Word of God

The word of God revealed as law

God has made his commands and requirements known

Psalm 147:19 ESV

He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and rules to Israel.

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God’s law is to be obeyed

Deuteronomy 30:14 ESV

But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.

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Examples of disobedience and its consequences

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The word of God as prophecy

The prophets spoke the words of God

; ; God’s prophetic word came to Israel with varying frequency.

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Prophetic introductory formulae

“The word of the Lord came to ...”:

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“Hear the word of the Lord”:

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“This is what the Lord says”:

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Prophetic predictions fulfilled

1 Kings 12:15 ESV

So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of affairs brought about by the Lord that he might fulfill his word, which the Lord spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

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The word “against” a people, indicating judgment

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True prophecy is inspired by God

2 Peter 1:20–21 ESV

knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

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A true prophet hears from God

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The prophetic word is to be heeded

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The word of God as Scripture

Scripture is the written word of God

Daniel 9:2 ESV

in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.

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NT writings are classified as Scripture

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Scripture is inspired and true

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The foundational importance of Scripture

It must not be distorted or changed:

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It is to be read publicly:

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It is to be meditated upon:

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It is the test of orthodoxy:

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Matthew 22:29 ESV

But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.

It is the basis for preaching:

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It sets the limit of authoritative doctrine.

Jesus Christ as the incarnate Word of God

Jesus Christ is God in the flesh

John 1:1 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

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Jesus Christ speaks the Father’s words

John 8:40 ESV

but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.

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Jesus Christ’s words have sovereign power

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The gospel as the word of God

It was preached by Jesus Christ

Mark 2:2 ESV

And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them.

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It was preached by the first Christians

1 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

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It leads to numerical and spiritual growth within the church

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It must be preached

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Descriptions of God’s word

It is true:

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It is flawless:

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It is infallible:

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It is obeyed by angels.

It is eternal:

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It is sweet and delightful; It is exalted above all things; It is irrevocable; It is the sword of the Spirit; It is not chained; It is living and active; It is living and enduring.

Comparisons of the word of God with everyday things

Food:

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light

Fire:

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a hammer; a two-edged sword

The word of God has power

It is active

The Hebrew for “word” can also mean “action” or “deed”. This indicates that God’s word is active.

It brings about creation

Psalm 33:6 ESV

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

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It governs and maintains the created order

Hebrews 1:3 ESV

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

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It gives life

Deuteronomy 8:3 ESV

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

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It consecrates secular things

“the word of God and prayer” probably means “scriptural prayer”; i.e., on the basis of scriptural teaching the believer offers thanksgiving and prayer.

It restrains from evil

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It heals and rescues

Psalm 107:20 ESV

He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.

It has power to save

James 1:21 ESV

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

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It brings about the growth of the kingdom of God

Matthew 13:23 ESV

As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

It builds up the saints

Acts 20:32 ESV

And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.