Introduction I welcome you all to our thanksgiving and worship service today. I am also thankful to God that we made it through the past year. I wish you all a happy new year and a new decade. For most of us by the end of this decade we would have progressed very well in age and other areas of human endeavor. Whether you are young or old God has a word for us today that will strengthen us in the journey ahead. The message is this: In this year and decade as well as through life we will need more than food and water to navigate through the choppy waters of this life. We need “The Word of the Lord” words that proceeds from the mouth of God rather than men’s words,opinions or ideas. Jesus emphasizes the preeminence of God’s Word during his encounter with the devil. Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”Matthew 4:4 NIV
God speaks The Word of the Lord is God’s revelation of His will. The Word of God is preeminent and treasured both in heaven and on earth. God has spoken throughout history, in the past, many times and on several occasions to all kinds of people. God has spoken to the patriarchs, to the prophets of old and to His servants in modern times. -God has spoken to us in His word the scriptures -God has spoken to us fully and finally through His Son Jesus Christ- Christ’s Words. -God speaks to us today through His servants who preach the gospel. -Any claim of hearing or speaking for God today must align with the truth of scriptures and must be spoken in Christ.
Why we need God’s Word 1.The Word of God is living and Sharp The writer of Hebrews says “For the word of God is alive 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.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV The Word of God has life, strength, discernment, and action. It is living and effective because its author is a living God who is actively involved in the affairs of the world. The Word of God is a sword that cuts on both sides and exposes the motives behind our actions.
2Timothy 3:15-17 “and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Remark -Knowledge of the word of the Lord gives us wisdom to receive salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus -The Word of God is useful for teaching us to do what is right, rebuking and correcting us when we do what is wrong, and training us to follow the path of righteous living. -God uses His word to prepare and equip His servants to do good works.
Remark: In the Bible we have God’s ultimate revelation, and if we will listen and walk in obedience to His word, we will have the strength to stand against all opposition.
Jesus emphasizes the importance of hearing and walking in his Word. “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.” Matthew 7:24-27 Remark: This year God is raising wise men and women who will build the houses of their lives on Jesus the Rock. The rains will fall, the flood will come, and the winds will surely beat against that house but it will not collapse because it has been founded on Christ the solid rock and not on quick sand. We may face ups and downs of life but we will overcome because our lives are embedded in Christ the solid rock.
Application Hebrews 10:22-25 1.Let us hold firmly on the hope in the promises of God because God who has promised is faithful to fulfill them. 2.Let us use these promises to spur one another to love and good works. 3.Let us commit to regularly come together for worship and to encourage one another more so as the time of Christ return and judgment is drawing near.
