Exploring the Power of Words

The Word of God | Randy Skeete

Estimated read time: 1:20

Summary

In a captivating sermon, Randy Skeete delves into the divine power and significance of the word of God. Through engaging storytelling and biblical references, he emphasizes the intrinsic connection between God's word and the spiritual and physical creation of the world. Highlighting the necessity of internalizing and practicing the scriptures, he underscores that true life, sanctification, and salvation stem from a faithful engagement with God's word. This spiritual nourishment, Skeete argues, aligns believers with the divine essence, guiding them towards eternal life. The sermon encourages listeners to make a daily commitment to study the scriptures, reinforcing the omnipotence of God's word in overcoming adversity and growing spiritually.

Highlights

Randy Skeete highlights the power of words, both divine and human. 🗣️
The sermon underscores that spiritual transformation is possible through God's word. ⚡
Skeete elaborates on the notion that the word of God sustains life in all forms. 🌟
He urges a daily commitment to scripture as a path to holiness and divine connection. ✨
The analogy of God's word as spiritual Clorox that cleanses the soul is memorable. 🧼

Key Takeaways

God's word is not just text; it is life and power. 📖
Engaging with the Bible daily can transform one's mind and life. 🧠
Creation and sustenance, both physical and spiritual, come through God's word. 🌍
True spiritual life is accessed through the word, akin to the tree of life. 🌳
Christians should dedicate time to study and obey God's word for a true connection with Him. 🙏

Overview

Randy Skeete's sermon, 'The Word of God', passionately emphasizes that words possess incredible power, especially when uttered by the divine. He narrates how, from Genesis, God created the universe solely by His word, underscoring that this same word is accessible to believers today for spiritual nourishment and enlightenment.

Skeete engages his audience by relating the importance of regular scripture study to personal spiritual growth. He suggests that, much like physical food, the word of God nourishes the soul, transforming believers into spiritually revitalized beings. His call to action is clear: make time every day for the word, as it is essential to spiritual health and holiness.

Throughout the sermon, Skeete paints vivid analogies that resonate with the audience, such as comparing God's word to Clorox for the soul, which cleanses and purifies. He affirms that true sanctification and protection from evil cannot be achieved without a genuine commitment to studying and living the scriptures. By doing so, believers embrace the life within the word, akin to the life from the tree of life, ensuring their alignment with divine purpose.

Chapters

00:00 - 07:30: Introduction and Opening Prayer In the introductory chapter, a prayer is offered by Jesus, where he seeks the glorification of the Father and unity among his followers. He acknowledges the work he has accomplished and the message he has delivered, emphasizing the eternal life imparted through knowing the true God and himself. He prays for the protection and sanctification of his followers, highlighting that they are in the world but not of it, and seeks divine guidance for them.
07:30 - 25:00: The Power and Importance of God's Word The chapter begins with a discussion on reverence and respect for God's presence and holiness throughout the Sabbath. The speaker draws parallels between courtroom behavior and the reverence one should hold when in the presence of God, emphasizing that all times during the Sabbath are equally holy and deserving of respect.
25:00 - 42:30: Faith, Reverence, and Spiritual Life The chapter explores the notion of being spiritually 'dead' and how this state of spiritual death is prevalent even among regular churchgoers. The emphasis is placed on the transformative power of the word of God, which is seen as the only way to revive the spiritually dead. This transformation is mirrored in a biblical context, particularly in Ephesians 5, where Paul references Jesus' words to resurrect spiritual awakening.
42:30 - 57:30: Creation and the Word's Transformative Power The chapter discusses the cleansing nature of God's word, comparing it to how bleach removes stains from garments. It emphasizes how immersing oneself in the word leads to a spiritual cleansing, similar to how bleach cleanses a garment, and references Jesus' statement about being cleansed through the word as well as Ephesians 5 which speaks about being sanctified and cleansed by the word.
57:30 - 75:00: Daily Commitment to God's Word This chapter emphasizes the importance of daily commitment and devotion to studying and obeying the word of God. It contrasts the deceptive practices of Satan, as shown through history, with the truth and sanctity of God's word.

