PREACHING FROM MAY 19, 2024:

Brother Antonio Genova

THE WORD IS…

Last Sunday, we experienced a moment of great blessing for the women in our community. When we talked about the true woman of God, we hope that all of them experienced a holy inner crisis. The woman of God possesses characteristics that we pray all women can attain in their lives to be complete. Regarding men, their role is equally significant. They are the priests of the household those who must pray, who serve as the gatekeepers of blessings, who must watch over what enters and exits the home, and who must be ready to provide and support their wives. Furthermore, in every family matter, after discussing it with their spouse, it is the man who has the final word, the ultimate decision. As you know, we recently participated in a wonderful and glorious conference with eight speakers who brought powerful and transformative messages for our lives and the entire community. Reflecting on this event, we recognized that each speaker brought something precious from their homes the Word of God. This is where our theme, “The Word is…,” originates. This message is to honor Jesus, to give Him even more glory, because Jesus is the Word—the incarnate Word who came to earth and manifested in us. Now, let’s read a passage from the book of John, chapter one, verse one. Since the term “the Word” is mentioned frequently, we will read it differently, replacing “the Word” with the name of Jesus.

John 1:1-14;  In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word (Jesus) was God. 2 He (the Word) (Jesus) was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him (the Word) (Jesus) all things were made; without him (the Word) (Jesus), nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him (the Word) (Jesus) was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He (the Word) (Jesus) was in the world, and though the world was made through him (the Word) (Jesus), the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

This is why we reflect on Jesus—the perfect exposition of the Kingdom. His Word silenced everyone, flowing flawlessly and without defects, because He Himself was the Word, God on earth. Even though many, as we read, did not comprehend Him, He brought light into the darkness through His Word, offering clarity in the deepest obscurity. Therefore, we must approach it with reverence. The power of the Word is evident from the beginning of faith, as the Shepherd emphasized the importance of listening to it. Indeed, it is the Word that revives us and propels us forward.

John 6:63; 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.

How many of us have experienced days of discouragement when we lacked interest in matters of God for various reasons? Then, during worship, while listening to a sermon, what happened? We were lifted wonderfully. This is the power of the Word of God it is the only thing that can change and transform any situation. The Word is important; we should not ignore it. We should actively make it a part of our lives. Anyone who despises the Word despises Jesus, because He Himself is the Word. Rejecting the Word means rejecting Jesus, and this is a very serious matter. Many wonder, “Where is my miracle? Why do some situations not change?” The answer is that we must turn to the Word; our miracle is there, waiting for us to extract it and receive it into our lives. Many problems persist because we do not know the truth of God’s promises, and everything we need is contained within the Word of God. This message encourages us not to limit ourselves. Now that we have grasped something about the Word of God, we should not be lazy or superficial with it. A small neglect or failure to listen to God’s voice can lead to spiritual downfall. The devil tries to snatch the Word from our hearts because he knows how important it is for us to accumulate as much of it as possible. The Word blesses us, exhorts us, comforts us, and revitalizes us. The more of it we possess, the harder it becomes for the enemy to act in our lives. The Word is so powerful that it can even raise the dead, as demonstrated by Jesus with Lazarus. Jesus knew that the Father would not respond to complaints and lamentations but only to His Word. If we seek answers through complaining, we will remain in the same situation. However, when we declare God’s Word, He confirms it and brings it to pass in our lives. When we speak the Word, God responds with “Amen” and “So be it” because it is His Word. So, when we are sick, what should we do? Declare: “By His stripes, I am healed.” The Word is potent and glorious. It liberates us from snares, dark situations, and even death, leading us to life. Therefore, we must make it a part of our daily lives and practically exercise it. When we speak the Word, we declare that we no longer walk by what we see or feel, but we believe that our great God will provide according to His riches in glory, as established in His Word. The attacks and demonic influences through the media are intense. They make us believe that what happened to someone else must also happen to us. This is a matter of faith, even when events occur within the church. Our greatest sin is unbelief because we doubt continually. Many people seek answers from magicians and the occult, but when the Word is presented to them, they hesitate to believe it. Even many believers are reluctant to believe that God can heal or perform miracles, which is a serious error because it denies God’s power. Among the many holy characteristics, some make the Word of God incomparable. It is complete, unique, and inimitable. The Bible explains itself from the Old Testament to the New Testament. An atheist who studied the Bible to criticize it became a Christian because he saw God’s perfection in the Word. The Word is unique; no other book is like it. It contains both life and death offering salvation to those who receive it and spiritual death to those who reject it. It is inimitable because no human could have authored it. Who did?

2°Peter 1:21; 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

The Bible, as you mentioned, was not written by apostles or other men alone. Instead, it was inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit. This divine influence ensured stability and consistency in God’s Word, even amidst the increasing religious and cultural confusion. While God uses His Word to bless His people, the enemy uses his words to curse them. The difference lies in the fact that God’s Word is scriptural, while the enemy’s words are anti-scriptural. Therefore, when facing attacks from the enemy, we must respond with God’s Word at all times. During a recent conference, the importance of wearing the full armor of a believer was highlighted. Each piece of this spiritual armor leads us back to the Word of God. For example, "The belt of truth" allows us to counter the enemy’s lies and guide people toward Christ. "The breastplate of righteousness" protects us from accusations, allowing us to respond with God’s Word and declare our justification in Christ. "The readiness of the gospel" (symbolized by the shoes) compels us to share the Word with those who do not know it. "The shield of faith" helps us extinguish the enemy’s fiery darts, using the water of the Word. However, we must know the Word well to wield it effectively. "The helmet of salvation" guards our thoughts, enabling us to respond to the enemy’s insinuations with God’s promises. Finally, "the sword of the Spirit", which is the Word of God, is a powerful weapon we must wield. The author of the letter to the Hebrews, presumably Paul, gives a wonderful example of the sword, which represents God's Word. He compares it to the sword used by the soldiers of the time, with a forked tip: a longer, thinner and sharper part to penetrate the flesh, and a shorter and wider part, which pierced it reaching deeply.

