John 1:1John 1:1 NET NET In the beginning was the Word, and In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God.fully God. 22 The Word was with God in the The Word was with God in the

beginning.beginning. 33 All things were created by him, All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.that has been created. 44 In him was life, and In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind.the life was the light of mankind. 55 And the And the

light shines on in the darkness, but the light shines on in the darkness, but the darkness has not mastered it.darkness has not mastered it.

The plainest reason why the Son of God is The plainest reason why the Son of God is called the Word, seems to be, that as our called the Word, seems to be, that as our

words explain our minds to others, so was the words explain our minds to others, so was the Son of God sent in order to reveal his Father's Son of God sent in order to reveal his Father's mind to the world. What the evangelist says of mind to the world. What the evangelist says of Christ proves that he is God. He asserts His Christ proves that he is God. He asserts His existence in the beginning; His coexistence existence in the beginning; His coexistence

with the Father. with the Father.

The Word was with God. All things were made The Word was with God. All things were made by him, and not as an instrument. Without him by him, and not as an instrument. Without him was not any thing made that was made, from was not any thing made that was made, from the highest angel to the meanest worm. This the highest angel to the meanest worm. This shows how well qualified he was for the work shows how well qualified he was for the work

of our redemption and salvation. of our redemption and salvation.

The light of reason, as well as the life of sense, The light of reason, as well as the life of sense, is derived from him, and depends upon him. is derived from him, and depends upon him. This eternal Word, this true Light shines, but This eternal Word, this true Light shines, but the darkness comprehends it not. Let us pray the darkness comprehends it not. Let us pray without ceasing, that our eyes may be opened without ceasing, that our eyes may be opened to behold this Light, that we may walk in it; and to behold this Light, that we may walk in it; and thus be made wise unto salvation, by faith in thus be made wise unto salvation, by faith in

Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ. (MHCC)(MHCC)

With Jesus coming to earth and taking on With Jesus coming to earth and taking on human form to show us the mind of God human form to show us the mind of God

notice not only that Jesus is the Word, but also notice not only that Jesus is the Word, but also the audible words that come from His mouth the audible words that come from His mouth

are so very important.are so very important.John 6:63John 6:63 NET NET The Spirit is the one who gives life; The Spirit is the one who gives life;

human nature is of no help! The words that I human nature is of no help! The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.have spoken to you are spirit and are life.

Listen to Jesus' own words that reinforce the Listen to Jesus' own words that reinforce the facts stated in: facts stated in:

John 1:1John 1:1 NET NET In the beginning was the Word, and In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was the Word was with God, and the Word was

fully God.fully God.John 10:24John 10:24 NET NET The Jewish leaders surrounded The Jewish leaders surrounded him and asked, "How long will you keep us in him and asked, "How long will you keep us in

suspense? suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."

2525 Jesus replied, Jesus replied, "I told you and you do not "I told you and you do not believe.believe. The deeds I do in my Father's name The deeds I do in my Father's name testify about me.testify about me. 2626 But you refuse to believe But you refuse to believe because you are not my sheep.because you are not my sheep. 2727 My sheep My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.follow me. 2828 I give them eternal life, and they I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from will never perish; no one will snatch them from

my hand.my hand.

2929 My Father, who has given them to me, is My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them greater than all, and no one can snatch them

from my Father's hand.from my Father's hand. 3300 The Father and I are one."The Father and I are one."

Jesus says it point blank,Jesus says it point blank, ““The Father and I are one."The Father and I are one."

He talks again about life coming from Him, but He talks again about life coming from Him, but not plain old life, not plain old life, eternal lifeeternal life!! Did you hear a Did you hear a

stipulation relating to stipulation relating to eternal lifeeternal life??

My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.and they follow me. In order to receive In order to receive eternal eternal

lifelife His voice must not just be heard, but His voice must not just be heard, but listened to. And once listened to, listened to. And once listened to,

He must be followed! He must be followed!

There is also a security caveat. When He is There is also a security caveat. When He is listened to and followed, God The Father gives listened to and followed, God The Father gives that listening, following soul to Jesus. Once in that listening, following soul to Jesus. Once in Jesus possession Jesus possession they will never perish; no they will never perish; no one will snatch them from my hand.one will snatch them from my hand. How is How is

that for security? that for security?

Today I hope to demonstrate Today I hope to demonstrate the life & power which comes from the the life & power which comes from the

Word of God. Word of God. I will try to convict you of the need to access this I will try to convict you of the need to access this

life & power by reading, studying, life & power by reading, studying, & getting to know God's Word. & getting to know God's Word.

