Pastor Sam Crosby
San Saba’s First Baptist Church
January 7, 2020
The right tool for a job can make all the difference in the world. Have you ever tried to drive a screw with a hammer? Have you ever tried to drive a nail with a screwdriver? Have you ever tried to tighten a bolt with a tape measure? Tools come in all shapes and sizes and for very specific jobs. Having the right tool is often the determining factor on whether a job is completed.
One of God’s key tools for changing your life is His Word, the Bible. Of course, we have the Holy Spirit who lives in us and empowers us. We have other believers to encourage and teach us. We have prayer as a source of fellowship with the Heavenly Father. But the Word of God is His tool for shaping our lives into what He wants us to be. Paul wrote, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right” (II Timothy 3:16, NLT).
God’s wants to use His Word this year to change your life! The Bible says, “Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” What will God accomplish with His Word in your life in 2020, if you will let Him?
First, He will save your soul through His Word. I understand that salvation is a gift from God through our faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation comes through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. But we learn of the gospel through the Word of God. James wrote, “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your soul” (James 1:21).
People need to hear the gospel in order to be saved. The Bible says, “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing comes by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17).
Second, He will cleanse and sanctify your soul through His Word. We are cleansed from our sins through the blood of Jesus. The Bible, though, cleanses our actions, attitudes and speech. D. L. Moody said, “Sin will either keep you from this book or this book will keep you from sin.” The Bible teaches that God uses His Word to sanctify and cleanse us into something beautiful! (Ephesians 5:25).
Third, He will nourish your soul through His Word. When tempted by the devil to turn the stones into bread, Jesus responded, “Man cannot live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). We eat bread for physical strength, but feed on the Word for spiritual strength. Make the Word of God a priority for your life and family in 2020!