The Overcoming Power of the Word of God

Psalm 119:105–112 KJV 1900

NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, That I will keep thy righteous judgments. I am afflicted very much: Quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word. Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, And teach me thy judgments. My soul is continually in my hand: Yet do I not forget thy law. The wicked have laid a snare for me: Yet I erred not from thy precepts. Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: For they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes Alway, even unto the end.

I. Introduction

A. The importance of God's Word in the life of a believer

B. The transformative power of Scripture

C. Excerpt from "The Hound of Heaven" by Francis Thompson

I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;

I fled Him, down the arches of the years;

I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways

Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears

I hid from Him, and under running laughter.

Up vistaed hopes I sped;

And shot, precipitated,

A down Titanic glooms of chasmed fears,

From those strong Feet that followed, followed after.

But with unhurrying chase,

And unperturbed pace,

Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,

They beat -- and a Voice beat

More instant than the Feet --

"All things betray thee, who betrayest Me."

1. The relentless pursuit of God's love

2. The power of God's Word to draw us closer to Him

II. The Story of Moses

A. Moses' Leadership and the Ten Commandments

1. God's calling of Moses to deliver the Israelites

2. The importance of the Law in guiding God's people

B. Moses' Temptation: Anger and the Broken Tablets

1. Moses' emotional response to the Israelites' disobedience

2. The consequences of his anger

C. Moses' Failure to Use the Word of God to Overcome Temptation

1. The potential power of Scripture in guiding Moses' response

2. The lesson of relying on God's Word in times of temptation

III. Jesus Christ: The Perfect Example

A. Jesus' Time in the Wilderness

1. The purpose of Jesus' time in the wilderness

2. The preparation for His ministry

B. Jesus' Temptations and the Use of Scripture

1. Turning Stones into Bread

Matthew 4:4 KJV 1900

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

a. The temptation to satisfy physical needs over spiritual ones

b. Jesus' response, prioritizing the Word of God

2. Jumping from the Pinnacle of the Temple

Matthew 4:7 KJV 1900

Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

a. The temptation to test God's protection and provision

b. Jesus' response, trusting in God's sovereignty

3. Worshipping the Devil for the Kingdoms of the World

Matthew 4:10 KJV 1900

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

a. The temptation to compromise and gain earthly power

b. Jesus' response, staying true to His mission and purpose

C. The Power of God's Word in Jesus' Life

1. Jesus' reliance on Scripture during His ministry

2. The importance of knowing and using God's Word in times of trial

IV. The Power of the Word of God in Scripture

A. The Word as a Two-Edged Sword

Hebrews 4:12 KJV 1900

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.

1. The active and living nature of God's Word

2. The ability of Scripture to discern our thoughts and intentions

B. The Word Accomplishing God's Purpose

Isaiah 55:11 KJV 1900

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.

1. God's Word never returns void

2. The power of Scripture to transform lives and accomplish God's will

C. The Word as a Lamp and Light

Psalm 119:105 KJV 1900

NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.

1. The guidance provided by God's Word

2. The importance of Scripture in navigating life's challenges

V. Applying the Word of God in Our Lives

A. Embracing Scripture as an Integral Part of Our Lives

1. The role of Scripture in our spiritual growth

2. The need for daily engagement with God's Word

B. Overcoming Temptation Through the Word

1. The role of Scripture in resisting temptation

2. The power of God's Word to strengthen our resolve and faith

C. The Sword of the Spirit

Ephesians 6:17 KJV 1900

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

VI. Commitment to the Word of God

A. Reading, Meditating on, and Memorizing Scripture

1. Meditating on the Word Day and Night

Joshua 1:8 KJV 1900

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

2. Delighting in the Law of the Lord

Psalm 1:2 KJV 1900

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night.

3. Letting the Word Dwell in Us Richly

Colossians 3:16 KJV 1900

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

B. Seeking the Guidance of the Holy Spirit

1. The Holy Spirit Teaching and Reminding Us

John 14:26 KJV 1900

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

2. Led by the Spirit of God

Romans 8:14 KJV 1900

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

C. Experiencing the Overcoming Power of the Word

1. Overcoming the World Through Faith

1 John 5:4 KJV 1900

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

2. Putting the Word into Practice

James 1:22 KJV 1900

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

VII. Conclusion

A. Emulating Jesus' Example

B. Walking in the Light of God's Word

C. Encouragement for the Journey Ahead

1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV 1900

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.