The Word of God | Randy Skeete Transcription

Segment 1: 00:00 - 02:30 These words spake Jesus and lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour is come. Glorify thy son that thy son also may glorify thee, as thou has given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou has given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent. I have glorified thee on the earth. I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, oh father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world. Thine they were, and thou gavest them me, and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me, and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou descend me. I pray for them. I pray not for the world, but for them which thou has given me, for they are thine, and all mine are thine, and thine are mine, and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee, holy father, keep through thy known name those whom thou has given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name. Those that thou gavest me, I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of predition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now come I to thee, and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word, and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou should take them out of the world, but that thou should keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as
Segment 2: 00:00 - 02:30 I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth. Thy word is truth.
Segment 3: 02:30 - 05:00 >> God is good. and all the time. >> Now, how do you say God is good? >> Say it again. >> To what? >> Gracias. How are you? >> How was lunch? I had some. I didn't have a lot. When I have to preach, I don't eat a lot because all the blood goes to the stomach. And I want the blood where in the brain. And so I stay away from food when I have to eat. But when the when the pre preaching is over, then I take care of the food. I thank God for life. Can you say amen? >> I thank him for the honor of being in Puerto Rico to speak to his people. Do you know God loves Puerto Rico? I don't mean the mountains and the rivers and the beaches. I mean you. >> God loves you. >> He has prepared a place for you and he does not want you to miss it. The only person who can keep you out of heaven is you. You didn't hear me? But I can only speak English, so I have to say it again the same way. The only person who can keep you out of God's kingdom is you, not Satan. The devil cannot keep you out of God's kingdom. >> The devil cannot make you sin. You and I have to choose. And so I hope you are preparing to enter God's kingdom when he comes through a life of obedience to thus sayeth the Lord. Adam was thrown out of Eden because he disobeyed. Revelation 22:14 tells us, "Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life." Disobedience put him out. Obedience through Christ returns us to the tree of life. Is there anyone here now? You were not here this morning. May I see your hand? Ah, nice to see you. God bless you. God bless you. Is there anyone with us now? You
Segment 4: 02:30 - 05:00 are not a Seventh Day Adventist, may I
Segment 5: 05:00 - 07:30 see your hand? You are not a Seventh Day Adventist. Okay, those of you online, if you're not a Seventh Day Adventist, thank you very much for joining us and may the Lord bless you. May he stretch his elastic arms and touch you with the hand of love. What time is it? >> 5:22. When does the sun set? >> 6:40. >> 6:40. Who has to rush off to work right after the service? That doesn't mean I'll stay long. I won't stay long, but I want to be aware of what you have to do. But I won't stay long. All right, let me uh get into the message. And it is simply the word of God. What did I say? The word of God. That's our title. Are you hearing me? >> Okay. Someone told me this morning because during the sermon I kept complaining that you weren't talking to me. And the person said, "Well, they don't speak English." So, they have to try to figure out what you said and then decide whether to respond. So, that takes a little while. So, forgive me. Forgive me for trying to uh push you into responding. But I am accustomed to people talking back to me. Are you with me? So when people just sit at me as though they are sleeping with their eyes open, I'm not sure what to do. So help me, help me, help me. All right, what's our subject? The word of God. Let's pray. Father in heaven, I come to you de God because you've asked me to come. I come also father because there's no one else to whom I can go. I come asking for forgiveness of sins. I come asking dear God for power to represent you a right dear God. Father I'm human. My mind is weak. I need power from above. Let the Holy Ghost be that power. I pray let him tell me what to say, when to say it, how to say it.
Segment 6: 05:00 - 07:30 Bless those who are listening dear God. Despite the language challenge, let the truth reach every listening heart. I pray, >> bless those online, dear God. Now, Father, let your name be glorified
Segment 7: 07:30 - 10:00 through this message. I pray in Jesus name. Let God's people say amen. And amen. Let us go to Genesis chapter 3. Genesis 3. All right, someone found it. We read from verse 22. Remember this morning I made a call for reverence. I make the same call this afternoon. Let me bring something to your attention that you already know or perhaps you have not observed. How many hours are there on the Sabbath day? 24. Which ones are holier than the others? Is the Sabbath holier at 11:00 in the morning than at 4:00 in the afternoon? No. But how do we dress for a opposed to how we dress for the divine service? Somewhere in our minds, we have concluded Sabbath afternoon is casual. Friday night is casual. The only part of the Sabbath that really deserves attention is the midday service. And this is wrong because whether you come on Friday night or Sabbath morning or Sabbath afternoon, God's holiness is the same. >> Come on, say amen loudly. >> God's holiness does not change. >> And how we come before God is one of the reasons God does not bless us. Because we come with too little respect. Have you ever sat in a courtroom? Have you ever been to a courtroom? How did you sit? Did you chat on your phone? You couldn't. Did you shout to the person on the other row? No. Did you drink water and coke and Kool-Aid? No. Why? You are in the presence of an earthly judge and any disrespect to his court and where does he put you in jail. >> Mhm. You are in the presence of the judge of all the earth. >> Now you give me yes or no. Does he deserve respect? Yes or no? >> Does he deserve reverence?
