THE WORD OF GOD

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart!” (Heb. 4:12 NKJV).

This verse gives some wonderful truths about the character of the Word of God, the Bible. It is the greatest of all books because it is God’s Book. Here we learn that the Bible is practical, powerful, and purifying.

Practical - “The word of God is living.” The Bible is a living Book. It is not antiquated, out of date, or impractical. It is applicable to every person in every facet of their life in every age. Therefore, it is extremely practical. Most books get out of date rather quickly, and thus they lose their value and cease to be practical. But the Bible never loses its value, it is always practical because it is “alive.”

Powerful - “And powerful.” The word translated “powerful” is the Greek word from which we get the English word “energy.” Thus the message here is that the Word of God energizes those who study and live the Word. When we get into the Word of God daily and earnestly, we will have the energy for service and the power to overcome temptation. If you find yourself dragging your feet spiritually and not performing well in service, it’s time to get into the Word of God. It will give you that energy and power to live a faithful and victorious life.

Purifying - “Sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” In figurative language, the Bible is described as a two-edged sword which easily pierces the body. This means that the Bible can get into us and expose our evil and convict us of sin. It will clean us up and give us holy conviction and character. That is the reason we need to be faithful and earnest in reading and studying the Scriptures and why preachers need to be faithful in teaching and preaching the Word of God.

(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading 3)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“The Bible’s power rests upon the fact that it is the reliable, errorless, and infallible Word of God!”

Charles (Chuck) Wendell Colson (1931 - 2012)

American Attorney and Founder of Prison Fellowship

Word Study

Fond of sordid gain

In Titus 1:7 we read, “For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain” (NASB).

“Fond of sordid gain” is the Greek word aischrokerdḗs (αἰσχροκερδής = ahee-skhrok-er-dace'). It is made up of two words: “aischros” which means filthy, shameful, indecent, dishonorable, and “kerdos” which means gain or profit. Thus, the word means shamelessly greedy; a seeker of gain in disgraceful ways. It describes a man who does not care how he makes money so long as he makes it. So, the overseer is not to be given to improper gain for selfish purposes and specifically is not to use his office as a means of accumulating unjust gain. To be sure, the laborer is worthy of his hire, but church leadership is never to be used to make money. The overseer is not to be eager for gain, especially gain that degrades his moral character. He is not to be like those who, without honesty or integrity, seek wealth and financial prosperity at any cost. A worthy overseer must be able to say with the apostle Paul, “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel” (Acts 20:33).

Did You Know…

The Israelites wanted Samuel to appoint a king over them so they could be like all the other nations (1 Sam. 8:19-20).

Bible Quiz

David said that God’s laws are to be desired more than what?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz

Why did the Queen of Sheba come to visit with King Solomon? She wanted to test him with hard questions (1 Kings 10:1).

Prophecies Fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ

A special anointing by the Holy Spirit (Psalm 45:7; cf. Matt. 3:16; Heb. 1:9)

"You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions” (Psalm 45:7 NJKV).

In context, the righteousness of the king’s rule comes from the character of the King. It is the natural result of His love of righteousness and His hate of wickedness. He doesn’t have to work hard to make His kingdom righteous; it is in His nature and character. Further, because of His great righteousness, the King receives a blessing from God. He is “anointed” with the “oil of gladness,” symbolizing His joyous ascension to the throne. At Oriental feasts, oil was poured on the heads of distinguished and very important guests. Also, in ancient times, kings, priests, and prophets were consecrated to their several offices by anointing. This anointing added a spiritual dimension to the ministry or task for which a man was called. Moses anointed Aaron; Samuel anointed David; Elijah anointed Elisha - a priest, a king, a prophet; each anointed for his office and each anointed by another man. In his sermon in Cornelius’ house, Peter states that “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power” (Acts 10:38). The Lord has been anointed by God, and there is no higher anointing than that. No angel equaled the Lord Jesus in His love of righteousness and hatred of sin. And while others will share the kingdom glories, the Lord Jesus Christ, as King, will ever be pre-eminent.

Did You Know – Christian History

Cotton Mather, Scion of a Noble Heritage - February 12, 1663

Cotton Mather was born on February 12, 1663, in the city of Boston, the capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was a Puritan theologian, naturalist, historian, and has been referred to as the “first American Evangelical.”

Mather entered Harvard College at age 12, excelling in Latin and Greek, and earned his M.A. at 18, a degree conferred by his father, then president of the college. And like his famous father and grandfather he entered the ministry. Acutely aware of sin in himself, from a young age he subjected his body to fasts and vigils and his mind to periodic self-examination. Six times a day he broke off business to pray and meditate. As a man he was unusually introspective. One wonders if he placed trust in works or in Christ. Sometimes he claimed direct illumination from God and at other times groaned or swooned. Often he felt plagued by demons. And convinced from his own experience of the real power of Satan, he supported witch hunting. At the urging of the Salem court, he wrote Wonders of the Invisible World which described the Salem witch trials. Mather’s defense of the Salem witch trials and his belief in witchcraft drew criticism, though he was not directly involved in the trials. His theological views on damnation and his public positions remains a matter of contention.

Mather was also an extremely prolific writer. Over his career, he produced over 400 published works on theology, history, science, medicine, and moral instruction, including a fascinating and valuable history of God’s workings in New England. The Royal Society of London elected him a member and read his scientific papers. The Christian Philosopher was his foray into apologetics. But Mather was not merely a scholar. He was also known for intense pastoral work - visiting the sick, catechizing children, leading Bible studies, and counseling congregations. His pastoral care and rapport with troubled teens won admiration. He actively participated in the hour’s political roly poly, for example, justifying the seizure and imprisonment of the colonial governor Edmund Andros. Mather died February 13, 1728. With him the Mathers fade from New England’s center stage. However, the first three Mathers were so famous that their names remain inseparable from the history of the region.

A Little Humor

It wasn’t the apple in the tree that got us in trouble, but the pair on the ground.

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Do not wait for the hearse to take you to church!”