God"s Word is Alive

Defend and read the word of God. These various types and and read with me.

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. Thank you.

Please be seated. Without physical nourishment for our bodies, we die in a matter of days without food for our souls. We perish forever.

We want to learn today remind ourselves about God's word so that our lives conform to the word of God is so easy, easy. Isn't it time for Christianity on their own terms.

Christianity, which makes us comfortable.

I Christianity which matters are cultured by the of course, that kind of Christianity I Christianity which is not true to God's revelation is no Christianity tall next Sunday as we been eyes, Lord willing to commence a six-week series on controversial subjects like marriage, divorce, the gay debate LGBT Q transgender is him know I say controversial.

Not because I'm going to get my own views or opinions. I will not do that. But the rather in their continuing study of Matthew were going to come to Matthew chapter 19 and as you know we been going consecutively through the book of Matthew for a long time and are going to examine the words of Jesus and is a very sad reflection of our country. Isn't it that God's word on the subject is noncontroversial does not show that the client of our culture that what is the clear teaching of Scripture is now regarded as controversial and even bigoted in 2007 Drew Faust became the first female president and Harvard University. July present emeritus and then the speech when she became president here this Harvard this elite educational establishment in the country. She said this. The Veritas for you know is Latin for truth, the Veritas and Harvard Shield was originally intended to invoke the absolutes of divine revelation. The unassailable vanities of Puritan religion. We understand quite differently.

Truth is an aspiration, not a possession, yet initially annulled universities defined by the spirit of debate and free inquiry challenge and even threatened those who would embrace unquestioned certainty.

We must commit ourselves to the uncomfortable position of direct to the humility of always believing there's more to know more to teach more to under stand outside Harvard's original model was Veritas Pro Crystal at ecclesia Latin for truth for Christ and his church. Think of that in this country is Harvard University was funded. It had this wonderful model truth for Christ and his church than Erling. The 20th century.

The mother was reduced to merely Veritas truth. No, the president, former president present emeritus is saying. Truth is merely an aspiration not a possession was that we delivered some of you read the announcements that Greg Epstein is the new chief chaplain of Harvard University is elected to the presidency of the University. Just recently by an organization of chaplains at Harvard representing some 40 chaplains from some 20 different faith and spiritual traditions, Greg Epstein, the new chief chaplain is a self-professed atheist of the self-described humanist also read that in 2019 v�rit� 7.9 incoming freshman to Harvard identified as either atheist or agnostic. Just think of that some of the brightest here, not just the United States with joy the world are going to Harvard this wonderful university and almost 2/5 of them are saying where atheist or agnostic's Epstein was raised in a Jewish household told the New York Times, court, we don't look to God for answers. Small G we don't look to a God for answers. We are each other's answers I sons very smart, very sophisticated. I find it very very sad that God is not rejected and the answers to life find within our selves. When the departure from Harvard's original model number.

Truth is whatever you want it to be so as we begin next week, Lord willing. The series on marriage and gender issues. I want us to be crystal clear. Without a thought a day is not out ideas, not our feelings, not your private views not in use of our society, not the laws of Congress, not the decisions of the Supreme Court, but the word of God which is absolute truth delete that so I'm not necessarily going to tell many of you anything you want to still reaffirm our commitment at Calvary church and in our personal lives that God's word is alive and it is the authority remove that and everything crumbles you end up as Harvard is done in this situation, which began so strongly truth for Christ and the church. No, there's no such thing as truth, invite less of an atheist as her chief chaplain and no wonder that many of the freshman. This describe themselves as atheist or agnostic. So if you have your Bible open it, please. Three. Bruce. Towards the end of the New Testament. Hebrews chapter 4 and I want to read a couple of verses very important verses Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12 wonderful versus for the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and the spirit of joints and of model and disarming the thoughts and intentions of the heart, and no creature is hidden from his site, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account one day you and I will stand before God.

God's word. First, is living and active. The text says the word of God is living and active God's word is living.

Of course it is. God is a living God is not dead, and his word is alive.

Martin Luther said the Bible is alive. It speaks to me.