Segment 8: 10:00 - 12:30 >> Give it to him. >> Now focus. Listen. You may wonder, why is this man rebuking us like this? I'm not rebuking you. I am your older brother. Well, somebody say amen. I am your older brother. The Lord has sent me all over the world to preach. I have seen things with my eyes. What I'm telling you, God is pleased. Always show reverence for God. Always. What book did I say? >> What chapter? What verse? Read with me if you have the King James version. And the Lord God said, "Behold, the man is become as one of us to know good and evil. And now, lest he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat and live forever." Now God is saying, "Let us keep him away from what?" The tree of life. So the Lord God sent him forth from the Garden of Eden to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword which turned every way to keep the way of the tree of life. Now that Adam and Eve have sinned, God cannot allow them to reach the tree of life. Because if they did and they consume that fruit as sinners, they would have lived forever. You see how merciful God is? Sometimes when God evicts you, it's an act of mercy. Can you imagine a sinner living forever? You blind forever. You've got one leg forever. You have cancer forever. You have back pain forever. You insane forever. You're on a kidney dialysis machine forever. It was an act of mercy and love on God's part when he put them out of the garden and kept them away from the tree of life. But the tree of life was intended as food. Go to chapter 2, let's read verse 9. Our subject simply the word of God.
Segment 9: 10:00 - 12:30 Genesis 2, let us read verse 9.
Segment 10: 12:30 - 15:00 Where you found it? Let me know. And out of the out of the ground made the Lord God to grow. Genesis 2:9. Thanks for checking. I appreciate that. Genesis chapter 2. Well, let's read from seven. Make a connection. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul. And the Lord God planted the garden eastward in Eden. And there he put the man whom he had formed. Verse nine. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that's pleasant to the sight and what? Good for food. The tree of life also in the midst of the garden. And the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The tree of life was intended for food. It was pleasant to the eyes. By the way, when you cook, the food should look good. You didn't hear me. the food. That's a Bible teaching. Listen again to verse 9. Out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that's pleasant to the sight and good for food. Food should look good. It helps the digestion. You see, when you eat something that looks good, if you give me a bowl, a plate of mud, you know what mud is? Dirt with gravy in it. Dirt. and you tell me it's good for my immune system, I am not eating it because it looks like what? Mud. If you give me something that is harmful for my body, but it looks good and it smells good, I will eat it. And so God has told us, make sure your food looks good. And so the tree of life was made by God to provide food for Adam and Eve. but to provide food for people who had not sinned. Now they have sinned. They're not allowed and they're thrown out of the Garden of Eden. But in order to enter God's kingdom, we must partake of his life. And the life in the tree of life was the life of God.
Segment 11: 12:30 - 15:00 Let me say that again. The life in the tree of life was the life of God.
Segment 12: 15:00 - 17:30 >> When Jesus tells us in John chapter 6, no need to go there, verse 63, it is the spirit that quickenth. The flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life. Jesus said, "My words are life." Whose life? The life of a goat? No. the life of God. Now I cannot explain how the life of God is in his word. What I do know and you know Jesus said Lazarus come forth. >> Jesus spoke and the life of God was in the words. >> That's why they brought Lazarus to life. Gracias amigosa. God bless you for saying amen. Let me say it again. When Jesus said Lazarus come forth, the life of God was in those words. >> Because where was Jesus outside of the tomb? Where was Lazarus? In that tomb or that cave. Jesus never touched him. He just spoke. The words must have power to give life. >> Let me say again, I cannot explain how words can give life, but I can explain how words can kill. If you want to destroy a child and you're a teacher, just tell the child he's stupid. He'll never be anything in this life. He'll never learn. He a stupid child. Now, if you are the parent of that child and you find out a teacher told your child that, you would run to the school with a machete, a gun to kill that teacher who is killing your child. Words can kill or give life. The life in the words of Christ is the life of God himself. How do we now access that life? Because
Segment 13: 17:30 - 20:00 we no longer have access to the tree of life. Ah, all right. We have a very smart Bible student to my right. And he's right. Let me give you a quotation from Ellen White. Evangelism page 138 paragraph 4. What did I say? What's the book? What page? 138. What? Paragraph 4. So, evangelism page 138. Paragraph 4. Listen carefully. The word of God is our sanctification and righteousness because it is spiritual food. To study it is to eat the leaves of the tree of life. And so how do we get that life from that tree? Through the word of God. Now God does God does not have two kinds of life. He just has life. The life in the word of God is the life in the tree of life. Since we can't get to the tree, we have access to that life by faith in the word of God studied and received. Bible commentary volume 7, page 957, paragraph 7. Ellite writes, what book did I say? >> What volume? What page? >> What paragraph? >> Bible commentary volume 7, page 957, paragraph 7. Must we wait until we are translated before we eat the leaves of the tree of life? He who receives into his heart the words of Christ knows what it means to eat the leaves of the tree of life. When we receive the words of God, we are receiving into us the life that is in that tree of life. Because the word of God is life. You're saying amen because you're nice. But you understand why you're saying amen. >> And to what you're saying amen. I said the word of God is life. Amen.
