Speak the Word Only

Here are the notes for the teaching from last Sunday, the recording is at the end of the page. The Bible says in Proverbs 4v22  "For they (God's Words through scripture) are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh."  there is something very precious when we search the scriptures and find out what God has said.  I challenge you to take just one of the 6 points of hindrances to faith and do a search to find out what scriptures you can find regarding that point.  And as you do receive the  promise of Proverbs 4v22. 

“Speak the Word Only”

Matthew chapter 8 vs 5-13

The Centurion came to Jesus beseeching him

Beseeching means to ask urgently and fervently to implore

Implore  means to ask in a very sincere, emotional and determined way

F O C U S  

F  - Fixed on the Word

O – Open door to the Father

C – Completion of the Cross

U – Under Authority

S – Salvation and all its benefits

F  - Fixed on the Word

He didn’t come half-hearted but he put his faith and hope in Jesus – He fixed his eyes on Jesus.  We fix our eyes on Jesus the Word.

Psalm 108 v 1

O God, my heart is fixed, I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. KJV

My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart. NLT.

O – Open door to the Father

The Centurion who was used taking orders and giving orders, humbled himself to ask – and to come boldly to the highest authority.  He recognised that Jesus was under the highest authority of the One True Living God but also he was coming under the authority of Jesus.

Jesus did not turn him away.  But he found an open door, which welcomed him to freely come and to ask. 

John 10 v 9 – I am the door, by me IF any man enter in, he shall be saved and shall go in and out and find pasture.

(shall go in and out – speaking of freedom – no longer boxed in)

John 14 v 14

If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.

Jesus used this Word IF – to show us that we have a choice.

What does God say about coming boldly to his throne of grace?

C – Completion of the Cross

Jesus acted in faith that the work of the cross was complete – even before he physically went to the cross.

Everything Jesus did – he did by faith. 

What scriptures can you find about how Jesus’ death on the cross was foretold and how he fulfilled the spoken and written word.

Revelation 13v8  The Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world.

Everything we do – we must also do by faith in the same Word.  As Jesus did.  The written Word is the revelation of the Living Word.  Jesus is the Word. Knowing the Word – Knowing Jesus through the written word – breaths faith in us.

Romans 10v17 shows us how faith comes.  By hearing about Jesus who is the Word of God.

Faith and revelation is received in our heart (our spirit) not just head knowledge.  We need understanding and revelation.

6 Hindrances to Faith

1.    Lack of understanding and revelation REGARDING THE NEW CREATION –  2 Cor. 5v17 – Therefore IF (Choice) any man be IN CHRIST (by grace through faith) HE IS (now) a new creation; old things are passed away BEHOLD (look, see and understand) all things are become new.

2.    Lack of understanding and revelation OF OUR PLACE IN CHRIST – write out and study every where you can find “in Christ” “in whom” “in him” (133 times in the new testament)

3.    Lack of understanding and revelation REGARDING OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS – 2 Cor. 5v21 – For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be MADE the righteousness of God in him. –  we can declare that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

4.    Lack of understand and revelation OF OUR RIGHT TO USE THE NAME OF JESUS. – Mark 16 v 15-18.

5.    Lack of understanding and revelation ABOUT ACTING ON THE WORD – Jesus said be doers of the Word not hearers only.  Just Do It – Act like the Word is True, Faith is an Act.

6.    Lack of understanding and revelation ABOUT HOLDING FAST TO OUR CONFESSION OF FAITH – Hebrews 10v23 Let us HOLD FAST to the profession (confession) of our faith without wavering for He IS faithful that promised.  Mark 11v23  Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea;  and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith.

U – Under Authority

Study Matthew 8 v 9 – The Centurion understood what it meant to be Under Authority.  When he came to Jesus and acknowledged and understood the Authority of the Living Word.  And He made Jesus (THE WORD) his highest authority.  He came into agreement – He believed – he spoke  - he received.

He said to Jesus “SPEAK the WORD ONLY” 

S – Salvation and all its benefits

Look what happened – the Centurion got what he asked and his servant was healed that same hour.

Psalm 103 – full of the benefits of this wonderful Salvation.  We must keep our FOCUS on the benefits. 

In every situation the right question is “What does God say about this?”

QUESTION

When are you healed?

When you see the evidence or when you receive the Word?

FOCUS – See – behold – it is yours

Fix your eyes on Jesus the Living Word – Come boldly to the Open Door – stand on the Completion of the Word of the Cross – stay Under the Authority of the Living Word which dwells in you – and receive the benefits of your Salvation.