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Basic Bible Study Course

THE SPOKEN WORD MINISTRY

LESSON #13, Part #2

Definitions are taken from Webster's Dictionary.

God has given to every man the measure of faith and we are to build on that faith (Romans 12:3 & Jude 1:20). God does not change (Hebrews 13:8 & Malachi 3:6). God is looking for someone to worship him in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24) and that will go and tell the people the message from God. God is looking for someone to stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30). It must be someone living holy and who has boldness (Isaiah 6:5-8—whose sin is purged & Acts 4:31).

When you speak GOD'S WORDS that he told you to speak, it comes to pass. God cannot lie ". . . hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19). To even KNOW that God told you to say something requires close communication with him. When God purposes and says a thing, he will bring it to pass (Isaiah 46:11). Read Isaiah 45:17-19 and Jeremiah 4:28.

(21) I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. (22) But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings. (23) Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? (24) Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD. (25) I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. (26) How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart; (27) Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal. (28) The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD. (29) Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? (30) Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. (31) Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. (32) Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 23:32.

Romans 8:31 says, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" BUT If God is AGAINST us, we have no hope. If you have been born again, and are in no disobedience to God, God will honor what you have to say, BECAUSE you have submitted your will to God. Old Testament men and women of God spoke the word and God honored it. Joshua told the sun and moon to stand still and God honored his words (Joshua 10:12-14).

Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. James 5:10.

1. LIVE HOLY AND PRAY
HOLY

Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 20:7.

Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. Deuteronomy 18:13. Read Matthew 5:48.

Read Leviticus 20:26, 1 Peter 1:15, Genesis 6:8-9, Genesis 17:1, Leviticus 22:21, Job 1:1 & 8. Are you saved? Read John 9:31, 1 John 1:7-9, 1 John 2:1-2, Hebrews 7:25, ALL of 1 John Chapter 3, Proverbs 28:13. Jesus is our intercessor and his grace holds us if we sin so we can quickly repent. God is merciful but he is also a God of judgment (1 Samuel 2:6 & Proverbs 29:1). We are told to walk in the Spirit (Romans 8:1-9, Galatians 5:16, Ephesians 5:8-10). We are supposed to prove what is acceptable to the Lord. We are to keep the blood of Jesus that washed our sins away applied to our heart at all times, never rejecting it when God deals with us, chastising and correcting us. We have to grow up in God, not continually sinning (Hebrews 10:26-29). 1 Corinthians 13:11 says to put away childish things.

HOW CAN WE JUST SAY AND A THING BE DONE? Aren't we supposed to PRAY, and get an answer from God for healing, raising the dead, and whatever we need according to his scriptures? YES, but read this next scripture:

Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. Job 22:28.

DECREE means anything settled and unchangeable. ESTABLISH means to order, ordain, or appoint permanently.

Jesus is the light (John 1:4). If the light of Jesus is in us, we are able to decree a thing, and it shall be established.

Now unto him that is able to exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Ephesians 3:20.

(3) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue (4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:3-4. Read the whole chapter.

HE HAS GIVEN POWER TO THE CHILDREN OF GOD

(4) And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: (5) By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: (6) Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: Romans 1:4-6.

We are also the sons of God. Read Romans 6:5-12. If you have no sin you are holy. We are to be dead to sin, and resurrected to LIFE (Colossians 3:1-3).

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12.

PRAYER

Prayer is talking to God. We are commanded to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer is a necessity! Refer to Prayer Study for many scripture references and further instruction on prayer. The sinner cannot effectively speak the words or message of God because he is not known of God. God heareth not sinners (John 9:31). Those who try to speak the words of God and are not clean before God are hypocrites.

YES! We are supposed to pray, BUT we are supposed to have already prayed before trying to go and do the work of the Lord. Jesus spent all night praying sometimes (Luke 6:12 & 40, Mark 1:35,). He fasted and prayed 40 days and nights (Matthew 4:2) and overcame all temptation (Hebrews 4:15). He paid the price and went about doing good, for God was with him (1 Corinthians 6:20 & Acts 10:38). God worked the supernatural work that needed doing WHEN HE SPOKE!

(4) I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. (5) As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (6) When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. (7) And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. John 9:4-7.

PRAY! Pray without ceasing. Spend time waiting on God so when a need arises the work will be done; God will move for you. Read 1 John 3:19-22.

2. BELIEVE

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6.

Read Matthew 21:22. For further instruction on faith and believing refer to FAITH (Lesson #12).

3. SPEAK

JESUS IS OUR EXAMPLE

(49) For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. (50) And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. John 12:49-50.

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24.

How do I know it is the Lord telling me to speak the words? Are you saved, filled with the Holy Ghost, put on the armour according to Ephesians 6, obeyed God when he spoke to you, studied the Word, resisted the devil, and become dead to sin? Seek God and put God first (Matthew 6:32-34).

(12) But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. (13) And it shall turn to you for a testimony. (14) Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: (15) For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. Luke 21:12-15.

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39.

Jesus spoke and the wind ceased. Read Exodus 4:10-17. Moses was commanded by God to speak to the people. God said he would be with Moses' mouth. David asked that his words be acceptable to God. Read Proverbs 12:6, Proverbs 18:7, Ecclesiastes 10:12, and Isaiah 59:21.

(13) Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. (14) Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:13-14.

Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. Proverbs 6:2.

(15) But I am the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is his name. (16) And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people. Isaiah 51:15-16.

(8) Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. (9) Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. (10) See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant. Jeremiah 1:8-10.

Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them. Jeremiah 5:14.

And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak. Numbers 22:38.

Read all of Numbers Chapter 22-23 & Deuteronomy 8:3. Read Deuteronomy 30:11-20.

But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. Deuteronomy 30:14.

When the words you have spoken, that you said were God's words, come to pass, people will more likely believe you are of God, but some will harden their heart.

When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him. Deuteronomy 18:22.

We know that the Bible speaks of lying wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9). Read John 8:44, Acts 8:9-11, Matthew 7:15, Matthew 24:24, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, 2 Peter 2:1-2, 1 Kings 22:22-23, Psalm 120:2, Isaiah 30:9. Some people that have called themselves of the Lord backslide and LIE. How are we to know the difference? Know God, get in close communion with him (Psalm 14:2 & Deuteronomy 4:29). Read 1 Kings 17:22-24. Read 1 Kings 22:1-40 about the 400 false prophets versus the prophet of God. They tried to persuade Micaiah to lie and not tell the message God told him to give to them. He remained faithful to God.

For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. Mark 13:22.

The Lord will perform that which he says will come to pass. Read 2 Chronicles 36:21-23, Ezra 1:1-2, Ezekiel 33:7-9, Matthew 4:4, and Acts 15:7.

Read John 15:26. If you have the Holy Ghost, it will testify of Jesus. John 16:13 says that the Spirit of truth shall speak. Revelation 19:10 says ". . . the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." If you are (IN CHRIST), and you stay "prayed through," the Lord can speak through you.

(7) Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (8) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (10) For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: (11) So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:7-11

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 14:12.

Seek God and prove him. Fleece God if you must, but be sure before you say something you speak is from God, THAT IT IS FROM GOD.

Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not? Lamentations 3:37.

Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. Ezekiel 3:17.

(32) And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. (33) And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them. Ezekiel 33:32-33.

Read Ezekiel 33:22-23 where the Lord opened Ezekiel's mouth and the word of the Lord came unto him.

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; Romans 10:8.

Read Ezekiel Chapter 2 & 3 where God showed Ezekiel a roll of a book which contained ". . . lamentations, and mourning, and woe" (Ezekiel 2:9 & 10). He ate it. Remember, we don't live by bread alone but by EVERY WORD out of the mouth of God.

Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. Ezekiel 3:1.

God told Ezekiel to be like flint and to speak the words of God (Ezekiel 3:9-11).

4. GOD DOES THE WORK

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26. Read Mark 10:27, & Luke 18:27.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5.

We are to abide IN CHRIST (John 15:1-17, Romans 8:9, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 3:26, Galatians 2:20, John 3:2, Philemon 1:6). If we abide in Christ, and he in us, then we can ask and receive from God. We can do nothing by our own power (John 15: 5), but if we abide in him he can do miracles through us. That is according to his power working in and through us. Read: Romans 6:25, 2 Corinthians 13:10, Ephesians 1:19-20, Ephesians 3:7, Colossians 1:11, 2 Thessalonians 1:11, and 2 Timothy 1:8-9.

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. Mark 16:20.

5. HEALED BY SPOKEN WORD

And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. Mark 1:42.

Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. John 4:50.

Peter and John didn't stop to pray first in Acts 3:1-7 & 11-12 because they had already prayed. They saw the lame man and, "(6) Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. (7) And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength." In Acts 3:15-16 they gave God credit for what was done. Read Acts 4:6-10 and Acts 3:15-16. We can work for Jesus in his name. We must be careful to give the Lord the credit, honor, and glory for the work that is done. Even though he lets us speak the word in his name, it is his power that does the work. We can have whatsoever we say if we doubt not in our hearts.

(22) And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. (23) For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. (24) Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (25) And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. Mark 11:22-26.

Jesus spoke all of these scriptures as one passage.

What causes doubt and stops faith? Sin, disobedience, unforgiveness, unbelief. Read Isaiah 59:2, 1 John 3:19-21, Mark 11:25, and Hebrews 3:12. Read Matthew 9:2.

(5) And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, (6) And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. (7) And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. (8) The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. (9) For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. (10) When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. (13) And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. Matthew 8:5-10 & 13.

6. FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST BY THE SPOKEN WORD

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. Acts 10:44.

7. RAISE THE DEAD BY THE SPOKEN WORD

In John 11:41-42 Jesus said he KNEW God heard him—this was before he made the command for Lazarus to come forth. He had been tempted, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). He lived holy, doing those things that pleased God. God heard him. Remember, the servant is not above his master, so we must follow his example. (Luke 6:40). Jesus had the authority to speak the words of God because he paid the price necessary to be able to know God's voice and words.

(43) And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. (44) And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. John 11:43-44.

But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. Acts 9:40.

8. CAST OUT DEVILS BY THE SPOKEN WORD

When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: Matthew 8:16.

(31) So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. (32) And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. Matthew 8:31-32.

(22) And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. (28) Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. Matthew 15:22 & 28.

For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. Mark 5:8.

When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. Mark 9:25.

9. CURSE BY SPEAKING THE WORD

God is love, and he is a God of judgment (1 John 4:8 & Hebrews 10:26-27).

The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. 1 Samuel 2:6.

(19)And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. (20) And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! (21) Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. Matthew 21:19-21.

(9) Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, (10) And said, O full of all subtlety and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? (11) And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Acts 13:9-11.

9. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU DO AND SAY

Read all of the book of James.

(21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23.

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Matthew 12:37.

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