Activating Change Through the Power of Words
Summary
Today, I want to revisit the purpose of our church and the motto of Encounter Church. A few weeks ago, we began discussing the concept of being "Word Activated." This idea is rooted in John 1:1, which states, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This scripture emphasizes that nothing begins without a word. Just as God spoke light into existence in Genesis, we too must speak words to activate change in our lives. The Word, which is Jesus, was present at the beginning and is essential for initiating anything new.
We also explored the power of words further by examining the relationship between death and life. Proverbs 18:21 tells us that "death and life are in the power of the tongue." This means that our words have the power to bring things to life or to end them. We must be mindful of what we speak, as our words can either build up or tear down. This principle is not just theoretical; it has practical applications in our daily lives. For instance, if you need a breakthrough in your finances, it’s not enough to ask someone to pray for you. You must change your speech and declare prosperity over your life.
I shared a personal testimony to illustrate this point. There was a time when I was struggling financially, doing various odd jobs to make ends meet. Despite my circumstances, I kept declaring that the blessing and favor of the Lord were upon my house. I aligned myself with God's word and waged war with the prophecies spoken over me. This shift in my language and mindset eventually led to a transformation in my situation.
We also discussed the importance of taking authority over our lives. Just as God told Abraham to look and see what he wanted and then walk it out, we too must take steps to claim what God has promised us. This involves not just seeing the vision but also taking action to bring it to fruition. I encouraged everyone to take authority over areas of lack in their lives, whether it be financial, emotional, or spiritual. By changing our speech and declaring abundance, we can shift our circumstances.
In addition to being "Word Activated," we are also "Love Motivated" and "Praise Saturated." Next week, we will delve deeper into the concept of being "Praise Saturated." God created us to be a show-off for Him, to display His goodness, mercy, and blessings. Our praise is a powerful tool that can bring about change and draw us closer to God.
We concluded with a powerful moment of prayer and declaration. We prayed for healing over Elder Carl, declaring that his muscles and sinews would align properly and that he would be free from pain. We also prayed for a fresh anointing over Candice Taylor as she prepared for baptism. We declared that her old self would die and that she would rise anew in the power of Jesus' resurrection.
In closing, I encouraged everyone to change their speech and watch God perform miracles in their lives. By walking in the authority of the word that Jesus has placed over us, we can experience powerful transformations. I blessed the congregation, asking God to keep them, make His face shine upon them, and cause them to prosper.
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Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of the Word:
The Word is foundational to everything. In John 1:1, we learn that "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This teaches us that nothing can begin without a word. Just as God spoke light into existence, we must speak words to activate change in our lives. The Word, which is Jesus, was present at the beginning and is essential for initiating anything new. [01:36]
2. Death and Life in the Tongue:
Proverbs 18:21 tells us that "death and life are in the power of the tongue." This means that our words have the power to bring things to life or to end them. We must be mindful of what we speak, as our words can either build up or tear down. This principle is not just theoretical; it has practical applications in our daily lives. For instance, if you need a breakthrough in your finances, it’s not enough to ask someone to pray for you. You must change your speech and declare prosperity over your life. [06:19]
3. Taking Authority Over Your Life:
Just as God told Abraham to look and see what he wanted and then walk it out, we too must take steps to claim what God has promised us. This involves not just seeing the vision but also taking action to bring it to fruition. By changing our speech and declaring abundance, we can shift our circumstances. We must take authority over areas of lack in our lives, whether it be financial, emotional, or spiritual. [10:23]
4. Personal Testimony of Transformation:
I shared a personal testimony to illustrate the power of words and faith. There was a time when I was struggling financially, doing various odd jobs to make ends meet. Despite my circumstances, I kept declaring that the blessing and favor of the Lord were upon my house. I aligned myself with God's word and waged war with the prophecies spoken over me. This shift in my language and mindset eventually led to a transformation in my situation. [21:24]
5. The Importance of Praise:
God created us to be a show-off for Him, to display His goodness, mercy, and blessings. Our praise is a powerful tool that can bring about change and draw us closer to God. Next week, we will delve deeper into the concept of being "Praise Saturated." By praising God, we can experience His presence and power in our lives. Praise is not just an act of worship; it is a declaration of God's greatness and a way to invite His intervention in our circumstances. [27:17]
