Life in the Word

Welcome to this edition of PowerPoint with Jack Graham. A nd verse 4. I want you to lick your fingers this morning, because we're going to be turning from when you become a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, the Bible becomes so much more than black ink on white paper. But the Word of God, by the Spirit of God, literally leaps from the pages of Scripture and into our hearts. And we are alive by the Word of God, the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Living Word of the Scripture, inerit and infallible, the Word of God. And the Bible is has a very unique and strategic ministry in the believer's life, helping us to discover our spiritual character, how are we to live in Christ, to develop fruitfulness and faithfulness in our lives. The Bible helps us to understand spiritual correction, that is what is right and what is wrong and how to get on track and when we get off track, how to get back on track in following Christ. The Bible offers us spiritual counsel for the daily decisions, both large and small, in the precepts, the promises, the principles of God's Word.

We have God's guidance day by day. The Bible also encourages us in our spiritual conflict, for the Bible is the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. And as we face daily battles and experience daily burdens, we need the Word of God as our strength and as our sword. And the Word of God, of course, helps us in our daily communion with God. Because when we get into the Word, God's Word reminds us of who God is. And it is the God of the Word that gets in our hearts as well as the Word of God. Over and over again, you read these words in the Scripture.

Thus says the Lord. Why should you read the Bible? Because it is God's personal Word to you.

Because it is God's powerful Word to you. And the most important resolution that you can make in your life is to follow the Lord Jesus Christ with all of your heart in obedience to His Word. And that would include systematically and faithfully reading, studying, applying and obeying God's Word in your life. To love the Word, to learn the Word, and to live the Word of God.

So in chapter 4, verse 4, Jesus is quoting the Scripture himself when He says, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. That's life in the Word, living in the Word, walking in the Word. Think with me for a few moments about the nature of God's Word.

For example, turn to Hebrews chapter 4 and verse 12. And there we discover that the Word of God is a sword. 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 joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. The Bible has the ability to pierce the hearts of both believers and unbelievers.

So like a sword to sinners, to saints, and even to Satan, this book is the sword of the Spirit. The Bible also is described as a mirror, turning to James chapter 1, verses 23 to 25. The Word of God is like a mirror, for if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror. For he observing his natural face in a mirror, he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man that he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty, that's the Scripture, that's the Word of God, and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

That's a wonderful promise, isn't it? That when we come to the mirror of God's Word, we not only see the face of God, but we see ourselves, and when we respond by taking care of business in the mirror of the Word of God, then we will be blessed in all that we do. The Word of God reflects the heart of God as well as the heart of man. Then the Word of God is like a hammer. According to Jeremiah 23 and verse 29 is my word like a fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces. Have you ever been hammered by the Word of God? I have on numerous occasions, both in public proclamation of the Scripture as well as personal devotion, just reading through. Sometimes God breaks through in my life breaking down the barriers that separate us from God and breaking down those obstacles and breaking my heart open. Because the Word of God is like a hammer.

It not only tears down, but it builds up. And therefore the Word of God is a wonderful tool, an effective tool in the hand of God to build up the believer in Christ. Well the Word of God is also like water. According to Ephesians 5 and verse 26, that he might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word. Why is the Word of God described as water?

Because we are made clean. The word sanctify means to be holy or to be set apart and to be cleansed. The Word of God is like water in its cleansing effect and in its refreshing qualities. Then the Word of God is a seed. First Peter chapter 1 and verse 23, having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible through the Word of God, which what?

Say that out loud. Lives and abides forever. The seed of God.

Why a seed? Because the Word of God is alive. The Word of God is alive and produces life and growth. And that's why we preach and teach the Word of God. Then the Word of God is fire. We already looked at Jeremiah 20 and verse 9, but look at it again.

I will not make mention of him nor speak any more of his name. But his Word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones. And I was not weary in holding it back and I could not. The Word of God is like a fire igniting the Spirit.

Do you want your heart to burn? Do you want to be on fire passionate for Christ and in all that you do then walk with Christ in the Word of God. Because in the Word of God you meet the God of the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Word of God is like a lamp.

And this is one of my favorite and most beautiful and perhaps illustrative metaphors of the Scripture. Your Word is a lamp into my feet and a light into my path. The Christian life is a journey, it is a walk. And so it is the Word in this walk that shows us where to walk, how to walk, and how to keep us from stumbling, falling, and failing.

Your Word, a lamp into my feet, a light into my path. And then the Word of God is bread. Just as Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 4 about the bread of Heaven. Now Jesus is the bread of Heaven and He nourishes us with the bread of life, His Word. The Bible is bread to hungry heart. The Word of God satisfies the soul like nothing else. The emptiness of your life is filled by the Word of God and by the God of the Word. Well there are many other metaphors that I could mention.