It has feet it runs after me with his hands and lays hold of me this word the word of God is alive is living because it is the very breath of God read from two Timothy 316 all Scripture is inspired by God is breathed out by God. It is the very breath of God. It is God's word written. Want understand what God is saying we read the Scriptures. This is the word of God is a well but John is a very, very old book we wish it were much more learned what is more sophisticated now I can such an old book be alive because it is the eternal Word of God. It is the breath of God. Hebrews describes it as the very voice of God and that which is eternal as is the word of God. That which is eternal is always relevant. Turn over a few pages.

The first Peter chapter 1 where we will see this in Hebrews, James, and then first Peter first Peter chapter 1 verse 22. By the way you done the Bible by one if you can't afford it. The brother who prayed to boot.

Will buy you one and we want you to get the word of God seriously get a Bible. First Peter one verse 23 Peter says, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God transformation. Spiritual birth salvation. Peter is saying is not coming from perishable. She's seen, such as your own opinion such as culture, what some philosopher believed 20 years ago or 200 years ago. No, it comes from the imperishable word of God is living and abiding for your Peter quotes from Isaiah.

All flesh is like grass, and all his glory like the float of grass.

The grass withers, the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever throughout the history of human history between all kinds of ideas all kinds of religions all kinds of philosophies all kinds of perspectives that have come and gone. What was accepted as wisdom 100 years ago is not discarded, but says Peter. The word of God remains forever, and this word notice the last part of the last verse of the first chapter 1st be the one. He says this word is the good news that was preached to you, God's word. We will learn does not change to accommodate your views God's word doesn't change to accommodate political action, God's word doesn't change because the Supreme Court rule a certain way. God's word doesn't change because you have adopted a particular lifestyle that you like God's word stands for ever and when the Bible speaks God is speaking. That's why we give great reference reverence to the word of God is white with teaching it is where the no Minotaur children. That's why it's been communicated to her students.

That's why the Bible studies, which are beginning for man and woman rooted in holy Scripture. It is not only living. It is life giving, Peter says in order to be born again to have God's life in your very soul. It must come through the word of God, how important it is within here reverently reads and obey the living word of God, listening, listening to God.

Do you come with an expectation that today God is going to speak to you through his work tomorrow morning when you get up and you open this book in your reader.

Do you have the expectation that God is speaking to you. It's his word is living but also the writer says in Hebrews chapter 4. Not only is it living. It is active active like that word active refers to an activity which produces results. Word of God is effective. It's dynamic is life-changing both sides the Timothy and Second Amendment reporting from a child you've known the holy Scriptures, which were able to make you wise unto salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. How do you come to saving faith in Jesus Christ by looking for someone else for an answer to form a little committee to brainstorm as a wound, absolutely no from a child from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which give you this wisdom. Paul says, through faith in Jesus Christ's and the word of God unleashed in our lives produces results. Here we just had of two men fighters and the Taliban extreme Muslims believing strongly that Christians are infidels. I will kill them. What happens the word of God comes and transforms them because the word of God is active. It's profitable for teaching, for the proof or correction, for training in righteousness is powerful. God's word transforms us and saves us, transforms us and makes us ready quips us for every good work God's word is also active. You know this if you read it. If you are humble to God's word is also active in the sense that it cleanses us and keeps us going this morning I get up and have a shower. I want my body to be clean, but that shout however wonderful it was can do nothing to my heart and my soul.

I want to clean body but also in a clean heart I'm I going to get a clean heart. Psalm 119 verse nine, wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way.

How can the student go to UNC Charlotte and live a pure holy life in such an unholy work. How can you live a holy life in an unholy world answer by taking heed thereto according to your work, your dirty thoughts. You said some dirty things feeling guilty feeling shame that something which you feel is the filing you feel that your very soul is polluted, you can get a shower when we do word of God is pure and it is active in my life.

It produces results not just giving me information so I have a big head and can impress someone in my Bible study. No, it's active. It produces transform our nation a direct service to the path of righteousness.

So Jesus says sanctify them in thy truth. Your word is truth.

John 17 verse seven.

