The Word of God for Our Generation

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-8-2022

John 1:1-2

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Last week, we took a biblical look at the "Existing" Word of God.  From Eternity past through Eternity future.  I use the words "past" and "future" for us earthlings as eternity has no time and, therefore, no past or future.

 

In order to understand what I am preaching about concerning the Word, we need to understand the biblical history behind it.  We have the Eternal Word on both sides of time with the Existing Word between.  Word-to communicate with words, either spoken or written.  There was a spoken Word from Genesis until the completion of the Inscribed Word at the end of the Apostolic Age.  Since the completion of the Inscribed Word, there has been no spoken Word.  God no longer needs to speak from heaven because "that which is perfect" has come.  There is no need for dreams, visions, biblical tongues, etc. in our day.

 

B.  Because we no longer have a spoken Word, there are many who have gone into extra-biblical revelations such as visions, dreams, unbiblical tongues, the myriad of "bibles" on the market that allows individuals to personally choose which one that they want to use.  The Word of God is not about sinful man's discernment of what is or is not the Word of God!

 

1.  To these, the inscribed Word of God is not sufficient for faith and practice. 

 

2.  Extra-biblical revelation is anything that is outside of the Bible that becomes pertinent to changes of doctrine and doctrinal practice. 

 

3.  Either the Bible is the final authority for faith and practice or something else is! 

 

4.  How important is your Bible?

 

a)  The Bible tells us about Jesus Christ.  John 3:16-17  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  (17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

 

2 Timothy 3:15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 

b)  The Bible is the only means of salvation.  Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

c)  The Bible is our teacher from which we get sound doctrine.  2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

d)  The bible is our stability, comfort, and hope. Romans 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

 

e)  This list could go on and on but I feel that you realize the importance of your Bible.

 

C.  This is one of those times when I am not sure just how to break down this message so we will just dig in tonight and then get it done.

 

D.  The Bible reminds us that what we have, the inscribed Word of God, is not only sufficient but also "more sure."  In Psalms, chapter 12, the Lord gave a promise to His children that carries forward to every generation.

 

Psalms 12:6-7  The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.  (7)  Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

 

E.  In these verses, we find the promises of both a pure Word (The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times) coupled with a preserved Word (Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.).

 

F.  In the Book of 2 Peter, which deals with the end times, the Bible says this:

 

2 Peter 1:16-21  For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  (17)  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  (18)  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.  (19)  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:  (20)  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  (21)  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

 

G.  Interesting that John began the Gospel of Divinity by calling Jesus Christ the Word!  This also occurs in our text, John 1:1, 1 John 1:1, and Revelation 19:13.  Most people never realize that the Bible gives the same attributes to both Jesus Christ the Word and the Bible.

 

H.  I want to take my time as to allow each of you to follow along in your Bible because, at this point, we will allow the Bible to speak.

 

J.  Next week, I will give you my "short list" of these common attributes that apply to both the Incarnate Word, Christ Jesus-Jehovah God, and the Inscribed Word, your Bible.

 

 

 

 

"A More Sure Word" Continued."

These messages are not an argument for the Word of God, and neither are they an argument about the Word of God.

These messages are simply apologetics, explanations of doctrine.

As a Bible believer, I am both an Apologist and Polemist. 

 

K.  Since we no longer have either extra-biblical revelation such as God speaking in an audible voice, dreams, visions, biblical tongues, signs, etc.—we MUST have the Inscribed Word of God in its completeness.  Anything that causes either confusion or division is not of God as He is not the Author of confusion according to the Scripture.  Our knowledge of God, Jesus Christ, salvation, sanctification, prophecy, and doctrine are found only in the Bible.  If "bibles" are contradictory, then we must reject them at this point as they cause confusion and division.

 

L.  One of the difficulties that people have is that they try to separate or divorce the Incarnate Word, Christ, from the Inscribed Word, the preservation of the Scriptures.  To do this, one must "cherry pick" what verses of the Bible that they choose to believe and what verses of the same Bible that they choose not to believe.  We do not have the presence or the spoken Word of the Incarnate Christ today, but we do have the preservation of the inscribed Word which is the foundation of all that we know and believe.

 

M.  The verses below pertain to the Incarnate Word and belief is consistent among God's men concerning Christ, but the same verses that pertain to the preserved Word there is an inconsistency among the same men.  This is what the Bible teaches on the subject.

