Gods Word in New Creation

1
Gods Word in New Creation

• For you have been born again, not of perishable
  seed, but of imperishable, through the living and
  enduring word of God. 1Pet 123 (NIV)
• He chose to give us birth through the word of
  truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of
  all he created.
• James 118 (NIV)
• ..,being confident of this, that he who began a
  good work in you will carry it on to completion
  until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 16
  (NIV)

2
Responses to the Word

• "This is the meaning of the parable
• The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the
  path are the ones who hear, and then the devil
  comes and takes away the word from their hearts,
  so that they may not believe and be saved.
• 13 Those on the rock are the ones who receive the
  word with joy when they hear it, but they have no
  root. They believe for a while, but in the time
  of testing they fall away.
• 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for
  those who hear, but as they go on their way they
  are choked by life's worries, riches and
  pleasures, and they do not mature.
• 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those
  with a noble and good heart, who hear the word,
  retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
  
• Luke 811-15 (NIV)

3
Encouragements to Growth

• welcome with meekness the implanted word that
  has the power to save your souls. James 121b
  (NRA)
• I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters,
  by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as
  a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God,
  which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be
  conformed to this world, but be transformed by
  the renewing of your minds, so that you may
  discern what is the will of God - what is good
  and acceptable and perfect. Romans 121 (NRA)
• Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always
  obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much
  more in my absence - continue to work out your
  salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is
  God who works in you to will and to act according
  to his good purpose. Phil 212,13 (NIV)
• And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the
  Lord's glory, are being transformed into his
  likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes
  from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2
  Corinthians 318 (NIV)

4
The Word of God as a Means of Spiritual Growth (1)

• Reading the Bible with the Understanding
• From cover-to-cover surveying the whole
• In its component parts getting the message
• In its internal dialogue interpreting the
  details (Meaning)
• With the community of God learning from others

5
The Word of God as a Means of Spiritual Growth (2)

• Reading the Bible with the Heart
• Listening reading aloud (Focus)
• Accepting allowing it to master us
  (Submission)
• Reflecting pondering its implications
  (Meditation)
• Praying turning meditation into petition,
  thanksgiving, confession, complaint, etc.
  (Response)
• Applying making the word the means of change
  (Repentance or Turning From/To)