1. In these few verses Jesus dealt with several matters of great importance. 2. For one thing, He said we will be judged by the way we react to His Word. 3. This brings us to the theme of our lesson -- "let us receive the Lord's Word." Discussion:
I. LET US FIRST IDENTIFY THE LORD'S WORD
A. According to John 12:49-50, Jesus delivered the message that the Father gave to Him. 1. The Lord's teaching is the Word of God. 2. We would expect this because Jesus is God's spokesman (Hebrews 1:1-2). B. To be more specific, the Lord's Word is the New Testament (Hebrews 9:15). C. We learn from Hebrews 9:16-17 that Jesus paid a high price for His New Testament to become effective. D. Let us determine how much of the New Testament is the Lord's Word. 1. We are fortunate to have many of the Lord's teachings in the Gospels. 2. However, the Lord's Word is not limited to the Gospels. a. (John 15:15b) Jesus revealed to the apostles everything He had heard from the Father. b. (John 14:26) Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would help the apostles to remember the things He had taught them. c. Paul showed in Ephesians 3:3-5 that the Spirit guided the apostles and prophets as they wrote the Lord's Word. d. A helpful summary statement is found in 1 Corinthians 14:37. 3. The entire New Testament is the Lord's Word. II. LET US CONSIDER POSSIBLE REACTIONS TO THE LORD'S WORD
A. Negative reactions include: 1. "refusing to receive the Lord's words" (John 12:48) a. Jesus connected this reaction with rejecting Him. b. Jesus said that His Word will be the standard of judgment at the last day. 2. "changing [altering] the Lord's Word" (Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18-19). B. Positive reactions include: 1. "continuing [abiding] in His Word" (John 8:31-32) 2. "letting His Word dwell in us richly in all wisdom" (Colossians 3:16) 3. "rightly dividing His Word" (2 Timothy 2:15) 4. "looking into His Word and doing what it says" (James 1:25). III. REACTING PROPERLY TO THE LORD'S WORD RESULTS IN SPECIAL BLESSINGS, INCLUDING:
A. "increasing your knowledge of Christ" (John 5:39; 2 Peter 3:18) B. "knowing the truth that will make you free" (John 8:31-32) C. "having Christ and the Father abide with you" (John 14:23) D. "having your prayers answered" (John 15:7) E. "building you up" (Acts 20:32) F. "increasing your faith" (Romans 10:17) G. "equipping you completely to do God's will" (2 Timothy 3:16-17) H. "saving your soul" (James 1:21) I. "spiritual growth" (1 Peter 2:2). Conclusion:
1. In closing, let us mention 2 characteristics of the Lord's Word. a. (John 6:63) Jesus said that His words "are spirit, and they are life." b. He also said that His words are everlasting (Matthew 24:35 -- "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away"). 2. The time to receive the Lord's Word is now. 3. By receiving the Lord's Word now and continuing in it, we will not have to be concerned about being judged by it when He returns.
