LET SCRIPTURE CHANGE YOUR LIFE

INTRODUCTION
     A. JESUS IS THE WORD.
          1. John 1:1-3, 14  In the beginning was the Word, and
the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  (2)  The same was
in the beginning with God.  (3)  All things were made by him; and
without him was not any thing made that was made. (14)  And the
Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace
and truth.
          2. 1 John 5:7  For there are three that bear record in
heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three
are one.
          3. Revelation 19:13  And he was clothed with a
vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
     B. THE SCRIPTURES ARE ALSO GOD'S WORD.
LEAD STATEMENT - LET'S OBSERVE

I. THE POWER OF THE WORD.
     A. IT IS A SHIELD. 
          1. After coming home from midweek Bible study an
elderly widow heard someone trying to break into her house. She
panicked and could think of nothing to do but say the first thing that
came to mind. She yelled out, "Acts 2:38!" The thief stopped for a
moment and then began again, so she yelled it out again since it had
stopped him the first time. 
          This time she said it several times and the thief went
back to his buddy in the truck and got in saying, "Let's get out of here.
That crazy old lady has an ax and two 38's!" 
          The Word of God may not physically protect us like
that, but it will protect us spiritually. Following it will even protect us
from some physical problems.
          2. Psalms 18:30  As for God, his way is perfect: the
word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in
him.
          3. Proverbs 30:5  Every word of God is pure: he is a
shield unto them that put their trust in him.
     B. IT ACCOMPLISHES ITS PURPOSE.
          1. Isaiah 55:9-11  For as the heavens are higher than
the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts
than your thoughts.  (10)  For as the rain cometh down, and the
snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the
earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to
the sower, and bread to the eater:  (11)  So shall my word be that
goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but
it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the
thing whereto I sent it.
          2. Acts 19:20  So mightily grew the word of God and
prevailed.
     C. IT IS LIKE A FIRE AND A HAMMER. - Jeremiah 23:29 
Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer
that breaketh the rock in pieces?
     D. BOTH AN OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE WEAPON -
Ephesians 6:11-20  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be
able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  (12)  For we wrestle not
against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places.  (13)  Wherefore take unto you the
whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil
day, and having done all, to stand.  (14)  Stand therefore, having
your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of
righteousness;  (15)  And your feet shod with the preparation of the
gospel of peace;  (16)  Above all, taking the shield of faith,
wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the
wicked.  (17)  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of
the Spirit, which is the word of God:  (18)  Praying always with all
prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with
all perseverance and supplication for all saints;  (19)  And for me,
that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth
boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,  (20)  For which I
am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I
ought to speak.
     E. WORKS EFFECTIVELY IN BELIEVERS. - 1
Thessalonians 2:13  For this cause also thank we God without
ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard
of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the
word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
     F. IS LIVING AND POWERFUL. - Hebrews 4:9-13  There
remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.  (10)  For he that is
entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as
God did from his.  (11)  Let us labour therefore to enter into that
rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.  (12)  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.  (13)  Neither is there any
creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked
and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
     G. CREATED THE WORLD AND HOLDS IT TOGETHER.
          1. Hebrews 11:3  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.
          2. 2 Peter 3:3-14  Knowing this first, that there shall
come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,  (4) 
And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the
fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the
beginning of the creation.  (5)  For this they willingly are ignorant
of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth
standing out of the water and in the water:  (6)  Whereby the world
that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:  (7)  But the
heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept
in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and
perdition of ungodly men.  (8)  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this
one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a
thousand years as one day.  (9)  The Lord is not slack concerning
his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to
us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should
come to repentance.  (10)  But the day of the Lord will come as a
thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a
great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth
also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  (11)  Seeing
then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of
persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,  (12) 
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God,
wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the
elements shall melt with fervent heat?  (13)  Nevertheless we,
according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth,
wherein dwelleth righteousness.  (14)  Wherefore, beloved, seeing
that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him
in peace, without spot, and blameless.
     H. SPIRITUAL BIRTH IS BY THE WORD.
          1. James 1:18  Of his own will begat he us with the
word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his
creatures.
          2. 1 Peter 1:22-25  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: 
(23)  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of
incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for
ever.  (24)  For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the
flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth
away:  (25)  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is
the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

II. THE RESULTS OF THE WORD.
     A. FREEDOM. - John 8:31-32  Then said Jesus to those
Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye
my disciples indeed;  (32)  And ye shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free.
     B. PRESERVATION OF SPIRITUAL LIFE. - John 8:51 
Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall
never see death.
     C. OBEDIENCE. - Acts 6:7  And the word of God increased;
and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly;
and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
     D. FAITH. - Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing,
and hearing by the word of God.
     E. TRUST. - Ephesians 1:12-13  That we should be to the
praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.  (13)  In whom ye
also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of
your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed
with that holy Spirit of promise,
     F. GROWTH. - 1 Peter 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the
sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

