The Excellency of God’s Word, Part 1, September 3, 2017
Central Thought: God’s word is forever settled and will prosper.
Hymn: Thy Word is a Lamp to my Feet, O’ Lord.
Text: Psalm 119; Isaiah 55:8-11
Introduction:
Men who recognized the efficacy of the word of God by allowing His will to be done in their lives have always beaten all odds and excelled. Joseph went from slavery to be an important leader in Egypt because he preferred the way of God, obeyed Him and was testified of by Pharaoh to be “a man in whom the Spirit of God is”, Genesis 41:38. Daniel ruled in Babylon and prospered because he believed and trusted in the word of God continually: “and excellent spirit was found in him”, Daniel 6:3. Hananiah, Meshael and Azariah in obedience to the word of God, refused to worship any other gods besides the God of Israel and rose from the fiery furnace to governorship positions. Moses forsook Pharaoh’s palace and against all odds obeyed God’s word to deliver Israel from Egypt. Each of these personalities portrays the supremacy of God’s word. Obeying God’s word always produces a result that far exceeds the highest that can be achieved through any other way, thought or decision. No wonder God says in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Lesson Objectives:
- To know what God’s word is.
- To comprehend why the written word of God should be appreciated.
- To understand the relevance of God’s word.
Question 1.) What is god’s word?
The Bible is god’s written word and promise to men. It has been given to guide, instruct and comfort man in life’s journey. From the various symbols with which the bible has been illustrated we see the need to study, know and do the word of God. Like a two-edged sword, Hebrews 4:12, the Bible pierces the heart of the hearer, like a hammer, Jeremiah 23:29, it is powerful and breaks the resistance of the hearer, like a fire, Jeremiah 20:9 & 23:29, it is a burning word consuming the dross in the hearer; while like a seed, 1 Peter 1:23, the Bible is a living word regenerating the hearer. Moreover, in branding the Bible a mirror its ability to faithfully reveal the individual to himself is portrayed, James 1:23-25. This same word is said to be a lamp and a light, Psalm 119:105, illuminating and guiding the believer day by day. As food, 1 Peter 2:2, Hebrews 5:12-14, 1 Corinthians 3:2, the Bible is nourishment feeding the soul. The word of God therefore convicts, regenerates, reveals, illuminates and nourishes the individual. It is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16.
There is need to study to show oneself approved unto God as Paul instructed Timothy, 1 Timothy 2:15-16. Until you “receive with meekness the engrafted word which is able to save your souls”, James 1:20, you remain “dead in sins and trespasses”, Ephesians 2:1. Therefore, the word of God could be said to be that eternal will, which when we know and obey, we stay alive, grow and all the works of our hands prosper.
The word which was at the beginning, which was with God and which was God: John 1:1, “…was made flesh and dwelt among us… full of grace and truth”. This is the personification of the word of God and is Jesus Christ our Lord. God has magnified His word above His name, Psalm 138:2. The Lord says of His word in Isaiah 55:11, “…It shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I send it”. This is infallibility which is God’s exclusive preserve. “Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven”, Psalm 119:89. Therefore God’s Word is God.
Question 2.) Why should the Bible be appreciated?
The Bible also called the Scriptures or the writings, or the Word of God, is an authoritative revelation written form of God’s nature and purpose. It comprises sixty-six books from Genesis to Revelation: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. They are all written by the same author, the Holy Spirit, and have one message. There is no other book like it. It is believed that between 36 and 40 different persons were used, written over a period of some 1,600 years by inspired men such as, shepherds, Kings, fishermen, and Philosophers. They never contradicted on another, but all are in perfect agreement and harmony. The Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Moses writing 1,600 years before the last book of the Bible was penned, was just as modern and scientific as Paul’s, John’s or any of the others or present day investigator. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” 2 Timothy 3:16; man by himself could not have written the Bible. Yet man has tried to ban, burn and bury the Bible. It is alive and available to preach the funeral of any person or nation who wants to do away with it. This infallible word of God will be the standard of judgement on the last day, John 12:48. Let us read the Bible daily and obey the message.
God’s people must handle this book carefully and reverently because it is God’s book to us. Let us rejoice that God has spoken and endeavor by the power of the Holy Spirit to work in the light of its revelations.
Question 3.What is the relevance of the word of God?
“In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God”, John 1:1. Words are a means whereby we can communicate one with another. Jesus is called the word of God. He is god’s means of communicating with His creatures. Whether in the natural or spiritual, God speaks through His Son the word. In nature we learn something about God, but it is still through the Word; for by the word of God the heavens were made. All things were made by Him. In the spiritual sense Jesus is preeminently the word, God’s only means of communicating Himself to us. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me”, John 14:6. Scriptures have it that “No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father. He hath declared (revealed) Him”, John 1:18. Jesus is our Mediator, our Savior, and our new and living way to God.
In appreciation of the relevance of God’s word, the Psalmist asked God to open his eyes so that he could see the marvelous blessings of God in the Word, Plasm 119:17-18. God’s word to him was a lamp to his feet and a light to his path, v. 105. This is true not only for the Psalmist but for all believers. God’s word is settled in heaven and is attested to by His faithfulness, v. 89-91. The Psalmist declared his delight for God’s wonderful word which gives light, v. 129-131.
Most of the laws of men and governments originate from the Ten Commandments, thus making the Bible the foundation of all laws. Moreover, most religious and even occultic bodies try to justify their existence by quoting sections of the Bible, making men think they are authentic. Yet they only “have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof”, 2 Timothy 3:5.
May we this day avail ourselves of Him as revealed in His written Word. May the Spirit of God use the Word of God to change the People of God. Declare like the Psalmist, “I will not forget Thy word”, v. 16. The ability of the Word of God to transform us is as potent as ever.
Daily Living Application:
God is His word, therefore the only way to know God is know His word and live by it. This means knowing, believing and doing the written word – the Bible, as well as knowing and believing on the Word made flesh – our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There is no other name by which man can be saved except by the name of Jesus Christ. It is therefore in men’s own interest to “hear and do” the word of God because it is “quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, and is a discerner of the intents of the heart…”, Hebrews 4:12.
Memory verse:
Psalm 119:130
“The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple”.