Deuteronomy 11:18
To experience God's victory, possess our possessions, and know complete triumph, we must lay up God's words in our hearts and saturate ourselves with His word.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of being saturated with God's Word, urging believers to lay up His words in their hearts and souls to maintain balance in their lives. He warns against the dangers of idolatry that can arise from material abundance and stresses that true understanding of God's Word requires a heartfelt connection rather than mere intellectual knowledge. Smith outlines practical ways to saturate oneself with Scripture, including memorization, teaching, and daily meditation, which lead to blessings, victory, and triumph in life. He encourages believers to make God's Word a central part of their daily routines and interactions.
Text
"SATURATED WITH THE WORD"
I. THE EXHORTATION "THEREFORE SHALL YE LAY UP THESE MY WORDS."
A. You never begin a thought with therefore; why should they lay up His Words in
their heart?
vs 14,15 1. God is now ready to bring them into the land of promise and abundant blessings.
a. The perpetual danger of abundance is idolatry, vs. 16.
1. we become captivated by our possessions.
2. worship and serve the creature rather than the creator.
3. they who will be rich fall into diverse temptations.
a. How many of you were tempted to take a cruise
on your yacht today?
b. Because God loves you He longs to bless you with material
abundance.
1. Because He loves you He often doesn't.
2. Saturated with the Word keeps our lives in balance.
a. If we keep His Word, His Word will keep us.
1. Ps. 1.
2. Ps. 119:11.
II. WHERE ARE WE TO LAY UP THESE WORDS OF GOD.
A. "In your heart."
1. The heart is considered the throne of your spirit, the deepest area of
your life.
2. It is where basic resolves and destinies are established.
a. "My son, give Me thy heart."
b. "Out of the heart proceeds the issues of life."
c. "Believe in your heart."
3. The heart through the blood stream touches and gives life to the
whole body.
4. In its natural state God speaks of it as deceitful and desperately
wicked, unknowable.
B. "In your soul, your mind. Man's consciousness."
1. It is a gateway to the spirit.
a. As a man thinketh, so he is.
b. "Whatsoever a man soweth, that..."
2. The soul is attune to the world about us.
a. The spirit is attune to God.
b. To seek to understand God's Word on an intellectual basis only
is folly.
1. "The natural man understandeth not..."
C. God's Word is to be laid up both in heart and soul.
1. Before reading ask God to teach you.
III. HOW ARE WE TO SATURATE OURSELVES WITH THE WORD?
A. Bind them for a sign upon your hand.
1. Flash cards, start memorizing. vs 19.
B. Teach them to your children.
1. The best way to learn is to teach. vs 19.
C. Speak of them when you're sitting around.
1. When you are walking in the ways.
a. That actually was an ancient custom.
b. When you are riding in your car.
D. When you lie down and rise up.
1. Meditate on a Scripture before you fall asleep.
2. George Mueller used to start his day.
vs 20 E. Write them on your doorposts and gates.
1. Good graffiti.
2. Motto's and plagues around house.
IV. THE RESULTS OF SATURATION WITH THE WORD.
A. Days of blessing multiplied, vs. 21. "Heaven on earth."
B. You will experience God's victory, vs. 23.
C. You will possess your possessions, vs. 24.
D. You will know complete triumph, vs. 25. super saturated solution.
Sermon Outline
- The Exhortation to Lay Up God's Words
- Where Are We to Lay Up God's Words?
- How Are We to Saturate Ourselves with the Word?
- The Results of Saturation with the Word
- Why Should We Lay Up God's Words?
- The Perpetual Danger of Abundance
- In Your Heart
- In Your Soul, Your Mind
- God's Word in Heart and Soul
- Bind Them for a Sign Upon Your Hand
- Teach Them to Your Children
- Speak of Them When You're Sitting Around
- When You Lie Down and Rise Up
- Days of Blessing Multiplied
- Experience God's Victory
- Possess Your Possessions
- Know Complete Triumph
Key Quotes
“The perpetual danger of abundance is idolatry, vs. 16.” — Chuck Smith
“If we keep His Word, His Word will keep us.” — Chuck Smith
“Heaven on earth.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Make a conscious effort to lay up God's words in your heart and soul.
- Teach God's word to your children and others, as this is the best way to learn.
- Meditate on God's word throughout the day, whether walking, riding in your car, or lying down and rising up.