November 6^th 2022

9:30 am ------------------------------------------------ The Gospel of Micah – Micah 5

10:00 am ---------------------------------------------Who Really Has Life? – 1 Kings 3

*** NO WEDNESDAY SERVICE THIS WEEK ***

GOD’s Word Stands Upon Itself

While studying to preach I always prop up my Bible on a book in order to see it better. Well, recently I had another Bible sitting on my desk and used it to prop up the one I was reading from. I thought to myself, ‘This is as it should be. GOD’s Word stands alone; the Bible doesn’t need another book to support it.’ Now, I only use another Bible to prop up my Bible.

The very existence, continuance, and truth of GOD’s Word is from Himself, not man. Scripture was spoken, written and given to man by GOD and continues to this day by Him. Man has tried to destroy the Word of God and prevent it’s continuation down through the years to no avail. Wicked King Jehoiakim cut up and threw Jeremiah’s words in the fire, but the Lord simply had the prophet write another. Evil men burned our brother William Tyndale at the stake for translating and copying GOD’s Word; but his dying prayer was answered. While perishing in the flames he cried, “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes.” Just a few years later ‘King James’ made the proclamation to translate and print the Bible in English for all to read. GOD’s Word cannot be destroyed for the master copy is in Heaven. Forever O’ Lord Thy Word is settled in Heaven. And GOD’s Word cannot be destroyed for it is written in the hearts of His people.

GOD’s Word stands upon itself, supports itself, is established on itself, and is confirmed by itself. It (He) does not need any support or confirmation from man. When GOD reveals His truth to us, it is not the persuasive words of man, nor his ability to make us understand it, but it is the Spirit of GOD Who gives us an understanding. It is the Spirit of GOD Himself that teaches us and confirms the Truth to us and in us. GOD’s Word is His power and does not need any help from man to make it effectual. Although GOD chose preaching the Word as the means to give life, it is not man’s preaching but the Word which gives life. It is not the sower but the Seed; it is not the preacher but the Word; it is not the power of man but the power of GOD that convicts, convinces, converts and conquers men. It is the Word of GOD that confirms itself to the hearts, minds, souls, and spirits of His people. The Word confirms itself (Himself) to us through a life of faith, through our experiences in this world which confirm what GOD says in His word.. Day after day, we see the fulfilment of GOD’s Word in the world and in our own lives. We see men do and say what GOD said they would. We see His hand in providing for us, as He said He would. We see His goodness, His mercy, His Grace, His sovereign hand of providence all around us . . . just as it was from the beginning, in the lives of all His people. Yes, He is a covenant keeping GOD. What He has said will come to pass. What He has promised, He will surely do. Christ said: ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but not one Word of mine shall fail. Bless GOD. Blessed be His Name. Blessed be His Word. Blessed be His Son. . .Who is the Word. God’s Word stands upon His Son. God’s Word is confirmed by Christ; proved by Him, fulfilled in Him. God’s Word rests upon God’s Son. We know it is God’s Word and know it is true, for what we see in God’s Word, most of all, and experience in this life of faith is . . . CHRIST IS ALL!

When God would confirm His Word without controversy, HE SENT HIS SON. THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH. How do we know that the Bible is the Word of GOD? How do we know the Bible is true? Because Christ is the Word personified. All that God spoke, Christ spoke. All that God did and said He would do, Christ did. Christ is the fulfilment of the Word. He is all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. In Him is all fullness. In Him are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. He that hears and believes the Son, hears and believes GOD. He that hath seen the Son, hath seen the Father. He or she that loves the Son, loves and is loved by GOD.