Building Together: The Word of God
Why is the Word of God important?
Psalm 112:1-3 - “Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.”
It is truth that endures forever.
Psalm 119:160 - “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”
It is our guide.
Psalm 119:105 - “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
It strengthens us.
Psalm 119:28 - “My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.”
It keeps us pure.
Psalm 119:9 - “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.”
It cleanses us.
Ephesians 5:25,26 - “Husbands love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.”
It is able to save our souls.
James 1:21 - “Therefore put away filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”
It keeps us from sin.
Psalm 119:11 - “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
Written Word vs. Spoken Word
Written Word - Lógos
“The entire communication process”
The entire Bible - the Word (or communication process) of God
Something said, reasoning or motive, Divine expression
Expressing the thoughts of the Father through the Spirit
Steps of Lógos
Collection - collecting words, thoughts
Counting - calculation, consideration, evaluation, reflection, reason (list or catalogue)
Presenting - proverb, command, legend, promise, written account, even thing
Unity of the Word of God - John 5:39, 46, 47
Examples of Lógos in scripture
John 1:1,14
Hebrews 4:12
James 1:21
1 Thessalonians 2:13
Luke 24:32
Psalm 119:11
Spoken Word - Rhema
A part of Lógos (which is the entire communication process)
An utterance
Begins when words are spoken
Examples of Rhema used in scripture
Ephesians 6:17 - “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Vine’s Expository Dictionary: The significance of rhema (as distinct from logos) is exemplified in the command to take “the sword of the Spirit, which is the rhema of God”; here the reference is not to the whole Bible, but to the individual scripture which the Holy Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need, a prerequisite being the regular storing of the mind with Scripture.
God speaks his rhema to us in different ways
Still, small voice - 1 Kings 19:11-13
Prophecy - Acts 11:27-30; Acts 21:10,11
Prophecy will NEVER go against the Word of God
Action (living out of the Scriptures)
- Acts 5:30-32, 2 Corinthians 3:2,3
Lógos and Rhema work together
Hebrews 4:12
The Joy of the Word
Psalm 119:103,104