What You'll Discover in this Episode:
The Character and Ability of God’s Word is described in Hebrews 4:12
Do you know that every time we come to the Scriptures, it is as if we were sitting before the Creator-Redeemer Himself, allowing Him to express His very heart and mind to us?
- What God has to say to us and the rest of humanity has already been said, and His message has been wonderfully recorded in the written Word of God.
- His Word is as relevant and powerful today as when it was first spoken, because His words have behind them all the nature and character of God.
- Because of the character of the Word of God, it has the ability to accomplish so much.
As we consider the ability of God’s Word, we can expect three things from our study today:
- Our vision of the Word of God to increase.
- Our faith in the Word to be built up, and…
- Our appetite, our hunger, for the Word of God to be stirred.
When we want to reach those God has put in our path, God will enlarge our capacity to minister His Word to them because we have meditated upon and trusted in the great abilities of God’s Word.
As we look at Hebrews 4:12, our text for our present study, we will see that the ability and character of the Word are directly related.
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What a powerful and timely podcast! The Word of God is inspired, inerrant, authoritative, clear, necessary, and sufficient! It is living, powerful, and sharp!
I am in total agreement with Pastor Jeff’s comment, “I need transformation daily”. We need our daily bread, our daily washing in the Word of God in order to live lives that are God-honoring and pleasing to Him. God’s Word has the wonderful ability to work on us, no matter what phase of life we are in. It is at work in our hearts and lives!
“the word of God, which is at work in you believers”
1 Thessalonians 2:13
I pray that we all remain faithful to be in the Word daily so that He can continue to use it to mold and shape us into His faithful servants!
I love Hebrews 4:12. The Word is active and powerful! Where would we be without the Word of God? What a testimony of His grace towards us. I love how not only is the Word living and powerful, it is personal in application. God ministers to each of us on a personal basis according to where we are in our journey with Him. Pastor Jeff pointed out how many people will feed on man’s literature and man’s words and neglect the Word of God. We must be diligent to continually guide people back to the Word of God and remind them that that is the source of life!
Gods Word is not merely just Words from the Lord but also a powerful vehicle for communicating ideas. it is truly living, life-changing and dynamic as it works in and through us. just as a surgeon knife cuts ever so precise and deep, so does the word reveal in us and to us who we are and what we are. It discerns what is both is us both the good of HIim and the evil and wicked nature of our flesh. we must not only just listen to the Word, but we must let it cut deep into our hearts and shape our lives.
Thank Jeff what a lovely, uplifting study in the word and its power to change us.
I do believe that God’s word is the authority for my life and my day to day living.
The Lord gave me a verse many years ago about obeying the word and meditating on it night and day.. It is food for our survival.
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1: 8-9.
This verse was so imprinted into my mind by God that I build my life on it now. The reading and applying of the word of God in my life even when it hurts and the trust that God will be with me wherever I go gave me unshakable peace. I thank God for the power of his word.
Beautiful words in Hebrews 4:12 “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.”
In our discipleship group this week we studied and memorized bible verses and I do believe the word never comes back void. Isaiah 55:11. The ability of God’s word to bring about change and renewal is amazing, it hard to put it into words what God does with his word in our lives and I do long to see this change more and more as we reach out to the lost and needy.
Hey Anne Marie!
Thank you for this uplifting post. I love how God’s Word has power for our lives (It truly is alive and powerful!). I like how you mentioned having peace from the Word of God. This has been the case so many times in my own life too! As we get our hearts and minds focused on Him (and off the world with its problems), we remember His promises to us and realize His amazing power. He really is in control of all things and is bringing about His will in every life. This has always been a source of comfort for me.
I am so grateful for God’s word, and as Pastor Jeff stated, it is “…alive and active” (Hebrews 4:12). Man’s words have no power, and yet so many believers have succumbed to the lies of other Christians that we need humanistic teachings to make us mentally well or free from addictions.
I witnessed the power of God in my mom’s own life. When I became a believer, I told my parents about Jesus and the power of His word. My mom and dad were alcoholics, and one day, my mom decided to stop drinking because she knew it was destroying our family and her own life. She went into her room and detoxed for three days since she had no insurance or money to go to a facility. She had given her life over to Christ the day she gave up drinking.