Segment 14: 20:00 - 22:30 >> Go to 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. It's a well-known verse among Adventists. My online audience, I hope you are with us wherever you are on this earth. Is there anyone listening in the basement? There is. Those of you downstairs, God bless you. God bless you. We thank God for technology that puts the words in Spanish on the screen. Thank God for that. So because of that, we don't need the gifts of tongues today. Are you with me? God has a different way to get the message to people. What book did I say? What chapter? >> What verse? 16. I didn't say. No, I didn't say. I All right, let's go. What does the Bible say? You know it. Well, for the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with a voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God. Finish the verse. And the dead in Christ shall rise first. Now, let's read that again. This time microscopically. How do you say that in Spanish? >> Niko. Who? >> Okay. Yeah. That. Okay. Let's read it microscopically. Are you with me? Listen again. By the way, I told you this morning, let me tell you again. When you read the Bible, read how carefully. Look at what you're reading. Let's read again. for the Lord himself. Who is that? Jesus Christ. The Lord himself. In other words, no doubt. In the Greek, that's called intensive. You know, we say me, I, me, myself, and I. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with what? >> How do you shout? With your elbow. How do you shout? Voice. Yeah. With a shout. With the voice of the archangel. With the trump of God. These three things simply tell us Christ will come and will speak how? Noisily, loudly. And so the writer says with a shout, voice of the archangel, trump of God, they all mean the same
Segment 15: 20:00 - 22:30 thing. So he speaks. He speaks loudly. How did Jesus speak at the tomb of Lazarus? Loudly. John 11:43. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth, he shouted the words of life. When he comes the second time, he cries with a loud voice. The Bible does
Segment 16: 22:30 - 25:00 not tell us the words he speaks, but we can guess whatever those words were. Finish verse 16. And the dead in Christ shall >> Now, let me ask, look at verse 17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up with them where? In the clouds to meet the Lord where? In the air. Now when Jesus shouts, where is he? >> He in the clouds. He does not touch the earth. Let me say it again because there are people walking around calling themselves Jesus. When Jesus comes the second time, he does not set foot on the earth. He stays somewhere in the heavens and he shouts. >> What happens to dead Christians? >> They rise. >> Now think, how is that possible? There must be a power in the words of Jesus Christ >> to raise dead people. The same way the words of Jesus Christ raised Lazarus. >> Remember the young man who died? His mother had no husband in the city of Naine and Jesus came walking by and here comes a funeral procession and the mother's crying. Jesus perhaps he grew up without Joseph for most of his life because the last time Joseph is mentioned is when Jesus was 12. He's never mentioned again. So Jesus understands what it means for a woman to lose her son because back then if you're a widow you were at the bottom of the ladder. Jesus comes up and says, "Young man, I say unto thee, arise." He just spoke. When Dyrus's daughter died, they came to Christ. Christ went to the room. He put everyone out except Peter, James, and John. And he said, "Damsel, I say unto thee, arise." On each occasion he spoke and dead people came to life. I am trying to elevate to lift it before you the power of the word of God. Now there are people on this earth who are
Segment 17: 22:30 - 25:00 dead but still walking around. How are they dead? Spiritually, you may have a family member who is
Segment 18: 25:00 - 27:30 spiritually dead. No interest in the Bible, no interest in church, no interest in the writings well and white, no interest in whatever. The person is spiritually dead, but still comes to church because it's a habit and the person lives under your roof. So, we have dead people coming to church every Sabbath. The only way that person can come alive is how? By the word of God. Let's see that in the Bible. Go to Ephesians chapter 5. Ephesians 5. Our subject, the word of God. What time is it? >> 5:43. What book did I say? What chapter? Five. We read from verse 14. When you found out, say amen. >> If you're still looking, say amen. The sister, I saw you still looking, but you didn't say anything. It's okay. The Lord still loves you. It's okay. The Lord still loves you. All right, let's read verse 14. Wherefore he saith what? >> Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead. Now Paul is telling us Jesus says to all those who were spiritually dead. Awake thou that sleepest. Come on. And arise from the dead. Look at that verse carefully again. There are two statements. Wherefore he saith what? >> Awake thou that. So we have awake and we have sleep. What's the next statement? Arise from. So we have rise and we have dead. We have awake, sleep, arise dead. Awake and arise are the same thing. Sleep and dead are the same thing. It is simply a poetic expression. Awake thou the sleepest. In the Bible, what is sleep? Death. and arise from the dead. Eli tells us the person who receives those words will come alive >> spiritually because they have the same power as Lazarus come forth.