 

1.  The Incarnate Word is an Eternal Word - vs 1 “In the beginning”

 

Psalm 90:1-3  Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.  Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.  Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.

 

     The Inscribed Word is an Eternal Word  

 

Psalm 119:89  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. 

 

Matthew 24:35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

 

Peter 1:25  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.   

 

2.  The Incarnate Word is an Ever-Present Word - vs 1 “the Word was with God”

 

Hebrews 13:8  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. 

 

Hebrews 1:12  And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. 

 

Psalm 102:27  But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.

 

The Inscribed Word is an Ever-Present Word 

 

1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 

 

Psalm 12:6-7  The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.  Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. 

 

3.  The Incarnate Word is the Faultless Word - vs 1 “Word was God” - equal (you cannot separate Jesus Christ from His Word, they are one and the same)

 

2 Corinthians 5:21  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. 

 

Isaiah 53:9  And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 

 

Hebrews 7:26  For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 

 

1 Peter 2:22-23  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 

 

1 John 3:5  And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 

 

The Inscribed Word is The Faultless Word

 

Psalm 12:6  The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times

 

Psalm 19:7  The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 

 

Psalm 119:140  Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. 

 

Proverbs 30:5  Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 

 

2 Timothy 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 

 

4.  The Incarnate Word is the Authoritative Word - vs 3 “all...made...him”

 

Mark 1:22  And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. 

 

Mark 1:27  And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

 

Mark 4:39-41  And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.   And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?  And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? 

 

The Inscribed Word is the Authoritative Word

 

Peter 2:21  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

 

Proverbs 6:23  For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: 

 

Proverbs 13:13  Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. 

 

Romans 16:26  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:  

 

5.  The Incarnate Word is the Essential Word - vs 3 “and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

 

Colossians 1:17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

 

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

 

The Inscribed Word is the Essential Word  

 

Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

 

1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

 

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.

 

6.  The Incarnate Word Gives Life - vs 4, 14  “in him was life...light of men”

 

1 John 1:1-2  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;  (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 

 

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

 

The Inscribed Word Gives Life

 

John 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 

 

Philippians 2:16  Holding forth the word of life;  

 

7.  The Incarnate Word is an Illuminating Word - vs 4 “light of men”

 

John 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

 

The Inscribed Word is an Illuminating Word

 

2 Corinthians 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 

 

8.  The Incarnate Word is a Fathomless Word - vs 5 “comprehended it not”

 

Romans 11:33  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

 

The Inscribed Word is a Fathomless Word

 

1 Corinthians 2:9-14  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  

 

9.  The Incarnate Word is the Rejected Word - vs 9-11 “knew him not...received him not”

 

Isaiah 53:3  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

 

John 5:40  And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 

 

The Inscribed Word is the Rejected Word

 

Hebrews 3:15  While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

 

1 John 5:6-12  This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.  And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.  If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.   He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 

 

10.  The Incarnate Word is the Living Word - vs 14  “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us”

 

Matthew 1:23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

 

Luke 1:35  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

 

The Inscribed Word is the Living Word

 

1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

 

Hebrews 4:12  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.

How To Walk Godly in An Ungodly World

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-5-2022

Psalm 101

 

Introduction:

 

A.  We live in difficult times: 

 

1.  As it was in the days of Noe: The mixing of the godly and ungodly lines.  Noah was the only just man alive.

 

2. As it was in the days of Lot: living in a world of sodomy.  Though God spared Lot, he lived a compromised life and died in a cave without repentance.

 

3.  As it was in Laodicea and now the Laodicean Church Age:  Apathy that brings about lukewarmness.  People no longer seem to have a desire for living for Christ.

 

4.  As it was in the perilous times of Timothy's Day:  A worldly Christianity.  Everybody is "saved" but few act like they are.

 

5.  As it was in the times of Apostasy: A general "falling away" from adherence to the Word of God.  Everything that Christians once stood for is under constant attack and the multitudes follow the apostate's pernicious ways.

 

6.  Have we said enough.  I am not trying to discourage you tonight, I am trying to exhort you and so much the more as we see the day approaching: the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

 

B.  In this Psalm, we find some directives concerning our steadfastness in these last perilous times.  3,000 years ago, when Psalm 101 was written, God gave Israel the solution to our problems today!  What a glorious Bible we hold in our hands!

