Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God; Dallas Willard Today we look at Chapter 6: The word of God and the rule of God - Astonishing faith in the power of words - Centurion, “say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (Luke 7:7 NIV11) - "Most of what we think we see as the struggle of faith is really the struggle to act as if we had faith but in fact we do not." 118

• Do we trust the ‘word’ of God?
• “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7 NIV11)

• God's word is so powerful and dynamic: created, redeems, rules in and through his word.

• Creation by words:

• “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light…..
• In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” (Genesis 1:3; Hebrews 1:1–3 NIV11)

• If God’s Word is in our heart it can create action in us in accordance with his will

• Words in the kingdom of God, 129

• The King’s words have power. Luke 7:7
• "What we see here is trust based upon experiential knowledge of the power in the words spoken by authorised individuals." 129
• When we struggle to believe that God acts in such a way, and that he might answer our prayers in such a way, it is because we do not fully understand his authority.
• Prayers, actions and words, 133

• How do we see this power in our lives?

• Why don't we see Jesus praying about specific situations very much? In Mark 9:29 he tells the disciples the problem can only be solved by prayer. But he does not pray. Presumably his previous prayer times have given him the power necessary for the challenge presented to him.

• Peter did the same thing in Acts 3:6.

• The point is not to come to the conclusion that we can make anything happen, that is God's task, but, "the extent of our obligation is to be honestly willing and eager to be made able." 136
• The Christians faith is not superstition. The power is not in the words or the rituals. Name it and claim it is like that.
• We do not control God

Do you believe your words have ‘power’? What kind of power? If so, what give them their ‘authority’? Next week we will go on to look at chapter 7 of the book which is titled “Redemption through the word of God”. Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org. If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org. Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) God bless, Malcolm