The Ministry of the Word

The ministry of the Word is an all important principle that every Christian should take to heart. In the book of Acts we read:

Act 6:4  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

But what is ministry of the Word? It is summarized in Psa 107:20.

Psa 107:20  He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

And so the whole ministry of the Word, the purpose for which it was sent was SALVATION! The Word is able to do that because the Word is powerful.

Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Heb 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.

Ecc 8:4  Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

Luk 4:32  And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.

Luk 4:36  And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.

1Th 1:5  For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

Heb 1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

In my previous post i mentioned about "the operation of God." Now we understand that the Word of God has power, but how does that power operate? I have found an all important principle here that the Word seems to operate not without our participation. The following passages give us a very clear picture. 

Psa 119:11  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psa 119:58  I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

Jos 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.

Eph 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Act 13:26  Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

And so a very simple instruction that we must not forget:

Col 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

But even though the Word is powerful, still its power can be effectively suppressed!

Heb 4:2  For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

And so we do find those people who seem to have a hardened heart and we ask the Lord what we are to do with them. But again we must understand that Christ is the victor and Satan is the loser and remember this verse:

Jer 23:29  Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

A better question to ask therefore would be, Is anything too hard for the Lord?

God bless you.