1. The Living and Powerful Word of God Text: Hebrews 4:12 4/18/2015

2. The Living and Powerful Word of God The Hebrew Epistle Stresses the Importance of the Word from the Beginning to the End. (Hebrews 1:1-3) The Hebrews Are Warned Against Neglecting the Word. (Hebrews 2:1-4) Toward the End of the Book the Writer Admonished the Listeners Not to Refuse God’s Word. (Hebrews 12:25) The Purpose of the Book of Hebrews Was to Encourage Christians to “Give the More Earnest Heed to the Things which They Had Heard.” Lest They Fall Away. (Hebrews 2:1; 3:12) These Brethren Had: – Tasted the Word (Hebrews 6:6) – Received a Knowledge of the Truth (Hebrews 10:26) – Were Drifting Away from It (Hebrews 2:1) In the Midst of this Discussion the Hebrew Writer Gives Us a Vivid Description of the Word of God. (Hebrews 4:12;) 4/18/2015

3. Hebrews 4:12—For w the word of God is living and x active, y sharper than any z two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and a discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. w x y z a Hebrews 4:12—For w the word of God is living and x active, y sharper than any z two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and a discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. w x y z a 4/18/2015

4. The Word Is Living What Does This Mean? – The warnings, promises and teachings in God’s Word are ever new or applicable. Key Text: Hebrews 3:7-11 – Key Term: TODAY – The point was relevant in Moses’ day. – The point was relevant in David’s day. – The point was relevant in the 1 st century. – The point is relevant today. – 1 Peter 1:23 What Does This Mean? – The warnings, promises and teachings in God’s Word are ever new or applicable. Key Text: Hebrews 3:7-11 – Key Term: TODAY – The point was relevant in Moses’ day. – The point was relevant in David’s day. – The point was relevant in the 1 st century. – The point is relevant today. – 1 Peter 1:23 4/18/2015

5. The Word Is Active (Powerful) God’s Word Has the Power to Create (Hebrews 11:3; Genesis 1:1-26) God’s Word Has the Power to Sustain (Hebrews 1:3; Col. 1:16-17) God’s Word Has the Power to Prove (Hebrews 2:3-4; Psalm 95:7-11; Hebrews 3:7-11; Hebrews 1:1-2; Hebrews 2:1-2; Hebrews 5:12) God’s Word Has the Power to Save (Hebrews 2:4; Hebrews 10:26; Hebrews 12:25) God’s Word Has the Power to Create (Hebrews 11:3; Genesis 1:1-26) God’s Word Has the Power to Sustain (Hebrews 1:3; Col. 1:16-17) God’s Word Has the Power to Prove (Hebrews 2:3-4; Psalm 95:7-11; Hebrews 3:7-11; Hebrews 1:1-2; Hebrews 2:1-2; Hebrews 5:12) God’s Word Has the Power to Save (Hebrews 2:4; Hebrews 10:26; Hebrews 12:25) 4/18/2015

6. The Word Is Piercing The Word is described as sharper than any two edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit. – The word is frequently compared to a sword. (Eph. 6:17) – It is able to cut deeply, totally, and completely into man, into the innermost recesses of his being. (Romans 7:7; Eph. 5:11) The Word is described as sharper than any two edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit. – The word is frequently compared to a sword. (Eph. 6:17) – It is able to cut deeply, totally, and completely into man, into the innermost recesses of his being. (Romans 7:7; Eph. 5:11) 4/18/2015

7. The Word Is Discerning It is able to sift out or analyze evidence. It is able to pass judgment on our motives. (Hebrews 4:13; 1 Cor. 4:5) It is able to enable us to discern good from evil. (Hebrews 5:14) The point of Hebrews 4: So children of God might not act in the same fashion as ancient Israel and fall short of God’s rest. It is able to sift out or analyze evidence. It is able to pass judgment on our motives. (Hebrews 4:13; 1 Cor. 4:5) It is able to enable us to discern good from evil. (Hebrews 5:14) The point of Hebrews 4: So children of God might not act in the same fashion as ancient Israel and fall short of God’s rest. 4/18/2015

8. Application: The Hebrew writer uses the terms “let us” (Ref. 4:16) when He is about to make application. When we come together: – Do we dissect the truth? – Do we dissect self by the truth? – Note: The most visible enemies of Christ in the first century could dissect God’s law, but they failed to dissect themselves by the law! Key Texts: Romans 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:9-11 The Hebrew writer uses the terms “let us” (Ref. 4:16) when He is about to make application. When we come together: – Do we dissect the truth? – Do we dissect self by the truth? – Note: The most visible enemies of Christ in the first century could dissect God’s law, but they failed to dissect themselves by the law! Key Texts: Romans 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:9-11 4/18/2015

9. Application: A little boy once asked his dad what a Christian was. The father replied that a Christian was a person who loved and obeyed God. He loved his friends and neighbors and expressed his appreciation for other Christians. He even loves his enemies and prayed for them…The father explained that a Christian is kind and considerate, gentle and courteous in his speech and in his selfless attitude. He lives a life that is pure and holy and is a Christian through and through. This little boy thought for a moment and then asked, “Daddy, have I ever seen one?” 4/18/2015