The Power of God's Word in Our Lives

Today, we gathered as a church family to celebrate Rally Day, marking the beginning of a new year of Sunday school and Bible classes. Our focus was on the power and necessity of God’s Word in our lives. We began by confessing our sins and receiving the assurance of forgiveness through Christ, remembering that our sufficiency and salvation come not from ourselves, but from God alone. The readings from Isaiah, 2 Corinthians, and the Gospel of Mark reminded us that God’s Word brings healing, opens what is closed, and gives life where there is none.

We reflected on the story of Jesus healing the deaf and mute man, seeing in it a picture of how Christ, the living Word, opens our ears and hearts to faith. Just as Jesus spoke “Ephatha—be opened” and brought instant healing, so too does His Word break through our spiritual deafness, granting us faith, forgiveness, and new life. This miracle is not just a historical event, but a present reality for all who hear and believe the Gospel.

We also considered the dangers of treating the Bible as anything less than the inspired, infallible Word of God. The temptation to pick and choose what we believe, or to subject Scripture to human reason, undermines the very foundation of our faith. The Bible is not merely a book containing God’s Word; it is God’s Word, every part of it, and it is through this Word that we know Christ’s love and the certainty of our salvation.

The importance of immersing ourselves and our children in God’s Word was emphasized, as we installed our Sunday school teachers and prayed for all who teach and learn. Through the Word and the sacraments, the Holy Spirit continues to open ears, create faith, and sustain us in the hope of eternal life. We are called not only to hear but also to confess and proclaim this life-giving Word, trusting that God will use it to bring healing and salvation to many.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Word is not a human invention or a collection of opinions, but the very voice of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and powerful to accomplish what it declares. To treat the Bible as anything less is to lose the foundation of our faith and the assurance of Christ’s love and forgiveness. We must receive all of Scripture as God’s truth, even when it challenges our understanding or comfort. [20:48]
• 2. The miracle of Jesus healing the deaf and mute man is a sign of what He does for each of us spiritually. By nature, we are deaf to God and unable to speak His praise, but Christ, through His Word and Spirit, opens our ears and loosens our tongues. This is not a one-time event, but an ongoing work as we continually need His Word to sustain and renew us. [24:41]
• 3. The sufficiency for faith, life, and ministry does not come from ourselves, but from God. As Paul writes, “our sufficiency is from God,” and it is through His Word and Spirit that we are made competent to serve, believe, and endure. This truth humbles us and drives us to rely on God’s promises rather than our own strength or wisdom. [10:40]
• 4. Immersing ourselves in God’s Word is essential for spiritual health and growth. Bible study, Sunday school, and the regular hearing of Scripture are not optional extras, but the means by which the Holy Spirit creates and sustains faith. Without the Word, we cannot know Christ’s love or the certainty of salvation; with it, we are equipped to face every trial and to share the hope we have with others. [29:29]
• 5. The sacraments—Baptism and the Lord’s Supper—are the visible Word, tangible means by which God delivers forgiveness, life, and salvation to us. In these, as in the preached Word, Christ Himself is present, assuring us personally of His grace. We are called to receive these gifts with faith, knowing that through them, God is at work to heal, restore, and unite us to Himself and to one another. [28:26]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:40] - Opening Prayer and Confession
• [05:55] - Absolution and Assurance of Forgiveness
• [08:15] - Collect and Prayers for the Day
• [10:40] - Scripture Readings: Isaiah & 2 Corinthians
• [11:46] - Confession of Faith: Nicene Creed
• [16:34] - Gospel Reading: Jesus Heals the Deaf and Mute Man
• [18:17] - The Battle for the Bible: Trusting God’s Word
• [20:48] - The Inspiration and Power of Scripture
• [22:56] - The Word Creates and Sustains Faith
• [24:41] - Jesus, the Word Made Flesh, Heals and Restores
• [26:48] - The Cross, Forgiveness, and New Life
• [28:26] - The Word and Sacraments: Visible Gospel
• [29:29] - The Importance of Teaching and Learning God’s Word
• [31:09] - The Danger of Picking and Choosing Scripture
• [32:54] - Hearing Jesus’ Word for the First Time
• [34:08] - Prayer for Open Ears and Proclaiming God’s Praise
• [37:07] - Installation of Sunday School Teachers
• [41:25] - Prayers for the Sick and Suffering
• [43:24] - Holy Communion
• [57:48] - Distribution of the Lord’s Supper
• [65:36] - Thanksgiving and Benediction
• [68:07] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
• [69:50] - Dismissal and Blessings

Bible Reading

Mark 7:31-37 (ESV) — > Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Isaiah 29:18-19 (ESV) — > In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.

2 Corinthians 3:4-6 (ESV) — > Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Observation Questions

1. In the story from Mark 7, what specific actions does Jesus take to heal the deaf and mute man? What is the significance of the word “Ephphatha” in this context?
2. According to Isaiah 29, what changes are promised for the deaf and the blind, and how does this connect to the work of Jesus?
3. In 2 Corinthians 3, what does Paul say about where our sufficiency comes from, and how does this relate to ministry and faith?
4. The sermon mentions the danger of treating the Bible as just a collection of opinions or picking and choosing what to believe. What examples were given of this attitude, and why is it considered dangerous?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus use physical actions (touching ears and tongue, sighing, speaking “Ephphatha”) in the healing, and what does this teach us about how God’s Word works in our lives?
2. The sermon says that by nature we are spiritually deaf and unable to speak God’s praise. What does it mean to be spiritually deaf, and how does Christ open our ears and loosen our tongues?
3. The pastor emphasized that our sufficiency for faith and ministry comes from God, not ourselves. How does this truth affect the way we approach serving in the church or sharing our faith?
4. The sermon warns against “picking and choosing” parts of the Bible. What are the consequences of this approach for our faith and assurance in Christ?

Application Questions

1. The sermon highlighted the importance of immersing ourselves and our children in God’s Word. What are some practical ways you can make Bible reading and study a regular part of your family or personal life?
2. Have you ever found yourself tempted to ignore or explain away parts of the Bible that are difficult or uncomfortable? How can you respond differently in the future?
3. The story of Jesus healing the deaf and mute man is described as a picture of what Christ does for us spiritually. Can you think of a time when God’s Word “opened your ears” or changed your heart in a significant way? What happened?
4. The sermon says that the Bible is not just a book containing God’s Word, but is God’s Word in every part. How does this belief shape the way you listen to sermons, read Scripture, or talk about faith with others?
5. The sacraments were described as the “visible Word” where Christ assures us of His grace. How does participating in Baptism and the Lord’s Supper strengthen your faith and assurance of forgiveness?
6. The pastor mentioned that our sufficiency comes from God, not ourselves. Are there areas in your life or ministry where you are relying on your own strength instead of God’s promises? What would it look like to trust God more in those areas?
7. The sermon called us not only to hear but also to confess and proclaim God’s Word. Who is someone in your life who needs to hear the hope of the Gospel, and what is one step you can take to share it with them this week?