Amen

Q: What does the Bible say about the significance of the word Amen?

The word Amen reflects a believer's heartfelt agreement with God's truth. The word Amen is significant in biblical faith as it represents a strong affirmation of agreement from the heart. It is a response to hearing the truth of God, signifying that one desires the truth to be so. This agreement is not superficial; it embodies a deep conviction that resonates with the heart of a believer. As illustrated by the people’s responses in Deuteronomy, saying Amen signifies complete agreement with God’s truth, showcasing the believer's commitment to God's words and ways.

Q: How do we know that salvation is by grace?

Salvation is by grace, as affirmed by Ephesians 2:8-9 and supported by God's promises throughout Scripture. The assurance of salvation by grace is firmly rooted in Scripture, where passages like Ephesians 2:8-9 confirm that it is by grace through faith that we are saved, not by our works. This understanding is crucial in Reformed theology, emphasizing that salvation is a gift from God, not based on human effort. The concept of grace is further reinforced in biblical narratives where God chooses to save the undeserving, showcasing His mercy and sovereignty. Thus, believers can trust fully in God’s grace for their salvation, affirming it with an Amen.

Q: Why is the heart response of Amen essential for Christians?

The heart response of Amen is essential as it reflects a believer's agreement with God's truth and promises. In the life of a Christian, the heart response of Amen is not just a ritualistic conclusion to prayer or a statement of agreement; it signifies a living faith that acknowledges and embraces God's sovereign truth. When we say Amen, we are agreeing with God’s character, His provision, and His redemptive work, as exemplified in Romans 10:9 where confession leads to salvation. This affirmation is an expression of trust and allegiance to God, reinforcing our relationship with Him. Furthermore, it acts as a reminder of our commitment to align our hearts with His will.

Paul, I'm glad you read that whole chapter. When I read Isaiah and his own personal confession of sin, I'm always struck with it. The Gospel of Isaiah. Now, like I said, I've entitled this message, Amen. The use of this word is both beautiful and offensive. It's beautiful when it's the word of a renewed heart in response to the truth. Amen. It comes from the heart, and it's beautiful. It's offensive when men are using it as religious filler space. Oh, that we might enter in to this glorious word. Amen. This is how the Lord says to end this prayer. Amen.

Did you know that this has been said to be the most universally recognized word in the human language? And it's pronounced the same way I know in the Hebrew, in the Greek, in the Aramaic, the three languages the Bible was written in, and in English, and Spanish, and on and on. There's 7,000 different recognized languages in the world, and most of them have this word, amen.

It's used all the time. Most of you know, I'm a Cincinnati Rays fan. And when Jeff Brantley is doing the commentary, I always enjoy it so much. But you know, every time, at some point, when he hears something he agrees with, that somebody else says, he says, Amen, brother. That's the way the world uses it.

There's an agreement. Amen. Not everybody uses that word. Amen. I agree with that. Amen is the adverb of the verb believe in the Hebrew language. Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness. Amen is the adverb for that verb. And let me give you some other translations, all of which give us some idea of the meaning of amen. One translation is Assurance.

When you hear something that you're assured is true. That's one of the things I think is so glorious about the gospel. When you hear the truth, you know it's true. You know it's true instantly. You don't have to scratch your head and figure out, was he telling the truth? No, you know it's the truth. You're assured of the truth.

It's translated faithful. This is faithful. You can count on this. You can rely on this statement. Amen to this. Sure. This word is sure. It's certain. It's absolute. Amen. It's translated established. All this word is established. It's not going anywhere. This is the truth. Amen. It's translated. Trust. You can trust your life on this word. Trustworthy. It's translated verified. This is the verified truth. It's translated steadfast. Not going anywhere. It's not going to be moved. Stand fast. All of those thoughts are included in the word.

Amen. And more than anything else, It's a strong affirmation of agreement from your heart. You hear the truth. You hear something that you know is from the Word of God that's true, that speaks. And you say, let it be so. I want this to be true. So be it. Let it be true. I agree. Yes. Yes. It's the heart response to the very truth of God. Now, you don't have to say the word to say it in your heart. It comes out in hearing. Amen.

Now, let me show you a passage of Scripture in the Old Testament where it's used the most. Turn to Deuteronomy chapter 27. The Lord is giving these heinous sins that he pronounces a curse on, and I want us to look at the way he says we're to respond. Verse 14 of Deuteronomy 27, and the Levites shall speak and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice, curse it, be the man that maketh any graven or molded image, an abomination unto the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place.

