WORDS OF LIFE

Nehemiah 8:1-10; Psalm 19:1-14; Luke 4:14-21

Introduction

Words are said to be powerful. Some words can build and others can break. James, the apostle directly cautions us about the root of Words formation which is the 'tongue'. He says, "...the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." (James 3:5-6).

Some people have fallen off from God's planned course because of words. Meanwhile, Words help build and grow people's faith in God's planned course of greatness (Romans 10:17). As we have Words of life, so are words of death.

Today, we are discussing 'Words of Life.'

JESUS CHRIST, THE WORD OF LIFE

In the Gospel of John, the Word was with God and was God (John1:1). That the Word is life and the light for humankind (vs. 4). He explains that "the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us ... the glory of the one and only Son [Jesus Christ], who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (vs. 14).

In John 1:11, Jesus Christ, the Word of life was rejected by His own people. But He has been made available to us "all who did receive him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).

Words of life are in the one who receives and believes in Christ Jesus for in Him humanity is restored as Children of God.

In Christ Jesus we have life.

WORDS OF LIFE TO EXILE RETURNEES

When the Israelites went into captivity, not only did they lose their religious impact, they also lost their cultural heritage.

For over 70 years in exile, Mesopotamia, almost all the elderly who went into exile were dead. Probably, only a few of the returnees could speak Hebrew.

When the exile returnees had settled in Israel, and had already lost touch with the ways of the Lord their God. All hope was lost, and the way forward as a people was so clouded. (Neh. 8:1) This is why we say, 'life begins at one's encounter with Jesus Christ as Lord and personal Saviour.' No Jesus, no life. Without God in their lives, they were still in captivity.

When they felt the emptiness of life, they asked "Ezra, the teacher to read the Book of the Law of Moses which the LORD commanded for Israel." When the people heard the Words from the scripture, they wept. (Neh. 8:9)

In Neh. 9:1-2, the people fasted and confessed their sins and that of their forefathers. The Word brought life into the people of Israel because they received and believed as it revealed their shortfalls to them.

There are people who get angry and attack the Word and preachers when they fall short of the Word of God. They ask, show me where you cannot marry more than 1 wife? Show me where it is written alcohol is sin? Quote where lotto is sinful to God? I believe all these and many more is their quest for a good life for themselves, but Jesus Christ is the Word of life.

WORDS OF LIFE IN THE SYNAGOGUE

From Luke 4:14-21, Jesus read from the Scriptures Isaiah 61 in the synagogue to the people. When all eyes were fixed on Him after reading, "He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing”" (Luke 4:21). Christ, the Word has come "to proclaim good news to the poor...to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor." Jesus Christ, Word of life, brings light to us when we cannot see, hope to us when are short of it, and freedom when we are in captivity.

In verse 22, "All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips..." Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and have life and have it abundantly. Satan carries words of death.

WORDS OF LIFE

Our world today is full of darkness and death - murder, rape, sakawa, mybet, fornication, adultery, idolatry, backbiting, armed robbery, envy, bribery, injustice, lies, corruption, etc. We simply need the Light and Life of the world to set us free and proclaim God's year of favor. The Word was with God at creation, Jesus is the only way to make our society worth living.

Jesus is the Life we need to make our nation a place worth living.

Conclusion

In reality, the only thing that gives hope and assurance in this turbulent world, is still the words of Life.

Jesus confirms it in Mat. 24:35, by saying: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away”.

H. W. Baker, sums it up for us in one of his hymns. He writes:

LORD, Thy word abideth,

And our footsteps guideth,

Who its truth believeth,

Light and joy recieveth.

2. When our foes are near us,

Then Thy word doth cheer us,

Word of consolation,

Message of salvation.

5. Word of mercy, giving

Succour to the living;

Word of life, supplying

Comfort to the dying!

6. O that we, discerning

Its most holy learning,

Lord, may love and fear Thee,

Evermore be near Thee!

There are two things; Words of life that flow from Christ to those who believe and accept Him. And death for those who reject Christ and follow their fleshy desires.

What is your choice?