Segment 19: 27:30 - 30:00 You're looking at me as though you're sleeping with your eyes open. You see this? >> This will resurrect your child who has no interest in the church. >> You see this? This will bring back your husband who left the church. Bring back your wife. You see this? This will change the attitude of your boss who treats you so harshly. You see this? This will function as the foundation stone of your victory over pornography and alcohol and cigarettes and drugs and always stealing and always lying. This I say will be the foundation. There are other things you may know. Yes, but they all have to rest on this because this not only changes your behavior, it changes your mind. He changes the heart. The word of God. Let me show you how important the word of God is. Let me pray again. Father, as I continue speaking to those whom you love, my brothers and sisters, dear God, give me simple language. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen. Go to Genesis 1. By the way, my favorite book in the Bible is the book of Genesis. And my favorite Bible verse is Genesis 1:1. We're about to say it. Now, do me a favor. Before we recite Genesis 1:1, please don't look at the Bible. Come on, say Genesis 1:1. In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. Very good. God bless you. In the beginning, God created what? The heaven and the earth. What do you understand by heaven and earth? Everywhere the Bible gives us heaven or earth to represent. When Jesus said in Matthew 28:18, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth," he meant, I have power everywhere in the universe.
Segment 20: 27:30 - 30:00 >> So heaven and earth frequently means everywhere. >> In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now, what's in the heavens?
Segment 21: 30:00 - 32:30 Come on. What's in the heavens? >> Give me something specific >> because I can't see the kingdom of God. >> What? What's in the heavens? Let's change that word. What's in the sky? >> Well, let's go beyond the sky. What's in the universe? >> Are there planets in the universe? Yes or no? Yes. Name two of them. >> Jupiter >> and Mars. Yes. What else is in the heavens? >> The sun. >> The sun. And the sun is small >> compared to others. They are huge stars. By the way, the sun is a star. Huge. You know how large the universe is? Nobody knows. I read some time ago what's the name of our galaxy? The Milky Way. Now, scientists tell us they have discovered billions and billions of galaxies. How big is our galaxy? It's not the biggest. There's a galaxy called Andromeda, which is even bigger. It's our closest neighbor. How they found that out, I don't know. But this person, this scientist who wrote said, "If you travel across our galaxy from one side to the other at the speed of light, which is 186,000 m per second, did you hear what I said? 186,000 miles per second. You travel at that speed without stopping for gas or the bathroom, it would take you to cross the galaxy 200,000 years. Just to cross one galaxy, can you imagine how vast the universe is? The astronauts just went to the moon. They flew around it. If you drove a car at 60 mph, never stopping for anything, it take you 6 months to reach the moon. If you drove to the the sun 60 mph never stopping it would take you 17 years
Segment 22: 30:00 - 32:30 and they are our neighbors. The universe is vast. The Bible says in the beginning tell me God created the heaven and the earth. Now the question then becomes how did he do that? By his word. Ah. Mhm. Let's go to verse
Segment 23: 32:30 - 35:00 three. Well, let's read verse two of Genesis 1. Come on, read with me. And the earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, and the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, "Let there be light." Stop. He just said. He just said, "Let there be light." The light came. The word of God produces light. The word of God is light. Look at verse six. And God said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters. Let it divide the waters from the waters." And God made the firmament. How did God make the firmament? By his word. God does not need to use hands. He has his word. What I'm trying to do is to lift God's word as high as I can so you begin to see it differently. Ladies, if you walk into the church on Sabbath morning, you just bought a brand new dress and a member comes to you and says to you, "That's the ugliest dress I've ever seen." How would you feel? Come on, tell the truth. How would you You'd leave the church and join the Pentecostals or the Mormons. You would be hurt by words. On the other hand, you come to church nicely dressed. You just bought it. Your husband gave it to you and you're hoping everyone will look at you. Someone comes and says, "Oh, sister, that's the loveliest dress I have seen all year. How do you feel?" Oh, yeah. Your immune system becomes strong. All the germs in you die because you're so happy. Why? What caused that? Words. You're playing a basketball game. Your coach calls timeout. He calls you and the rest of the side and he says to me, "Look, you're only down two points and you need a three-pointer to win the game. You have 3 seconds. That's a long time to pass the ball in and take a shot. You can do this."
Segment 24: 32:30 - 35:00 What does he say? You can do this. He never says, "Give it up. You can do this." Or football coach calls the team.
Segment 25: 35:00 - 37:30 He said, "Look, all we need is a yard to get the first down. We just need a yard. Can 11 men give me a yard?" And you say, "Yes, even though you're tired," and you go back on the field, you give him two yards. Words. Words. The vast universe came into existence by the word of God. This a mystery to me how the word can do that. But the word is so high in God's estimation. Let's see how high it is. Go to John 1. Let's read from verse one. Yes, my handsome brother. Yes, indeed. Absolutely. My second favorite book is the Gospel of John. I recommend it to you very highly. Do you have John chapter one? Read verse Now read verse one without looking. Come on. Put a smile on God's face. Don't look. Say it with me. In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. Stop. The word is God. >> Read verse 14 now. And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us. Who became flesh? Was it father, son, or holy ghost? The son. So, who's the word? Jesus. When you study the word, you're studying Jesus. >> When you believe the word, you're believing Jesus. >> Let's look at the word again in connection with Christ. Go to Revelation 19. Let's read verse 16. >> Revelation 13, sorry. Revelation 19:13. Are you there? Not yet. Revelation 19 verse 13. Read with me now. What does that say? >> Revelation 19. >> Uh-huh. >> And he was >> with a vesture dipped in. >> And his name is called the >> Yes. The word of God is the very name of Jesus. Jesus himself is the word. John 1:1-4, Jesus, the word is his name. In other
Segment 26: 35:00 - 37:30 words, when you disregard the word, what am I about to say? You disregard Jesus. Now,
