Introduction:

A. Text: 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.”

1. The word of God fully furnishes us with all we need to know (II Peter 1:3).
2. The word of God is God’s final revelation to man (Matthew 24:35, Galatians 1:8-9, and Jude 3).
3. Inspired (II Timothy 3:16-17).
4. Able to save souls (James 1:21).
5. The word of God will be what we are judged by (John 12:48).

B. Anytime in which we focus a lesson on the word of God we must acknowledge the importance of strict adherence to that word:

1. We cannot offend at one point (James 2:10). 
2. We must follow exactly what the Lord says (Luke 6:46 and Colossians 3:17).
3. There are eternal consequences to the one who would change the word of the Lord (Revelation 22:18-19).

I. The Word of God is Quick and Powerful

A. Quick [living]; the Bible is not a dead letter.  It is very much alive and able to bring life.

1. The word is life and brings life (John 6:63).
2. The word of God lives and abides forever (I Peter 1:23-25). 

B. Powerful [active]:

1. The word of God is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16).

a. The word of God is a seed that brings forth fruit (Luke 8:4-15).
b. It continues to bring forth fruit (Colossians 1:5-6).

2. The word of God is working so much that the devil tries to keep if from being spread (II Corinthians 4:4-5).
3. The word of God is more powerful than one coming from the dead (Luke 16:24-31).
4. The word of God is so powerful it chased off the devil (Matthew 4:1-11).
5. The word of God is so active that brings faith (Romans 10:17).
6. The word of God can build us up and give us an inheritance (Acts 20:32).

A. The word of God is a sword (Ephesians 6:17). 

1. To display the sharpness of the sword the Hebrew writer says in our text: “…piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow [tissue inside the bone]…”
2. Isaiah said (Isaiah 49:2).

B. The word of God must cut to the heart, thus is must be sharp:

1. Romans 10:10 
2. Acts 2:37 
3. Any sharp blade can cut open a man to show his physical heart, but only the word of God can reveal the thoughts and intentions that are hidden in the heart.

A. God already knows our thoughts and intentions without the involvement of the word (Hebrews 4:13 and Psalms 139:1-6).
B. We use the word of God and examine ourselves to reveal our thoughts and intentions (II Corinthians 13:5 and James 1:23-25).
C. Our reaction, or lack thereof, to the word of God reveals our thoughts and intentions to those around us:

1. When one hears the word of God they have a choice to obey or reject it (James 1:22).

a. When one rejects the word of God; their thoughts of worldliness and disobedience are revealed (I John 2:15-17). 
b. When one rejects the word of God they reveal who they follow:

i. There is light [righteousness] and darkness [sin], but nothing in the middle by which to say you stand (Acts 26:18). 
ii. You are either with or against the Lord (Matthew 12:30).

2. The wise obey and follow the Lord while the unwise reject the word of God (Luke 6:46-49).
3. Obeying the word of God means that one must take action.  Faith is shown through works (James 2:14-26).

a. One who reacts with action shows a heart of obedience (Matthew 4:16-22).
b. One’s lack of action shows they are unfit for the Kingdom (Luke 9:57-62).
c. The thoughts and intents of the recipients of Stephen’s message was first clear to themselves (Acts 7:54a.), and then to all because of their action (Acts 7:54b.; 57-60).

Conclusion:

A. Have you submitted to the will of the Lord (Matthew 7:21)?
B. Will you continue to follow the word of the Lord (John 14:15)?
C. When you look into the word of God do you find you need to make changes (James 1:21-25)?
D. What will your reaction to the word of God today reveal about your thoughts and intentions?