Word of God

The word of God revealed as law

God has made his commands and requirements known

Psalm 147:19 NKJV

He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and His judgments to Israel.

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God’s law is to be obeyed

Deuteronomy 30:14 NKJV

But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may 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 NKJV

So the king did not listen to the people; for the turn of events was from the Lord, that He might fulfill His word, which the Lord had spoken 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 NKJV

knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved 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 NKJV

in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

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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 NKJV

Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing 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 NKJV

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 NKJV

But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.

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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 NKJV

Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them.

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It was preached by the first Christians

1 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV

For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.

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It leads to numerical and spiritual growth within the church

; ; ; ; ; Paul stresses that the preached word is not merely a verbal message but a dynamic power which achieves things.

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 NKJV

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.

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It governs and maintains the created order

Hebrews 1:3 NKJV

who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

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It gives life

Deuteronomy 8:3 NKJV

So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds 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 NKJV

He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.

It has power to save

James 1:21 NKJV

Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of 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 NKJV

But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

It builds up the saints

Acts 20:32 NKJV

“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.