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Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:56] - Introduction to the Purpose of the Church
[01:36] - The Power of the Word
[06:19] - Death and Life in the Tongue
[10:23] - Taking Authority Over Your Life
[21:24] - Personal Testimony of Transformation
[27:17] - The Importance of Praise
[28:23] - Prayer and Declaration
[29:20] - Blessing and Conclusion
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 1:1 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
2. Proverbs 18:21 - "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
3. Genesis 1:3 - "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to John 1:1, what was present at the beginning, and what does this signify about the importance of the Word? [01:36]
2. How does Proverbs 18:21 describe the power of the tongue, and what implications does this have for our daily speech? [06:19]
3. In Genesis 1:3, what action did God take to create light, and how does this relate to the concept of being "Word Activated"? [02:44]
4. What personal testimony did the pastor share to illustrate the power of words and faith in transforming his financial situation? [21:24]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to be "Word Activated," and how can this principle be applied to initiate change in one's life? [01:36]
2. How can the power of the tongue, as described in Proverbs 18:21, be both a blessing and a curse in our relationships and personal growth? [06:19]
3. What steps did God instruct Abraham to take to claim His promises, and how can we apply this process of seeing and walking out our vision in our own lives? [10:23]
4. How did the pastor's shift in language and mindset lead to a transformation in his financial situation, and what can we learn from this testimony about the power of positive declarations? [21:24]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a situation in your life where you need a breakthrough. How can you change your speech to align with God's promises and declare positive outcomes over that situation? [09:56]
2. Think about a time when your words either built someone up or tore them down. How can you be more mindful of the power of your tongue in your daily interactions? [06:19]
3. Identify an area of lack in your life (financial, emotional, or spiritual). What specific steps can you take to see the vision God has for you and walk it out in faith? [10:23]
4. The pastor shared a testimony of declaring God's favor over his life despite difficult circumstances. Can you share a personal experience where changing your language and mindset led to a positive change? [21:24]
5. How can you take authority over negative situations in your life by speaking life and abundance, as opposed to focusing on lack and negativity? [24:14]
6. Next week, the sermon will focus on being "Praise Saturated." How can you incorporate more praise into your daily routine to draw closer to God and experience His presence? [27:17]
7. During the prayer and declaration for Elder Carl and Candice Taylor, the pastor emphasized the power of collective prayer and positive declarations. How can you incorporate these practices into your small group or personal prayer life? [28:23]
By engaging with these questions, we can deepen our understanding of the sermon and apply its teachings to our lives, fostering spiritual growth and transformation.
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of the Word
The Word is foundational to everything. In John 1:1, we learn that "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This teaches us that nothing can begin without a word. Just as God spoke light into existence, we must speak words to activate change in our lives. The Word, which is Jesus, was present at the beginning and is essential for initiating anything new. [01:36]
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." (Genesis 1:1-3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to see change? How can you begin to speak God's Word over that situation today?
Day 2: Death and Life in the Tongue
Proverbs 18:21 tells us that "death and life are in the power of the tongue." This means that our words have the power to bring things to life or to end them. We must be mindful of what we speak, as our words can either build up or tear down. This principle is not just theoretical; it has practical applications in our daily lives. For instance, if you need a breakthrough in your finances, it’s not enough to ask someone to pray for you. You must change your speech and declare prosperity over your life. [06:19]
"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!" (Psalm 141:3, ESV)
Reflection: Think about the words you have spoken over the past week. Are there any negative or harmful words you need to repent of and replace with words of life and encouragement?
Day 3: Taking Authority Over Your Life
Just as God told Abraham to look and see what he wanted and then walk it out, we too must take steps to claim what God has promised us. This involves not just seeing the vision but also taking action to bring it to fruition. By changing our speech and declaring abundance, we can shift our circumstances. We must take authority over areas of lack in our lives, whether it be financial, emotional, or spiritual. [10:23]
"Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses." (Joshua 1:3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one promise from God that you need to actively claim and walk out in your life? What steps can you take today to begin this journey?
