## A Place for the Word

## John 8:37

This morning we have been focusing upon the Word of God. I want to draw your attention to a rather strong statement that Jesus made concerning His Word.

READ: John 8:31-37

The people being addressed were Jews. They were very religious people. They did many things that would cause others to think that they were spiritual, but it really doesn't matter what others say, it is more important to listen to what Jesus has to say. He makes an even stronger statement a little farther along in v47.

(John 8:47) "He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God."

The basis for such a statement is clear. It revolves around their response to His Word. Since they refused to hear and receive the Word, the Lord clearly states that they are not of God! Earlier He had stated that there was no place for His Word in them.

I. What place should the Word of God have in the hearts and lives of men?

A. The Word Should Have An Inside Place

1. It should have a place in our thoughts and our memory.

(Col 3:16) "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

(Psa 119:11) "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."

2. All too often our minds are crowded with all of the 'cares of this world'.

B. It should have a place of honor.

1. It should be revered and obeyed by all.

2. Many folks give the Word of God a place of reverence in their homes…a beautiful family Bible on display.

3. But few really honor it enough to read and obey what the Word says.

(Luke 6:46) "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"

4. The Word of God is our foundation in times of storm and difficulty.

(Mat 7:24-27) "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."

5. Whether we are able to withstand and survive the storms is directly related to our attitude and obedience to the Word of God!

(Job 23:12) "Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food."

6. Do we give the Word of God an esteemed place of honor in our lives?

C. It should have a place of trust.

1. The Word of God is trustworthy because He is trustworthy!

2. Men will fail us, men will lie to us, men will deceive us, but God is worthy of our trust and so is His Word!

3. He will fulfill every promise ever made.

(Luke 21:33) "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."

4. God cannot lie! He does not make mistakes! We can trust His Word!

(Titus 1:2) "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;"

II. Why God's Word Has No Place.

A. Many are too busy.

1. Too many things to do and places to go…there is just no place left for the Word.

2. Of course there is time for newspapers, magazines, radio, and TV…but there is just no time for the Word.

3. Unfortunately this is true of many believers, not just the unsaved.

4. I am glad that Jesus isn't too busy for me when I need Him.

B. Many are too intelligent.

1. At least they think they are.

2. I have had people scoff at me because I believe the Word of God.

3. They shake their heads as if to say, "You poor fool, how can anyone be so ignorant?"

4. I understand that, I used to be there!

(Rom 1:22) "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,"

(1 Cor 2:14) "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

5. Some refuse to give place to the Word because they think they are too intelligent to believe that the Bible is relevant to their lives.

C. They are looking for something new.

1. One of the biggest lies ever perpetrated in our generation is "New and Improved!"

2. Just because something is new, doesn't mean that it is better!

3. Many folks are tired of hearing the old, old story.

4. Interestingly enough, they don't get tired of breathing…

5. In their search for something new, they open themselves up to false teachers and cults.

6. This is what Paul encountered in Athens.

(Acts 17:21) "(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)"

7. If they only knew Christ, they would know that He and His Word grows sweeter with each day.

(Psa 119:103) "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"

D. The Word has no place in many, because it condemns them.

1. This is the real reason why so many refuse to give place to the Word in their lives.

2. The Word of God reveals sin in our lives and condemns it regardless of who we are.

3. There are certainly some who are above the laws of this country, but no one is above the laws of God.

4. All who refuse to accept the finished work of Christ on Calvary as the ONLY basis of salvation are condemned by His Word.

(John 3:18) "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

5. The very Word that is rejected is the standard of God's righteous judgment.

(John 12:48) "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."

Jesus told these Jews that His Word had no place in their lives. That was why they wanted to kill Him. The Word of God is true, powerful, and has the ability to bring eternal salvation to the lost and dying world. It deserves a place in the hearts of men.

1) An Inside Place, 2) A Place of Honor and 3) A Place of Trust. All that is asked is that we would receive it. What about it today? Have you given the Word its rightful place in your life? Come today…believe and receive His Word.