Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account. Big Idea: God’s Word exposes our hearts, calling us to respond in faith. Hebrews 4:12a For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword… Hebrews 3:7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says… 1 Corinthians 2:13 We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people. Using the Same Vocabulary ≠ Using the Same Dictionary 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God… “Inspired by God” - θεόπνευστος (theopneustos) Theo - God Pneustos - breathed, breathed out The interconnectedness of Scripture: For the word of God is living… …and effective… Isaiah 55:10-11 For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return there without saturating the earth and making it germinate and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, so my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired (breathed out) by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. “This is a mystery that only living men, quickened by the Spirit of God, will fully comprehend. Take up any other book except the Bible and there may be a measure of power in it, but there is not that indescribable vitality in it that breathes and speaks and pleads and conquers as in the case of this sacred volume” Charles Spurgeon Next Step: I will read my Bible. Next Step: I will read my Bible more consistently. Next Step: I will begin to memorize Scripture. …and sharper than any double-edged sword… Ephesians 6:17 Take…the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. Hebrews 4:12b …penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it? “Fear and mistrust of our false hearts is painful but safe; presumption of our case to be good is pleasant but dangerous.” Ezekiel Culverwell, Time Well Spent Matthew 16:24-25 “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it.” “The heart is a perpetual idol factory.” John Calvin Romans 1:21-23 For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles. Next Step: I will submit to Scripture, even when I don’t like what it says. Hebrews 4:13 No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account. Psalm 139:7-12 Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I fly on the wings of the dawn and settle down on the western horizon, even there your hand will lead me; your right hand will hold on to me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light around me will be night”— even the darkness is not dark to you. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to you. Job 34:21-22 For his eyes watch over a man’s ways, and he observes all his steps. There is no darkness, no deep darkness, where evildoers can hide. Psalm 51:4 Against you—you alone—I have sinned and done this evil in your sight. So you are right when you pass sentence; you are blameless when you judge. Romans 3:26 God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so that he would be just and justify the one who has faith in Jesus. John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Next Step: I will repent and submit my life to Jesus.