Sermon, Jan.14, 2007--THE POWER OF THE SPOKEN WORD

Synopsis:
This is the second of three sermons on THE THREE GREAT POWERS God has given us to change our lives for the better.

(You can download or listen to the sermon in its entirety at
http://www.mediafire.com/?8g2ywnxm2yw

In the very first chapter of the Bible, we read over and over again that when God created the world, He said...and it was so.
The word of God has the power to bring to birth new realities that never existedbefore.
Isaiah 55:11:
So will my word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to me empty without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

How about the words WE speak? What kind of power do they have?
Proverbs 18:21:
Death and life are in the power of the tongue.

Romans 10:9,10:
If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Mark 11:23-24:
I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain,'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Jesus certainly demonstrated the power of the spoken word very vividly, particularly when he drove out evil spirits..(e.g. Mark 1:25, 5:8, 9:25) and in resisting temptation (Matthew 3:10)

How do we put the power of the spoken word to use?

#1. For salvation (as in Romans 10)

#2. We speak to the mountain rather than simply talk about the mountain... "Well, your problem sounds like Mt. Kilimanjaro, let me tell you about my Everest :)

#3. We resist temptation as Jesus did by telling the Evil One to take a hike!

#4. We speak into our minds on a daily basis words of power (affirmations), such as:
Psalm 23:1: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."
Psalm 27:1: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?"
Romans 8:1: "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...including me. I am forgiven and set free from guilt and shame."
Romans 8:28: "All things work together for good for those who love God."
Romans 8:37: "I am more than a conqueror through him who loved me. (Jesus)."
Romans 8:39: "Nothing can separate me from the love of God."
Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:19: "My God will meet all my needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
1 John 4:4: "Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world."

When we are faced with certain situations, these words come to mind, we speak them out aloud and experience God's power in the spoken word.

Jeeva's personal stories

#1. Ministry in Brazil:
Asked to pray for a young woman who had "no light in her eyes." Not knowing enough Portuguese, could not figure out what the problem was. Guessing depression, started to pray, but no change, felt like staring at the devil! Then, prompted by the Holy Spirit, commanded the evil spirit to leave (as Jesus did). She fell to the floor, lay still for several minutes, when she got back up, she was smiling and started to laugh...her family and friends were in awe, as they had not seen her smile in 3 years!

#2. Personal Crisis:
Going through a time when there was a lot of uncertainty about the future and fear would grip, every night before going to bed reading out aloud words from Psalm 27: "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?" Was able to sleep in peace and face the crisis with confidence.

Discover the power of the Spoken Word for yourself!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SMALL GROUPS

#1. Where and when in your life have you experienced the power of the spoken word?
a. through words that others spoke to you or over you?
b. through words that you spoke to or over another person?

#2. Can you think of other examples of the power of God's word in the Old Testament?

#3. There is one dramatic instance of Jesus demonstrating the power of the spoken word. Read Mark 11:12-14, 20-22 and discuss.

#4. What are some ways in which you can "harness" the power of the spoken word in your life today?

#5. What other affirmations (if any) would you add to the list given in the sermon?