The Power Of The Word of God

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: 

it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, 

and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Isaiah 55:11

The Holy Bible is the written Word of the one true, living and all wise God. There is special power in these words of God:

For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

We will never receive the fullness of God's power until you experience the power of His Word.

God is the source of power and of His written Word. This makes the Word of God powerful:

The Lord gave the Word: great was the company of those that published it.  Psalms 68:11

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.   1 Thessalonians 2:13

God actually created the world by His Word:

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.   Hebrews 11:3

God created the heavens by His Word:

By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.   Psalms 33:6

God continues to uphold the world and all things as they are by the power of His Word:

Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.               Hebrews 1:3

As we search the scriptures, we see the power of the word of God used against our enemy, Satan.

A major confrontation between the power of Jesus and the power of Satan came early in the earthly ministry of Christ  when Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tested.

And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness.  And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.    Mark 1:12- 13

(For the full account refer to Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13.)

Ø       First, Satan tried to get Jesus to turn stones into bread. The power of Jesus which soon was to turn water into wine surely could have turned stones into bread. But to do so in this situation would have been acting independently of God and using His power for personal benefit.

Ø       Next, Satan tried to get Jesus to cast Himself down from the top of the temple to demonstrate His power. He even misapplied Scriptures to persuade Him it was all right to do so.

Ø       In the third encounter, Satan tempted Jesus with the appeal of worldly power. Satan said he would give up all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would worship him.

In each of these power struggles, Jesus met the challenge with the Word of God. 

Jesus quoted Scriptures applicable to the immediate situation.  

It is not enough just to know there is power in the Word of God. To make it effective, that Word must be applied as Jesus did. Jesus made it clear that the words He spoke were not His own. They were God's Words:

For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.  John 3:34

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 

He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.   John 14:10, 24  

For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.   John 17:8, 14

Jesus spoke God's Word with power:

And they were astonished at His doctrine: for His word was with power.  Luke 4:32

And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a Word is this. For with authority and power He commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.  Luke 4:36

Jesus spoke the Word to a man with a withered hand and it was healed (Mark 3:1-5). 

He spoke the Word to a leper and he was cleansed (Matthew 8:2-3). 

He said. . .

-     "rise" to the impotent man at the pool    (John 5:8)

-     "see" to the blind                                           (Luke 7:21)

-     "come out" to demons                                 (Matthew 9:32-33)

-     "hear" to the deaf                                          (Mark 7:32-35)

-     "come forth" to the dead                            (John 11:44)

Jesus knew there was power in God's Word, but He also knew men must hear and respond to that Word in order for it to be effective. The words of Jesus, which were God's Words, were so powerful that they worked from a distance. Jesus did not even have to be present at the scene of the problem. One man who had a sick servant said. . .

Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And His servant was healed in the selfsame hour.   Matthew 8:8,13

This man believed in the power of God's Word. He knew it was so powerful it was not affected by time, place, or any other limitations of man. But to make it effective in his own life and situation, he had to claim it. We must apply the Word of God to receive the benefit of its power.

The early church used God's words of power. Apostle Paul said:

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:  That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.   1 Corinthians 2:4-5

But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.   1 Corinthians 4:19

God is the power behind His Word:

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.  Isaiah 55:11

Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it. Jeremiah 1:12

The Word of God has great spiritual power:

For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

God honors His Word above His name:

I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.   Psalms 138:2

What are the powerful purposes accomplished by God's Word?

Is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction: II Timothy 3:16-17 Brings belief in the Gospel message: Acts 4:4 Cleanses: John 15:3; Ephesians 5:26 Brings eternal life, if we hear and believe it: John 5:24 Is the basis for eternal judgment: John 12:48 Is used to cast out unclean spirits: Matthew 8:16; Luke 4:36 Is followed by miraculous signs and convinces people of the truth of the Gospel: Mark 16:20 Gives assurance of salvation: I John 1:2-6 Brings the born again experience: I Peter 1:23; Psalms 119:41 Bears record of the truth of the Gospel: I John 5:7 Sanctifies the believer: I Timothy 4:5 Gives hope: Psalms 130:5; 119:49,81 Brings healing: Psalms 107:20 Keeps us from the path of the destroyer: Psalms 17:4 Is spirit and life: John 6:63 Brings joy and rejoicing: Jeremiah 15:16 Increases faith: Romans 10:17 Comforts: I Thessalonians 4:18, Psalms 119:50,52

Brings spiritual nourishment: I Timothy 4:6  Brings answered prayer: John 15:7  Is the key to success: Joshua 1:8 Blesses, if we hear and keep it: Luke 11:28 Brings blessings when it is kept and curses when it is not: Deuteronomy 28  Is a weapon in the time of temptation: Matthew 4  Converts the soul: Psalms 19:7  Makes wise the simple: Psalms 19:7  Enlightens: Psalms 19:8  Warns: Psalms 19:11  Brings great reward when kept: Psalms 19:11  Permits access to Heaven: Revelation 22:14  Brings the blessing of walking in righteousness: Psalms 119:1-3  Makes us wiser than our enemies, teachers, and the ancients: Psalms 119:98-104  Quickens: Psalms 119:25  Strengthens: Psalms 119:28  Is the basis of His mercy: Psalms 119:58  Brings delight: Psalms 119:92  Gives the simple understanding: Psalms 119:130,104,169  Delivers: Psalms 119:170

Because the Word of God is so powerful, believers have a responsibility to make it known to the world.  The early Church assumed this responsibility for the Word of God. They went everywhere preaching it

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.  Acts 8:4  

And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.  Acts 13:49

They asked God for boldness to speak His Word

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,  By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.  

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.   Acts 4:29,31

The Word of God increased throughout the world because of their faithfulness

So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.  Acts 19:20

God confirms His Word with signs following. One cannot wait for the signs to precede the Word. We have a responsibility for spreading this powerful Word to the world.

®    God puts His Word in you so you can speak it to others: 

Deuteronomy 18:18-19; 

Isaiah 51:16; 

Jeremiah 1:9; 3:12; 5:14; 26:12; 

Ezekiel 2:7-8.

®    If you are taught in God's Word, then you have a responsibility to teach others: Galatians 6:6

®    We are to preach the Word throughout the world: 

Luke 24:47; 

Mark 16:15; 

2 Timothy 4:2.

®    We are not to speak your own words, but His words: 

Isaiah 58:13

®    We are not to be ashamed of the Word: 

Mark 8:38

®    We are to teach it to your children: 

Deuteronomy 6:6-9

(Biblical Studies)

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