Thoughts from Ryan’s Message August 28,2015

The Word of God, Your Conquering Power

There are three Greek words used in the Bible for the word translated “word.” The first word “graphe” usually translated “scripture” is the literal ink and paper upon which the word of God is written. This is the word used in 2 Timothy 3:16: All Scripture (graphe) is God-breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, and for correction which is instruction in righteousness. This is the written Word of God which shall come to pass according to God’s sovereign will. The scripture itself cannot save. Rather, the scripture leads to the Savior Jesus Christ, the word of God made manifest in the flesh. Jesus Christ is the message and the meaning of the word of God.

The second Greek word translated “word” is “Logos” which is the eternal and unchanging Word of Truth. The Logos is the word of God and Jesus Christ is the Word or Logos of God made manifest. The Word (Logos) became flesh and dwelt among us. According to Hebrews 4:12, For the word (Logos) of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The third Greek word translated “word” is “rhema.” This is the spoken word which activates the power of God upon the lips of a believing Believer. The word of God becomes active when God speaks his word in and through his Believer. In Matthew 4:4 Jesus said, “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word (rhema) that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” According to Romans 10:17, “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word (rhema) of God.” There is power in the spoken word so be careful what you say. In Matthew 12:36 the warning is not to use the word (rhema) idly but to use it carefully and for God’s purposes.

The effectiveness of the Word depends on the person speaking the “rhema.” In Genesis, Israel blessed his son Jacob instead of his first-born Esau. Part of the blessing to Jacob was “He will be established with new wine and with grain.” There is power in God’s blessing, spoken according to the Word of God, by those to whom God has given authority to speak. Jacob’s mother called her son “Son of my grief.” However, the child’s father Jacob, had God’s authority to name him “Benjamin” which means “the son of my right hand” or “the son of my hand of blessing.” In Genesis 49:5 Simeon and Levi would be scattered throughout the land according to the words of their father. However, even though both tribes were declared “scattered,” the tribe of Levi was blessed by God when they stood against Israel when Israel bowed down to the golden calf in the wilderness.

There is power in the spoken word and they have an effect on others… even more so when they are the words of God. Ephesians 4:29 says “let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Proverbs 12:14: A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him. According to verse 18, The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. In Proverbs 13:3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.

What are the effects of the Word of God? Isaiah 55:11 says, “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” According to 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” Ephesians 3:10 says that the purpose of the church is to make known to the powers of darkness God’s wisdom: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.

Proclaiming the Word of God unleashes God’s power in the four categories: The first is against spiritual attacks. According to Daniel 4:37, King Nebuchadnezzar makes some some profound statements about the wisdom and power of God: Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

The second reason for proclaiming the Word is to allow God’s protection. Psalms 91:1-4 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, andfrom the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

The third is benefit of proclaiming the Word of God is to release his power of healing. See Psalm 103. Proverbs 3:5-8: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel and marrow to thy bones. “Health in verse 8 means “medicine.”

The fourth category for proclaiming the Word is to defeat sin. According to Micah 7, there is no other God like you. You forgive sin and delight in showing your mercy… you will hurl sin into the depth of the sea. 1 John 1:9 is about repentance to return to fellowship with God: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Sin means to “miss the mark.” The “flip-side” sin is to “press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 says, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” According to Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

The word of God on the lips of a believing Believer produces results according to the Power of God in manifestation. The truth of the Word of God is Jesus Christ as he himself declared: I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father except by me. The true meaning and significance of the Word of God is Jesus the Christ the Son of the living God… for o man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

May God richly bless you!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael