"The Spoken Word"

All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]. (2 Timothy 3:16)

But understand this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of or comes from one’s own [personal or special] interpretation.

for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. (2 Peter 1:20-21)

Whoever speaks [to the congregation], is to do so as one who speaks the oracles (utterances, the very words) of God. Whoever serves [the congregation] is to do so as one who serves by the strength which God [abundantly] supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified [honored and magnified] through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:11) A person cannot live on bread alone but on every word that God speaks. (Matthew 4:4)

Jesus replied to them, “I am the Bread of Life." The one who comes to Me will never be hungry, and the one who believes in Me [as Savior] will never be thirsty [for that one will be sustained spiritually]. (John 6:35) But whoever drinks the water that I give him will never be thirsty again. But the water that I give him will become in him a spring of water [satisfying his thirst for God] welling up [continually flowing, bubbling within him] to eternal life. (John 4:13-14)

Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:16-17) What then is the right course, believers? When you meet together, each one has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation (disclosure of special knowledge), a tongue, or an interpretation. Let everything be constructive and edifying and done for the good of all the church. (1 Corinthians 14:26)

So then, let us pursue [with enthusiasm] the things which make for peace and mutual edification, in upbuilding of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth]. (Romans 14:19) Now then, brothers and sisters, because of the Lord Jesus we ask and encourage you to excel in living a God-pleasing life even more than you already do. Do this the way we taught you. (1 Thessalonians 4:1)

Don't forget to do good things for others and to share what you have with them. These are the kinds of sacrifices that please God. (Hebrews 13:16) For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;

I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me [with help and ministering care]; I was in prison, and you came to Me.

Then the righteous will answer Him, Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?

And when did we see You as a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?

And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?

The King will answer and say to them, I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it for Me. (Matthew 25:35-40) But whoever has the world’s goods (adequate resources), and sees his brother in need, but has no compassion for him, how does the love of God live in him?

Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words]. (1 John 3:17-18) If a brother or sister is without [adequate] clothing and lacks [enough] food for each day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace [with my blessing], [keep] warm and feed yourselves,” but he does not give them the necessities for the body, what good does that do? (James 2:15-16) I want you to remove the sinful chains, to tear away the ropes of the burdensome yoke, to set free the oppressed, and to break every burdensome yoke. Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them. (Isaiah 58:6-7)