There is silver, there is precious treasure. All of these metaphors help us to understand the value and the significance of the Word of God. I'm sending you Dr. Jack Graham's insightful book, Man of God.

Our thanks for your gift today. In it, Dr. Graham gives you biblical insights to what a true man of God looks like to his spouse, his family, and the world. To request your copy of Man of God, call 1-800-795-4627. That's 1-800-795-4627.

You can also text PowerPoint to 59789. And don't forget to visit Jack Graham.org where you can shop our e-store, give a gift online, or sign up for Dr. Graham's free daily email devotional. Our website again is Jack Graham.org. Now let's get back to today's message, Life in the Word. Now in order to challenge you to commit to the daily devotion and spiritual strategic practice of Bible study and Bible reading in your life, what are the motivators?

What is the necessity? Well, number one, it will produce spiritual growth in your life. Today is a good day to take a spiritual inventory of your life. It's a good time to look back and then to look forward as well.

But in looking back and in looking forward, to ask yourself some very important questions. For example, am I growing in my faith? Am I a stronger and better Christian today? Have I grown as a believer? Is the fruit of the Spirit evident in my life? Do I love Jesus more today than I've ever loved Him?

Because the fact is if you don't love Him more it's highly likely that you love Him less. Do you love Jesus? Are you growing in His grace? Ask yourself, am I making progress in the Christian life? Now it is impossible to grow in your faith apart from the consistent communion with the Word of God. There is no way we will ever grow apart from public personal and practical hearing and reading and reviewing of the Word of God. For example, listen to what the Bible says in 1 Peter chapter 2 and verse 2. As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. If indeed you are saved, if indeed you have tasted of the salvation and the goodness and the grace of God, then like a baby, if you have a baby in your household you know that there is one thing on that baby's mind and that is milk.

That is a desiring little child like a baby who cries out for nourishment. As Christians we are to call upon Him and cry out for spiritual growth. 2 Timothy 3 and verses 16 and 17, all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable.

For what? For doctrine, for reproof, for correction and instruction in righteousness. So we are to be satisfied in the Scripture and to be strengthened in the Scripture. Don't be satisfied with spiritual mediocrity. Exalt Christ in your life and elevate your spirit in following Him. Determine to develop as a disciple of Jesus Christ, to grow in your faith above all other commitments and resolutions, to grow in your love and Christ's likeness.

And when you do that, the spiritual growth will impact others and you can change the world. Secondly, if you will read, study, apply, obey God's Word, it will provide cleansing for your life. We already mentioned Ephesians 5 26 and how the Word of God is like water sanctifying the soul. Jesus said in John chapter 15 and verse 3, sanctify them with your truth, O Lord.

Thy Word is truth. We live in a world that is corrupted and contaminated by sin. Wouldn't you agree that we live in a toxic environment spiritually?

There's always someone wanting to put dirt and filth in our minds, our lives and in our hearts. So how do we prevent spiritual failure? It is through the cleansing power and the consecrating power of the Word of God. The Bible is a spiritual bath for believers and God's Word transforms our minds and cleanses our hearts, removing the toxins of sin and temptation. Listen to what David said in Psalm 119 and verse nine.

How shall a young man cleanses way by taking heed according to your word? But thirdly, the Word of God will protect you from sin and Satan. If you will get into the word, you will be strengthened against temptation itself. Rather than being a victim, you will be a victor over temptation because of the Word of God. Listen to Psalm 119 and verse 11.

Psalm 119 and verse 11. Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you. The more and more God's truth is in your heart, it will transform you and protect you against temptation.

We hear a lot today about preventative medicine. It is much better to protect yourself spiritually by the Word of God. Psalm 37, 31 says the law of God is in his heart and none of his steps shall slide. Satan is an enemy who is real and powerful and persuasive. He is the enemy of our souls. He is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Satan wants to destroy your life and your witness.

Satan wants to destroy your family and your future. But Jesus himself shows us how to counteract the attacks of the enemy. Not as God, but as the God-man. Jesus went one on one with Satan in the wilderness and he didn't pull rank on us by simply obliterating Satan by his own word and power. But he responded to Satan and to each temptation with the words, it is written, it is written, it is written, it is written. Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes out of the heart of God. Don't try facing the world, the flesh and the devil on your own without your weapon.

Your weapon is the Word of God. Build your life on the authority and the integrity of Scripture. His Holy Word will never fail you.

His promises are true. His precepts are for life. Therefore, meditate, memorize, and make the daily practice of the Scripture your lifestyle. There's one other thing the Word of God will do for you and it will promote success in whatever you do.

Where do you get that? You say, well, right out of Joshua chapter 1 and verse 8. As Joshua was taking command and control of the people of Israel, moving them into the promised land, he was frightened. God told him to be encouraged.

