Description

Episode 73 - The Word Of God

Practical Theology

Hebrews 4:12

Today, we proclaim and celebrate that We Love the Word of God.

The Articles of our Faith, known as The Baptist Faith and Message (2000) describe what we believe about the Word of God:

The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God’s revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.

So many places in the Word we could go this morning to see how the Bible bears witness about itself. Psalm 19; Psalm 119; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Isaiah 55:11….but, I settled in, very early this week of the verse that will guide our thoughts this morning -

Hebrews 4:12 tells us - For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

We love God’s Word because:

1. The Word of God is living – the Greek Word means quick!

• a. In Psalm 119 God’s Word is recognized as our very life

i. 12 times the writer implores God, “Give me life according to your Word.”

ii. Verses 25, 37, 40, 50, 149, 156, 159

iii. Genesis 2:7 – the breath of life; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – God-breathed

2. The Word of God is active – Energēs – Powerful – Capable of Doing – 2 Timothy 3:17 – useful

• a. Isaiah 55:6-11
• b. Trustworthy
• c. It always accomplishes its purpose!

3. The Word of God is sharp – cut with a single stroke – just one verse

• a. Piercing – goes right to the point of need – straight to the heart; or to the very division of soul and spirit – the essence of our humanity. Animals have souls; only humans possess a spirit – a life-giving spirit, breathed into our souls at creation; The Word of God speaks to the very uniqueness of our individual souls.

4. The Word of God is discerning – Kritikós – the only use in the New Testament – one whose business & special gift is to judge – The Word judges the thoughts and intents of our hearts

• a. This living and active Word, penetrates our very lives, our souls, right down to our spirit, judging our motives and speaking to our heart – it convicts us and convinces us of Truth.
• b. Our hearts – deceitfully wicked left to our own devices,

i. The word is kardia – our thoughts, reasonings, understanding, will, judgments, designs, affections – (It’s really crowded in there!) – love, hatred, fear, joy, sorrow and anger. God knows. And, His living and active Word knows right where we are, every time we open it and engage with it.

ii. Spiros says, ‘these things can affect a man’s physical heart. Therefore ‘heart’ is used as a metonym for the mind in general.

5. Practical Theology – Loving and Living for God

• a. We love the Word of God – If that is true, then we must be reading it; memorizing it (Hiding it, Psalm 119:11); studying it – but more importantly, letting it study us!

What is being discerned in your heart, right now?

What is God’s purpose for His Word in your heart today?

Other podcasts from Woodpile Ministries:

Rings To Tags - w/ Isaac & Amanda Wood - Marriage. Family. Home. God's Way.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rings-to-tags/id1634856692