What Say You?
Thrust: Embracing God’s Word as the ONLY ABSOLUTE TRUTH
The Word of God should govern
- Our thinking
- Our behaviours
- Our way of life
- Our faith
- Our destiny
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1. The Bible As the Authoritative Word of God
- Is the Bible absolutely reliable and can it be trusted fully?
- Is the Bible the authoritative Word of God which must be listened to and abided by?
The Word of God is inspired by the Third Person of the Godhead.
“There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way.” (2 Tim 3:15-16, MSG)
“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.” (2 Pet 1:20-21)
”So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie.” (Heb 6:18)
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (Jn 17:17)
The Word of God is the final authority!
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2. The Relevancy of the Word of God
The Word of God is eternal, unaltered by time or culture.
The Word of God is a matter of life and death.
Moses said to the Israelites, “Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.” (Deu. 32:46-47)
“By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen” (Heb 11:3)
“God he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command” (Heb 1:3)
“For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.” (1 Pet 1:23)
“People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt 4:4)
Truths written in the Bible
- Unveil who God is
- deal with the condition of man
- provide principles needed for important decisions in life
The Word of God is timeless!
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3. Life-Shaping Power of the Word of God
Who are you allowing to shape your life — the world or the Word?
It’s important what you believe as it determines how you behave and respond.
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…” (Pro 23:7a)
- What is shaping your worldviews?
- What are the core values that you are holding on to and living by?
- Are you allowing Word of God to influence and shape you or the values and philosophies of this world?
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Pet 5:8)
“Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Tim 4:1)
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition” (2 The 2:3)
Resist the subtle pressures of the world and attacks of the enemy by allowing God’s Word to continuously renew your mind.
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. 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” (Heb 4:12-13)
The Word of God has life-shaping power and work dynamically in us, revealing to us who we really are.
“to be renewed in the spirit of your minds” (Eph 4:23 )
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect .” (Rom 12:1-2)
Transformation is an inward change of one’s mind, constantly being renewed by the Word of God.
The Word of God must shape our lives!