He encouraged him personally. He said in verse 7, be strong and courageous, that you may observe to do in all the law, that's the Word of God, which Moses my servant commanded you, do not turn from it to the right hand to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. The book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do all that is written in it, for then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success. God promotes success in all that we do when we walk in the Word in obedience to His truth, when we walk in devotion to Him according to His Word. This is the Word of God. If you're discouraged, if you're defeated, the Word of God will pick you up and get you back on the path. If you want to elevate your life and soar on the wings of eagles, then the Scriptures will be your wings to help you to fly. There's one final thing that I want to mention in closing that the Scripture does.

The Word of God will point you to Jesus and eternal life. That's the bottom line of the Bible because ultimately this book is all about Jesus. From beginning to end, He is the author and omega. He is the subject as well as the source of all Scripture. And therefore, this book will point you, introduce you, invite you to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Now if you're not a believer in Christ, if you're not a Christian, this book will never make sense to you. I mean you read it and you say this, I don't have a clue as to what this means, but the moment you come to Christ and commit yourself to opening the Word of God, even as a baby believer, desiring the sincere milk of the Word, you will discover that the Bible will no longer be just a book on a table, but it will be a living book in your heart and in your life.

Too many people treat Jesus Christ as a distant relative rather than a personal Savior. When you meet Jesus Christ, He said, Behold, I stand at the door and knock, and if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in, I will sup with him and he with me. Sup means to have supper. Remember when we used to say it's suppertime?

Maybe just down south, right? He said, You will have supper with me. We'll sit down at the table and dine together. We will have communion and you will eat of my word. So when you invite Jesus into your life, He comes in and it is a banquet of blessings as you sit with Him and God gives you an appetite for the Word of God and then the clarity to understand the Scripture. So to those of you who do not know Jesus as your Lord and your Savior today, invite Him in and watch the Word begin to work in your life. To those of you who are already believers, commit yourself, consecrate yourself this hour to the practice of personal Bible study. There's never been a generation with so much opportunity as our generation to know and love and understand this book and to live God's Word. So commit yourself to walking in the Word, to life in the Word.

You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and his message, Life in the Word. Today's culture has so distorted the concept of masculinity that some even reject it as toxic. But our world doesn't need less manly men. We need more men of God, men who love Jesus, make loving husbands and fathers and lead as servants. We'd like to help you uncover what God says about true masculinity by sending you Dr. Graham's book, Man of God.

You'll gain biblical insight into how you or the men in your life can live with purpose and passion, putting Christ first and living radically for Him. Man of God is our thanks for your gift to help proclaim God's Word through PowerPoint. So request your copy when you call today. Call 1-800-795-4627. That's 1-800-795-4627.

You can also text PowerPoint to 59789. Pastor, what is your PowerPoint for today? God's Word is an amazing gift that He's given to each one of us. Yet so many times we don't study or read, meditate or live out the Word of God. The Bible is the most important tool a believer can have on this earth and it serves specific and strategic purposes in every believer's life. For example, God's Word gives us spiritual counsel.

There are so many decisions in life to make, some big and some small. And God's Word provides a way that we would receive guidance for every decision we make. Do you want to know God's will for your life? Then get into the Word of God. Psalm 119 105 promises us that God will guide us every step of the way. You can learn and live the will of God for your life through the promises and the principles and the precepts found in the Bible. God's Word also offers us spiritual correction.

Perhaps you've fallen off the path that God has for you and you want to get going again in the right direction. Well, God's Word is there to lead you back to Him. And then thirdly, God's Word is there to enable us to face spiritual conflict.

Satan and his team of evil forces are working all around us, all the time. And it's crucial that you are armed with the knowledge, the truth and the power that is found in God's Word. The Bible enables us to conquer our spiritual problems as well as face the daily battles that we all have in life. And finally, God's Word offers us spiritual communion with Him. When we study the Word of God, we get to know the God of the Word.

We learn to experience God's presence and develop His character in our lives. The Bible, you see, is not just an ancient book irrelevant to our culture and our times and our circumstances. God's Word is alive and His Word will change your life today.

It's my prayer that as you faithfully read, study, memorize, synthesize, meditate, obey and share God's Word, that your life will never be the same. And that is today's PowerPoint. Remember, when you give a gift to PowerPoint, we'll send you Dr. Graham's book, Man of God, as our thanks. Call 1-800-795-4627. That's 1-800-795-4627. You can also text the word PowerPoint to 59789. And be sure to join us again next time as Dr. Graham brings a message about the one thing you can do to grow a bigger heart for God. That's next time on PowerPoint with Jack Graham. PowerPoint with Jack Graham is sponsored by PowerPoint Ministries.