 

C.  A simple outline is found here for godly living.

 

1.  Verse 1.  Your Worship.  I WILL SING!  Thank God for His mercy and judgment.  He loves us enough to both correct us and to be merciful to us at the same time.  That ought to make your heart SING!  "I will sing … O LORD, I will sing!"

 

Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

 

2.  Verse 2.  Your Walk.  I WILL BEHAVE!  We cannot control everything, but we are to control what we can.  It matters not how the world behaves because our behavior is a choice that we personally make.  When we were in our parent's house, we had to behave; when we came of age, we choose to behave.

 

Proverbs 28:18  Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

 

3.  Verses 3-5.  Your Witness.  I WILL NOT FOLLOW!  We are surrounded by the ungodly and they try to incorporate us into their way of thinking and lifestyle.  Stay close to God's House and God's people!  Keep your eyes on Christ, your hearts in the Bible, and constantly renew your minds. 

 

Exodus 23:2  Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:

 

3 John 11  Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

 

4.  Verses 6-8.  Your Watch.  I WILL KEEP MY EYES UPON THE FAITHFUL!  Know that there are still good, godly people that walk with you.  Stay around and walk with these as God will destroy and cut off the wicked. 

 

Hebrews 10:22-25  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.  (23)  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)  (24)  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:  (25)  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Exceeding Joy

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-5-2022

Jude 24

 

Introduction:  Last week, I preached on joy.  The Lord wants His children to be joyful in this life, but our text speaks of "exceeding" joy: a joy that transcends all the joy that we have ever experienced.

 

A.  Verses 24-25 of the Book of Jude are called a Doxology: a public display of praise given to God.

 

B.  These verses are normally preached as “stand alone’ verses about the joys of heaven and, thanks to Cavalry, heaven will be everlasting joy.  Heaven will be a place of “exceeding joy!”

 

1.  The Exceeding Joy of the Lord’s Presence - John 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  (The exceeding joy of being forever with the Lord in our eternal home.)

 

Revelation 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

 

2.  The Exceeding Joy of a Glad Reunion - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17  (16)  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  (17)  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  (The exceeding joy of seeing our loved ones who have gone on before.  We miss them here but we will find them there.)

 

3.  The Exceeding Joy of an Eternal Body - Romans 8:22-23  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.  (23)  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.  (The exceeding joy of a body that is perfect and perfectly designed for eternity.  A place where we will never grow old.)

 

4.  The Exceeding Joy of a Perfect Peace - Matthew 5:11-12  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.  (12)  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.  (No more devil to annoy and no more sin to defile.)

 

5.  The Exceeding Joy of Heaven’s Place – Revelation 21:1-2  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  (2)  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  (Enough said!)

 

C.  The list could go on because heaven will be “out of this world,” and I do say that with any intent towards irreverence.  Heaven is beyond the comprehension of our finite minds.

 

D.  Now, back to the context of earnestly contending for the faith once delivered.

 

1.  We found that the Lord is able to keep us from falling.  To give up the battle for Truth.  To forsake the Old Paths.  To become apathetic.  It is not in our strength nor is it something for us to glory in, it is “Now unto Him!”

 

2.  We found that the Lord is able to present us faultless.  If we earnestly contend for the faith, we will have done what we can and not be at fault for our generation.  Once again, it is “Now unto Him!”

 

E.  In light of this, I want to re-examine the phrase “exceeding joy.”  What is that exceeding joy in this verse?

 

1.  The Exceeding Joy of this verse is that we stood fast!  It would be soooooo easy to just back off a little; let down a little; or to quit as so many others have.  It will be worth it all when we see Christ!

 

1 Corinthians 16:13  Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

 

Ephesians 6:13  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.

 

2.  The Exceeding Joy of this verse is that we suffered for Christ sake!  Though we are rapidly becoming the “enemy” in America, we have suffered so little for the Lord’s sake.  Looking back through the history of the church, we see the horrific price paid for their confession of Christ Jesus as Lord!

 

Matthew 5:11-12  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.  (12)  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

 

3.  The Exceeding Joy of this verse is that we left a good path to follow!  I have too often see families with children out of God’s will and when the children try to come home spiritually, they find out that dad and mom have “sold the farm” spiritually.

 

Jeremiah 6:16  Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

 

4.  The Exceeding Joy of this verse is that we finished our race!  Each of us has a race to run.  The Lord knows what course it is that we will run.  He knows every pitfall, our uprisings, and our down sittings.  He understandeth our thoughts afar off. He knows the end from the beginning.  He is with us and for us.  Stay the course and finish right.

