The Word of God

1. Worlds Were Framed: “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Heb. 11:3; cf. Gen. 1).

2. The Heavens Were Made: “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth” (Psa. 33:6; cf. Gen. 1).

3. Is Quick and Powerful: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12).

4. Gives Light and Understanding: “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Psa. 119:130).

5. Quickens: “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me” (Psa. 119:50).

6. Cleanses: “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you” (Jn. 15:3).

7. Sanctifies: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (Jn. 17:17).

8. Purifies: “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (1 Pet. 1:22).

9. Begets: “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures” (Jas. 1:18).

10. Gives Birth: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Pet. 1:23).

11. Coverts: “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Psa. 19:7).

12. Saves: “Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved” (Acts 11:14).

13. Word of Life: “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain” (Phil. 2:16).

14. Word of Reconciliation: “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:19).

15. Word of Salvation: “Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent” (Acts 13:26).

16. Saves Souls: “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls” (Jas. 1:21).

17. Is Spirit and Life: “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (Jn. 6:63).

18. Sword of the Spirit: “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17).

19. Is Like a Fire and a Hammer: “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” (Jer. 23:29).

20. Is Seed: “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God” (Lk. 8:11).

21. Is a Lamp and Light: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psa. 119:105).

Editor’s Note: Points taken from Nichol’s Pocket Bible Encyclopedia, pp. 201, 202, with minor revisions. – tgmc 

The Bible
By V. E. Howard

“This book contains...the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners. Its doctrines are holy, it precepts are binding, its histories are true and it decisions immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, the Christian’s charter. Here is paradise restored, Heaven opened and the gates of Hell disclosed. Christ is its grand object, our good its design and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, freely and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be open at the judgment and will be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibilities, rewards and greatest labor, and condemns all who trifle with its holy contents.”  

Brother I. M. Half-Hearted
By Mike Pittman

Brother I. M. Half-Hearted is present for worship every Sunday (Sunday morning, that is). He doesn’t come to Bible class, and he arrives late for worship. He doesn’t seem to mind, though. After all, the only thing he has missed is a little bit of singing.

Brother Half-Hearted is glad that the elders have elected to serve the Lord’s Supper before preaching. This way, he can make his exit before the preacher gets up to speak (which of course means he will have to miss some more singing) and still participate in the “main event.”

Since the elders noticed that this brother was habitually leaving immediately following the Communion, they thought about moving the Lord’s Supper to the end of the service. Instead, they decided to reason with brother Half-Hearted.

They begin by showing him that while it is true that the Lord’s Supper is very important, every other part of worship is important as well. He objected by saying the Lord’s Supper is of such great magnitude “because Christ’s precious blood is being represented.” The elders pointed out that in our songs we sometimes sing about His precious blood and that we always sing based upon the authority of our Savior (Col. 3:16-17). They explained that preaching centers around Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 2:2). And who would want to minimize the importance of prayer unto God with Christ as our intercessor? (Understanding that His intercessory work on our behalf is made possible by the shedding of His precious blood – Heb. 9:23-26).

Before the elders left, they exhorted him to be more diligent in worship because he should WANT to be found in study, singing and prayer with other Christians.

To the dismay of these elders, they found that the pattern continued. The brother they loved so much never became a faithful worshiper that could have brought so much glory to God and profit unto himself. Their conclusion was that the real problem was that BROTHER HALF-HEARTED WAS JUST HALF-HEARTED.