Podcast Summary: "God's Word at Work in Us"

Podcast: Things Unseen with Sinclair B. Ferguson
Host: Ligonier Ministries
Episode Date: February 10, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the profound, transformative power of the Bible—God’s Word—as “the mouth of God” and its authoritative, living role in the life of a believer. Sinclair B. Ferguson reflects on the inspiration, authority, and intended effect of Scripture, encouraging listeners to treasure and rely on the Bible, not merely as a set of instructions but as God speaking and working within us.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Bible as "the Mouth of God"

• [00:07] Sinclair draws from Moses, Jesus, and Paul to highlight that the Bible is not merely inspiring but is actually “God-breathed.”
  • “Not that the Bible is inspiring… but rather that God has spoken to us, that his words are carried to us by the Holy Spirit.” (Sinclair, 00:21)
• John Calvin is quoted from his Institutes:
  • We should revere Scripture as we revere God—not because Scripture is God, but because it is his Word delivered to us.

2. Purpose of Scripture:

• Scripture is filled with God’s promises, directs us in His will, and above all, reveals Christ.
• Its chief aim is to “make us like Jesus.”

3. Jesus’ Relationship to Scripture

• Jesus treasured up Scripture even without owning a physical Bible.
  • “He wanted the Scriptures to shape his life in obedience to his Father… He wanted to live by every word that came out of the mouth of God. And he believed in the absolute authority of Scripture.” (Sinclair, 01:58)
• Jesus’ authoritative speech was rooted in this reverence for God’s Word.

4. Personal Anecdote on the Authority of Scripture in Preaching

• Sinclair recounts advice from his own minister:
  • He was told, “How you view these issues doesn’t really affect the way you preach.”
  • As a teen, Sinclair intuited this could not be true and, with more experience, realized preaching changed significantly when there was true belief in the reliability and authority of the Bible.
  • “Only when and where the Scriptures are believed as absolutely reliable will we hear the kind of preaching that God intends us to hear.” (Sinclair, 05:32)

5. The Transforming Power of God’s Word

• Central point: It is vital to be under a ministry where the Bible is believed to be from the very mouth of God, as this affects the authority and impact of the preaching.
• Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians is highlighted:
  • They received God's Word not as the word of men but as it truly is—the Word of God, which actively works in believers.
    • “You received it as the Word of God which is at work in you believers.” (Sinclair, quoting Paul, 06:39)
• The true difference:
  • “It’s not just that we do the work that the Scriptures tell us to perform. It’s that the exposition of the Word does the work on us. It works in us. It transforms us.” (Sinclair, 07:30)

6. Call to Examine Your Own Experience

• Sinclair closes with a challenge:
  • Reflect on whether you are under such a ministry and whether you’re experiencing the living, working power of God’s Word.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Nature of Scripture:
  • “God has spoken to us, that his words are carried to us by the Holy Spirit… although the Bible was written by different men at different times, they were carried along, as Peter says, by the Holy Spirit.” (00:20)
• On Jesus and the Bible:
  • “If you read the Gospels, it’s very striking that although Jesus never had a Bible of his own, it’s very clear that he had treasured up Scripture.” (01:22)
• On Preaching and Scripture’s Authority:
  • “Only when and where the Scriptures are believed as absolutely reliable will we hear the kind of preaching that God intends us to hear.” (05:32)
  • “It’s not just that we do the work that the Scriptures tell us to perform. It’s that the exposition of the Word does the work on us. It works in us. It transforms us. It shapes us to be more like Jesus.” (07:30)

Important Timestamps

• [00:07]: Opening thoughts on viewing Scripture as the mouth of God
• [01:22]: Jesus’ approach to and love for Scripture
• [05:32]: Reflection on preaching styles and the impact of belief in the authority of Scripture
• [06:39]: Paul’s message to the Thessalonians—Scripture at work in believers
• [07:30]: Distinction between doing Scripture’s work and being transformed by it

Conclusion

Sinclair Ferguson’s meditation calls Christians to revere the Bible as “the mouth of God,” urging listeners not just to obey its commands, but to allow its exposition and teaching to reshape their lives. He emphasizes the importance of being rooted in ministries anchored in the absolute authority of Scripture so that, as Paul stated, the Word will truly be “at work in you believers.”