 

2 Timothy 4:7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

 

1 Peter 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

 

5.  The Exceeding Joy of this verse is that we will get a well done!  We have heard much about the Olympics this past couple of weeks and have seen our Gold Medal winners cry with pride as they placed the medal around their necks and played our national anthem.  Can you just imagine what it will be like when we see Christ and He says “Well done, thou good and faithful servant … enter thou into the joy of the Lored.”

 

Matthew 25:21  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

 

6.  The Exceeding Joy of this verse is that we will have a crown to cast!  We are not worthy to wear them because, if we have done anything or been anything, it is all because of Christ.  Just to take those crowns that we have won and lay them at the feet of our beloved Lord who alone is worthy to wear them.

 

Revelation 4:10-11  The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,  (11)  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

The Existing Word

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-1-2022

John 1:1-2

 

Introduction:

 

A.  When speaking of the eternality and deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Bible refers to Him as the "Word" or Logos: something said!  This speaks of our Lord as One who communicates.  He is not a "silent" god as the "gods" of this world, but One who speaks.

 

B.  The word "Logos" is also used when referring to the inscribed or preserved Word of God.

 

1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word (Logos) of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.  (We are saved by the "incorruptible" seed of God's Word.  Seed is the essence of life as it gives birth to something.  The Bible is also clear that this "word" or "Logos" is spoken by God, not by man!  The Bible is a "God Book" and is given the same characteristics as Jehovah God (our Lord Jesus Christ), the "Word" found in John 1:1!

 

C.  This is important because God does not speak in verbal inspiration in our day as we have the completed canon of Scripture but now have the preserved Word of God in written form.  When referring to the preserved Word of God, "Logos" means that God still speaks through the Word.  That is not the essence of this message so I will deal with this later.

 

D.  The First Mention of speaking in the Bible is consistent with John 1:1.  Genesis 1:3  And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.  (Said – Amar (aw-mar) – to speak or to communicate.)  The words "God said" are found 11x in the first two chapters of Genesis.  The Latin phrase "Ex Nihilo" is often used when speaking of creation by the Word which means "from or out of nothing."  It simply means that God spoke everything into existence.  This is recorded in John 1:3:  "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."  In this verse, the Bible clarifies that the Creator of all things was "him!"  The antecedent of the word "him" is the "the Word" found twice in John 1:1.

 

E.  When speaking of the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, John refers to Him as the Word.  This is important in Theology.  The Holy Ghost calls Jehovah God and the Lord Jesus Christ (they are one and the same) the word.  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God."

 

F.  I want to look at the references to the Lord Jesus Christ found in the Bible to show both His eternality and continued existence as the "Word."

 

1.  In Creation, He was the Eternal Word.  John 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

 

Genesis 1:1,3  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  (3)  And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

 

 

 

2.  In the Garden, He was the Audible Word walking.  Genesis 3:8-10  And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.  (9)  And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?  (10)  And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.  (Throughout history without a completed, that which is perfect, Word, God spoke audibly to men.)

 

3.  On Mount Sinai, The Audible Word Inscribed the Word.  Exodus 24:12  And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.  (On Mt. Sinai, the Audible Word spoke and wrote the Inscribed Word.  From that time until the completion of the canon of the Word, the Holy Ghost inspired men to record the Inscribed Word.)

 

4.  In His birth, He was the Incarnate Word.  John 1:14  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.  (In the dispensation of the fullness of time, God sent the Eternal Word in the form of the Incarnate Word to live, die, and resurrect as final payment or propitiation for the sin of the world.  The Word of God became flesh.)

 

5.  In Heaven, He is the Witnessing Word.  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.  (After the ascension of the Word, Jesus Christ, the Word gives witness to the Gospel's saving power to all who believe.  The Word is our Propitiation, Advocate, and High Priest.)

 

6.  On Earth, the Eternal Word is found in the Inscribed Word which brings the new birth to the believer.  

 

2 Peter 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

 

1 Peter 1:23-25  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.

 

 

7.  In the Second Coming, He is the Coming Word.  Revelation 19:13  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.  (When Christ comes back to this earth in the Second Advent, He will come as the Word of God.)

 

8.  After Time expires and all things are accomplished, He continues to be the For ever Settled Word.  Psalms 119:89  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

 

9.  The Word has always been, always is, and always be the Word!