Word of His Power
Key Verse: Hebrews 1:1-4
The letter to the Hebrews begins by stating the greatest single fact of the Christian revelation: God has spoken to man through His word in the Bible and through His son, Jesus.
A major theme of the book of Hebrews is the supremacy of Christ. Faced with persecution, there is a temptation to follow the crowd. Jewish Christians of the time would have been under immense pressure to return to Judaism, rather than continue as Christians (Little Christs)
The first four verses of Hebrews serve as an introduction to the idea that Jesus is the better way. The verses provide important support for the divinity of Jesus. The words suggest that Jesus the Christ is, in fact God.
The Gk word characktēr is translated here as ‘exact imprint’ or ‘exact representation’ . The Gk word for ‘nature’ here is hypostaseōs. This is the source of the theological term ‘hypostatic union’ a posh way of saying that Jesus is both God and man. Combined, these words mean that Jesus’ nature is identical to that of God. Jesus is more immense than we realise.
- Jesus is God’s prophetic voice
- Jesus is God’s son
- Jesus is the appointed heir
- Jesus is God’s creative agent
- Jesus is God’s personified glory
- Jesus is God’s perfect revelation
- Jesus is God’s cosmic sustainer
- Jesus is God’s unique sacrifice
v.3…He upholds the universe by the WORD OF POWER.
Notice it does not say the ‘Power of the word’ here’s why the Bible when referencing Jesus, does not talk about the power of the word. When we talk about the power of the word the implication is that something is released in that moment, that words themselves have power.
James 3:6-8 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness.(World of pain) The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Words have power release they release blessing/cursing and life/death. The power of our words can burden one’s spirit, even stir up hatred and violence. Words can intensify wounds and inflict them directly on the heart. Alternately, words can build up and be life-giving.
Jesus is different, more immense because is not reliant on the power of words. If this were the case the universe is held together only as long as Jesus continues to speak. But He isn’t speaking, His work of forgiveness, redemption, and salvation is done because He is sat at the right hand of the Father.
Jesus sustains the universe by His authoritative and effective word of power. Jesus does not speak words of power, Jesus is the word of power.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word (logos), and the Word (logos) was with God, and the Word (logos) was God. The word of power is this… Jesus speaks and things come into being just by virtue that He has spoken. It is not what He says, it is that He has said.
Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word (Rhema) of God (His power), so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
When God Speaks His word is a creative word, when He speaks it will happen. His words carry the power to manifest reality. We see this in Genesis 1.
Psalm 33:9 ‘For He spoke and it came to be; commanded, and it stood firm.’ the spoken word is the expression of His power but Jesus is power
By His powerful word, He upholds and sustains the entire universe. It is through His divine authority that creation continues to exist. Every breath we take, every beat of our hearts, is a testament to His sustaining power.
Isaiah 55:11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Learn God’s word
Speak God’s truth into every situation
Let God’s power be released in our lives.
What has Jesus declared over your life by His word of Power?