The Word of God
The Word of God
The Word of God
by Pastor Dan Kennedy
© 2011
The Way that seems right
Where do we get information on how to live life?
•Our Parents
•Our Schools
•Our Mentors…the “heroes” in society (lady gaga has the highest number of twitter followers! Do we follow her?)
•Newscasters in the Media
Could information we base our life on have flaws? Could some of it be dead wrong?
Proverbs 14:12
“There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.”
Life’s complexities
•The uniqueness of who each of us are.
•The confusing diversity of people, cultures, and traditions all over the world.
•The controversies within religions.
•The controversies within the highest and most extolled forms of education.
•The problems of suffering, hunger and death.
•The complications of personal life.
•The pain of different personalities, personal mistakes and inadequate problem solving.
•The complexity of making the right decisions in finding the right way in life.
Is there a place to find the true information about life…that will not deceive me in the end?
Our Doctrinal Statement:
Our first point…
•“We believe the Bible (God’s Holy Word) to be the Inspired, Infallible, Authoritative Word of God.”
Whatever we are as a church, and whatever we will be or will not be, is established on this primary, fundamental point.
Two Roads:
- The wide Road
- The Narrow Road
Matthew 7:13–14
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
God’s Word guides us to the narrow road
…And gives us continuing wisdom to keep honorably following God’s Path to Life
God's Word is Eternal
Since God’s Word is Eternal, we will have Eternal Benefits from following its Truth!
Psalm 119:89
Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."
Mark 13:31
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Saving Faith is based on hearing and accepting God's Word
Romans 10:13-17
13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
God's Word transforms our minds
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will.
God's Word gives us hope
Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
God's Word gives us much more insight and understanding than Worldly wisdom gained from the world’s wide Road…
Psalm 119:97-100
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.
Joshua 1:8
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Psalm 19:7-11
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Wisdom on the Narrow Road comes from The Word of God.
“God Has Spoken to Us through His Word”
We are to diligently teach our children the Word of God
- God’s wisdom on the Narrow road
Deuteronomy 6:6-9
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.
Psalm 78:5-7
He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.
Remember, there are Two Roads in life:
- The Wide Road
- The Narrow Road
God’s Word gives us wisdom to follow that, which will benefit us, our family (and our Church) for eternity!
It is Irreplaceable!
Is God’s Word simply something we might listen to on Sunday morning and forget about the rest of the week?
Anytime, the Bible is the most excellent source for:
•The Healthy Values
•The Moral Guidelines
•Godly Principles of Life
•Foundational Truths on which we base our actions
•The Guide to our Savior and Eternal Life!
God's Word will judge us in the end
John 12:48
There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.
Stable principles from God’s Word, in the Bible, are all found as our Source of Wisdom for the Narrow Road that leads to Life.
They are not part of the foundational structures of “relativism” on the “wide road”…that leads to destruction.
For whom does God reserve His blessing?
Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates
day and night.
The Power of God’s Word
Psalm 12:6
And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.
Psalm 18:30
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
How can an individual live pleasing to God?
When most everyone else is walking on the wide road…
Psalm 119:9
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Heeding and Obeying God's Word brings security into our life
Matthew 7:24-25
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
Luke 6:48
He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.
Those on the wide road, hate the foundational Values of those on the narrow road…so, in actuality, the world hates God’s Word.
John 17:14 (from Jesus' prayer)
I have given them (those born into God’s Family) your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
God's Word brings eternal life!
[Crossing over from the “wide road” – death, to the narrow road – life!]
John 5:24
"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
John 6:63
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
Reviewing Life’s complexities
•The uniqueness of who each of us are.
•The confusing diversity of people, cultures, and traditions all over the world.
•The controversies within religions.
•The controversies within the highest and most extolled forms of education.
•The problems of suffering, hunger and death.
•The complications of personal life.
•The pain of different personalities, personal mistakes and inadequate problem solving.
