The Power of the Word

The Power of the Word

This morning we are going to start a series called, “DNA” the core of City Church.

There are 5 main things that we value.

The Word

Worship

Next Gen

Outreach

Community

We felt like it was important that we take time to teach about why we value each of these.

It’s one thing to see a sign that says that or to hear us say that, but it’s another to actually UNDERSTAND the reasoning behind it.

So we want to share with you the heart behind City Church.

So this morning I’m going to start by talking about The Power of the Word!

Why is it important that we read the Bible?

We’re going to talk about 4 things the Word does for us when we read it.

You see the fact of the matter is that a majority of CHRISTIANS don’t read their Bible.

I’ve seen studies that say 80% of Christians don’t read their Bible Monday - Saturday.

Others have said 40% - 50% read it once or twice a week.

The bottom line is that Christians are not in the Word on a consistent basis.

And I believe that is a big reason why our culture is having such an impact on believers.

Because we really don’t know what the Word of God says about certain issues.

So today I want to share 4 things the Word does for us.

Our theme scripture for today is “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”

It’s important that we understand that.

That when we read the Bible we are reading the actual word of God.

Yes men wrote it but they were inspired by the Holy Spirit which means we can have confidence in what we are reading.

“And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.”

The Word Strengthens Your Faith.

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”

So how can our faith come or “grow” through the Word?

Because God speaks to us through His Word.

How many times have you been going through something in your life and you open your Bible and you read a verse that was speaking right to you?

I remember in a critical time in my life when this happened to me.

My wife and I were going through a difficult time in our lives.

I was unemployed, we were trying to start a family, etc.

One day when I was feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with God I was reading my Bible and I came across this verse.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

That verse just jumped off the page at me.

I KNEW it was God speaking to us.

And after that my faith grew stronger. I knew God was with me and had a plan.

You see when you read the Word God gives you Revelation.

It’s like an aha moment.

You see you don’t just read the Bible because of the information it gives you or the knowledge it gives you.

You read it because of the revelation it will bring you.

Information just informs, Revelation transforms.

That’s what happened when I read !

But so many people’s faith gets shaken because of circumstances and God WANTS to speak to them through his Word but because we don’t read it we don’t hear from Him.

The Word Helps You Walk in Truth.

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”

Some are going to hear messages from other people and think that what they are saying sounds good and will believe.

WHY?

BECAUSE THEY DON’T READ THE WORD THEMSELVES!

And because they don’t read the Word they don’t really know what the truth is.

That’s why so many Christians today are giving in to what our culture says is right and wrong.

Or we hear someone take one scripture out of context and twist it to make people think what they are saying is true and people just buy it.

The issue is we don’t have enough Bereans today.

“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

The Bereans would hear Paul preach but wouldn’t just settle that he was telling the truth.

So they would go home and study the scriptures that he taught from and made sure what he was saying was true.

How many people do that today?

After a Sunday message go home and read the verses the Pastor preached from to make sure it was accurate.

You’re not going to hurt my feelings if you do that. I want you to.

I tell my students all the time, “I don’t want you to believe what I believe because I told you to believe it. I want you to believe it because you came to that same conclusion by reading the Bible.”

Because unfortunately we live in a day where not all “Pastors” are preaching truth.

You can’t just go into a Christian bookstore and pick any book out and know that it is speaking the truth.

But when YOU are in the Word and studying for yourself God is going show you the truth.

In the book of Hosea the prophet writes in verse 6 “my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.”

I think to myself how many people’s faith today is being destroyed because of a lack of knowledge?

The Word is Your Weapon Against the Enemy

“ For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

We are in a spiritual battle every day of our lives against the enemy.

And if we aren’t prepared to fight we very well could lose.

So how do we fight against these powers and authorities?

Paul talks about the armor of God.

And most of the armor is for defensive purposes.

But there’s one weapon that he talks about.

“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

The WORD of God is our weapon!

Why?

Because there is POWER in the Word.

Power to keep you from being deceived.

Power to help you resist the lies of the enemy.

Power to show you the life God has called you to live.

When the enemy tries to attack you and tells you you’re a failure, that God doesn’t care about you and he causes fear to creep in...

It’s in those moments that we NEED to stand strong in what the Word of God says and speak it against the enemy.

Speak and believe verses like…

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Speak the Word and watch the devil flee!

The Word is powerful.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

The Word is alive and it’s here for us to take advantage of against the attacks of the enemy.

We can combat sin with the Word

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

The Word is Our Compass for Life

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

The Bible is our instruction guide for how to live our life.

So many people have questions on whether something is right or wrong and if they should do something or not and the answer is in the Word.

You see the Word is a lamp because it shows us where we are.

It’s a light on our path because it then shows us where we need to go.

All the answers you’re looking for about how we’re supposed to live and what’s right and what’s wrong is all in the Bible.

All you have to do is read it.

Bottom line is that it’s hard to stay on the path that God has for you if you’re not in His Word.

"Our research shows that when people engage with the Word, their lives are bettered," said Roy Peterson, president and CEO of American Bible Society. "They find wisdom, hope and healing. In today's sometimes turbulent times, the Bible can provide welcome answers."

I want you all to live the best life you can live and experience EVERYTHING God has for you.

And a great way to make sure that happens is get in the Word.

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