Hebrews 4:12; 12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Indeed, the Word of God is living and effective. We know this from our own experiences in life. It functions, never disappoints, and hits the mark. When we find ourselves in the same condition, lacking the strength to quote the Word, we can begin to pray and declare it, knowing that God has already fulfilled what we ask. We just need to take hold of it and bring it back to the point established by God. In Israel, becoming an adult involves memorizing the first five books of the Bible (the Pentateuch), demonstrating great reverence and respect for God’s Word. Consider that the Jews use a decorative pointer called “Yad” (meaning “hand” in Hebrew) to turn the pages of the sacred text. It prevents direct contact with the pages during reading. Unfortunately, we often do not hold the same reverence for the Word. How do we approach it? Is our speech abundant with God’s Word, or something else? The Word of God transforms lives, but if we remain in the same condition and behave consistently, perhaps we haven’t allowed it to work deeply within us. Perhaps because we used to tell lies, and we may still do so, or perhaps we behaved arrogantly and continue to be arrogant. However, the Word operates; God sent it to rescue us from the pit.

Salm 107:20; 20 He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.

In the preceding verses, the Psalm speaks of distressed men who cry out to God. In His mercy, God sends His Word, and the same has happened to us in various circumstances when we cried out to God and received answers from Him. Therefore, we should express gratitude for this gift, recognizing that it is a treasure and an exceptional honor to have received it. We should desire to continually discover more of the Word, metaphorically speaking, without tearing its pages as some do. In our community, we have many resources to enhance spiritual knowledge through meetings, courses, and studies that shape us as disciples. These resources help us avoid falling into old habits and the enemy’s lies. Active participation in these studies is essential to becoming stable spiritual warriors not attending classes merely to please the teachers but for the sake of our spiritual growth. 

2°Timothy 3:16-17; 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Indeed, the Word is essential. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to ask for our daily bread even when it becomes difficult to digest because it requires sacrifices and changes. We must be shaped daily by this Word, even if it seems challenging to accept. We should respond as Jesus did, saying, “Not my will, but yours be done.” When we listen to the Word, we must abandon our thoughts and reasoning, obeying it fully. Only then can we achieve victory, even if it involves suffering and sacrifice. God desires us to experience prosperity in all areas of life, with heavenly riches. Unfortunately, we often fail to bring these blessings to earth because we don’t fully understand His Word. However, through His knowledge, we can make it our own, knowing that He has already placed us in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:1-6; 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

Our position is there in Christ, elevated. Therefore, we must learn to look from above and lift our eyes toward God, from whom our help comes: “Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” God seeks transformation in our lives and instructs us not to be like the caterpillar that crawls on the ground, consuming dust. Instead, we are to undergo metamorphosis and become butterflies. Similarly, we must transform.

Romans 12:2; 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Renewal is necessary. When we renovate our homes, we choose the best colors and rearrange the furnishings to improve them. Renewal means enhancement, not deterioration. God instructs us to be transformed through the renewal of our minds. Those who allow themselves to be renewed recognize that, after a long time, they remain in the same condition and desire change. They believe that God has prepared something much greater for their lives. Such individuals prepare, refuse to settle, and allow themselves to be shaken by the Word. They decide to take holy actions, study, and seek the Word because it is Spirit and Life, capable of bringing transformation to our lives. Our God is the God of covenants, and when He makes them, He keeps them and remembers them unlike us.

Salm 105:8 8 He remembers His covenant forever, the promise He made, for a thousand generations,

Our God keeps His covenant eternally and remembers His commanded words for a thousand generations. This highlights the fundamental role of the covenant in God’s promises, which are firmly rooted in His Word. The interconnection between Word, Promises, and Covenant is significant: God’s promises are embedded within His Word, emphasizing the importance of daily engagement with the Word to discover His promises and recognize the divine covenant. Let’s consider what the apostle Paul says in his letter to the Galatians:

Galatians 3:15; 15 To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified.

What does a ratified covenant imply? It means that someone has approved it, confirming the covenant God established. Someone came and said, “Alright, I put my seal on this Covenant.” The promises God made for our lives are unshakable because a ratified covenant rests on solid foundations, deep roots, and a perfect structure. Who is the author of this sealed covenant? It is Jesus Himself, who declared, “I am the mediator of a new covenant.” In the New Covenant, Jesus guarantees that even if we fail, He remains faithful forever

Hebrews 7:22-28; 22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. 23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

Therefore, we have seen that Jesus recognized that God had established covenants through human intermediaries, as we read. The priests, being mortal, could invalidate a covenant entrusted to them due to their weaknesses. In contrast, Jesus sacrificed Himself as the perfect Lamb. Let’s conclude with a passage from the book of Hebrews:

Hebrews 9:15; 15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

Jesus, the Lord of lords and King of kings, accomplished a perfect, glorious, and marvelous work. Even though we fall short in obedience, He stands in our place as the “Perfect Lamb.” Therefore, Jesus renewed the Covenant and calls us to participate earnestly because God is the God of opportunities. Jesus embodies the Word, the Promises, and the Covenant. When we know and draw near to the Word, we can receive the Promises. Whenever doubt arises about the fulfillment of a Promise, remember that it is a Covenant, and our God never fails in His promises. We receive them, but we must do our part by acknowledging our shortcomings and returning to Him wholeheartedly.