Our entire family witnessed the power of God transforming her life (2 Thessalonians 2:13.) My mom lived her life free from alcohol for over thirty years because she embraced His word, and it “…set her free “(John 8:32). Last year she passed away and is now in the loving arms of her Savior.
Wow, Kathy, that’ s powerful testimony! I love stories like this because God’s power is displayed in such a way that no one can deny it. No one can argue that Jesus didn’t change your mother’s life. When we share these stories, we bring God glory and give hope to people who can’t find hope in the world’s broken systems.
I enjoyed this podcast and look forward to the next. Perspicuity was a new word for me!
Other than God’s Word, there is nothing inerrant, authoritative, sufficient, clear, constant, or brings life.
Man’s philosophies continually change. In psychiatry, Freud’s teachings are long gone. The DSM gets another revision and becomes thicker. In my arena of education, John Dewey’s philosophies from 100 years ago are largely dead. They were replaced by something else, which was then replaced by something else, etc.
The power in God’s word is seen in 2 Kings 22:8 to 23:27. In repairing the temple, the high priest finds the Torah which is then read to the king. The result was a national spiritual turn around.
Later in Israel’s history, Ezra the Scribe read the Torah publicly in Jerusalem. The people wept (Nehemiah 8:9). The people wept and repented.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
We need to build our lives on God’s word (see Matthew 7:24-26) and teach it continually to our children (Deuteronomy 6:7 and 11:19).
Amen! We have a responsibility to live in obedience to God’s Word, and to train up our children to do the same. (They learn by example!) I grieve for our nation in today’s twisted and deceived culture, but the best way to effect change is to live godly lives, to share Christ with others and disciple them to live according to the Word, and to pray. It might not always feel like we’re making a big impact, but God will accomplish His purposes.
John- your choice of Bible verses to explain what is happening to our culture is so true. Our nation along with many of our churches have allowed humanistic teachings to be the source of truth. We have willingly turned God aside and gone our own way. We need a spiritual revival just like in the days of Josiah.
Very great point. Thank you for pointing out the passages in 2 Kings and nehemiah 8. I had not seen it in that light before. All that the people heard was God’s word and they repented from the heart. There was no added human though on the matter. When we hear God’s word it cuts to the heart.
Thank you for the lesson today.
Ephesians 2:20-22, “20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets (the Bible), Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”
The Bible is not written exhaustive (stating every specific problem in exact words) but rather comprehensive, able to impact every subject matter past, present, future. The Bible is comprehensive in ability to give foundation to all aspects of life. Whether it is “how to ride a bike” or “how to handle family crisis”, the Bible gives many specifics as well as applicable key more broad insights to accomplish these goals. The Bible also shows examples of mankind living successfully & failing in life to learn from. You are never alone in these struggles. Others have gone through them before & even now.
Therefore we are able to use the Word as a filtering foundation of strength when receiving all other knowledge to move forward on the truth. We fail when we make man’s word our foundation first instead of God’s Word. A few days ago I taught Biology and the healing factors of human blood for cuts & broken bones. I included the Bible verse, Leviticus 17:11, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’” Starting from this point as the foundation we saw the power of God move into the classroom bringing far greater enlightenment of truth and awe. Just acknowledging God exists impacts the direction of how you move in life. Belief in God greatly changed our advancements in science & life: https://answersingenesis.org/creation-scientists/21-great-scientists-who-believed-the-bible/ . The same can be for your worksite, family, friendships, way you handle your pets, way you drive your car, way you spend you money…the Bible includes but goes further than just teaching people the medical need to wash their hands, it goes down to the heart!
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration (the very Breath) of God, and is profitable for doctrine (core beliefs), for reproof (bringing you back to the truth), for correction (helping stand up straight), for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Hebrews 4:12
12 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.
There is power in the Word. For the Word is what brings you to God, the ultimate power source to empower you to make it through & succeed in being a good salt & light in life to this world.
Jeremiah 17:5-8
5 Thus says the Lord:
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes flesh his strength,
Whose heart departs from the Lord.
