OceanSide church of Christ

 Previous Return to List of Series Next  Click to download Audio

THE WORD OF GOD (5)

God’s Word Is Powerful

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   The Bible looks just like any other book.

 

B.   Christians, however understand that the Bible is more than just “a book.”

1.     It is the only book on earth that comes from God.  It is inspired of God.  It comes from His breath.

2.    This book has a very unique message:  “The Salvation of Man through Jesus Christ.”

 

C.   The Bible is also unique in that it is powerful.

1.     Those in the world do not acknowledge the power of God’s Word.

2.    Sadly, Christians have been guilty of doubting the powerful nature of the Word of God.

 

D.   Let’s look at several things that affirm the power of the Word of God.

 

I.          PASSAGES AFFIRMING THE WORD’S POWER

 

A.   Romans 1:16

 

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:  for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

 

B.   Hebrews 4:12

 

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

 

II.        PICTURES AFFIRMING THE WORD’S POWER

 

A.   Fire (Jer. 5:14)

 

Wherefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

 

B.   A hammer (Jer. 23:29)

 

Is not my word like a fire?  Saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

 

 

 

C.   A sword (Eph. 6:17)

 

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

 

D.   Seed (Luke 8:11)

 

Now the parable is this:  The seed is the word of God.

 

E.   Food (Heb. 5:13-14)

 

For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness:  for he is a babe.  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

 

III.      PLACES AFFIRM THE WORD’S POWER

 

A.   Creation

1.     God spoke and things were created (Gen. 1:3).

 

And God said, Let there be light:  and there was light.

 

2.    Psalm 33:6, 9

 

By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth….For he spake, and it was done; he commanded and it stood fast.

 

B.   Mount Sinai (Exo. 20:18-19)

 

And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking:  and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.  And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear:  but let not God speak with us, lest we die.

 

C.   The grave of Lazarus (John 11:43-44)

 

And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.  And he that was dead came forth, bound head and foot with grave clothes; and his face was bound with a napkin.  Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

 

D.   The Garden of Gethsemane (John 18:4-6)

 

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?  They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth.  Jesus saith unto them, I am he.  And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.  As soon as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

 

 

 

IV.       PSALM 119 AFFIRMS THE WORD’S POWER

 

A.   The Word of God assists the young man in cleansing his way (Ps. 119:9).

 

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?  By taking heed thereto according to thy word.

 

B.   The Word of God protects from sin (Ps. 119:11).

 

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

 

C.   The Word of God gives hope (Ps. 119:49).

 

Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

 

D.   The Word of God gives life (Ps. 119:93).

 

I will never forget thy precepts:  for with them thou hast quickened me.

 

E.   The Word of God keeps us from evil and false ways (Ps. 119:101, 104).

 

Through thy precepts I get understanding:  therefore I hate every false way.

 

F.    Other things affirmed by the psalmist about the power of God’s Word.

1.     It gives strength (Ps. 119:28).

2.    It comforts (Ps. 119:50).

3.     It brings joy (Ps. 119:111).

4.    It gives light and understanding (Ps. 119:130).

5.    It gives peace (Ps. 119:165).

6.    It gives deliverance (Ps. 119:170).

 

V.        POWERS AFFIRM THE WORD’S POWER

 

A.   God’s Word allows one to flourish (Ps. 1:2-3)

 

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also doth not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

 

B.   God’s Word makes one free (John 8:32).

 

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

 

C.   God’s Word makes one clean (John 15:3).

 

Now ye are clean though the word which I have spoken unto you.

 

 

D.   God’s Word sanctifies (John 17:17).

 

Sanctify them through thy truth:  thy word is truth.

 

E.   The Word of God builds us up and gives us an inheritance among the saints (Acts 20:32).

 

And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

 

F.    God’s Word produces faith (Rom. 10:17).

 

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

G.   God’s Word gives hope (Rom. 15:4).

 

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

 

H.   God’s Word allows a man to be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (II Tim. 3:16-17).

 

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

 

I.     God’s Word has the power to save man (James 1:21).

 

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

 

VI.       PEOPLE AFFIRM THE WORD’S POWER

 

A.   Three thousand murderous Jews on Pentecost Day heard Peter’s Words (Acts 2:22), were pricked in their hearts (Acts 2:37), and repented of their sins (Acts 2:37), and were baptized into Christ (Acts 2:41).

 

B.   The Samaritans, a mixed breed of people despised by the Jews, who erred in their doctrines (John 4:22), heard the words of Philip the evangelist (Acts 8:5-6), and believed and were baptized (Acts 8:12).

 

C.   Saul of Tarsus was convicted of his sins, believed the words of Ananias, and was baptized into Christ (Acts 9:18).

 

D.   The wicked Corinthians, whose name was synonymous with immorality, heard the gospel preached by Paul, and many of them upon hearing believed, and were baptized (I Cor. 18:8).

 

E.   The Thessalonians “received the word in much affliction” (I Thess. 1:6), and “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (I Thess. 1:9).

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   God’s Word is powerful.

1.     It has converting power (Ps. 19:7).

2.    It has sanctifying power (John 17:17).

3.     It has transforming power (Rom. 12:2).

4.    It has perfecting power (II Tim. 3:16-17).

 

B.   All man must do is receive it.  Paul gave thanks for the Thessalonians who had done this (I Thess. 2:13).

 

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.