Even live a clean life word of God. It is only living as active. So today as I'm preaching the word of God you today. I know with you here in the sanctuary watching on Lifestream. I know the dog has his purposes and that God will use this word, that when reading to effect change conviction, challenge and comfort in people's life because this word is active, it will not return to God and to the wise ISAs desire 55 firsthand as little as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and on return there, but water the artist making it bring forth and sprout giving seed to the sower and bread to the either rain come starting and it produces results, produces growth. The seed grows. Verse 11, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth.

It shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent was on the schoolteacher, your mother, you meet with your four and five-year-old wrongdoing you read the word of God teaching Sunday school sometimes wonder something happening here as preachers, we wonder believe me sometimes going home and the sun. The night after preacher my heart out twice in an essay to Goodner what was all that member God's word is its active it's powerful to the funeral on Tuesday Brian Monday some of you know, the only other Scotsman that came here so I feel very lonely and he's he's gone.

We sit up against Americans.

Two of us we could take your long note on the associate but Brian Monday years ago stepped forward here right there.

Confess Jesus Christ as Savior is about 70 years old and for most of his adult life.

In fact, all of his adult life. It turned and pursued his own destructive ways.

But he told me he had a very unhappy home is brought up by his great aunt who took him to church. Churches, Presbyterian right the frozen chosen, but with apologies to my friends but the minister I had them in as a student and the University. The minister was a faithful preacher of the word of God and is a little boy, always and dropped them off at church and when the runway and then pick them up and start going was about 14 years old and he Vietnam comes as a 17-year-old. I asked him to come to church with the Carmel country club is a ma�tre d' and he finally came and the words that was someone in his heart, as a little boy which he had largely suppressed the back of his memory lived his own life in a very chaotic and destructive life. It was when he noncoms the Calvary church and he hears the same word in the same gospel. Think of this. How wonderful it is that seed which was soul, and all of these years ago brings forth fruit is God's word and action is needed. So when you're teaching the word of God to your children in your Sunday school teacher and you brought adult children and you've taught them and then wandered away and you you you wonder. Keep praying that seeds is active. It's living and active, and it never fails to accomplish God's purposes today.

Today obey it in supernatural transformation takes place as living is active. Also, it is sharp.

Hebrews 412, sharper than any two edged sword.

The double edge sword was a symbol of judges and magistrates in the room the world they wanted, as we do a justice which is sharp and penetrating, not blunt, not superficial in God's word is sharper than any two edged sword that's been income rose something people say when I'm choosing a church that makes me comfortable and that's not good or someone is a little ticked off with me from time to time and as a pastor you made me very uncomfortable.

Well, if I have, I apologize, but if the word of God makes you uncomfortable. Praise God. It is sharper than any two edged sword.

It challenges us. It convicts us as I read the word of God. It penetrates me. It shows my shallowness. It reveals my sin because our hearts become hardened and deceived on the Hebrews 3 verse 13. Take care brothers less than me in any of you and evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day as long as it is called today that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. But we've come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold that original confidence firm to the end as it is said, today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.

We who are followers of Jesus Christ and the true we sometimes get deceived hearts become hardened we become a bit stale. We go through the motions, and then we everything the word of God. When a Bible study. We hear the word of God. Pre-extended pierces us and it convicts us. It's an indispensable tool in exposing our sin. We need an uncompromising standard because what bombarded by the Jews of the world views of our enemies become in our media and our schools are politics and all around us wherever we go and how important it is, then we close our ears so that and we say speak Lord for your servant hears. In God's word comes and it convicts us. It cuts through the tough areas of her life and her attitude.

That's why some preaching, which makes me uncomfortable. That's why some of you.

I trust all of you from time to time as you sit there you're almost squirming. Praise God. God's word is sharper than the two edged sword.

This piercing sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints of model and disarming the thoughts and intentions of the heart is the living word is divine sword is profoundly sharp and it penetrates the innermost recesses of human existence as far as the division of soul and spirit, of what drawings and models God's word reaches into the deepest recesses of human personality and existence pierces our fa�ades on hypocrisies or pseudo-spirituality of defense mechanism God's word is so sharp and so piercing that no psychoanalyst, no psychiatrist, no therapist, no counselor or anyone else can do the work of God. Someone says to me when I'm gone to therapy for five years with an unbeliever.