•The complexity of making the right decisions in finding the right way in life.
How can we honorably deal with life’s complexities?
How do these things relate to “the Word of God”
in our life?
2 Peter 1:4
Through these He [God] has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Mankind’s most critical broken relationship was with God Himself.
Through His Word, God’s revealed His Plan so sinful mankind could once again have a meaningful relationship with their Creator:
“But these are written that you may believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
and that by believing you may have life
Through His Name.”
John 20:31
…“To all who received Him,
to those who believed in His name,
He gave the right to become children of God!”
John 1:12
1 Peter 1:23-25
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.
James 1:21-24 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
Have you crossed over from life’s wide road to
The Narrow Road?
Then you have the privilege of having God’s Word to guide you and to give you God’s
Wisdom; and, the Presence of the Holy Spirit to direct you and give you Peace on the Narrow Road of Life!
The Word of God!
What place will God’s Word have in your life this week…next week and on…
Appendix:
A Scripture Booklet
on
The Word of God
The Word of God gives us clear directions on how we can live to the fullest in protection and blessing
The 10 Commandments establish the basis of God's Laws…for the human race
Exodus 20:1-17
1 And God spoke all these words: 2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 "You shall have no other gods before me.
4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
13 "You shall not murder.
14 "You shall not commit adultery.
15 "You shall not steal.
16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
We are to diligently teach our children the Word of God
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 11:18-21
18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 20 Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates, 21 so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.
Proverbs 6:20-23
20 My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. 21 Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. 22 When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. 23 For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life,
Psalm 78:5-7
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, 6 so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. 7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.
A Hebrew king was to copy out the law of God himself
- for his own kingdom
Deuteronomy 17:18, 19
When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees
The Laws of God were to be clearly displayed when the Israelites entered the Promised Land
Deuteronomy 27:2, 3
When you have crossed the Jordan into the land the LORD your God is giving you, set up some large stones and coat them with plaster. Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.
Deuteronomy 27:8
And you shall write very clearly all the words of this law on these stones you have set up."
Deuteronomy 27:12-26
12 When you have crossed the Jordan, these tribes shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph and Benjamin. 13 And these tribes shall stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali.
14 The Levites shall recite to all the people of Israel in a loud voice:
15 "Cursed is the man who carves an image or casts an idol -- a thing detestable to the LORD, the work of the craftsman's hands -- and sets it up in secret."
Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
16 "Cursed is the man who dishonors his father or his mother."
Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
17 "Cursed is the man who moves his neighbor's boundary stone." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
18 "Cursed is the man who leads the blind astray on the road."
Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
19 "Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless or the widow."
Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
20 "Cursed is the man who sleeps with his father's wife, for he dishonors his father's bed."
Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
21 "Cursed is the man who has sexual relations with any animal." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
22 "Cursed is the man who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother."
Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
23 "Cursed is the man who sleeps with his mother-in-law."
Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
24 "Cursed is the man who kills his neighbor secretly."
Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
25 "Cursed is the man who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
26 "Cursed is the man who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out."
Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
Meditation and obedience to God's Laws bring success and blessing
Joshua 1:8
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
God's way is perfect and flawless
2 Samuel 22:31
"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
Proverbs 30:5
"Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
God remembers His promises
1 Chronicles 16:15
He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations,
Godly kings had the
Word of God taught to their people and God blessed them for it
2 Chronicles 17:7-10
7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah. ... 9 They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people.
10 The fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not make war with Jehoshaphat.
Nehemiah 8:1-8
1 all the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel.
2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah,
Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.
5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. 6 Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
7 The Levites -- Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah -- instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.
Job highly treasured God's Word
Job 23:12
I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.
God's Word is Flawless – Perfect!
Psalm 12:6
And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.
Psalm 18:30
As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
Psalm 19:7-11
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. 11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Psalm 33:4
For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
God created all things by His Word
Psalm 33:6
By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
Hebrews 11:3
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
God's Word keeps us stable and unafraid
Psalm 37:31
The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip.
