Why does the sermon matter in the worship service? In short, the answer to this question is that God has chosen to reveal Himself to us through words. He is a God of words. The heavens declare His glory, and the earth shows His handiwork. But the words of God are the way that we know God, His purposes, and His eternal plan of redemption. To understand this, we should start at the very beginning.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). With these foundational words, God’s Word begins. How did God create? He could create using any method He desires. He could form things manually. He could think things into existence. He could design something to create everything else. Yet, He did none of these. Instead, He spoke. “God said …” and it appeared. As we consider the creation narrative, it is important to ask why God created by speaking. He was placing an important emphasis on His word.
After creating everything, Genesis informs us that He walked and spoke to Adam and Eve every day in the Garden. No doubt he was teaching Adam all that he needed to know to be the caretaker that God designed. God was also, most certainly, revealing himself to Adam and Eve through those conversations. God created all things by His word because He is a relational God. His desire is to commune with His creation.
Furthermore, God also sustains creation through His word. Hebrews 1:3 informs us that one continuous action of Christ is to uphold the universe through the word of His power. While we have discovered many things about the universe through scientific study. The truth remains that there is much more we do not know and will not know. What keeps the universe from falling into absolute chaos? Science cannot fully answer this question. However, Scripture is clear. The answer is God’s words.
Finally, the day will come when God will judge the created world with His words and bring in the new heaven and new earth. Revelation 19-21 contains this account. When Christ returns, He is pictured as judging the world with a sword coming out of His mouth. In this picturesque language, John is describing the power of God’s word. When Jesus speaks, it will be effective and will condemn unredeemed humanity to the Lake of Fire. Then, through His word, the new heaven and the new earth will come.