Speaker: Bro. Bobby Rodriguez ,Elder, The Lord's Flcok Catholic Charismatic Community

“ The Transforming Power of the Word of God ”

I ntroduction – David, to whom 73 of the 150 songs in the Book of Psalms are attributed, wrote about God's glory in the heavens and in the law. (Psalms 19).

God's Glory in the Heavens

“ T he heavens declare the glory of God ; the sky proclaims its builder's craft . One day to the next conveys that message; one night to the next imparts that knowledge .” (Psalms 19:2-3). David wrote similar verses in Psalms 8:1 and Psalms 50:6.

S cientists, astronomers, and astronauts in our modern era believe in the heavens as work of God. Among them are Alan Sandage, a famous astronomer; John Glenn who returned from space in 1998 on the Discovery space shuttle, and James Erwin who walked on the moon in 1971. They all looked at the heavens and appreciated the creation of God – the miracle of existence of something from nothing.

God's Glory in the Law

D avid wrote about God's glory not only in the heavens but also in the “torah” (instruction or law) - Psalms 1, Psalms 19:8-12, and Psalms 119.

D avid glorified the Word of God by ascribing:

•  “ The law of the Lord is perfect .” (Psalms 19:8a). The Word of God is perfectly free from all corruption, perfectly filled with all that is good and perfectly fitted for the ends for which it has been designed. Nothing needs to be added to it or taken from it.

•  “The decree of the Lord is trustworthy .” (Psalms 19:8b). The Word of God is a trustworthy and sure foundation of living comforts and a sure foundation of lasting hopes. Those who are simple, humble, and willing to be taught are made wise by the Word of God.

•  “The precepts of the Lord are right.” (Psalms 19:9a). These precepts agree with eternal rules and principles of good and evil. Being right, they rejoice the heart. From the mouth of Christ, they give us cause for joy. When written in our hearts, they lay a foundation for lasting joy by restoring us to our right mind.

•  “The command of the Lord is clear.” (Psalms 19:9b). The Holy Spirit enlightens our eyes with his clear Word. God's commands direct us to act according to our duty and to avoid sins.

•  “ The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever . ” (Psalms 19:10a). The fear of God is pure and it cleanses our way. The nature of moral good and moral evil is not altered by time. The fear of God that makes us avoid moral evil is ever the same.

•  “ The statutes of the Lord are true, all of them just.” (Psalms 19:10b). The laws of the Lord are framed in infinite wisdom. They are all just.

T o David, the psalmist, the Word of God is “ More desirable than gold, sweeter also than honey or drippings from the comb. ” (Psalms 19:11). He priced the commands of God more valuable than all the wealth of the world.

L ike David, let us consider God's Word more valuable than anything else – more valuable than our work, our treasures, and our friends.

The Doctrine of Scriptures

T he doctrine of Scriptures is the set of teachings, principles, and belief that are taught about the Scriptures or Bible.

I. Claims of Scriptures About Itself – The doctrine of Scriptures is built upon the following claims that the Bible makes for itself:

•  The Bible it is infallible . It has no mistakes in the truth it conveys. “ The law of the Lord is perfect. ” (Psalms 19:8).

•  The Word of God is enduring .

? “ Your every word is enduring; all your just edicts are forever .” (Psalms 119:160).

•  ? “Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place .” (Matthew 5:18).

•  The Bible is inerrant . The Word of God is without error. It is flawless.

? “ Every word of God is tested. ” (Proverbs 30:5).

? “ The statutes of the Lord are true, all of them are just. ” (Psalms 19:10).

•  The Bible is authoritative. The Bible has the authority of God. When the Bible speaks, we are to listen and to respond to God.

? “ Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth, for the Lord speaks… ” (Isaiah1:2).

? “ These words are true; they come from God. ” (Revelation 19:9).

? “ Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true .” (Revelation 21:5).

•  The Word of God is complete .

? Moses said: “ In your observance of the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I enjoin upon you, you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it .” (Deuteronomy 4:2). The Scripture is complete and is not to be increased or diminished.

6) The Bible is effective . “ For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it .” (Isaiah 55:10-11). God's Word accomplishes its intended purpose.

Evidences of the Truth of Bible Claims

T he Bible claims being infallible, inerrant, authoritative, complete and effective.

T hese claims are verified to be true by both internal and external evidences:

A. Internal Evidences – The Bible has many testimonies of biblical writers like St. Paul and St. Peter.

? “ Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin. For I did not receive it from human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ .” (Galatians 1:11-12).

? “ But when [God], who from my mother's womb had set me apart and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so I might proclaim him to the Gentiles… ” (Galatians 1:15-16).

? “ To recall the words previously spoken by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and savior through your apostles .” (2 Peter 3:2). Peter affirmed the authority of the Old Testament prophets and equate the Apostles' teachings with those of the prophets.

? “ Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill .” (Matthew 5:17-18).

B. External Evidences – There are also many external evidences of the claims of the Scriptures.

1. Testimony of a changed life. We have our own testimonies of a changed life. After we see the power of God's Word at work in the life of a relative or a friend, we ourselves change. We also change after hearing and studying the Word of God and practicing in life what we have learned.

2. The testimony of science. In the field of hydrology, the study of water properties, and its distribution and circulation on earth, the Bible itself gives a detailed description of the hydrological cycle. “Elihu said: ‘He [God] holds in check the waterdrops that filter in vain through his mists, Till the skies run with them and the shows rain down on mankind.'” (John 36:27-28). “ He raises storm clouds from the end of the earth, makes lightning and rain, brings forth wind from the storehouse .” (Psalms 135:7).

II. The Bible is breathed by God . The Scripture is inspired by God. “ All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work .” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The biblical writers understood that it is God speaking through the Scriptures.

The Transforming Power of God's Word

1. The Power of God's Word – There is power in God's Word. There is the power for us to do supernatural work in our lives. “ And that from infancy you have known [the] sacred scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ .” (2 Timothy 3:15).

2. The Priority of God's Word . Only God's Word, empowered by the Holy Spirit, can transform our lives and the lives of other people around us. Our church has a strong commitment to biblical authority and expository preaching. Let us all give priority to God's Word – by faithfully teaching, preaching, and living up to the Word of God.

3. The Promises of God's Word . The Word of God has many promises:

a. It is productive. “ For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it .” (Isaiah 55:10-11).

b. It is swift. “ The Lord sends a command to earth; his word runs swiftly! ” (Psalms 147:15).

c. It is nourishing. “ …not by bread alone does man live, but every word that comes forth from the mouth of the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 8:3).

T he Word of God is productive, swift and nourishing. It accomplishes God's work in the lives of people. It brings salvation. It is the source of truth, knowledge, and victory.