Jesus the Word of God
PS: BRENDEN BROWN | JAN 11, 2026
Last week, we reflected on Jesus as the Chief Cornerstone. This week, we turn our attention to another profound truth: Jesus is the Word of God.
Paul, one of Jesus’ apostles, was imprisoned multiple times for his unwavering commitment to the Gospel. From a Roman prison, facing intense persecution and spreading deception, Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy. The days were dark, and Paul spoke plainly: “As time draws near there will be terrible days.” Yet rather than responding with fear, Paul anchored Timothy in Scripture, pointing him to unshakable truth.
“13 But the evil men and sorcerers will progress from bad to worse, deceived and deceiving, as they lead people further from the truth. 14 Yet you must continue to advance in strength with the truth wrapped around your heart... 16 Every Scripture has been inspired by the Holy Spirit, the breath of God. It will empower you by its instruction and correctness, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you deeper into the path of godliness.” 2 Timothy 3:13-17 (TPT)
In the middle of chaos, Paul does not point Timothy to strategy or escape. He points him to truth breathed out by God Himself. This same struggle remains today. Truth is the foundation we build upon, and while everyone wrestles with it, we are called to remain rooted and mature in it.
Closing the Gap
Paul envisioned a church matured in Scripture—not shaped by the culture, but transformed into the likeness of Jesus. At Heirs Church, we are called to be that kind of people: confident in who Jesus is and living differently from the world because we live like Christ.
Jesus did not simply quote Scripture; He lived it. When He spoke, people were astonished at His authority because His life aligned perfectly with His message. As believers, the gap between who we profess to be and how we live determines our authority. As we draw closer to Jesus through Scripture, that "gap" begins to close until we become walking, living epistles.
A Tale of Two Adams
To understand why our foundation matters, we have to look at the two "Adams" of history:
The First Adam: In the Garden of Eden, the enemy attacked the Word first. He asked, "Did God really say?" By causing Adam to doubt God’s Word, he rocked Adam’s identity. Adam failed because he tried to become like God, even though he was already made in His image.
The Second Adam (Jesus): In the wilderness, the enemy tried the same tactics. He attacked Jesus’ identity first: "If you are the Son of God..." But Jesus answered with the Word: "It is written." Where the first Adam failed, Jesus The second Adam succeeded.
The enemy always goes after your foundation (the Word) and your identity (who you are in Christ). If he can rock the truth, he can rock you.
Four Key Insights: Jesus, The Word of God
1. Creation Begins With the Word
In Genesis 1:1-3, we see the word Bereshit (בְּרֵאשִׁית) “in the beginning”.
“Be-” A Hebrew preposition meaning "in," "by," or "with".
"Reshit" (ראשית): Related to "rosh" (head), meaning "beginning" or "first".
This reveals that creation didn't come through struggle or striving; it came through speaking. God said, “Let there be light,” and there was. Chaos had to submit, and order emerged because the Word of God is not merely ink on paper; it is a living voice and the self-expression of God.
The Hebrew word for "word" is DABAR, meaning word, speech, matter, and event. In this thought, a word is a "happening." While Western thought often sees a word as just a sound, Hebrew thought teaches us that a word is an action. As the prophet Isaiah declares, God’s Word will not return void. Like rain and snow that water the earth to bring forth life, the Bible is a record of Words spoken, Words embodied, and Words fulfilled:
"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Isaiah 55:11
This reveals a fundamental truth: our words and thoughts are architects. Just as the universe was framed by divine decree, your personal world is shaped by your own narrative. If you don't like the view in your life—in your home, your work, or your peace—it’s time to change the script. Start by aligning your speech with God's truth.
2. The Word Spoken in the Beginning Was the Christ
In John 1:1–14, John echoes the creation narrative to show that the "Word" was actually the Christ. Using the power of Psalm 33:6—"By the word of the Lord the heavens were made"—John reveals that Jesus is the source of Zoe (divine life). He is the fulfillment of everything God has ever spoken. When we see Jesus, we see the Word that was in the beginning, now standing before us, calling us to produce the fruit of His kingdom.
3. The Word was the Living Expression of God
Jesus is not just God explaining Himself; He is God expressing Himself. To celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary, my family and I traveled to several cities. While in New York’s Central Park, I watched an artist meticulously capture my son Jayden’s likeness in a portrait. This reminded me of Colossians 1:15–20, which reveals that Jesus is the divine portrait—the true likeness and perfect living expression of the invisible God.
God didn't just "FaceTime" us from heaven. He stepped into flesh to empathize and die for our sins. Think of when my wife’s aunt was sick in Australia; we could have stayed home and called, but we flew to Sydney to be there face-to-face. That physical presence changed the experience of love. Jesus "tabernacled" with us to show us a new and living way.
4. The Word Actually Testifies of Jesus
The Bible is not a self-help book; it is a revelation of Jesus. As the saying goes, the Bible "reads you." It is a living voice. In John 5:39, Jesus challenged the experts of the law who were reading the book but missing the Person: "You study the Scriptures... these are the Scriptures that testify about me." To see Him, we must read with an open heart. 2 Corinthians 3:15–18 explains that when we turn to the Lord, the "veil" is lifted. Without seeking Jesus, the Bible is just another book; with Him, it becomes a "pearl of great price."
This revelation leads us directly into a journey of transformation—moving from "glory to glory." This journey isn’t about reaching a specific level of perfection; it is about the direction your heart is facing. True growth is the constant act of turning to behold Him. That is what repentance and change look like. One step after another, we walk this path. You might take a few steps back at times, but if your eyes remain fixed on Jesus, His grace will hold you and guide you forward. We all face struggles, but as long as there is breath in your lungs, there is hope.
A Prayer for 2026
As we move into 2026, let this be our collective prayer: "Lord, come excavate. Remove the things in my life that don't belong and work in me to transform me into the person You created me to be." We thank Him for His grace and favor. We ask the Holy Spirit to continue revealing the Living Word to us so that we may behold His goodness. May we be a people who care for those who need it most—the widows, the orphans, and the broken—acting as servants who lead from the ground up with the hearts of shepherds.
