion; submit to the power of the Word of God…Do His will.

The Power of God’s Word Gives Salvation Provides Growth Brings Eternal Life Brings condemnation John 12:48 (NKJV) 48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.

The Power of God’s Word Charts by Don McClain Prepared October 10, 2010 Preached October 10, 2010 West 65th Street church of Christ P.O. Box 190062 Little Rock AR 72219 501-568-1062 Prepared using PPT 2010 Beta Email – donmcclain@sbcglobal.net More PPT & Audio Sermons: http://w65stchurchofchrist.org/donmaccla/2010SermonPage.html Note – Many of the transition effects used in this presentation are lost using PPT 2007 Viewer To view transitions you can download PPT 2010 viewer: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=cb9bf144-1076-4615-9951-294eeb832823