Paul
recalls about a year earlier, when he had preached the gospel, the
Word of God, to them. He commends them for their reception of that
gospel because many in Thessalonica had rejected it.
Text: I Thessalonians 2:13-16
I.
Their Attitude Toward the Word
They
recognized it to be God’s Word. They welcomed and embraced it.
They accepted and obeyed it. Mark 4:20 Many, even in Jesus’ day,
did not receive it; as it is in truth, the Word of God. Their heart
wasn’t right. Matthew 11:25 Attitude is essential. James 1:21
II.
The Source of the Word
The
source of the word is God! Many in today’s world do not believe the
Bible is from God. When we consider a message or instructions, it
is very important that we consider the source of that information.
-
Some
think it is simply a product of men. No more ‘inspired’ than
Shakespeare’s works were inspired. They do not believe God had
anything to do with it. They reject the word of God.
II Timothy 3:16 It is God breathed.
-
Others
think parts of it are inspired, but not all of it.
-
While
still others believe there have been other revelations from God
given since the first century. Mormon, Muslims, . . . Reject
Jude :3 Galatians 1:9
Paul
states very clearly from where his words came.
Galatians 1:11-12
“But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was
preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it
from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of
Jesus Christ.”
In another
place, he tells Christians in Corinth the following: I Corinthians
2:7, 10-13
“But
we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God
ordained before the ages for our glory. But God has revealed them
to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes,
the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man
except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows
the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received,
not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we
might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.”
The
Holy Spirit of God chose the actual words for the apostles and
writers of the Bible. Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 4:4
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by
every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”
III.
The Working of the Word
It is
powerful. Romans 1:16
-
Power to
Discern
Hebrews 4:12-13 Expose, reveal, disclose, judge Our thoughts
need to be analyzed and evaluated by the Scripture. It keeps us
on the true and rightful way. Psalms 119:105
-
Power to
Inform
II Timothy 3:14-17 Matters pertaining to man’s salvation only
come from God’s Word. It provides understanding. Psalms
119:104 “Through your precepts, I get understanding . . .”
-
Power to
Save
James 1:21, 25 God’s Word saves when it is obeyed. Notice:
Hebrews 5:9
-
Power to
Sustain
Acts 20:32 It builds us up, strengthens us, helps us grow
spiritually, and sustains us. It keeps us saved if we abide in
it.
Invitation:
Listen
to what Christ says in John 12:48.
“He
who rejects me, and does not receive my words, has that which judges
him – the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.”
Are
you ready and willing to receive it?
Bobby
Stafford
May 8, 2011