Day 4: Personal Testimony of Transformation
There was a time when I was struggling financially, doing various odd jobs to make ends meet. Despite my circumstances, I kept declaring that the blessing and favor of the Lord were upon my house. I aligned myself with God's word and waged war with the prophecies spoken over me. This shift in my language and mindset eventually led to a transformation in my situation. [21:24]
"And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death." (Revelation 12:11, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when God transformed a difficult situation in your life. How can you use your testimony to encourage someone else who may be going through a similar struggle?
Day 5: The Importance of Praise
God created us to be a show-off for Him, to display His goodness, mercy, and blessings. Our praise is a powerful tool that can bring about change and draw us closer to God. Next week, we will delve deeper into the concept of being "Praise Saturated." By praising God, we can experience His presence and power in our lives. Praise is not just an act of worship; it is a declaration of God's greatness and a way to invite His intervention in our circumstances. [27:17]
"Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." (Hebrews 13:15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate more praise into your daily routine? What specific attributes of God can you focus on praising Him for today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When you start taking authority over your life, what did God tell Abraham? He said, 'I need you to look and see what you want in life, and you see, and as far as you see, I'll give it to you.' As far as you can see, God will give it to you, but you can't get anything that you can't see yourself having." [10:23]
2. "Let me just tell y'all something. When the devil sends you some haters, he always uses language that you recognize. It'll be something that you heard somewhere before because you will think it is a confirming word. Are you in the room? And so he's confirming things I've heard my own daddy say because I wasn't a plumber, I was a piano player." [14:27]
3. "Listen, I know the time is late, and I'm not going to preach real long. Why do you laugh like that? I'm actually, I'm just going to introduce something that I want to get to next week. And how many of you remember just a few weeks ago, actually it was April the 21st, I believe, that I came to you and I said, we're going to revisit the purpose of this church while we're really here. Amen?" [00:56]
4. "God created you to be a show off for Him. Who's going to show off for Jesus in this place and talk about His goodness, His mercy, His blessing? Hallelujah! Come on and clap your hands to the Lord. Father, we thank you for your word today, we thank you for your life, and we thank you for your presence." [27:56]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Death has no power until you activate it. If something in your life needs to die, you need to say something. Not everything in your life needs to live, so some things I have to speak death over, but there are some things I have to speak life over. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. The word tongue in the Hebrew is the word yod, which means hand. So what the scripture is really saying is death and life are in the hand of your mouth." [06:19]
2. "If you change your language, you may say, 'Well, I changed my language, but nothing shifted.' I'm telling you, stand your ground because when you shift, everything around you has to shift. If I move over this way, whatever was standing here has to leave. Whatever I move toward has to back up, has to give space, has to give room, and I get my foot on it." [20:52]
3. "I kept saying the blessing and the favor of the Lord is upon my house and the horn of plenty is gonna be lifted up in my house and I'm gonna be able to buy for others things that I've said in my heart that I would never be able to buy. So God, I align myself with your word. Do y'all hear what I'm telling you? I began to pray because if something needs to begin, there needs to be a word." [21:55]
4. "You gotta take the prophetic word of the Lord, you gotta write it down, you gotta declare it. It's not just good enough to come out of the prophet's mouth, it needs to come out of your mouth. It's not just good enough to hear somebody else say it, you need to say it because till the hand of your mouth begins to appropriate that word." [22:54]
5. "When you start taking authority over your life, what did God tell Abraham? He said, 'I need you to look and see what you want in life, and you see, and as far as you see, I'll give it to you.' As far as you can see, God will give it to you, but you can't get anything that you can't see yourself having." [10:23]
Chatbot
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I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?
Explain how the sermon references Solomon, described as the wisest man who ever lived, to support the idea that words have the power of life and death. This reference is used to underscore the sermon's message about the significance of words in shaping reality.
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