Word of God

The word of God revealed as law

God has made his commands and requirements known

Psalm 147:19 NCV

He gave his word to Jacob, his laws and demands to Israel.

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God’s law is to be obeyed

Deuteronomy 30:14 NCV

No, the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey 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 NCV

So the king did not listen to the people. The Lord caused this to happen to keep the promise he had made to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah, a prophet from Shiloh.

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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 NCV

Most of all, you must understand this: No prophecy in the Scriptures ever comes from the prophet’s own interpretation. No prophecy ever came from what a person wanted to say, but people led by the Holy Spirit spoke words from God.

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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 NCV

During Darius’ first year as king, I, Daniel, was reading the Scriptures. I saw that the Lord told Jeremiah that Jerusalem would be empty ruins for 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 NCV

Jesus answered, “You don’t understand, because you don’t know what the Scriptures say, and you don’t know about 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 NCV

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

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Jesus Christ speaks the Father’s words

John 8:40 NCV

I am a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God, but you are trying to kill me. Abraham did nothing like that.

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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 NCV

Many people gathered together so that there was no room in the house, not even outside the door. And Jesus was teaching them God’s message.

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It was preached by the first Christians

1 Thessalonians 2:13 NCV

Also, we always thank God because when you heard his message from us, you accepted it as the word of God, not the words of humans. And it really is God’s message which works in you who believe.

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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 NCV

The sky was made at the Lord’s command. By the breath from his mouth, he made all the stars.

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It governs and maintains the created order

Hebrews 1:3 NCV

The Son reflects the glory of God and shows exactly what God is like. He holds everything together with his powerful word. When the Son made people clean from their sins, he sat down at the right side of God, the Great One in heaven.

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It gives life

Deuteronomy 8:3 NCV

He took away your pride when he let you get hungry, and then he fed you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had ever seen. This was to teach you that a person does not live on bread alone, but by everything the Lord says.

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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 NCV

God gave the command and healed them, so they were saved from dying.

It has power to save

James 1:21 NCV

So put out of your life every evil thing and every kind of wrong. Then in gentleness accept God’s teaching that is planted in your hearts, which can save you.

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It brings about the growth of the kingdom of God

Matthew 13:23 NCV

But what is the seed that fell on the good ground? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching and understands it. That person grows and produces fruit, sometimes a hundred times more, sometimes sixty times more, and sometimes thirty times more.”

It builds up the saints

Acts 20:32 NCV

“Now I am putting you in the care of God and the message about his grace. It is able to give you strength, and it will give you the blessings God has for all his holy people.