Discuss the problems. What is it one deceitful heart trying to look into another deceitful heart. The thing that therapy is is always hopeless. I'm not saying that what I'm saying this that God's word can penetrates.

If you are humble and will bring life and transformation will expose the areas of your life and mine that need to be changed because our hearts to become hard and deceitful.

We have our defense mechanisms wherever rationalizations the problem in your marriage.

The problem in your family for the personal problem we humbly coming to God's word so that that sharp sword will come and piercing Elys�e to have deep scars, scholars, hearts wounded souls, dark secrets, things that you never tell another person in God's word will expose your superficiality. God's word brother will expose that secret sin that you hi and drive you to Christ for forgiveness and change. We allow this to a just sought to penetrate it.

Sharp, his heart, it will expose your true motives. Your thoughts and your sin today when you hear the word of God, do not harden your heart. Whatever themes for this year is obeying the word of God. Buzzword saves her soul.

God's word equips us for every good work. Sharp and it's piercing the God's word is supernatural because it's the sword of the Spirit read that with me in Ephesians chapter 6 wonderful chapter of the armor of God is a living for Christ is hard. I find it very hard. You find a heart that's go the bank that store wherever you are tired to stand as a warrior for Christ is are you going to do it put on the full armor of God, and essential to that verse 17 take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. This is a sort but my sword is the sword of the Spirit.

The interpretations given the sword of the Spirit is the word of God.

The word of God comes from the spirit is all of the authority of God behind it.

It is our supreme and final authority, and it is supernatural is the sword of the Spirit is the very word of God. God's word is on lights which will guide us through all of life. A lamp to my feet and the lamp to my path.

Wonderful to know.

Whatever your facing God's word will guide you step-by-step. When everything planned ahead of you is none that usually doesn't reveal it to us. He just tells you to take one step in accordance with Scripture. Soul is relevant because it lives and abides forever. Some hundred 19 verse 89, put up a little larger word is firmly fixed in the heavens, and you will never ever be spiritually mature and lasts you spent time in the word spent time in the word no and obey it. Take the sword of the Spirit you have to do that, you say well you know and I everything up a book about the Bible and them I'm in this little study guide with Jos� little boys and girls humbly who don't want to eat the table. Perhaps some of you would like and that we see pens go through ridiculous exercises to get little Johnny to eat that green bean that is such a favorite vegetable here in the South, or to eat grits or whatever it is the little Johnny doesn't want than they are printed on the spoon and pretend this is like a airplane, open your mind. Johnny overhears a choo-choo train coming with the foods and go through this so little Johnny will get nutritious food. I sometimes think some churches are like every is going to be fun fun fun fun with it entertain people because the word of God. You know I can be really boring really have a self got to spice it up.

We got to change it.

This results in people remaining baby Christians baby food is okay for babies are you speak to children in kindergarten about the gospel should be a little different from how we speak as adults. Paul talks to the Corinthians is a jerk your spiritual maturity are babes in Christ and what it is. Spoon fed Swinford. I've met followers of Christ who have been following Christ for many years they civilly can really need the read the Bible in the wrong they need to study guide and you spend all your time trying to work out what this person's question is just a vow I like to read about the Bible. I do have a huge library love to read, but nothing and I keep saying this, I think sometimes I feel like John the Baptist crying in the wilderness that is nothing. Nothing to substitute you the Holy Spirit in this book, study guides, trace videos all have their place but you yes you have your five-year-old little boy 95-year-old person you need every day to be in this book will grow can be spoon fed all the time now. In Ephesians 6, Paul is telling us that the word of God is a sure weapon against the attacks of the enemy. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote the deceit, the lie of the devil consists of this that he wishes to make mine believe that he can live without God's work you think you can live without God's work. Some of you are acting as if you can, because you never yourself reading this book beginning.

I understand and read the words of Jesus used when he was attacked by the devil man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. And when the enemy attacked our Lord Jesus.

