"THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD"

>>>This is bouncing off “Power of Prayer” and into “Power of God’s Word”.

>>> “God’s Word” is including reading Bible, hearing preaching, SS, etc.

>>>The Word of God should be the foundation of every believer.

*“Grounded in God’s Word”

*This is despite any seminary training (excuse to not grow in Bible).

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>>>The Book of 2 Timothy is Paul’s final letter before his death. He is writing once again to Timothy.

*When reading the letters to Timothy, there must be an understanding that these are letters to a pastor.

>>>In 2 Timothy 3, Paul is warning Timothy that the world is going to keep going into sin. It’s going to get worse and worse.

2 Timothy 3:14–17 “You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.”

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>>>Discussing the power of God’s Word, these points will stack on top of one another.

2 Timothy 3:14 “You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them,”

>>>Contrasting people going further and further after sin, Paul exhorts Timothy to “continue” in what he has learned and been convinced of.

*The word “continue” means “remain”. It is the same word for “abide” in John 15.

*Timothy is being told keep following what he was taught about the things of God.

>>>Timothy was taught the word of God and convinced of its truthfulness. He found God’s Word (through what he learned) to be true.

*People in truth taught him truth. Staying in this truth would keep him from following the pattern of the world.

GOD’S WORD IS TRUE.

>>>In a world where truth seems vague, the truth of God’s word is clear, because it is the only truth. Anything outside of God’s Word is a lie.

>>>Whether through reading God’s Word, listening to God’s Word, the preaching of God’s Word, God’s Word is truth. We must all seek to be grounded in it.

*What the Bible says, believe/do/obey.

*Personal opinions/interpretation don’t factor in.

>>>This is also a lesson in the importance of teaching God’s truth to others, establishing others in God’s Word.

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2 Timothy 3:15 “and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

>>>This verse references Timothy’s childhood in which he learned of the “sacred writings” (Scriptures).

>>>While not everyone has the same heritage as Timothy, the point of this verse is that God’s Word reveals the way of salvation (Jesus).

GOD’S WORD GIVES SALVATION.

>>>All of scripture is about the redemption found in Jesus-the reconciliation to the holy relationship God always intended to have with His people.

*The Bible is not the way, but it points to the way-Jesus.

>>>Even if you didn’t grow up in a Christian family, God’s Word still lays out the plan of salvation.

*The words of the sacred writings revealed to you the reality of sin and hope of salvation. The sharing of the Gospel is still the truth of God’s Word.

*No other way of salvation except through what scripture teaches (salvation).

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2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness;”

>>>Scripture in early NT times was considered to be Law/history/poetry/prophets. Now it includes the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.

*“All Scripture” 100% means “all Scripture”.

>>>Scripture is inspired by God and is beneficial to its reader.

*The word “inspired” means “God-breathed”. God wrote Scripture through men.

*We know God’s Word is true because God wrote it.

*Scripture is beneficial/profitable. It brings about good in its readers.

>>>Profitable in teaching (explaining/doctrine)/rebuke (conviction of sin), correcting flaws, training in living a righteous life. These are the affects of God’s Word.

GOD’S WORD AFFECTS.

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

>>>The Word of God is not just a collection of ancient writings. It is alive and continuing to affect its reader and hearers.

>>>Are we being affected by God’s Word?

*Taught something new? Conviction of sin? Correcting thoughts/flaws? Resulting in living more like Jesus?

*Affected in every environment-especially personal devotion.

*Salvation is not just “changed” but “changing”.

>>>If we are not being affected by God’s Word, are we really paying attention to God’s Word? Are we living by God’s truth?

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2 Timothy 3:17 “so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.”

>>>God’s Word is truth/gives salvation/affects those who read or hear it. The point of this is for the people of God to be capable and equipped for every good work.

GOD’S WORD HAS A GOAL.

>>>The goal is for believers to be “fully capable” and “equipped”.

*“equipped” and “fully capable” carry similar meanings of being “fitted out”/“furnished” and to be “proficient”.

*The goal is for the believer to have what is necessary to live and carry out the Christian life.

>>>The truth of God’s Word brings us into salvation then moves us into sanctification. The teaching, rebukes, corrections, training move us toward being more like Jesus.

*Where there is no God’s Word, there is no holiness and sanctification.

>>>As the world continues in sin, the believer continues to be developed in Christ.

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THE POWER OF GOD’S WORD IN OUR LIVES RESTS IN OUR RESPONSE TO IT.

>>>The Word of God will always have power. The Holy Spirit is always speaking. But what is our response?

*Parable of the seed (hard, rocky, thorn, cultivated)

>>>The power of God’s Word will not do anything for us if we are not reading/listening/caught up in our own opinions/staying in sin/not applying it.

>>>Is God’s Word bringing a continual transformation in our lives?

*Sanctification

*Salvation