The Word of God

04/28/21 • 40 min

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Hebrews 4:12 Adrian Rogers says, “The Bible is not like any other book: it breathes, sings, and weeps; it is alive in the power that it possesses.” Whether penned by the Apostles, spoken by the mouth of Jesus, or recorded on scrolls by the Old Testament prophets, God calls these inspired utterances the Word of God. The Word of God is absolute perfection; though the Scriptures were written by men, the words were inspired by God, declared completely infallible. 2 Peter 1:21 says, “...for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” The Bible also speaks of God’s wonderful character. Jesus is called the Word of God in John 1:1-3; this comparison links together the character of Jesus and the character of the Bible. Both Jesus Christ in His humanity and the Bible have come from God. They both live for eternity, absolutely unchanging lights for dark places. They bear elements of humanity and are given authority by God. Hebrews 4:12 says, “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 Word of God is quick, pulsating with life, because it presents a living person: Jesus. The Bible is like a sword, dividing our innermost beings, between soul and spirit. The Bible discerns and criticizes; it searches us so that it may sanctify the saints. It works with sinners to convict and convert us; and if we do not adhere to its power, it can condemn us. Adrian Rogers says, “The Gospel is a saver of life unto life or death unto death. If the Bible does not cut you to heal you, the Bible will cut you to kill you.” The Bible works against Satan himself. When we face spiritual warfare, our only strategy should be pointing the enemy to Scripture. When we go to battle, we must not forget our sword: the Word of God. Apply it to your life When you read the Bible, does it divide, discern, search and sanctify you? Let the Bible work on your life, revealing what you need to cut out or let go of in order to become more like Jesus.

Previous Episode

Treasuring Truth

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Proverbs 23:23 In this day, it is not values that we desperately need, but virtue. We must be able to differentiate truth and fact: we acquire facts but learn truth. Facts deal with knowledge, and knowledge can double, but truth never changes and is settled for eternity. We must make a habit of treasuring truth. Proverbs 23:23 says, “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.” We must prize the truth, for it is indispensable, absolute, and attainable through the Word of God. It is not enough just to know it; knowledge without transformation avails nothing. We must see the transforming power behind it, through the Holy Spirit. We must also purchase the truth. Adrian Rogers says, “Salvation is free, but truth is costly; you pay a price to have truth.” John 8:31-32 says, “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Believing in Jesus is the first step in attaining truth; we must also abide in His Word through discipleship. Discipleship is costly—it costs time, discipline, and obedience; but ignorance is far more costly. We must study the Bible for enlightenment. If we grow in knowledge but not in grace, we will be dangerous to ourselves and others. Adrian Rogers says, “Truth is to your spirit what good is to your body, what light is to your eyes, what melody is to your ears.” We also study Scripture for our enjoyment; reading the Bible should not be perceived as a punishment but as a privilege. We read for our personal enrichment, to sharpen our minds and strengthen our wills. We read Scripture for our enablement, to grow in our faith and fellowship with others. Finally, we must preserve the truth, guarding it against those who will deny, distort, dilute and defile the Bible. We do this by proclaiming the Gospel truth: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Apply it to your life Do you treasure truth—prize, purchase, preserve, and proclaim it? Do you read Scripture for your enlightenment, enjoyment, enrichment, and enablement?

Next Episode

The Five Pillars of Salvation

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Romans 8:28-30 The five pillars of salvation are identified in Romans 8. These are five pillars upon which the temple of truth rests. If you take away any one of these, the Gospel comes tumbling down. The first pillar of salvation is the supreme wisdom of God: “For whom He foreknew…” (Romans 8:29). God’s wisdom is unlike any other man’s knowledge or understanding. It is not based upon guess or whim; He sees the beginning, the end, and everything in between. The second pillar of salvation is the sovereign will of God: “He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29). When God predestines something, nothing can stop it—it will come to pass. God wants to redeem the whole human race, as 2 Peter 3:9 says, He is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” But because He lovingly gave us free will, we have a choice in the matter and we will give an account for the choice we make. Adrian Rogers says, “There is no contradiction between the sovereign grace of God and the free will of man.” The third pillar rests upon the seeking word of God: “Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called…” (Romans 8:30). “Called” means to issue a summons; God sends His Word to those who would hear it, His Gospel to those who would receive it. The fourth pillar is the saving work of God: “...whom He called, these He also justified…” (Romans 8:30). Justification is more than a pardoning or acquitting of our sins, it is being made righteous in God’s sight. We receive this justification through grace and grace through our faith. The fifth and final pillar is the settled ways of God: “...and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Romans 8:30). Because God deals in eternity, He sees the future as well as the present. And because we have been predestined for glory in Christ, we are already glorified. Apply it to your life We cannot lose our salvation, because it is not dependent upon us. It is held up by the five pillars of God’s wisdom, will, Word and work. Though we may slip back into sin, our destiny is settled by His grace. Rejoice in this truth today, and share it with someone.