6
For he shall be like a shrub in the desert,
And shall not see when good comes,
But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness,
In a salt land which is not inhabited.
7
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
8
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.
-Dr. Mike
Chaplain, Emergency Manager, Pastor, PhD, & Homeschool Graduate!
“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding”, Proverbs 23:23.
You provided some great Scripture references. As you said, the Bible is not exhaustive but comprehensive.
Two days ago, a man crashed a car that he borrowed from a friend. He blamed others for the accident, although the police made it clear he was at fault. I counseled him that it was his financial responsibility to repair the damage. Where did that come from? Exodus 22:14-15.
There is no mention of an automobile in the Bible. But there are many verses on personal responsibility. The Bible is remarkably comprehensive.
There really is no substitute for spending time with God in His Word, coming humbly before Him and allowing Him to renew our minds. No devotional, app, or other book will ever have the power of Scripture because they are not the Word of God. We must never undervalue God’s Word, because that is exactly how the church got into the destructive pattern of humanistic philosophy. Especially as we engage in counseling others, it is important that we are abiding in Christ and teaching others to do the same. How can we expect to help others do something that we ourselves are neglecting to do?
Its amazing Athena how much time many Christian counselors spend studying worldly philosophers who believe they have the solution to fix mankind’s mind, heart and soul. If they put as much time into studying and living out God’s word they would know the deception they have been promoting to others.
“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”- 1st Thess 2:13
This verse was a great cross reference given by Pastor Jeff. The Word of God is powerful and active in peoples lives. It is useful to them. However, it does nothing for them if they have no faith in what it can do, and make no effort to have it change their lives.
We can’t practice what we don’t learn. We can’t believe what we haven’t read. We can’t have an identity change unless we believe what Scripture teaches about the new identity in Christ. We can’t overcome common anxieties until we truly believe the Word of God that explains God’s power and care for His children.
The Word effectively works in “you who believe,” an not in those who don’t believe like the secular “bible as literature” kind of readers. There is power there for us if we believe in what it says and practice it.
True Alejandro, the Word of God effectively works in people that believe, even giving us guidance as we take heed to the Word of God.
James 1:22-25 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
Great podcast!
It was specifically refreshing to be reminded of the character of God’s word as Living and powerful. We need this transformational work, of God’s living word to bring lasting change in our lives. As 1 Thess. 2:13 says: “the word of God effectively works in the who believe.” Those who put their trust in what it says as true!
Since God moved in the 40 authors of scripture to write precisely what he wanted them to write, though he used their personhood and cultural context- it communicates to us just what God intended it to communicate to us!
We are to filter what we read according to the word of God. We should recognize that other literature is not forbidden, but that it does not bring life.
What a blessing that the word of God is authoritative, inerrant, necessary, clear and sufficient!
God’s Word is inspired. “For no prophecy ever came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21) “For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:11). “O, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the LORD? For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen (Romans 11:33-34,36).” It’s important to know that it is God who does the inspiring, by His Holy Spirit. AMEN! “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will tell you things to come (John 16:13).” This verse jumps off the page of not only general revelation, but also progressive revelation. What the Spirit hears, He speaks. No wonder God’s Word speaks to our heart, to our personal life experiences. God’s Word speaks to us just what we need to hear, at the moment we need to hear it. What a vote of confidence for believers, counselors, and counselees. God’s Word is- active, meaning present, doing, moving. God’s Word was present back then for the original hearers, moving them; and is equally present today, moving, changing, affecting hearts. Praise God. “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is towards your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-11).” Anyone ever notice how the Holy Spirit continues to do this in our lives; even after we’re saved? Active. Living. Powerful. Praise God!
This was a great message to listen to on FB and also again this week on the podcast. I agree about the authority of the Bible and it has the final authority in our decisions and life. I am so thankful that I have this guidance from a Heavenly Father who loves us so much to guide us. I am thankful to have given my life to Jesus so I can follow Him and be able to be guided so I don’t have to figure everything out. That would add a lot of stress that is unnecessary where life is already full of stress. I believe the loss of the value of the Bible in society is something we can clearly see the way the world has accepted unmoral behavior, lifestyles and choices.