Segment 27: 37:30 - 40:00 how can I say this nicely without getting you angry with me? Some of us are so busy we have no time for the word because we have to go to the office or we have to go to the conference office and have a committee meeting. Whatever it is, we have no time to sit and study God's word. Listen to me carefully. The Christian or the church member who has no time for God's word has no time for God. I don't care what you tell me. If you have no time for God's word, you actually have no time for God. Because everything God does, he does through his word. Go to Matthew 8. Matthew 8. Let's read verse 16 of Matthew 8. Our subject, the word of God. All right. Do we all have Matthew 8? Reading verse 16. If you have my version, you may read with me. And when the evening was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils. And he cast out the spirits. How? With his word. >> There are members in the church who are demonpossessed. Give me your time to think of what I just said. There are members in the church who are demonpossessed. And only the word can deliver them. >> They may not even know they're demonp possessed. Not all demon-possessed people scream and shout and fall on the ground and wallow at the mouth and the eyes roll back into the head. No, most demon-possessed people look normal. Who said crucify him? Who said crucify him? When Pilate said, "I find no fault with him," who said crucify him? >> The leaders of the church. Now, none of them, as far as we know from scripture, exhibited signs of demon possession. But the most demon-possessed person on
Segment 28: 40:00 - 42:30 earth is someone trying to kill God. Because that is Satan's ultimate aim, the destruction of God. That's why Jesus could say in John 8:44, "Ye are of your father, the devil, and the lust of your father, he will do." He was a murderer from the beginning. Whom did he try to murder? Jesus. When Christ came as a human being, how did the devil try to murder him? He killed all boys under two years old trying to get to Jesus. Working through Herod. The man or the woman who says kill Jesus is demonpossessed even though he's wearing the robes of the high priest. The Bible says demons are cast out by the word. Go to 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. You have that. May God continue to speak through me. I pray please Father in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. >> Read with me. For this is the will of God even your what? sanctification. Now, it is God's will that we be sanctified. No unsanctified person can enter the kingdom of God. Now, let's go to John 17. We read verse 17. You know it very well. What does that mean? Ah, okay. Okay. Do you have John 17:17? What does that say? Sanctify them how? through thy truth. Thy word is true. Without the word of God, sanctification is impossible. Because the word of God is a cleansing agent. Let the Bible show that to you. We're in John 17. Go to John 15. John 15, let's read verse three. Here's what Jesus told the disciples. Are you there? >> Let's read. Now ye are clean. How? Through the word which I have spoken unto you. Jesus said, "You are clean through the word." The word cleanses the
Segment 29: 42:30 - 45:00 soul. >> It cleanses the mind. Ladies, >> men too, but usually the ladies. When you're washing a garment that has a stain, a stubborn stain, what do you put on it? There's a stain. How do you remove it? What do you put on? >> Bleach. >> Bleach. What do you call the bleach? Whatever you call the bleach. You You soak it in bleach. >> And you let it soak. After a while, what happens? The stain disappears. God's word is Clorox. >> I'm not coming back to Puerto Rico. God's word is Clorox. Are you with me? You dip your soul in it. After a while, the stains disappear. >> And so Jesus said, "Ye are clean through the word." Let's get another Bible text that backs that up. Ephesians 5, we'll read from verse 25. Our subject, the word of God. What time is it? What time is it? >> 6:01. When did I start? >> No, not 5:45. Mm- When did I start? >> 520? Yeah. Yeah. 520. Okay. We've been going for almost 41 minutes. That's too long. Li said, "Cut your sermon short." But okay, let's go on. What book did I say? >> Ephesians chapter 5. Let's read from verse 25. Husbands, love your wives. All husbands, say amen. >> That was weak, but we'll move on. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water. Come on. By the word. The word is water that washes and cleanses. Do you not understand if you do not include the word of God in your life, you can live a decent life. You cannot live a sanctified life. Most atheists are decent. You don't need God to be decent.
Segment 30: 45:00 - 47:30 You need God's word to be transformed. If you're smoking all the days of your life, you can stop without God's help. You can't change your mind without God's word power. The power of God's word is to change the mind. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. That is done by the power of the word. And so Paul tells us by the washing of water by the word. Here's an experiment I want you to try. For the next 21 days, 3 weeks, the experts say if you do something for 3 weeks, it can become a habit. I've never proven it, but I don't have any reason to doubt them. For the next 3 weeks, first thing in the morning, for just 10 minutes, maybe 15 if you really love God, 10. Go to the Bible. Find a verse that you understand. Think about it. Meditate on it. Ask yourself, "What is the verse saying to me?" Is this verse revealing a sin in my life? Is this verse showing me something I need to do, I've not been doing? Does this verse strengthen me? Does this verse show me more clearly the love of God? You do that 10 minutes in the morning, 10 minutes at night, for three straight weeks, your mind will change. People come to Puerto Rico for your beaches, I think. Why do people, let's say, white people go to the beach, they lie in the sun. Why? To get a tan. Do they lie for one second, then leave? How long do they lie there for a while and after a while what happens to the skin? It starts to look brown. You have to sustain your exposure. This is sunlight. If you stand in this sunlight, you will receive the tan of the life of Jesus Christ. >> The word of God. How did God create
Segment 31: 45:00 - 47:30 Now, how does he sustain creation? By the same word. >> You say amen because you're nice.
