The Word: Piercing the Soul and Spirit

January 25, 2015

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The Word

Piercing the Soul & Spirit

Hebrews 4:12-13

(Advance Slide #1)

Introduction

We have a real problem in the church, in the home, and on our lives.

• That is the lack of the Bible...God’s inspired, authoritative Word in our lives.
• We have trouble living by it because we do not know it.
• So what is the solution.
• We need to turn back to the Word.

(Advance Slide #2)

This morning we are going to begin about 4-5 lessons on the Word of God.

• This mornings lesson is about a scalpel and a surgeon.

Who here has ever had surgery?

• I think a lot of us have...if you haven’t consider it a blessing.

Cosmetic surgery has become a popular fade in America…

• Men and women both have had surgery to alter different parts of their body.
• Once crazy one that I have heard of is the ‘pinky toe tuck’
• Have bone shaved form the side of their pinky to wear more narrow shoes!

We can all think of celebrities that look nothing like their original self.

In Hebrews chapters 3 and 4 God let’s us know something.

• He lets us know that there is a surgery that is necessary.
• In Heb. 3:12 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.”
• You have a heart condition...it will kill you!

(Advance Slide #3)

• In vs. 15-19 we can read about how some people refused His diagnosis…
• These folks had a heart condition.
• They had become callous.
• The rebelled against God.
• They died because they refused the diagnosis and treatment!

Do not be like that God says!

• Listen to me...your heart is not right and it needs to be fixed.
• How do I do that?

(Advance Slide #4)

• Let God perform heart surgery on your heart.

(Advance Slide #5)

Text

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

In comparing the Word of God to a sword, the writer is not suggesting that God uses His Word to slaughter the saints!

• The opposite is true...the Word cuts the heart of sinners with conviction.
• It is the Word defeats Satan.

(Advance Slide #6)

The Greek word translated “sword” means “a short sword or dagger.”

• The emphasis is on the power of the Word to penetrate and expose the inner heart of man.
• The Word is a “discerner” or “critic.”
• The Israelites criticized God’s Word instead of allowing the Word to judge them. Consequently, they lost their inheritance.
• The same can happen to us too!

(Advance Slide #7)

The authoritative Word of God is the scalpel that is used to get inside and work!

• God uses His Word, the scalpel, to cut into our hearts.

NOTICE - this text lets us know that it cuts right to the soul and the spirit...it judges our thoughts and attitudes!

(Advance Slide #8)

• It is the only instrument that will DO THE JOB!

Lesson

So who here is ready for some surgery?

• Surgery is an important things and should not be entered into lightly.
• When we open God’s Word we need to take it seriously!

(Advance Slide #9)

The Scalpel

How does the Word, God’s scalpel, work?

• It reveals to us just what sin is.
• EX. - Maybe you’ve been reading the Word before and you come across a passage about not forgiving someone.
• You realize that you cannot approach God until you make that situation right.

(Advance Slide #10)

Most of us know what sin is but we try to not address it, or cover it up!

• Consider Adam and Eve...they had a decision to make.
• Once we are confronted with sin they have to make a decision.
• The Bible confronts us with our sinfulness.
• It shines light on the dark world we are trying to hide in.

I want us to make sure that we know this fact...the Bible also tells us how to fix our problems!

(Advance Slide #11)

The Surgeon

NOTICE - the second part of vs. 13, “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

• A scalpel is only as good and the one who uses it!
• When you’re having surgery that’s what you’re worried about.
• Jesus is our surgeon!

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

We have a surgeon that we can be confident in.

• He is good at what He does, and He knows how to fix me!
• He understands me!
• In our weakness, when we’re tempted, when we struggle, when were made fun of, rejected and confused!

When Jesus cut’s into our hardened hearts its not to hurt us or make us suffer.

(Advance Slide #12)

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

• Not to hurt but to heal and to change our lives.
• So that we can have a new heart and mind

Conclusion

(Advance Slide #13)

Let me tell you about real cosmetic surgery:

• Jesus DID come to fix our hearts and minds.
• He wants us to have a face that reflects the joy we should have.
• He wants us to have lips that praise Him.
• He wants us to have feet that walk with Him.
• He wants us to have hands that serve Him.

It will only happen if we open the Word and allow it to expose our sin.

• Let’s not waste time in this book.
• Instead, let’s take advantage of every opportunity to allow the Word to cut out hearts!
• We need to know the Word well so that we can know it’s healing powers!