Another interesting aspect of the podcast was the part regarding on the clarity in scripture. As we grow in our walk, the Bible continues to become clear and we learn more and more from it. I am thankful that I learned about the Bible in grade school as it was part of me. As the Bible has the general revelation and special revelation is so amazing to me. I love how the Lord shares and guides us through his word and also what is to come in revelation. It is fascinating to me to see how things are unfolding in front of us as it was told in His word.
The Bible gives life in comparison to man’s theories or trying to explain things. I know that when I studied Freud, Skinner, Maslow, etc, it was interesting but there was something missing. As I grew in my faith and from these classes, I am so thankful to now understand what was missing was the guidance from our creator. We can understand our life and ways we need to grow and heal from Him and not from a man’s theory.
Looking forward to part two next week!
Yup! Freud’s teachings are long gone. The philosophies of Skinner, Maslow, Piaget, and the like make sense initially. Then we realize how incomplete they are. Philosophies of man come and go like the wind. When you are older (like me) or a good study of history, you realize that some long-discarded philosophies actually come back (just cleverly repacked).
I’ll stick with God’s Word and the Saviour He sent. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” Hebrews 13:8.
Thanks Autumn for reiterating the very important point of ‘the authority of the Bible and the fact that it has the final authority in our decisions and in life.’. I fully agree with you on the guidance we receive from the Word of God in line with Psalms 119:105 (Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.) and John 8:12 (Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.”).
Awesome podcast! Oh that everyone could understand just how powerful and perfect the Word is! In 2003, I was struggling greatly with anxiety and was being medicated for it. At one point, I did not have the meds, and was having an anxiety attack due to my son having a car accident. My family was going to call 911, to which I objected. I felt compelled to read the word and in particular the passage in Philippians about anxiety. As I read that over and over, my anxiety was gone. That is just one time in my life that I have experienced this. It truly is active! I really appreciated how Pastor Jeff also pointed out when we open the Word, we are in the presence of the Lord, and we should treat our reading reverently!
True April, I was also blessed with this week’s Podcast especially on hearing Pastor Jeff declare that when we open the Word, it’s like we are in the presence of the Lord and we should treat such moments of meditation reverently, knowing that the Word of God is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and we must be duly attentive reverentially to receive from God Himself).
John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
Also, like you rightly recalled, healing comes through the Word of God (Psalms 107:20 He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.).
I love your testimony and I believe there are many others out there like it. I can remember when I was young, ignorant, and had just begun teaching the bible at a high school club. I looked at the Proverbs that said I should “get wisdom” and “get understanding” and I looked at James that said I should “ask for wisdom” in faith because God gives it liberally. When I did this day after day… I began to understand the bible, with insight that only could come from God. I didn’t have any commentaries… and yet I was learning directly from the Spirit what I needed in order to instruct my fellow classmates. God’s Word should be trusted and tested… it won’t fail us.
Love that! One pastor I had encouraged us to read the word without commentaries first so that the Spirit could speak to us without interruption. It was such a great way to hear from the Lord directly!
Powerful testimony sister of how applying the word to our lives can bring about change! I had the same experience in my life and I want to share this hope with the world! That people can overcome by studying and applying and memorizing the scriptures. In our discipleship group we were discussing Philippians 1:6 “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” As we discussed the meaning of this verse we were all immediately filled with utter joy. Just reading and meditating on the verse lead to encouragement, strengthening and hope in peoples lives. I am still overwhelmed by it.
There is something so special and precious and about as amazing as you can get when studying the word together! LIke you, I leave so much for encouraged by these types of conversations that ones that focus only on life and times of current situations.
Thanks for sharing April!
I have been comforted by God’s Word time and time again as well. Once in particular was when I experienced a heart palpitation. I was so scared and overwhelmed by negative thoughts but God’s Word of loving care came to me. His promise to never leave me brought me comfort when I needed it most. It was in that moment that I made the firm decision to accept Christ and faithfully follow Him!
God’s Word is truly alive and powerful to change lives!
Thank you, this podcast packed so much information into a short time! It was like listening to a quick overview of theology along with the reason why we need to study the Word. What a great reminder that the Word is not just living, it is active and is able to work actively in our lives. The other thing that stuck out to me in a fresh way is that God made the Word so that we can actually understand it. He communicated His ideas to us in such a way that we are meant to be able to study them, what a gift.
