Hebrews 4:12-13 - Homiletics

The power of the Divine Word.

The writer urges here that if the Word of God condemned the unbelieving Jews in the Sinaitic desert, it will judge and condemn us also, should we prove unfaithful. The original reference is, of course, not to the written Word; but, in applying the passage to ourselves, we can think only of the promises and warnings of Holy Scripture.

I. A DESCRIPTION OF THE WORD OF GOD . ( Hebrews 4:12 ) The representation is very vivid and impressive. The Word is, as it were, a magistrate; it judges actions, sifts motives, pronounces sentences. As such it is:

1. Living. It is "the breath of his lips"—God-breathed; and so it is never "a dead letter," but always quick with spiritual life, and ready to quicken. What Luther said of Paul's writings is true of all Scripture: its words "are not dead words; they are living creatures, and have hands and feet."

2. Energetic. The actual power of the Word is as great as the authority which it claims. It is, indeed, the supreme power among men. In the moral sphere it dominates the thought of the world. To the individual soul it is like "a fire "and "a hammer." It is "sharper than any two-edged sword"—two-edged, because it both punishes as a sword and heals as a surgeon's knife.

3. Heart-dissecting. The Word pierces into the deepest recesses of man's being. It pricks men in their hearts. It parts "soul and spirit," "joints and marrow;" i.e. it separates the animal soul from the angel-spirit in human nature. It gives sensibility and power to the heavenward side of our being; and enables us to distinguish what in us is carnal and must be subdued. It marks off to the believer's consciousness "the works of the flesh" from "the fruit of the Spirit."

4. All-discerning. The sacred writers evince a profounder knowledge of human nature than even Shakespeare or Goethe. God's Word is the touchstone of character. Rather it is an eye which detects the true spiritual condition of every one upon whom it gazes. That awful eye never closes. It reads the most secret thoughts and desires of the soul, and pronounces judgment upon the impenitent for doom. Even the manner in which a man treats the promises and threatenings of the Bible shows what that man is.

"Eye of God's Word! whene'er we turn,

Ever upon us I Thy keen gaze

Can all the depths of sin discern,

Unravel every bosom's maze.

Who that has felt thy glance of dread

Thrill through his heart's remotest cells,

About his path, about his bed,

Can doubt what spirit in thee dwells?"

(Keble)

II. THE SECRET OF ITS POWER . ( Hebrews 4:13 ) Holy Scripture is thus energetic and efficacious because it is the Word of the Omniscient. It derives from him "who knows what is in man" its subtle insight into character, and its deep hold upon the world's life. The all-seeing Judge, "with whom we have to do," has invested his Word with its marvelous magisterial power. As the teachings of Scripture are an exact transcript of the nature and will of God, even the bare Word itself exercises as a Book transcendent moral influence over men. But, when accompanied with the supernatural energy of the Holy Spirit, upon which it depends for its efficacy as a means of grace, Holy Scripture becomes the very omnipotence of the Omnipotent, to arouse, convict, and condemn, as well as to comfort, sanctify, and save.

CONCLUSION .

1. Let ministers " preach the Word. " The faithful exhibition of the truth will lay bare the hearts of those who hear, and sometimes so thoroughly that individuals will conclude that their experiences must have been reported beforehand to the preacher. And without solid spiritual instruction no Church will receive blessing or power.

2. Let all hearers of the gospel " tremble at the Word. " Every human heart should submit with holy awe to its inspection, and allow its teachings to determine belief, mould character, and control conduct.