Genesis 1:1-3 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light, and there was light”
From the beginning of creation, words have been associated with life.
Can we even comprehend that at one point in time that there was nothing? The earth was formless, empty and dark.
God said, “Let there be light,” and He spoke everything into existence. His words created the world, and life as we know it.
God is the Word of Life – Eternal life!
The apostle John wrote in John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John beautifully records the whole story of how Jesus came. Jesus was the Word!
In John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
The “W” in these scriptures is capitalized. The emphasize on the Word of God speaks of life, eternal life because the life Jesus offers us, is eternal!
The Word here is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the exact imprint of God’s nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power.
Hebrews 1:1- “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 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. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.”
In first John 1 we read “ That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.”
1 John 2:25 “And this is what he promised us – even eternal life.”
What John is speaking about is not merely something we are going to receive in heaven one day, but it is something we can experience and enjoy now! This is the fullness of life, living the God- centered life no matter what our trials. Despite our problems, we can wait on God to help us get through. Where every challenge and every obstacle becomes a glorious opportunity to watch and see how God will work for our own good!
Ephesians 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”
God abundantly fulfills His promises to help us in this life. He has given us His word which is the road map to heaven!
The Word of God is a light unto our path. Guiding us all the way…
Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet.”
The Word of God is God breathed.
2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is God breathed is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit… in Ephesians 6:17 we are told to “Be strong in the LORD and put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes…. To Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes with the gospel of peace. In addition to all this take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all of the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.”
The Word of God is living and active Hebrews 6:12-13 “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul & spirit, joints, and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
We are to Preach the Word
2 Timothy 4:2-4 “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction. 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. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
Obeying the Word of God brings eternal life.
James 1:22 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
John 14:23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”
2 Thessalonians 7-10 “ This will happen when the LORD Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our LORD Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the LORD and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among those who have believed.”
1 Kings 2:3 “Observe what the LORD your God requires: walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go.”
The apostle Paul encourages us in Philippians 2:14-16 “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life – in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.”
Paul goes on to tell us in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 “But mark this : There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.”
Paul shares in Romans 12:2 “Do not conform 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.”
How blessed we are here in the United States to be able to open God’s Word without persecution!
How blessed we are as a congregation to be a teaching church, where teaching God’s Word is a priority.
Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world;
They resound with God’s own heart,
O let the ancient words impart;
Words of life,
Words of hope,
Give us strength,
Help us cope;
In this world where’er we roam,
Ancient words will guide us home.
Ancient words,
Ever true,
Changing me,
And changing you;
We have come with open hearts,
O let the ancient words impart.
We have come with open hearts,
O let the ancient words impart.
Holy words
Of our faith,
Handed down
to this age,
Came to us
through sacrifice,
O heed the faithful words of Christ;
Holy words,
Long preserved,
For our walk
in this world,
They resound
With God’s own heart,
O let the ancient words impart.
Ancient words,
Ever true,
Changing me,
And changing you;
We have come with open hearts,
O let the ancient words impart.
We have come with open hearts,
O let the ancient words impart.
WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE
“The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” John 6:63
Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of life;
Let me more of their beauty see;
Wonderful words of life.
Christ the blessed One,
Gives to all,
Wonderful words of life.
Sinner list to the loving call,
Wonderful words of life.
Jesus only Savior,
Santify for ever,
Beautiful words,
Wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life,
Beautiful words,
Wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life.
Sweetly echo the gospel call,
Wonderful, wonderful words
Offer pardon and peace to all,
Wonderful words of life.
Jesus only Savior,
Sanctify forever,
Beautiful words,
Wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life,
Beautiful words,
Wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life.
The world needs to hear about the words of Life and know that this life is temporary. The world needs to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.
A quote from Casandra Martin…
“Study His Word. Dig deeply into the treasures God wants to give you through His word.
Meditate on His Word – Let His word soak down into the thirsty crevices of your heart.
Sing His Word- Allow a melody to shape your steps and define your rhythm.
Read His Word – reading His Word is like turning on the light. It illuminates everything!
Speak His word – talk to someone else about how God’s Word is speaking to you.
Listen to His Word – let His words echo in your mind as you learn to listen to His Word.
Memorize His Word – when you memorize scripture, it becomes a part of you in a way that is special & unique.
Carry His Word – put the Bible on your phone and check your “messages” from God.
Live His Word – the best way to cement the Word in your life is to live the Word and let it be your life.
Put on the Word of God. I want it to saturate the core of who I am. I want it to shape my spirit, transform my soul, define my vision, and mark my steps. Sometimes because the Word of God is so readily available, I get complacent about putting it on. God wants me to know Him. He invites me into His presence. The Bible is more than an amazing book. It reveals an amazing God. Time to put it on and experience the amazing things He has in store for me!”
