Do You Have Faith in the Word?
/Let’s take a look at some scriptures that describe the nature of God’s word, because any proclamation about God’s word requires faith on the part of the hearer that His word will accomplish His will on earth and also in your life.
Rain & snow have a purpose/ God’s word has a purpose
Isaiah 55:8-11
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain cometh down,
and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth,
and maketh it bring forth and bud,
that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
**God’s word will accomplish its intended results. The word prosper means “success” in the Thessalonians verse, the word “effectual” means the same
1 Thessalonians 2:13
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
**God’s word accomplishes its intended results in those that believe it for what it really is, which is the word of God.
A sinful lifestyle is not normal Christianity
1 John 3:9
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
When a true conversion takes place, the convert cannot continue to live a lifestyle of sin and the seed of God remain in him. The seed of God, which is Christ, through the presence of the Holy Spirit, convicts and contends with the believer to get his/ her heart right. Yes, the conscience can become seared and salvation can be lost, but that’s not what God wants. God wants people restored to Him. God wants you with Him. He’s not trying to get rid of you. He wants communion with you.
2 Peter 1:4
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
One of the precious promises that He has given in His word is that: through conversion, believers become partakers of the divine nature of God. You don’t become God. You share in fellowship with His nature that now lives in you through the presence of the Holy Spirit. This is the new you.
Romans 6:3
-- Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
**The word gives us revelation that we do not have to be ignorant anymore
Ephesians 4:22-23
22 That ye put off ((“Put off” Middle voice)) concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
**Ephesians 4:22-24 NASB 22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
The word of God is nourishment that helps us grow spiritually and transition from a baby to maturity in Christ.
1 Peter 2:2
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Romans 6:5-7
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
God’s word says that conversion results in a miracle. The “old man” who was born in the natural in Adam dies in the new birth with Jesus, is buried with Jesus, and is resurrected with Him. Resurrection life through the Spirit, not just for a glorified body tomorrow but for victorious life today. The old man is crucified with Jesus and the body of sin, or the power of the sinful nature is destroyed because it has no power over the new man. It had power over the old man, but that’s not who we are.
**Romans 8:11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
Romans 4:3
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
**So people that believe what God says are credited righteousness.
Romans 5:17
For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
Adam’s disobedience resulted in sin gaining power and death reigning as a king over the human race. Jesus’ act of obedience resulted in the gift of righteousness. There was an exchange that took place on the cross. He took your guilt and gave you His righteousness. The grace of God is given to the righteous. I didn’t say that. He did.
…they which receive abundance of grace
who gets the grace?
The righteous.
How did they get it?
It was a gift.
Everybody gets it?
No, it’s available to everyone, but only those that believe God at His word get it.
**NASB Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin…
Romans 6:11 KJV
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Lord expects us to believe what His word says. When we do, we are blessed by Him with its benefits. This message was believing God’s word as it relates to the truth that sin has no power over the life of believer’s based upon what the written word of God says.
Conclusion:
The word of God proclaims that the old man was born naturally in Adam, and in that first birth, the old man was born under the power of sin.
The word of God proclaims that when a person is truly converted a miracle takes place. He becomes a new creation. The Spirit of God now lives in Him. The Holy Spirit has power to raise the dead, heal diseased bodies, raise the dead, perform creative miracles and for tonight’s message…destroy the power of sin.
Believers believe. When believers believe, God blesses them. He gives them a gift. The gift is righteousness. Righteous people receive grace. Grace is related to the power of the Holy Spirit. Sin cannot stand in the presence of the Holy Spirit.