What did you do quoted Scripture to use the sword of the Spirit in Ephesians 6, verse 17, the emphasis is on the specific word of God in the particular situation and before we can use the start of this, but I need to know the word of God. It will defeat the enemy God's truth always always stands again. The attacks of the enemy. It is written, it is written, you'll always be victorious against the attacks of the enemy. When you use the sword of the Spirit is the perfect weapon against atomic attack, powerful, and in Afghanistan. Yes, the Taliban, with all of their atrocities with all of the weapons that they not have will not. Sometimes the gospel in Afghanistan. I know that because there word of God.

The sword of the Spirit, you say well Satan is harassing me armrests distracted by the enemy will rob you of your joy. He creates doubt and creates worry he creates anxiety use the sword of the spirit. Jim says, resist the devil and he will flee from you by yourself, you will demolish every time, but standing in the grace of God with the armor of God without shield of faith with the sword of the Spirit. The devil is resistant Masters or some idiot in your life where you are not, is there some area of your life where you're not taking up the sword of the Spirit because God's purposes are accomplished through God's word.

Paul says is through the foolishness of preaching record. Therefore, bridging as long as it is treated the foolishness of preaching the word of God that people are safe. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ. My faith is sometimes weak sometimes have doubts, sometimes anxious what the answer the word of God is. I wish my face were stronger the word of God, click the promises of God. Faith will be built-up.

God's purposes as as I said accomplished through his work. Jesus said, you know the truth and the truth will set you. It's only the word of God which cuts through the chains of spiritual bondage since gotten his old very nasty habit about the church with the answer. The word of God.

It will cut the chains of bondage.

It will cut through the lies in the deceits of the doctrine of demons such as the power of the sword of this and than spiritual warfare.

This word, the word of God is essential. There was a queen in England. Lady Jane Grey who is only the queen for nine days.

She was a teenager and she was caught up in the intrigue after the death of Henry VIII, and he was going to succeed him, and 16-year-old Lady Jane Grey was Queen of England for only nine days and before she was beheaded in 1554. This is what Cheryl was a believer in Jesus Christ artisans from a 16-year-old young woman Lord you make this part. A prayer for yourself Lord as I read your words. Let me hear you speaking as I reflect on each page. Let me see your image and this I sink to put your precepts into practice let my heart be filled with joy, but is the verb's as I read your words. She's reading Scripture. Let me hear you speaking is the voice of God, not just reading aimlessly but breathing to hear God speaking. As I reflect, she's reflecting she's meditating. Let me see your image.

He wants to see God.

She wants to see Christ and she's seeking to put your precepts into practice.

She wants to obey what she is reading at understand that she sees Christ, let my heart be filled with joy, so she was in the toad winning heading her heart was filled with joy to do that. Listen, reflect you meditate you obey the result joy Mr. Perry in the midst of difficulties in the midst of our struggles. There is still this joy and the joy of the Lord is our strength.

This is the living word of God. While rehearsing Beethoven's ninth Symphony. The musicians responded with a particular sensitivity to Toscanini's every wish and desire and result was a performance of that magnificent piece of mood music that moved the orchestra. The man in the orchestra to a spontaneous ovation, there rose to their feet and cheer the little man had given them such a new and wonderful insight into the music. Finally, when the ovation subsided, Toscanini said in a broken voice isn't the man as Beethoven, sometimes the case, when God's word is preached, a holy hush falls over this century and we realize this other preacher is God's word, which is alive. It will be a lamp to your feet. It will be a light to your path. It will make you wise unto salvation.

It will equip you for every good work. It will be the very brand of life to your soul. It will transform your life therefore greeted. Obey humbly submit to its memorize it, underline it because this book was work is alive. Father, we thank you for the bread of life. Thank you that your God speaks the God who is not silent speak to us in Christ.

The very word of God, we thank you for Bibles. We thank you for those who have given their lives for the Bible to be translated into different languages. We think of some of it on missionaries in remote parts, studying the word, translating it into different languages so that people can read the word, and so come to saving faith in Christ for ourselves.

Father may this be our standard ministry outer authority help us humbly to submit. We pray some here today have never heard this word, which makes them wise unto salvation humbled him.

Father convict mother send me the sword.

Pearson so they understand the need Christ. There will look to magnificent Savior came not to judge us but to save us the living Christ maybe look to him and live. We ask it in his name