The Word of God

• Hebrews 4:12-13
• 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.13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
• We Find our Rest in God through His Word
• Israel was promised rest in Canaan but not a problem-free life
• They were surrounded by their enemies, but they could dwell at rest in relationship with God
• The rest Joshua provided was only a shadow of the true rest which would be found in Christ
• We Find our Rest in God through His Word
• Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
• We Find our Rest in God through His Word
• We, like Israel, have had the good news preached to us … God is offering us His rest.
• To experience this rest and reach the heavenly rest, we must trust in God’s word to lead us.
• God’s word is powerful and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.
• The Bible: The Word of God
• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
• The Bible: The Word of God
• Psalms 33:6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.
• The Bible: A Sword with Two Edges
• Like a Roman sword, God’s word cuts both ways – He uses His word to wound us in order to heal us
• God gave His word to Israel, but sometimes it did not do them any good – not mixed with faith
• Hebrews gives a warning to us, that we would not fail to benefit from the good news given us
• The Bible: A Sword with Two Edges
• Hebrews 4:12-13 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.13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
• God’s Word is Alive and Active
• It is not just words on a page – these are the words of God - they come with His authority
• God’s word is backed by His power – what the Bible does, God is actively doing
• When the Bible is open, God is speaking – when it is closed, He stops speaking
• God’s Word is Alive and Active
• 1 Peter 1:22-23 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
• God’s Word is Sharp and Piercing
• Sharper than any two-edged sword
– “Tomoteros” – to cut (used in surgery)
– Piercing – to go through; it penetrates both the soul and the spirit
• The word of God cuts through to the bone
• God’s Word is Sharp and Piercing
• “The form of the expression is poetical, and signifies that the word penetrates to the inmost recesses of our spiritual being as a sword cuts through the joints and marrow of the body. The separation is not of one part from the other, but operates in each department of the spiritual nature” … Marvin Vincent, Word Studies
• It is Able to Judge the Thoughts and Intentions of the Heart
• It monitors our thoughts – what we ponder and think about other people, pleasant or unpleasant
• It sifts and analyzes our intentions – to separate base, fleshly motives from noble, spiritual ones
• It is Able to Judge the Thoughts and Intentions of the Heart
• We each have a defense system to prevent us from seeing ourselves as we really are
• “The Word of God has an incisive and penetrating quality. It lays bare self-delusions and moral sophistries.” - Vincent
• The Word of God Lays us Bare
• 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
• We are on God’s surgical table laid bare before the eyes of God and Christ – every aspiration, mental and emotional component is dissected
• The Word of God Lays us Bare
• Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet."
• Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.
• There is no Need to Hide from God
• Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
• His Word Also Heals Us
• Deuteronomy 32:39 'Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.
• Psalms 107:20 He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.
• Psalms 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds
• Psalm 119:105
• Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.