The word of God
1. Enlightened by the Word
a. God’s Word in its purity provides spiritual light and clarity of understanding - Ps. 19:8
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The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.b. The believer’s path is illuminated by the Word - Ps. 119:105
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Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.c. Hence - the word of God is addressed to our MINDS / understanding.
2. Born again by the Word
A. It was God’s plan to save us - James 1:18
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Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (KJV)B. We received a new birth and became new creature - 1 Pet. 1:23
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Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (KJV)C. Again - it is the product of INTELLECT
D. Is addressed to our MINDS -
E. Requires UNDERSTANDING and decision.
3. Cleansed by the Word
a. Obedience to the Word leads to confession of sins - Ps. 119:9
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BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. (KJV)b. Our sanctification is explained by the Word - Eph. 5:26
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That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (KJV)c. Such cleansing is MORAL and SPIRITUAL -
d. Such is the answer of a CLEAN conscience before God - 1 Pet. 3:21
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The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: (KJV)4. Growing by the Word
a. The word provides ‘joy and rejoicing’ as well as instruction - Jer. 15:16
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Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. (KJV)b. As new believers we should crave to learn from God’s word for initial growth - 1 Peter2:2
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As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (KJV)c. We are to ever be GROWING - 2 Peter3:18
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But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (KJV)5. Sanctified by the Word
a. The truth of God’s word exposes our sin - John 17:17
b. through prayer and obedience to God’s word we are sanctified -
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For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 1 Tim. 4:5c. Used of both ‘relationship’ and ‘behavior’.
1. sanctified in relationship when obey and become a ‘saint’
2. continued to be ‘set apart’ as we separated ourselves from SIN -
6. Kept by the Word
a. God’s Word provides the warning to the path of sin, Psalm17:4
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Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. (KJV)b. Obedience to the Word on a consistent basis will help protect the believer from Satan’s temptation, 1 Cor. 10:11
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Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (KJV)c. If you abide in me - and my word abides in you....
John15:7
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If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (KJV)John15:10
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If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. (KJV)d. Acts20:32
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And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. (KJV)e. The gospel - wherein you STAND, and by which you are saved IF YOU KEEP it. - 1 Cor. 15:1-4
7. Saved by the Word
a. Gospel (God’s word) the POWER to save - Rom. 1:16-17
1. Learn about God -
2. Learn about SIN
3. Learn about Salvation through Jesus
b. By adherence to the Word, we can obtain salvation, 1 Tim. 4:16
c. Turning from sin to the Word, we learn of salvation in Christ - James 1:21