Segment 32: 47:30 - 50:00 >> But let the Bible show you that you're right. Go to second Peter chapter 33. We read from verse 5. It must be now what? 610 68. >> 65. Okay. 605. That's when Nebuchadnezzar first invaded Jerus Judah. 605 BC. Okay. 605. Let's read. What book did I say? >> What book? Oh, second Peter chapter 3. Let's read verse 5. Are you there? >> The Bible says, "For this they willingly are ignorant of that by the word of God the heavens were of old and the earth standing what? out of the water and in the water. What two things do we have in that verse that were made? What two things do we have in that verse that were made? The heavens come on and the earth. How? By the word. First line or second line. By the word of God, the heavens were of old and the earth. Let's skip to seven. But the heavens and the earth which are now by the same word, come on. are kept in store. The same word that made them preserves them. >> Are you with me? >> You say yes, but I have the right to doubt you. Let me say it again. The same word that said, "Let there be light." Is that same word that says, "Light keep shining." >> Are you following me? >> The word that creates is the word that preserves. So that creation is by the word. It's maintained by the word. >> The one who creates is the one who sustains. But creation is both physical and spiritual. Let's look at the spiritual side of creation. How are we created? Go to James chapter 1. James chapter 1. James was the brother of Jesus Christ. There was another brother of Christ who wrote a book of the Bible. What was his name?
Segment 33: 47:30 - 50:00 Jude. The book just before Revelation was written by a brother of Jesus. So two brothers wrote books. Jude and James. We're looking at James chapter 1 verse 18. We're looking at spiritual
Segment 34: 50:00 - 52:30 creation. How is it done? Are you there now? >> Read with me. Of his own will begat he us how? With the word of truth. What does begat mean? To come from or to give birth to be get a child is to give birth to a child to give life. The Bible says we are begotten by the word of God. >> But it must be the word of now look at the verse. It must be the word of truth. Not the word of opinion, not the word of tradition. It must be the word of truth. Sunday as the Sabbath sanctifies nobody because it is not the Sabbath. It must be the word of truth. >> Now go to First Peter chapter 1. Let's read verse 23. We're looking at spiritual creation. Is it also done by the word? 1 Peter chapter 1, reading verse 23. Our subject simply the word of God. Do you have first Peter chapter 1? Amen. >> What verse did I say? >> When you found it, say amen. >> Read with me. What does that say? Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. How are we born spiritually? Come on. By the word of God. 1 Peter 1:23, James 1:18. Now we said in physical creation the word that creates is the word that sustains. It is the same way spiritually. We are spiritually created by the word of God. We are spiritually sustained by the word of God. >> And so Jesus says, "Eat my flesh and drink my blood." He was referring to his word. This is the life that qualifies you and me for the place in God's kingdom. >> His word, not paper and ink. The word, it's living. It's powerful. It raises the dead. It gives life.
Segment 35: 50:00 - 52:30 Genesis 1:14. No need verse 20. No need to go there. And God said, "Let the
Segment 36: 52:30 - 55:00 waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life." He spoke and the animals of the sea came, the fish, the whales, the birds of the air came, living creatures by the word of God. >> And the same word that gives physical life gives spiritual life. You are committing suicide spiritually by not making time for the word of God. And so today in the presence of God, I call upon you. Make time for God's word. The devil has four names or four well-known names. Let's look at all four in Revelation 12:9. Revelation 12 verse9. Do you have that? It's a well-known verse. All good Adventists know this verse. What does it say? And there was war in it. Not sorry. And the great dragon was cast out. What's the first name? >> Dragon. That old >> serpent called the >> devil. And so we have four. Go to Revelation 20. Let's read from verse two of Revelation 20. >> And he laid it hold on to whom? >> Come on. >> Which is the >> and Satan. Yes. So we have the four names. Again, each name gives us a different view of the enemy. The dragon means he's a destroyer. He's violent. The devil means he's an accuser. Satan, he's a slanderer or an adversary. Serpent, he's a what? Deceiver. This is the one that's more effective. Deceiver. Serpent. How did Satan get angels to follow him? He deceived them. Your only defense against deception, you tell me. The word of God. Let's see that very simply explained in the Bible. Very simple. Go to Genesis 2. Then I'll let you go as quickly as I can. Was it 2 612 now, my
Segment 37: 52:30 - 55:00 good doctor? 612.
Segment 38: 55:00 - 57:30 612. Okay. What book did I say? Genesis. What? Chapter 2. Let's read 16 and 17. I hope my friends in the basement, you're still with us. My friends online, I hope you're still with us wherever you are. You have Genesis 21:16:17, one of my favorite Bible passages. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden, thou mayast freely eat, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it. For in the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die." Who said that? God. >> The creator said, "Adam, eat of those. Leave this one alone. If you eat this one, you'll die. That was the word of God. Let's go to chapter three, reading from verse one. Are you there? Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field, which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, "Yeah, hath God said, he shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" And the woman said unto the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden, but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, he shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest you die." And the serpent said unto the woman, "Ye shall not surely die. For God doth know that in the day you eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." The devil said, "If you eat, you will not die." How how can we say you will not die differently? If you will not die, you will >> you will live. God said if you disobey you'll die. Satan said effectively if you disobey you'll live. Are you listening to me? Or the Bible. That's what he said. If you disobey, you'll live. God said, if you disobey, you'll die. Now, why are we in a sinful