Thanks Sherra for your reflections on this week’s Podcast (The Living, Powerful, Sharp Word of God). I agree with you that it’s a Podcast that’s packed full of so much important information that’s like a quick overview of theology along with reasons why we must study the Bible. In the words of Pastor Jeff, we must study the Bible because of its ‘Inspiration, Inerrancy, Authoritative, Perspicuity, Sufficiency/ Adequate (has all the answers for Biblical soul care), knowing that the best commentary of the Bible is the Bible itself. He clearly stated that we must have a constant/ regular diet of feeding on the Word of God every day rather than wholly/ integrate humanistic philosophical ideas of man that water-down the Word of God, declaring that somethings may be alive but not powerful/ active.
Hebrews 4:12A For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, ….
Amen! The bible is meant to be understood. If it were all confusing only, or so high above our human brains totally… we would be left to ourselves and lost. However, the bible is clear, understandable to the open heart and powerful.
Just as Pastor Jeff said the bible is simple enough for a child to understand and yet so deep that scholars can’t fully see it all.
This encourages me to have a daily walk reading time because I will never run out of new things to learn, never be left confused not hearing from God, and never be without the Spirits presence as my Teacher (1 Cor 2).
Sherra, I agree! It really is incredible that God made the word so understandable to us as humans. Maybe that was part of his plan in using human instruments so we can process it through the way they received it and communicated it. I liked how pastor Jeff said that a child can understand the Bible as well as a scholar can mine the depths of it. True, it is a gift to be able to study it.
Beautiful thought in your comment Sherra, “God made the Word so that we can actually understand it. He communicated His ideas to us in such a way that we are meant to be able to study.” them, what a gift.”
It is a blessing that God reached down and gave us his word so we can understand him and how to live in this world! This great word of God is what’s keeping me alive, in my trouble or despair I turn again to his great word and God answers my prayers.
What a gift the Lord has given us in His Word. He doesn’t make us figure it all out on our own. His Word is living and powerful. The Bible trumps everything else. I love how you can read something over and over and it never gets old and it always ministers to where you are in life.
Great Podcast (The Living, Powerful, Sharp Word of God), in which Pastor Jeff discussed the ability/ character of God’s Word to change and transform lives with primary focus on Hebrews 4:12A (For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, ….), increasing our vision for God’s Word (with a fuller appreciation for God’s Word), building up our faith/ edifying us (making us have greater trust in the Word of God) and helping us develop a deeper hunger/ appetite for the Word of God.
Pastor Jeff reminded us that the Word of God is inspired by God and my takeaway listening to this Podcast (to get the most out of the Word of God (66 Books by 40 Authors), we must be duly attentive reverentially to receive from God Himself).
The Word of God is Inspiration, Inerrancy, Authoritative, Perspicuity, Sufficiency/ Adequate (has all the answers for Biblical soul care), knowing that the best commentary of the Bible is the Bible itself.
One basic truth to note from Hebrews 4:12A is that the Word of God is alive/ living (not a dead human literature).
John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
We must have a constant/ regular diet of feeding on the Word of God every day rather on wholly/ integrated humanistic philosophical ideas of man that water-down the Word of God.
Another basic truth to note from Hebrews 4:12A is that the Word of God is powerful/ active, knowing that somethings may be alive but not powerful/ active.
I personally enjoy God’s regular guidance in His Living/ Powerful/ Active Word as I consistently meditate on and deliberately do His Word.
This is a great summary and a good reminder of the need for the Word in our lives. I like how you stated, “We must have a constant/ regular diet of feeding on the Word of God every day rather on wholly/ integrated humanistic philosophical ideas of man that water-down the Word of God.”
I totally agree with your comment, “We must have a constant/ regular diet of feeding on the Word of God every day rather on wholly/ integrated humanistic philosophical ideas of man that water-down the Word of God”. When we consistently feed on the Word of God, we are better able to respond to life. When we fill our hearts and minds with the Word of God, when the troubles and trials of life come, we have the opportunity to experience the living, powerful Word of God in our lives.