1. The Power of God’s Word

2. How has God’s Word changed your life? How has God’s Word changed your life? How has God’s Word impacted you this week? How has God’s Word impacted you this week? What hinders men from memorizing the Word of God? What hinders men from memorizing the Word of God? Why is meditation difficult in our society? Why is meditation difficult in our society?

3. We as brothers in Christ are involved together in a spiritual battle against the world, the flesh and the devil. Praise God for the armor that He has provided for us. We as brothers in Christ are involved together in a spiritual battle against the world, the flesh and the devil. Praise God for the armor that He has provided for us.

4. The Belt The first piece of armor mentioned is the “belt of truth”. The first piece of armor mentioned is the “belt of truth”. We are to live in truth. Jesus Christ is the truth. The Word of God is truth. When I surround myself in God’s Word, I am surrounding myself in truth. We are to live in truth. Jesus Christ is the truth. The Word of God is truth. When I surround myself in God’s Word, I am surrounding myself in truth.

5. About the Belt “When a soldier tightened his belt he was ready for combat, because in the process of tightening he drew up his tunic and cinched it so it could not impede him as he charged into battle. It also firmly fixed his sword in place. To get the feel here, we might think of a football player clenching his mouthpiece in his teeth, adjusting his pads, and hitching up his waist to get ready for the next play. But what the soldier did was even more crucial. His belt held everything in place. Without it, he would be powerless in battle.” - R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word – Ephesians, The Mystery of the Body of Christ, (Wheaton, Illinois, Crossway Books,1990), p. 224 “When a soldier tightened his belt he was ready for combat, because in the process of tightening he drew up his tunic and cinched it so it could not impede him as he charged into battle. It also firmly fixed his sword in place. To get the feel here, we might think of a football player clenching his mouthpiece in his teeth, adjusting his pads, and hitching up his waist to get ready for the next play. But what the soldier did was even more crucial. His belt held everything in place. Without it, he would be powerless in battle.” - R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word – Ephesians, The Mystery of the Body of Christ, (Wheaton, Illinois, Crossway Books,1990), p. 224

6. To Contemplate Having a command of the truth of God’s Word in my life is essential for holding all the armor in place. Why? Having a command of the truth of God’s Word in my life is essential for holding all the armor in place. Why?

7. The Purpose of God’s Word Why has God given his Word? Why has God given his Word? According to the following Scriptures what are some of the things that God will accomplish in His Word? According to the following Scriptures what are some of the things that God will accomplish in His Word?

8. How Do These Verses Show the Power of God’s Word? Psalms 119:11 - Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalms 119:11 - Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalms 19:7-11 - The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Psalms 19:7-11 - The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

9. How Do These Verses Show the Power of God’s Word? 1 Peter 1:23 - Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 1 Peter 1:23 - Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. Psalms 119:89 - Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalms 119:89 - Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

10. The Presence of God’s Word How can I make sure that God’s Word is continually with me? How can I make sure that God’s Word is continually with me? What does Scripture tell us about memorization of the Word? What does Scripture tell us about memorization of the Word? Joshua 1:8 - This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8 - This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

11. Jeremiah 15:16 - Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16 - Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. Psalms 119:16 - I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. Psalms 119:16 - I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. John 15:7 - If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:7 - If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

12. The Presence of God’s Word What are some effective ways of memorizing Scripture? What are some effective ways of memorizing Scripture? Why would it be good to have an accountability partner for Scripture memorization? Why would it be good to have an accountability partner for Scripture memorization?

13. The Pondering of God’s Word How does one meditate on Scripture? How does one meditate on Scripture? What distractions might have to be eliminated for Scripture memorization? What distractions might have to be eliminated for Scripture memorization?

14. The Pondering of God’s Word Psalms 1:2 - But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalms 1:2 - But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalms 119:97 - O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Psalms 119:97 - O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Psalms 119:15 - I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. Psalms 119:15 - I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

15. The Practice of God’s Word Why should practicing God’s Word be the ultimate goal of putting on the “Belt of Truth”? Why should practicing God’s Word be the ultimate goal of putting on the “Belt of Truth”?

16. Psalms 119:33-34 - Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Psalms 119:33-34 - Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. 1 Samuel 15:22-23 - And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 1 Samuel 15:22-23 - And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. John 14:15 - If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15 - If ye love me, keep my commandments.

17. The Productivity of God’s Word We should want to be productive for the Lord? We should want to be productive for the Lord? How is it that many men don’t seem to care about being productive for the Lord? How is it that many men don’t seem to care about being productive for the Lord? What part will passion have in being productive? What part will passion have in being productive?

18. Joshua 1:8 - This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8 - This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Psalms 1:3 - And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalms 1:3 - And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalms 119:98-100 - Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. Psalms 119:98-100 - Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.