The Power of the Word of God

Aim: To worship God as the church—at the hearing of His Word.

Doctrine: The Word of God (preached, read, & heard) results in the church's worship of God. This is because the Holy Spirit uses it as He leads us to acknowledge our sin, and to embrace Christ (by faith).

Exegesis: Some key features of the powerful Word of God: it is written revelation: to be read and heard by all (vv. 1-3); it is spoken revelation: to be proclaimed everywhere (by the church) (vv. 4-5a); it is living revelation: to usher the church into God's gracious presence (vv. 5b-6).

Further application: How the church is primarily to apply the powerful Word of God: by hearing the gospel read and preached, our God-given faith fetches Jesus to our hearts.

Key verse: v. 6 ''And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. Then all the people answered, 'Amen, amen!' while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.''