Lesson 3 for July 20, 2013

The Word of God is full of power: 1. 2. 3. 4. Power to create. Power to revive. Power to bring us to Jesus. Power to keep reviving.

So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified (Acts 20:32)

When we prayerfully read the Bible, the Holy Spirit uses Its power to transform our lives. But prayer is needed to receive those benefits when reading the Bible. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it (Hebrews 4:2)

Faith, true faith, is always focused on Gods will, not on our wishes. It is trusting in God, believing in His promises, and acting on His Word. Our faith grows as we listen to Gods Word and put it into practice (Rom. 10:17; James 2:17, 18). Opening our minds to the teachings of Gods Word builds faith; and doing what God sayseven if it is contrary to our personal desiresprepares us to receive the fullness of the Spirits power.

Gods Written Word has the same power His Spoken Word has. Lets study Hebrews 4:12.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword
The Word is alive and begets life; it is a creative Word (Psalm 33:6, 9). We find Christ (the Living Word) in the Bible (the Written Word) thanks to the Spirit; He transforms our lives. His Word is powerful.

piercing even to the division of soul and spirit

It transforms our spiritual faculties.

and of joints and marrow

It transforms our physical abilities.

and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart

It transforms our mental capacities.

The Word of God has the creative ability to transform our entire nature. It governs every aspect of human life and behavior.

The creative energy that called the worlds into existence is in the word of God. This word imparts power; it begets life. Every command is a promise; accepted by the will, received into the soul, it brings with it the life of the Infinite One. It transforms the nature and re-creates the soul in the image of God

E.G.W. (Education, cp. 13, pg. 126)

In Psalm 119, David asked God several times for revival with His Word (verses 25, 107, 154). He asked Him for that help in moments of affliction, depression or sorrow. Study that psalm and ask yourself: How can the Word of God revive my life? This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life
(Psalm 119:50)

It gives me comfort (v. 50) It gives me hope (v. 74) It upholds me (v. 116) It teaches me the truth (v. 130, 160) It gives me understanding (v. 169) It delivers me (v. 170)

You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me (John 5:39) Jesus is the core and the reason for the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit leads us through a deeper experience with Jesus when we reading the Bible. When we meet Jesus in our Bible, our lives change and our hearts burn as the hearts of those disciples in the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:32). That is revival.

The Word of God provides the foundation or the basis for all genuine revival. Our experience flows out of an understanding of Gods Word. Our praise and worship spring from minds saturated with the Word.

Revival begins with willingness to obeying the Word of God.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves
(James 1:22)

The Word of God prepares us for revival.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The Word of God helps us to overcome the enemy.

I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one (1 John 2:14 lp)

The Word of God stands forever with us; It keeps the revival alive.
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever (Isaiah 40:8)

E.G.W. (Counsels on Sabbath School Work, section 2, pg. 22)