And all the people shall answer and say, Amen. Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother, and all the people shall say, Amen. Cursed be he that removeth his neighbor's landmark, and all the people shall say, Amen. Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way, and all the people shall say, Amen. Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife, because he uncovered his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen. Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast, And all the people shall say, Amen. Complete agreement. Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen. Cursed be he that lieth with his mother-in-law.

And all the people shall say, Amen. Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbor secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen. Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen. Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen."

Complete agreement with what God says. Now, this is the believer's heart attitude toward God. Complete agreement from the heart. not a forced agreement, complete agreement from the heart with all that he says, even to the point of taking sides with God against yourself. Let God be true and every man a liar.

Christ, who is God over all, Blessed forever. Now I'm going to quote some scriptures where there's an amen. And I want you to think about this. Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. For of him, and through him, and to him are all things. To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

To God only wise. I love that, don't you? To God only wise. Be glory forever and ever. Amen. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. Now unto the King, eternal, immortal, Invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. Unto him who hath immortality dwelling in the light, which no man can approach to, whom no man hath seen nor can see, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Listen to the words of the Lord Jesus. I am he that liveth and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, amen. He says amen to what he says. I hold the keys of hell and death. Surely I come quickly, amen. So be it, let it be so, even so come, Lord Jesus. And when you hear the truth, whether you say it out loud or not, if you have a renewed heart, this is how you respond.

God is holy. He's other. There's nothing in this created universe that's like him. There's none like him. He is holy. Man is sinful. Amen. By grace are you saved. Amen. Through faith. Amen. And that not of yourselves. Amen. It's the gift of God. Amen. Not of works. Amen. lest any man should boast. Amen. For we are His workmanship. Amen. Created in Christ Jesus. Amen. Unto good works. Amen. Which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Amen. This is the believer's response to the truth.

John 1.1. In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God. And the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. Amen. That's the truth. So be it. Let it be so. Amen is agreement with God. The prophet said in Amos 3 verse 3, how can two walk together except they be agreed? And we cannot walk with God unless we are in agreement with him with regard to everything he says. Amen. Amen is the response of worship in hearing the preaching of the gospel.

I think this is very interesting. When Paul was rebuking the church at Corinth for speaking in tongues, in 1 Corinthians chapter 14, they were speaking in tongues. And they had the gift to speak in tongues, and they could speak in other languages. But what they were doing, they were getting in in the service, and that gift was in operation in the early church. And they were getting together, and they were showing off. with the languages they were speaking. Everybody's speaking in tongues at once.

It was bedlam. And Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14, 16, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say amen, at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? He can't say amen to what you're saying. He has no idea what you're saying.

This is how our Lord tells us to close in prayer. Amen. This word is used by the Lord to express the truthfulness and the divine authority of what He said. 51 times in the New Testament, He begins a statement of divine truth with this word, verily. Same word as amen, truly. 25 times in the book of John, He says it twice. Verily, verily, amen, amen. I say unto you, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Amen or verily are the words of truth and divine authority. I love the way The Sermon on the Mount ends, the people were astonished at his doctrine, for he spake as one having authority, and not, I love this, slam on the scribes, and not as the scribes. Amen is the truth and veracity of all God's promises.

Turn with me to 2 Corinthians chapter one. beginning in verse 17. When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? Or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea, yea, and nay, nay, yes and no to the same statement? That would Describe most preaching.

Does the blood of Christ actually save? Yes, if you do your part. But no, if you don't do your part, it won't save you. Yes and no to the same thing. Is salvation by grace? Oh, yes. Salvation's by grace, but no, it won't save you unless you do your part. Yea, nay.

Verse 18, but as God is true, I word toward you, was not yea and nay. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in Him was yea. For all the promises of God in Him are yea and amen." They're all yea. They're not dependent upon something taking place before His promises take place. There's no conditions that must first be met and then he can do his part. No. All the promises of God in him are yea and amen. So be it.

Let it be So listen to this, if the inheritance, this is found in Galatians 3.18, if the inheritance be of the law, it's no more promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise. All the promises of God in him, there doesn't have to be some contingency met before they'll take place. They're all yay and amen to the glory of God. for us. And here's what I like the most with regard to Amen.

