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More Word . . . Greater Living

0607 Pic 9INSTRUCTOR HIGHLIGHT: RHEMA BIBLE TRAINING COLLEGE

//Tad Gregurich

I enjoy watching the old Andy Griffith Show. Sheriff Andy and his deputy, Barney Fife, always make me laugh. Actually, Barney was pretty incompetent in almost every situation. He'd have never gotten anything done if it weren't for Sheriff Andy. The only reason he accomplished anything was the power that stood behind him.

There are a lot of us who have been Barney Fife in our Christian walk. But thank God for the power that's behind us. Thank God for the wonderful Name of Jesus and the Holy Spirit!


You know, one thing I think we miss a lot of times in our Christian walk is that this power isn't just for us. Certainly, we're blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. And we need to know who we are in Christ and everything related to that. But how do we take that power and affect those around us? How do we share the love of God with others?

It all comes down to knowing the Word of God. In Matthew 28:18–20, Jesus said, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Verse 20 is what I want us to focus on: "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

Jesus makes a very interesting statement here: "Go and make disciples, and teach them to observe the things that I have commanded you." This means that today—in 2014—we are still to be doing the things Jesus commanded.

See, Jesus didn't save us so we could just do what we want. He didn't save us for anarchy. It's true that we're free. We're free to love Him. We're free from the devil. We're free from sin, sickness, and poverty. But we haven't been set free from God's words. We still have to obey Him—His Word.

Why should we obey the Word? It's simple. Because we love Him. In John 14:23 Jesus said, "If a man love me, he will keep my words." Love should be our motivation—for everything.

GREATER

I believe a greater manifestation of God's presence is available when we keep His Word. Look at what happened in Mark chapter 16 when the disciples preached the Word.

MARK 16:20
20 They went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word WITH SIGNS FOLLOWING.

When the disciples did what Jesus had "commanded" them to do—when they preached the Word—signs followed! Remember what Jesus said in John 6:63? "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." He followed that up in John 8:32 saying, "'You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free'" (NKJV). What is the "truth"? It's the Word of God!

We find similar results in Acts chapter 6 as the Word is preached. Now, as this chapter begins, we find that the disciples have a problem. The number of believers has increased, and they're unable to minister effectively to all those in need. They finally decide to appoint seven men—full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom—who can free them up to focus on prayer and the ministry of the Word (vv. 1–3).

Notice what happened in verse 7 when the disciples did this: "THE WORD OF GOD INCREASED; and THE NUMBER OF THE DISCIPLES MULTIPLIED in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith." The Word increased and there was a multiplication of disciples!

Do you see why the Word of God is so important? The more Word we have in our lives—the more Word we speak and do—the more we're going to be in line with what God said we should have and who He said we should be. The more we'll be able to reach those around us. And that's what it's all about!
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[Editor's Note: Tad Gregurich is the dean of Rhema Bible Training College USA.]