The Word Of Faith Near You

Text - Romans 10.6-8

Romans 10:6–8 NKJV

6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) 7 or, “ ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach):

Intro

Paul was quoting from Deut 30.11-14

Deuteronomy 30:11–14 NKJV

11 “For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.

The Jews have a special connection with God through the Law.

We Christians also have a special connection with God through Christ, the Word of God.

But the Jews did not profit from the word of God. WHY?

Hebrews 4:2 NKJV

2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.

NASB - “it was not united by faith in those who heard”

NIV - “they did not share the faith of those who obeyed”

John 12:42 NKJV

42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue;

NASB - “they were not confessing Him...”

NIV - “ the would not openly acknowledge their faith...”

Main Point

The POWER of the Word of God is EXPERIENCED ONLY WHEN - IT IS BELIEVED IN THE HEART AND CONFESSED WITH THE MOUTH.

Confession without real faith is just flattery.

Believing without confessing indicates denial.

Matthew 10:32–33 NKJV

32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

The WORD OF FAITH is the WORD that is BELIEVED AND CONFESSED.

The WORD OF FAITH is the Word that BENEFITS us the most!

Believing AND Confessing UNLEASHES the POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD.

Key Points

The Word of Faith and our Salvation

Romans 10:9–10 NKJV

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Believing God’s Word results in justification.

Confessing God’s Word results in salvation.

ILLUSTRATION

Confession is like a woman’s YES to the man who is courting her. It AFFIRMS her love for him.

WHAT’S THE POINT?

If you believe that you saved, WHERE IS YOUR CONFESSION?

The Word of Faith and our Obedience

Deuteronomy 30:14 NKJV

14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.

God brought down His Law to the mountain, have them written, and spoken in the hearing of all Israel

and YET - they FAILED to observe God’s commandments

WHAT’S THE POINT?

When God’s Word is NOT receive by faith - observance will fail

When God’s Word is believed and confessed - God empowers the believer to obey Word

IF YOU WANT TO BECOME OBEDIENT CHILDREN OF GOD - BRING GOD’S WORD NEAR YOU - IN YOUR HEART AND IN YOUR MOUTH!

The Word of Faith and our Victory over Satan

Acts 19:18–20 NKJV

18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. 19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.

the 7 sons of sceva tried invoke the name of Jesus against a demon possessed man - they failed and ran away

the people who heart were amazed and BELIEVED and CONFESSED their deeds

the Word of the Lord GREW MIGHTILY and PREVAILED!

WHAT’S THE POINT?

if you want to experience victory over the evil spirits in this world - SPEAK THE WORD OF FAITH!

ILLUSTRATION - Jesus’ temptation

Matthew 4:3–4 NKJV

3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 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.’ ”

He was tempted to set aside His fasting and attend to the need of His flesh

Jesus envoked the word of faith!

Matthew 4:5–7 NKJV

5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”

He was tempted to boast in the flesh

Jesus envoked the Word of faith - you shall not tempt God

Matthew 4:8–10 NKJV

8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”

He was tempted by offering all the worlds kingdoms and their glories

He envoked the word of faith - only God is to be worshipped!

The Word of Faith and God’s promises

John 15:7 NKJV

7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

Watch the order - First ABIDE, then, ASK

WHAT’S THE POINT?

Abiding means having a relationship with Christ, the Word

a continuing relationship

a healthy relationship

ASKING means envoking one’s right based on relationship (branch-vine)

IF YOU WANT TO BE FRUITFUL IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST, ASK HIM WHATEVER YOU DESIRE TO BE YOUR FRUITS - SPEAK THE WORD OF FAITH!

Psalm 2:7–9 NKJV

7 “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ”

The Son of God was given the nations for inheritance

Conclusion

The Word of Faith is not merely words or speeches -

Romans 10:6–7 NKJV

6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) 7 or, “ ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).

The Word of Faith is Christ in our hearts and in our mouths!

by believing we place Christ in our hearts - in the center of our being

by confessing we proclaim Christ’s Lordship, and dominion over life!

SONG -