Listen to the words of Christ, Revelation 3, 14, These things saith the Amen. He gives this as a title for himself. These things saith the Amen, the faithful and the true witness. The origin The firstborn, let me read this scripture. The faithful and true witness, the beginning, the origin of the creation of God before Abraham was, I am.

Amen. Does that come out of your heart when you hear that? Before Abraham was, I am. If you believe not that I am, you will die in your sins. Amen. Somebody that refuses to believe that he is, that he's the great I am that I am, ought to die in their sins. Amen. All things were made by him. Amen. And without him was not anything made that was made. Amen.

He's before all things. Whatever it is, he's before it. Amen. And by Him all things consist. Amen. That in all things He might have the preeminence. Amen. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell. Amen. According as He hath chosen us in Him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him. Amen. Who, being the brightness of his glory and the express image of his person and upholding all things by the word of his power when he had by himself purged our sins. Amen. Sat down at the right hand of the father from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. Amen and amen. The word, the eternal word that was with God and was God.

The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, tabernacled among us is the Word. And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Of His fullness have we all received, and grace for grace, for the law was given by Moses. But grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Amen. Great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh. Amen. That's the truth. So be it. Let it be so. The Lord said, To John the Baptist, thus it becometh us. And he wasn't only speaking to John the Baptist, he was speaking to every one of his people. Thus, it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Amen. It is finished. There's nothing for you to do. Quit thinking about what you need to do. Quit thinking about what you need to experience. It is finished. Amen.

To him that worketh not, would that be you? You understand you can't be saved by your works. You understand that as well as you can. You know if it's up to you to be saved, you won't be saved. To him that worketh not, You can put yourself in that group. I know I can't be saved by my works. I'm sure of that. Not a lot of things I'm dead sure of, but I'm dead sure of that. I can't be saved by my works.

To him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Amen. Wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost. that come to God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. Amen.

I am the way. Oh, I love this verse. Clears up so many things. I am the way. The way that excludes all other ways. There is no other way. I am the way. I am the truth. I am the life. I'm the only life God will accept. If you don't have my life as your life before God, you won't be accepted. I'm the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me.

Amen. Amen. In him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. and you are complete in him. Amen. Now this is the response of the renewed heart to the gospel. If I have a renewed heart, if I have faith in Christ, I say amen to all that God says with regard to all that he says about himself and his word. Amen. That's the truth. I believe that. So be it. I want it to be that way.

Amen. And there's such a finality to amen. There's no room for additions or subtractions. Did you know that each book of the New Testament, with the exception of 3 John, when John's writing a personal letter to Gaius, yes, it's inspired, it's for us, but every other book ends with this word. Amen. Nothing could be added. Nothing can be subtracted. There's a finality to this. What is the last word recorded in Scripture? Revelation 22, 21, last word?

Amen. Amen. Now, with regard to this book and all it says, Amen. With regard to all that God says about himself, amen. With regard to all God says about me, amen. I'm talking about the bad stuff, amen. There's none righteous, no not one, amen. The heart is deceitful above all things, desperately wicked. Who can know it? But I give my hearty amen to this.

He has presented every believer wholly, unblameable, and unreprovable in his sight. Amen. With regard how I am to view you, Remember when the Lord said, inasmuch as you've done unto the least of these, my brethren, that's speaking of every believer, you've done it to me. That is how every believer is to be viewed, united to the Lord Jesus Christ, one with Him.

Well, what about all the Contradictions and inconsistencies they have. Well, they have that. You do too. Oh, what a blessing to be enabled to see my brothers and sisters in Christ as united to him. Perfect in Christ Jesus. Amen. This is my beloved son. In who? I am well pleased. Amen.

Let's pray. Lord, we ask that by your spirit, by your grace, our response to you in the revelation of your person and your word is amen. Our response to your gospel, amen. And Lord, when we pray by your grace, let us understand that when we end our prayer, amen, we're saying, oh Lord, let it be so. Lord, the things we petition, for the forgiveness of sins, for a clean heart, for a right spirit. Oh Lord, let it be so for Christ's sake. In his name we pray, amen.

Amen

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about the significance of the word Amen?

How do we know that salvation is by grace?

Why is the heart response of Amen essential for Christians?

Sermon Transcript

About Todd Nibert

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Amen

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about the significance of the word Amen?

How do we know that salvation is by grace?

Why is the heart response of Amen essential for Christians?

Sermon Transcript

About Todd Nibert

Comments

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