The Book is Alive!

It breathes.  

It has the power within it for it's own fulfillment.  

John 6:63 (NKJV)

63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 

There are four Greek words for every English word.  

The Greek word for Spirit is exhale. 

It's actually wind.  

It can fill your sails.  

You can't just let the Book get into your brain, but it must get into your life.  

Hebrews 4:12-13  (NKJV)

12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, 

piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.  

Faith activates God's Word.  That's when it comes alive.

  

Hebrews 4:2  (NKJV)

2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but... 

the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.

The Word cannot come alive unless it is mixed with faith.

Revelation actives Faith. 

Romans 10:17  (NKJV)

17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Here is a story of this happening in the Bible.

Luke 1:34-35  (NKJV)

34 Then Mary (the mother of Jesus) said to the angel,

“How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

35 And the angel answered and said to her, 

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; 

therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

She heard the Word, but she hadn't mixed it with faith yet. 

Luke 1:37-38 

37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”

38 Then Mary said, 

“Behold the maidservant of the Lord!

Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

At that moment, Mary mixed faith with God's revelation, and she got pregnant.  

Meditation activate revelation.  

Joshua 1:7-8  (NKJV)

7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; 

do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 

8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, 

but you shall meditate in it day and night, 

that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. 

For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

The Hebrew language gives you a word picture of a cow chewing it's cud.  

Cows chew it up over and over again.

Faith to moves mountains comes from a revelation.  

A revelation comes from mediation.  

This is the secret to the Bible coming alive in our lives. 

Matthew 7:24-25 The Message (MSG)

24-25 “These words I (Jesus) speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. 

They are foundational words, words to build a life on. 

If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. 

Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.

We've got to figure out a way to build our life upon the Bible.

1. I have to accept the authority of God's Word.  

God wrote the Bible.  

Man held the pen.  

It is infallible.   

The translations come from the original manuscripts. 

1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NKJV)

For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, 

you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, 

which also effectively works in you who believe.

We don't change the Word to fit us.  We change us to fit it. 

2. We must assimilate the Bible's truths by listening to it.   

We should read it systematically.  

We should explore it by discussing it in small groups. 

   

Luke 8:18 (NKJV)

18 Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”

Matthew 4:4  (NKJV)

4 But He (Jesus) answered and said, 

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

Psalm 119:11  (NKJV)

11 Your word (God) I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

3.  I'm going to apply God's principles into my life.  

Find a Bible verse for every situation that you're in.  

Psalm 27:4 New King James Version (NKJV)

One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.

1 John 4:4 (NKJV)

4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Philippians 4:19  (NKJV)

19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

James 1:22 New King James Version (NKJV)

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Are you carrying your own shame and guilt?  

Are you willing to go all in for Jesus?

Why not today?  

Jesus thank you for dying on the Cross and paying for my sin.  

I surrender my life to you.  

Be the Lord of my life.  

Thank you for setting me free.  

Amen!

Chris Hodges, Guest Speaking at Freedom House Church