Entering Into God’s Presence

Knowing God Through His Works and Ways (VERBS)

God Speaks

To Study and Ponder

• Speaking is the most frequently mentioned act of God in the Bible

- Hebrew: ‘amar x1,406, dabar x462; shaba’ x76; nagad x31; yarah x24; ‘uwd x16; etc.

- Greek: lego x533; laleo x102 etc. (noun - logos)

• God is the communicator par excellence. Francis Schaeffer, a leading 20th century Christian apologist, entitled one of his best known books “He is There and He is Not Silent”

• God's communication is creative - he spoke each part of Creation into being “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:3 (also v.6, 9,11,14, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29)

• God also destroys with the words of his mouth

- Jesus spoke to the fig tree and it withered. Matthew 21:19

- From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. Rev.19:15

• The words God spoke to Israel were so important that they were to be recorded, remembered and taught to children and future generations. (Deut. 6:6-9 gives many teaching methods)

• The word God speaks is alive and transformative: For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12

• Jesus the WORD (logos) was there from the beginning

• In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. John 1:1-2

• He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. Rev.19:13

• Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. Hebrews 1:1-2

• When Jesus spoke people were healed, spirits cast out

• But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. Matthew 8:8 (story v.5-13) (Also John 4:46-54)

• He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick. Matthew 8:16b

• When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law. Matthew 7:28-29

• He communicates in many ways (See Appendix in “Is That Really You God” by Loren Cunningham). We need to learn to listen to His voice, expecting diversity.

• God’s spoken word gives birth to faith. So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. Romans 12:17 We are designed to live by the words God speaks! (Deut.8:3, Matt.4:4)

• Our spoken words are also extremely important, because we are created in God’s image:-

• If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. Romans 10:9-10

• And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.” Matthew 12:36-37

• Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29

• And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. Rev.12:11a

• Paul asks for prayer that he be given words to make known the Gospel. Ephesians 6:19

• The Book of Proverbs contains multiple references to the use and impact of the tongue. Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Proverbs 18:20-21 (Also Proverbs 12:13,14,16-19; 15:1,2,4)

Memory/Meditation

Lower Grades: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3 (NLT)

Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.  Proverbs 15:4 (NLT)

Middle Grades: Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”  Genesis 1:26 (NLT)

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”  Genesis 1:27-28 (NLT)

Upper Grades: Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. Hebrews 1:1-2 (NLT)

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12  (NLT)