I will introduce you to your judge. I will introduce you to your judge.

Hebrews 4:12Hebrews 4:12 NET NET For the word of God is living and For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the able to judge the desires and thoughts of the

heart.heart.

We can see life coming from the words of God in We can see life coming from the words of God in a story found in Ezekiel.a story found in Ezekiel.

The hand of the LORD was upon Ezekiel, and he The hand of the LORD was upon Ezekiel, and he was brought out by the Spirit of the LORD and was brought out by the Spirit of the LORD and

set in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. set in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He was led back and forth among them, and He was led back and forth among them, and saw a great many bones on the floor of the saw a great many bones on the floor of the

valley, bones that were very dry. valley, bones that were very dry. He was asked, He was asked,

"Son of man, can these bones live?" "Son of man, can these bones live?"

He said, He said, "O Sovereign LORD, you alone know.""O Sovereign LORD, you alone know."

Then he was told, "Prophesy to these bones and Then he was told, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, say to them,

'Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what 'Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will

make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come will attach tendons to you and make flesh come

upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know

that I am the LORD.'"that I am the LORD.'"

So he prophesied as he was commanded. And So he prophesied as he was commanded. And as he was prophesying, there was a noise, a as he was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. He looked, and tendons and bone to bone. He looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. them, but there was no breath in them.

Then he was told, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into

these slain, that they may live.'" So he prophesied as he was commanded, and

breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet-- a vast army.

Then he was told: "Son of man, these bones are Then he was told: "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, 'Our the whole house of Israel. They say, 'Our

bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.' Therefore prophesy and say to are cut off.' Therefore prophesy and say to

them: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: them: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I am going to open your graves O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you and bring you up from them; I will bring you

back to the land of Israel. back to the land of Israel.

Then you, my people, will know that I am the Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you LORD, when I open your graves and bring you

up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you you will live, and I will settle you

in your own land. in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have Then you will know that I the LORD have

spoken, and I have done it, declares the spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.'" LORD.'"

Didn't we all not know the power of God's word from Didn't we all not know the power of God's word from the first time we heard how He created all things? the first time we heard how He created all things? And God said, "Let there be light," and there was And God said, "Let there be light," and there was

light.light. We cannot imagine the power He has in just We cannot imagine the power He has in just speaking and it is. Why do we now not remember speaking and it is. Why do we now not remember to constantly look to His Word for life? We should to constantly look to His Word for life? We should

take advice from the second stanza of the take advice from the second stanza of the 119th Psalm119th Psalm. .

PsalmPsalm 119:9-16119:9-16

How can a young man How can a young man keep his way pure? keep his way pure?

By living according to your word.By living according to your word.I seek you with all my heart; I seek you with all my heart;

do not let me stray do not let me stray from your commands.from your commands.

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

Praise be to you, O LORD; Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees.teach me your decrees.

With my lips I recount all the laws With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.that come from your mouth.

I rejoice in following your statutes I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.as one rejoices in great riches.

I meditate on your precepts I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.and consider your ways.I delight in your decrees; I delight in your decrees;

I will not neglect your word.I will not neglect your word.

Can you truthfully say those words? Do you Can you truthfully say those words? Do you seek Him with all your heart? Do you rejoice seek Him with all your heart? Do you rejoice in following His statutes? Do you meditate in following His statutes? Do you meditate

and consider His ways? Do you delight in His and consider His ways? Do you delight in His decrees? Do you not neglect His word? Have decrees? Do you not neglect His word? Have you hidden His Word in your heart or have you you hidden His Word in your heart or have you

slipped it under a table leg slipped it under a table leg to make it level? to make it level?

Remember the Remember the POWERPOWER in God's Word. God in God's Word. God describes the describes the POWERPOWER in His Word another way in His Word another way

in in Jeremiah 23:29Jeremiah 23:29 NET NET My message is like a fire that My message is like a fire that purges dross! It is like a hammer that breaks a purges dross! It is like a hammer that breaks a

rock in pieces! I, the LORD, so affirm it!rock in pieces! I, the LORD, so affirm it!

Do you want life? God's Word will give it to you. Not Do you want life? God's Word will give it to you. Not just physical life to walk around on this earth, but just physical life to walk around on this earth, but eternal life. Regardless what you might think, we eternal life. Regardless what you might think, we will be judged. Don't you want to know what it is will be judged. Don't you want to know what it is

that will judge us, and what that judge is like? What that will judge us, and what that judge is like? What does that judge like? What does that judge dislike? does that judge like? What does that judge dislike?

