What is the Word of God?

• “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,” (2 Tim 3:16). – Written by “inspiration of God” (John 16:13).

• 2 Pet 1:20-2120 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation (human source), 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Two psalms of David best describe God’s word. (Psalm 19; 119)

Psalm 19:7-10

1. Law of the Lord: perfect, converting the soul.– David speaks of the Law given to Israel.

– Complete, sufficient for the purpose.

– Resulting in change.

Psalm 19:7-10

2. Testimony… sure, making wise the simple.– Statement, witness, & confirmation.

– Faithful, trustworthy, certain.

– Giving practical knowledge to the inexperience.

Psalm 19:7-10

3. Statutes … right, rejoicing the heart.– Something that marks the way.

– Upright, just standard.

– Giving a source of joy not grief.

Psalm 19:7-10

4. Commandments … pure, enlightening the eyes.– Specific instructions.

– Without mixture of pretense or falsehood.

– Providing spiritual insight.

Psalm 19:7-10

5. Fear … clean, enduring forever.– Produces fear or reverence for God.

– Holy as God is Holy.

– Promising life everlasting.

Psalm 19:7-10

6. Judgments … true, righteous altogether.– Sentence passed, penalty exacted.

– Fair, equitable.

– United they are (every one) right.

Psalm 119

• 22 sections correspond to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet: an acrostic psalm.

• 171 of 176 verses mention the Word of God. – Testimony, Law, Commandments, Precepts, Word,

Way, Truth, Judgments, Righteousness, Statutes.

Psalm 119

• Psa 119:66Teach me good judgment & knowledge, for I believe Your commandments.

• Psa 119:113I hate the double-minded, but I love Your law.

Psalm 119

• Psa 119:71It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.

• Psa 119:15I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways.

Psalm 119

• Psa 119:33Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end.

• Psa 119:104Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

Psalm 119

• Psa 119:11Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. – The greatest treasure

– Produces the greatest vessel

– Producing the greatest fruit

1. The Word of God reveals God the Creator (Psalm 19:1-4a).– Psa 33:6

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.

• The Word of God reveals the Mind of God (Psa 19:7-14).– John 17:3, 8

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, & Jesus Christ whom You have sent…8 For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; & they have received them, & have known surely that I came forth from You; & they have believed that You sent Me.

2. The Word of God reveals the Mind of God (Psa 19:7-14).– 1 Cor 2:12, 16

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. … 16 For "who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

3. The Word of God reveals the Works of God.– Ten plagues on Egypt (Exo 7-12).

– Destruction of the Assyrian army & the death of Sennacherib the King (2 Kgs 19:20-37).

– Saul’s experience on the road (Acts 9, 22, 26).

4. The Word of God reveals the Purpose & Plan of God .– Purpose: to unite all men in Christ (Eph 2-3:11).

– Plan: faith, repentance, baptism, obedience (Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46).

Holy Scripture is God’s Word

1. All history & laws God revealed to Moses.

2. All teachings & warnings in the Law, prophets & psalms (Luke 24:44).

3. The mind of Christ revealed to His apostles, by the Holy Spirit, & written down (Eph 3:4).

Holy Scripture is God’s Word

• Deut 29:2929 The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us & to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Holy Scripture is God’s Word

• Psa 145:33 Great is the Lord, & greatly to be praised; & His greatness is unsearchable.

Holy Scripture is God’s Word

• Rom 11:3333 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom & knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments & His ways past finding out!

Holy Scripture is God’s Word

• 2 Pet 1:2-3Grace & peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God & of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life & godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory & virtue,

Holy Scripture is God’s Word

• Acts 20:3232 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God & to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up & give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

Holy Scripture is God’s Word

• 1 Pet 1:22-23Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives & abides forever,

Holy Scripture is God’s Word

• Psa 138:2 (David)I will bow down toward your holy temple & will praise your name for your love & your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name & your word.

Holy Scripture is God’s Word

• Complete & Final (1 Cor 13:10; Heb 1:1-2; Jude 3)

• Equips us for every good work (2 Tim 3:16-17)

• Directs our faith & hope to God (1 Pet 1:20-21)

Praise God for His Word

• Holy Scripture:– His nature

– His will

– His works

– His purpose & plan for us

• His complete, final Word (1 Cor 13:10; Heb 1: 2; Jd 3).

Praise God for His Word

“How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent Word.

What more could He say than to you He has said, ye who unto Jesus for refuge have fled.

Amen!”

-- George Keith