Psalm 56:4
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
God teaches us and disciplines us for our own protection and maturity
Psalm 94:12
Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law;
Psalm 119:67
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.
The Word of God is for generations past and generations to come.
It is enduring and changeless.
Psalm 102:18
Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD:
Psalm 119:9
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
John 15:3
You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
The Word of God gives us strength in sorrow and affliction
Psalm 119:28
My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
Psalm 119:92
If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
Psalm 119:93
I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.
God's Word is the theme of our song
Psalm 119:54
Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge.
God's Word will not be silenced by persecution
Psalm 119:61
Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law.
Knowledge and good judgment come from God's Word
Psalm 119:66
Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands.
God's Word keeps us sensitive toward others
Psalm 119:70
Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in your law.
God's Word is more valuable than any of the world’s wealth
Psalm 119:72
The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
Hope comes from God's Word, even though help may not come
when we think it should
Psalm 119:81
My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.
God's Word is Eternal
Psalm 119:89
Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."
Mark 13:31
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Luke 16:17
It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.
God's Word gives us much more insight and understanding than those who gain their wisdom from the world
Psalm 119:96-100
96 To all perfection I see a limit; but your commands are boundless.
97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. 98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. 100 I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.
God's Word will guide our way
Psalm 119:103-105 103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
God's Word gives us inner joy
Psalm 119:111
Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
God's Word is a place to go when we desperately need help
Psalm 119:147
I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.
God has exalted His Name and His Word above all things
Psalm 138:2
I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
God's Word always accomplishes It's purposes - it is never useless!
Isaiah 55:11
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Jeremiah 23:29
"Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?
In the last days people will try to find God's Word to them,
but will not find it
Amos 8:11-13 11 "The days are coming," declares the Sovereign LORD, "when I will send a famine through the land -- not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. 12 Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it. 13 "In that day" the lovely young women and strong young men will faint because of thirst.
People can harden their hearts to God's Word
Zechariah 7:12
They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the LORD Almighty was very angry.
Whether we realize it or not, we do not live by our daily food,
but by God's Word
Matthew 4:4
Jesus answered, "It is written: `Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Jesus came to fulfill God's Word
Matthew 5:17
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Heeding and Obeying God's Word brings security into our life
Matthew 7:24-25
24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
Luke 6:48
He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.
The Parable of the Sower - Various ways the Word is received
Matthew 13:3-8
3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop -- a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
The Explanation of the Parable of the Sower
Matthew 13:18-23
18 "Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."
Tradition can nullify God's Word
Mark 7:9
And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!
Mark 7:13
Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."
We can make mistakes by not knowing God's Word
Mark 12:24
Jesus replied, "Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?
Hearing the Word of God and obeying it, is necessary
Luke 11:28
He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
Miraculous events will not truly convince someone
who does not believe God's Word anyway
Luke 16:31
"He said to him, `If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"
After Jesus' resurrection, He explained the Scripture,
which had prophesied His coming
Luke 24:25
He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!”
Luke 24:27
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Luke 24:32
They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
Luke 24:45
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
John 2:22
After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
John 5:46
If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.
God's Word brings eternal life!
John 5:24
"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
John 6:63
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
We are Jesus' disciples if we follow His teachings
John 8:31
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
God's Word sets us free from spiritual bondage and falsehood
John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Romans 6:17
But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted.
Those who cannot accept God's Word,
try to do away with it's messenger
John 8:37
I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word.
God's Word will judge us in the end
John 12:48
There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.
Jesus' Words were from God the Father
John 17:8
For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.
True Believers accept God's Word and are just as despised
by non-believers as was Jesus
John 17:14 (from Jesus' prayer)
I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.
We are sanctified by God's Word
John 17:17
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
God's Word is passed along by us
John 17:20
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
The Prophecies of God’s Word are Always Fulfilled
John 19:24
"Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." So this is what the soldiers did.