Segment 39: 55:00 - 57:30 world today? Because Adam let go God's word and went to the devil's word through Eve. If Adam had lived by every word that proceedth out of the mouth of God, we would not be here today in this condition.
Segment 40: 57:30 - 60:00 God said you'll die. Satan said you live. That has not changed from then till now. God says the seventh day, the Sabbath, Satan says, "And the world, the first day, most people follow." Mhm. Not the words that came out of the mouth of God. Are you with me? What's our protection against deception? The word of God. But if you don't know it, how can you be protected? You're not protected because you have one in your bedroom and you put it under the pillow. You sleep on it at night. You're protected when you study it and obey it. >> And so G Elite tells us in Christ's Object Lessons, page 100, paragraph 1, what did I say? Uh, come on. You sound as if you're dying. Let's try again. Christ object lessons, >> page 100, >> paragraph one. >> Now you say it. >> Very good. Here's what it says. If studied and obeyed, the word of God works in the heart, subduing every unholy attribute. If studied and obeyed, you see where I'm pointing? If studied and obeyed, it enters the head and the heart. It works here, subduing every unholy attribute. >> The ministry of healing, page 458, paragraph 2. What did I say? The Ministry of Healing, page 458, paragraph 2. Say that. I'll pray for you. Here's what it says. The reason why the youth and even those of mature years are so easily led into temptation and sin is because they do not study the word of God and meditate upon it as they should.
Segment 41: 60:00 - 62:30 Today at almost 6:18 or 6:17, I present to you what's our subject? The word of God. When the sun sets tonight in a few minutes, the holy day will be gone. Are you with me? Your holiness does not go. >> Nobody heard me. >> Your personal holiness does not go. Amen. >> So, whatever plans you have for tonight, you may need to change them. >> Nobody's listening. Nobody's listening. Let me say differently. How often are we called by God to be holy? 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. There's one holy day. That's just 24 hours in 168. But we are to be holy. So tomorrow, Sunday, which is the secular day, we are to be holy. >> And how are we made holy? Sanctify them through thy truth. Thy word is truth. Studied and obeyed. >> Let me ask you to make a commitment to God. How many of you will say, "Father, help me to dedicate time for your word every day." Can I see your hand? I said every day, stand up with me. Heads bowed, eyes closed. Dear God, if I said anything I should not have said, forgive me. If I was too hard on your people, forgive me, God. I'd love to see all of them in the kingdom. Father, I'd like you to save them before you save me. I mean that. God, save them and their children. Father, hell is no place to go and heaven is no place to miss. In the name of Jesus Christ, dear God, put into us an appetite for the word because if we would study it honestly, we would develop a love for spiritual things.
Segment 42: 60:00 - 62:30 We've made a commitment de God to go to your word every day. As we do that, Father,
Segment 43: 62:30 - 65:00 let the power of the word change our minds and make us children of the king, fit for heaven. Bless everyone who listened in this building and online. Dear God, let us leave this place different from the way we were when we came in. Let us leave with a greater appreciation for thus saith the Lord. >> Bring us back tomorrow to this place God to listen to your words again. >> I pray from my heart in Jesus name. Let God's people say amen and amen. Don't move. What will you take from the message? Raise your hand and tell us who's first. Yes. We are created. Physical and spiritual creation are both done by the word of God. Thank you. Some Yes, my brother. Spiritual death is reversed by the word of God. Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead. Yes. Jesus is the word. Yes. There. Uhhuh. There is life in the word. Yes, my brother. >> Word of the >> Ah, yeah. The word of God is truth. Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am truth." Deuteronomy 32:4, "God is truth." John 14:6, Jesus is truth. First John 5:6, the Holy Ghost is truth, and we're sanctified by truth. When we receive the word, we receive father, son, and holy ghost. Thank you. Somebody else, what will you take from the message? Yes. We have access to the life in the tree of life through the word of God. >> Yes, the word of God will sustain you against the worst attacks of the devil. But the word must be studied and obeyed. Yes, my pastor. Say it again. True sanctification is by the word of God. 1 Thessalonians 4:3, this is the will of God, even your sanctification. And Jesus prayed to his father, sanctify
Segment 44: 65:00 - 67:30 them through thy truth. Yes, we are freed from the evil one by the word of God. Matthew 8:16, he cast out the devils or the spirits with his word. >> Yes, my sister. >> The word what? It is life. Yes, the word of God is life. But it must be studied and obeyed. It must enter here and here. Not just here, here and here. Yes, sister. >> Oh, and it has and it will again. >> The word of God can raise the dead physically and spiritually. >> And the spiritual resurrection is more important. Yes. We make time for God when we make time for his word. Yes, my brother. >> The power of God, Amen, is available to me through his word. Second Peter chapter 1:4, whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature. How do you connect to God? through the word which is Jesus Christ. Let me say it again. Weak human beings can connect to divine power through the word. >> Now may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us now and forever more. Let all God's people say amen and amen. God bless you. God put a double blessing on your children and may the holy angels bring you safely tomorrow to listen to God's word again. God bless you. Travel safely. Keep the speed limit. Why did you laugh? Christians should keep the speed limit.