The Word in Proclamation and in Lives.
Old Testament foundation (all text from ESV):
Deuteronomy 8:3 — And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.
* This verse is picked up by Jesus in his temptation with Satan. The larger point is that the Word is the source and sustenance of human life, “live by” shows that the Word is indispensable.
Psalm 119:11 — I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
*The Word helps to fight against sin. Ignorance of the Word or rebellion against it, result in sin.
Psalm 119:81 — My soul longs for your salvation;
I hope in your word.
*The Word gives hope. It is true and its promises can be trusted for the future.
Psalm 119:105 — Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
*The Word gives guidance in decisions, and where choices must be made.
New Testament
Acts 6:4 — But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.
*The leaders of the early church were engaged in prayer and study.
Romans 10:13 — So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
*The Word of Christ could be “the Word that Christ proclaims.” It could be “Christ is the Word that is proclaimed.” It could be “the Word of God” which is the Word of Christ” when taught becomes effectual in the lives of people who believe.
1 Corinthians 1:18 — For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
*The Word of the Cross is the Gospel. There is no exclusion about what touches the Cross and what doesn’t. Even Old Testament promises and prefiguring of the work of Christ (in sacrificial system and in Kingly rule) are the Word of the Cross. More specifically, it deals with the teaching about the Cross of Christ, his sacrifice and death for sinners. It also includes his death and his resurrection and finally, his ascension to Heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:2 — and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
*Paul preached the Word to the Corinthians. The content of that message was also to be received by those who believed. It was a test of true and saving faith that those who believed would accept Paul’s “Word” as the very Word of God.
Ephesians 1:13 — In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
*The Word of Truth directs our attention to the factual accuracy and efficacy of the Word of God. It is true. It is effective. It accomplishes the purpose for which God sent it.
Ephesians 6:17 — and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
*Sword of the Spirit and the Word of God. The work of the Spirit of God is bound up with the ministry of the Word of God. The Word gives material that the Spirit can apply and work into the understanding and heart of the believer in Christ. The Word also in consistent with the purposes of the Spirit. What the Spirit does will always be consistent with the teaching of the Bible. The Spirit of God will never be at odds with the teaching of the Bible.
Philippians 1:14 — And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
*Speaking the Word does require courage, especially in times of confrontation and danger. We are encouraged to be bold.
Philippians 2:16 — holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
*The Word of Life. The Word of God brings life, it tells about life, it is effective unto salvation when it is proper proclamation of the Gospel of God.
Colossians 3:16 — Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
*The Word of Christ can be a presence in our hearts. It delineates what we are taught, how we admonish and on what basis, and it gives wisdom. The Word also gives examples of songs and hymns and spiritual songs by which praise is rendered to God.
2 Timothy 2:15 — Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
*Rightly handling the Word of Truth means that the Bible is not misinterpreted. Verses are understood, as much as is possible, from the understanding of the writer’s intention, and the contemporary reader’s understanding. Applications can be much broader, but the understanding of the text of Scriptures comes when it is read in context, in history, and with the best understanding of the circumstances in which it is written.
Hebrews 4:12 — For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
*The Word of God is like a living power. It acts. It moves. It teaches. It rebukes. It makes alive (by the Spirit). It is alive. Not like a person or spirit is alive, but it acts and moves, it is effective. The living qualities of the Word could be from the connection to the work of the Spirit of God in and through it.
James 1:22 — But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
*The Word demands our obedience, and it forbids our neglect. We are to hear its message and do what it says. Hearing without doing is condemned.
1 John 1:1 — That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—
*The Word of Life is Jesus Christ. It is also the Word about Jesus Christ. The message of the Gospel brings life to those who are dead spiritually.
1 John 2:14 — I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God abides in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.
*The presence of the Word of God brings victory over the evil one.
Glorious Savior Church 