Acts 1:16
and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus --
Romans 1:2
the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures
Romans 16:26
but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him --
The Scripture was given for our salvation through Christ
John 20:31
But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
God's Word stands up to intense scrutiny
Acts 17:2
As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
Acts 17:11
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
Acts 18:24
Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.
Acts 18:28
For he (Apollos) vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
Acts 28:23
They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.
God's Word builds us up and gives us an inheritance
Acts 20:32
"Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Saving Faith is based on acceptance of God's Word
Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
God's Word transforms our minds
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will.
God's Word gives us hope
Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
God's Word is foolish to the unbelieving world
- but it is the power of God for those who believe
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 2:12
We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
1 Corinthians 2:13
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
The history God recorded in His Word was to be an example for us
- of both bad and good
1 Corinthians 10:11
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.
We should hold on to those things we have learned from the Scripture and should teach others the same
1 Corinthians 11:2
I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you.
1 Corinthians 15:3
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
We should minister to others in the Spirit of the Word of God, not legalism which forces obedience, not allowing life-giving freedom of the Spirit
2 Corinthians 3:6
He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant -- not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
We should not distort the meaning of the Word of God by
deception or disobedience
2 Corinthians 4:2
Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
False teaching in the name of God's Word should be condemned
Galatians 1:8
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!
Galatians 1:9
As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
1 Timothy 6:3-5
3 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
God's Word is not fabricated
Galatians 1:11-12
11 I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit confirms God's Word - and His previous mystery - Salvation
Ephesians 1:13
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
Ephesians 3:3-5
3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.
Colossians 1:26–27
26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
1 Peter 1:11, 12
11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
The Word of God purifies the Church
Ephesians 5:26
to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
The Word of God is our offensive Weapon
Ephesians 6:17
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The Gospel - the Word of God in Salvation
- gives us hope of eternal life
Colossians 1:5
the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel
1 John 5:11
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1 John 5:13
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
God's Word shared together encourages the Body of Christ
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
God's Word should be shared in the Holy Spirit’s Power,
deep conviction and living obedience
1 Thessalonians 1:5
because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
Diligently teach the Truth of God’s Word
2 Thessalonians 2:15
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
1 Timothy 4:6
If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.
2 Timothy 1:13
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
2 Timothy 3:15
15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
The World rejects God’s Word
2 Timothy 4:3-4
3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
God spoke His Word in various ways in the past,
but in these last days, God has spoken through His Son
Hebrews 1:1-2
1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
Pay careful attention to God's Word so we do not drift away
or harden our hearts
Hebrews 2:1-3
1 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
Hebrews 3:7-8
7 So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert,
Hebrews 4:2
For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.
The Word of God is piercing, penetrating and judging
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
New Believers crave God's Word
1 Peter 2:2
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
We should go deeper in God's Word
Hebrews 5:12
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!
New Birth is directly associated with the Word of Truth
James 1:18
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
1 Peter 1:23-25
23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.
We should humbly accept and obey God's Word
and reject the moral filth and evil around us.
James 1:21-24 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
One who listens and obeys God's Word will be blessed
James 1:25
But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it -- he will be blessed in what he does.
The unbeliever stumbles over the Word of God through disobedience
1 Peter 2:7-8
7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone," 8 and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message -- which is also what they were destined for.
God gives us precious promises through His Word
2 Peter 1:4
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
God's Word was given to us through holy men in the past who spoke through the Power of the Holy Spirit
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Peter 1:19-21
19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 3:2
I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
Jude 17
But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.
Revelation 1:17-19
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. 19 "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.
Revelation 1:1-3
1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw -- that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
We need to stand up for the truth of the Word of God,
which has been entrusted for us
Jude 3
Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.
Do not add or subtract from God's Word
Revelation 22:18-19
18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. God will add to him the plagues described in this book.
But these are written that you may believe
That Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
And that by believing you may have life
Through His Name.
John 20:31