III. THE SALVATION BY THE WORD.
     A. BUILDS UP. - Acts 20:32  And now, brethren, I
commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to
build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which
are sanctified.
     B. POWER OF GOD TO SALVATION. - Romans 1:16  For I
am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God
unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also
to the Greek.
     C. GOSPEL SAVES. - 1 Corinthians 15:1-2  Moreover,
brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you,
which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;  (2)  By which
also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you,
unless ye have believed in vain.
     D. RECONCILES US TO GOD. - 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things
are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  (18)  And all
things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus
Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  (19)  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.  (20)  Now then we are ambassadors for
Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in
Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.  (21)  For he hath made him
to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in him.
     E. CLEANSES. - Ephesians 5:25-27  Husbands, love your
wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 
(26)  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of
water by the word,  (27)  That he might present it to himself a
glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but
that it should be holy and without blemish.

IV. THE WORK OF THE WORD.
     A. WILL JUDGE OUR SECRETS. - Romans 2:16  In the day
when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according
to my gospel.
     B. DEFINES RIGHTEOUSNESS. - Romans 10:2-3  For I
bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to
knowledge.  (3)  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness,
and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not
submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
     C. HELPS DISCERN GOOD AND EVIL. - Hebrews 5:12-14 
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that
one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of
God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong
meat.  (13)  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of
righteousness: for he is a babe.  (14)  But strong meat belongeth to
them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have
their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

V. THE LIMITATIONS OF THE WORD.
     A. SOME MAY DENY THE POWER OF GODLINESS. - 2
Timothy 3:1-5  This know also, that in the last days perilous times
shall come.  (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves,
covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
unthankful, unholy,  (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers,
false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 
(4)  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than
lovers of God;  (5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the
power thereof: from such turn away.
     B. SOME DENY BY THEIR WORKS. - Titus 1:15-16  Unto
the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and
unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is
defiled.  (16)  They profess that they know God; but in works they
deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good
work reprobate.
     C. MUST BE COMBINED WITH FAITH. - Hebrews 4:1-2 
Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into
his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.  (2)  For unto
us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word
preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them
that heard it.
     D. TASTED BUT FELL AWAY. - Hebrews 6:4-12  For it is
impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of
the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,  (5) 
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world
to come,  (6)  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto
repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God
afresh, and put him to an open shame.  (7)  For the earth which
drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth
herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from
God:  (8)  But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and
is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.  (9)  But, beloved,
we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany
salvation, though we thus speak.  (10)  For God is not unrighteous
to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed
toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do
minister.  (11)  And we desire that every one of you do shew the
same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:  (12) 
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith
and patience inherit the promises.
     E. BEING DISOBEDIENT. - 1 Peter 2:7-8  Unto you
therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be
disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is
made the head of the corner,  (8)  And a stone of stumbling, and a
rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being
disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
     F. MADE INEFFECTIVE BY TRADITION. - Mark 7:10-13 
For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso
curseth father or mother, let him die the death:  (11)  But ye say, If
a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say,
a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be
free.  (12)  And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or
his mother;  (13)  Making the word of God of none effect through
your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things
do ye.

VI. THE BLESSINGS OF OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD.
     A. SALVATION. - James 1:21-25  Wherefore lay apart all
filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with
meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 
(22)  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving
your own selves.  (23)  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a
doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 
(24)  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway
forgetteth what manner of man he was.  (25)  But whoso looketh
into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not
a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed
in his deed.
     B. PERFECTS LOVE OF GOD. - 1 John 2:3-6  And hereby
we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.  (4) 
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is
a liar, and the truth is not in him.  (5)  But whoso keepeth his word,
in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we
are in him.  (6)  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also
so to walk, even as he walked.
     C. ABLE TO OVERCOME SATAN. - 1 John 2:14  I have
written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from
the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are
strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome
the wicked one.
     D. PRODUCES FRUIT. - Luke 8:11-15  Now the parable is
this: The seed is the word of God.  (12)  Those by the way side are
they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word
out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.  (13) 
They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word
with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in
time of temptation fall away.  (14)  And that which fell among
thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are
choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring
no fruit to perfection.  (15)  But that on the good ground are they,
which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it,
and bring forth fruit with patience.
     E. MAKES US FAMILY. - Luke 8:21  And he answered and
said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear
the word of God, and do it.
     F. BRINGS HAPPINESS. - Luke 11:28  But he said, Yea
rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
     G. MAKES US EXAMPLES. - 1 Thessalonians 1:5-7  For
our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and
in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what
manner of men we were among you for your sake.  (6)  And ye
became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word
in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:  (7)  So that ye were
ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

CONCLUSION
     A. WORD SHOULD DWELL IN US RICHLY. - Colossians
3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
     B. PRAYER INCREASES THE INFLUENCE OF THE
WORD. - 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3  Finally, brethren, pray for us, that
the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as
it is with you:  (2)  And that we may be delivered from
unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.  (3)  But
the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
     C. SUMMARY
     D. APPEAL