As I sit in my office this Sunday afternoon and look at my new office, new desk, new bookshelves, and type on my new computer I have to notice that our lives are in a constant state of change. We are constantly changing. Changing where we live, changing our jobs, even changing how we think. But as we have taken a look at two different texts this week (Jonah 3 & Acts 1:4-8) we have all been reminded of how powerful and unchanging the word of God is. The same word that came down to Jonah and was preached Ninevah is the very same word that Jesus Christ embodied when he came down from heaven, and it is this very same word that Peter preached on the day of Pentecost. It is unchanging! That is why we can bank on its truthfulness and reliability. We trust in God’s word because it is unchanging throughout the ages. The call of the word of God is always “repent and believe.” Secondly, we have seen that it is powerful to achieve everything that God has set out to do through his word (Isaiah 55:11). In the story that Channing taught Wednesday night we saw that the word brought life to the people in Nineveh. Even though it was obvious that Jonah was only preaching the word half-heartedly we know that the whole city was saved from God’s wrath because of the affect that the word of God had on them as Jonah preached it. Likewise, Jesus in Acts 1 promised this same kind of power that was rooted in the word of God manifested in the Holy Spirit that brought 3000 people to the knowledge of Christ on the day of Pentecost later in Chapter 2. Both stories show us how powerful the word of God is when it is preached. So let me ask you some questions of reflection from these two texts.
Are you trusting on the unbelievable power that we have been given in the word of God?
When you share the Gospel with your friends or family do you trust that God will do what he has purposed to do regardless of how well you speak? (I hope this encourages you)
Do you share the Gospel at all? If so let this truth that we have learned this week be the confidence as you obey. If not let God’s powerful word push you to rest on him and share the word of God.
Do you live the Gospel out? Not just preach it but live it? (both are necessary)
If we have the word of God residing within us then is that empowering you to live better, more Godly and Holy lives?
This week let’s let the word of God be the power in our lives. Know it. Love it. Share it. Let Jesus Christ be the driving force behind every second of every minute of every hour of your day.
In Christ
Joe Hussung
