6/19/2022: Through the Word, the Lord Crushes Evil

GOD'S WORDS POSSESS GOD'S POWER

“Let there be light,” God said (Genesis 1:3). God was not speaking a wistful wish into the darkness. He was declaring what would now be. “God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” God speaks and reality results.

When we speak words, they are often meaningless. Sometimes, one’s words are meaningless because they are spoken without true knowledge. Other times, one’s words are meaningless because they were spoken insincerely. Still other times, one might make a sincere promise, but he lacks the ability to do what he said, making his promise meaningless. Words are often meaningless. But everything God says is meaningful. God speaks with absolute knowledge. God never lies. And God’s words possess God’s awesome power. Thus, it is God’s words that determine our reality. It is God’s words that establish our faith, transform our hearts and minds, and direct our lives along meaningful paths.

During the first half of the Church Year, we focused on the life of Christ. As we begin the second half of the Church Year, we turn our attention to the teachings of Christ… to the Son of God’s words. We gather each week to let the Holy Spirit do the work Jesus promised he would do in the way Jesus promised he would do it—through his Word.

THROUGH THE WORD, THE LORD CRUSHES EVIL

God’s words are so powerful! With only his words, Jesus cured illness and raised the dead. With his words, Jesus created the faith that receives his forgiveness. So we should not be surprised this week when we see that Jesus’ words also have the power to push back the spiritual forces of evil that are in the world. Jesus’ words expose idols as worthless and following idols as self-destructive evil. Jesus’ words are so compelling, even demons must obey them. It is not surprising that God’s words crush evil. It is a surprise, however, to see that Jesus’ words have Jesus’ power even when they are not coming from Jesus’ mouth. Jesus puts his words on our lips. He makes us his witnesses. And as we carry out that awesome role, Jesus continues to drive back Satan and his allies, just as he did when he walked the earth. When the gospel comes out of the mouths of sinners like us, Jesus “sends the power of evil reeling" (Hymn of the Day).

God bless your worship

Pastor Adam Mueller will preach on Isaiah 43:8-13

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