Does the judge have any advice on how to be Does the judge have any advice on how to be judged favorably?judged favorably?

In order to answer these questions In order to answer these questions we must get acquainted with we must get acquainted with

and know the Judge. and know the Judge. We have read today that We have read today that

God's Word God's Word is able to judge the desires and is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.thoughts of the heart.

Are you spending time Are you spending time with the Judge? with the Judge?

The Judge is powerful, The Judge is powerful, we better get to know it. we better get to know it.

There was a Bible College professor speaking to a There was a Bible College professor speaking to a huge crowd of teenagers in Bolivar some years ago huge crowd of teenagers in Bolivar some years ago

at a Christ In Youth conference. In the middle of at a Christ In Youth conference. In the middle of his sermon he stopped and told the youth to pick his sermon he stopped and told the youth to pick

out one chapter of the Bible and read it to out one chapter of the Bible and read it to themselves. When they were finished they were to themselves. When they were finished they were to raise their hands. They were unaware that he had raise their hands. They were unaware that he had

started a stopwatch when they began. started a stopwatch when they began.

When they had all read a chapter to themselves he When they had all read a chapter to themselves he found that the average person took a little over 3 found that the average person took a little over 3

minutes to read a chapter. My point for telling you minutes to read a chapter. My point for telling you this and his reason for doing it, is to make this this and his reason for doing it, is to make this

point. It is very little to ask one to spend a little over point. It is very little to ask one to spend a little over 3 minutes with God's Word daily? Could you not 3 minutes with God's Word daily? Could you not spend 10 minutes a day reading 3 chapters from spend 10 minutes a day reading 3 chapters from

that which that which is able to judge the desires and thoughts is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.of the heart.? ?

Let me read one of my favorite passages I use Let me read one of my favorite passages I use often.often.

2 Timothy 3:162 Timothy 3:16 NET NET Every scripture is inspired by Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for

correction, and for training in righteousness,correction, and for training in righteousness, 1717 that the person dedicated to God may be that the person dedicated to God may be

capable and equipped for every good work.capable and equipped for every good work.

We have found God's word is life, We have found God's word is life, it judges, it is it judges, it is POWERfulPOWERful. .

In addition we have just learned it is useful for In addition we have just learned it is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, & training in teaching, rebuking, correcting, & training in righteousness to prepare us for every good righteousness to prepare us for every good work. Don't you want to be prepared to do work. Don't you want to be prepared to do

every good work?every good work?

If you want life, if you want If you want life, if you want to be judged favorably, to be judged favorably,

you must get to know the Word.you must get to know the Word.Hebrews 4:12Hebrews 4:12 NET NET For the word of God is living and For the word of God is living and

active and sharper than any double-edged active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the able to judge the desires and thoughts of the

heart.heart.

He has given us all we need.He has given us all we need.2 Peter 1:32 Peter 1:3 NET NET I can pray this because his divine power I can pray this because his divine power

has bestowed on us everything necessary for life has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the and godliness through the rich knowledge of the

one who called us by his own glory and excellence. one who called us by his own glory and excellence. He has given us all we need He has given us all we need through the richthrough the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own knowledge of the one who called us by his own

glory and excellence.glory and excellence. How can we gain How can we gain knowledge knowledge of the one who called usof the one who called us except from the Word of except from the Word of

God?God?

Matthew 6:19Matthew 6:19 NET NET "Do not accumulate for "Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth yourselves treasures on earth, where moth

and rust destroy and and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.where thieves break in and steal.

2020 But accumulate for yourselves treasures in But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.and thieves do not break in and steal. 2121 For For

where your treasure is, there your heart will be where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.also.

Matthew 6:33Matthew 6:33 NET NET But above all pursue his But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these kingdom and righteousness, and all these

things will be given to you as well.things will be given to you as well.How can you How can you accumulate for yourselves accumulate for yourselves

treasures in heaventreasures in heaven and and pursue his kingdom pursue his kingdom and righteousnessand righteousness if you never open the if you never open the

instruction book? How can we expect to know instruction book? How can we expect to know the way if we never open the map?the way if we never open the map?

The Lord has done His part. He has given us all The Lord has done His part. He has given us all we need to see Him. Please don't neglect the we need to see Him. Please don't neglect the

eternal life that could be yours. eternal life that could be yours. Take God's Word off the shelf, blow the dust off Take God's Word off the shelf, blow the dust off

it, and get to know your judge. It is a win/lose it, and get to know your judge. It is a win/lose situation. Know the judge and win -- ignore situation. Know the judge and win -- ignore

and neglect the judge and lose. and neglect the judge and lose.