(013) The Word of God at Work
1 Thessalonians | The Anatomy of a Healthy Church • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 27:14
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And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
1. You can know the Word of God is at work when it is heard.
1. You can know the Word of God is at work when it is heard.
“you received the Word of God, which you heard from us.”
We know the Word of God must be heard!
(Rom 10) How will they believe if they have not heard? How will they hear without someone proclaiming it?
(1 Cor 1) It pleased God through the folly of what we proclaim.
God’s Word must be spoken and heard for it to do its work.
But what if they don’t respond?
You can know that the Word of God is at work when it is heard.
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
1. You can know the Word of God is at work when it is heard.
1. You can know the Word of God is at work when it is heard.
Maybe God’s intended purpose was to soften the ground.
Maybe God’s intended purpose was to plant some seeds.
Maybe it was for your growth and your good!
2. You can know the Word of God is at work when it is recieved.
2. You can know the Word of God is at work when it is recieved.
“you received the Word of God which you heard”
Hearing and receiving are two different things.
Paul uses this term for the transmission of material.
It is putting information in another’s possession.
Not new material but the passing on of existing material.
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,
2. You can know the Word of God is at work when it is recieved.
2. You can know the Word of God is at work when it is recieved.
The idea of being taught and learning what you are taught like a Rabbi transmitting material to a pupil.
It was welcomed.
Like someone welcomed into a home.
There was hospitality given.
Attention and care given to the words they heard.
Pat and I are reading through “By This Name” with Jeff.
Cain disregarded God’s instruction to offer a blood offering.
He heard the words.
He didn’t welcome them.
People come into this church on a weekly basis and hear but they don’t welcome the Words they hear.
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
2. You can know the Word of God is at work when it is recieved.
2. You can know the Word of God is at work when it is recieved.
It wasn’t just listened to but it was received with one’s heart.
We could say: “faith”.
It produces an real faith - a faith that acts on what it believes.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
God’s Word welcomed into their lives.
Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.
For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.
2. You can know the Word of God is at work when it is recieved.
2. You can know the Word of God is at work when it is recieved.
3. You can know the Word of God is at work when the source of it is identified.
3. You can know the Word of God is at work when the source of it is identified.
“You accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the Word of God.”
They “accepted” it as God’s Words not man’s.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
3. You can know the Word of God is at work when the source of it is identified.
3. You can know the Word of God is at work when the source of it is identified.
The Bible is comprised of 66 books.
Written by at least 40 different authors.
Most of them never knowing each other personally.
Over a period of 1500 years.
Written in 13 different countries.
From 3 different continents.
By shepherds
Fishermen
Soldiers
Doctors
Kings
All with one message that never contradicts itself.
God’s Word is not from human origin but is from divine origin and has greater impact than human words.
For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
3. You can know the Word of God is at work when the source of it is identified.
3. You can know the Word of God is at work when the source of it is identified.
They were not led to believe it by human reasoning.
Paul didn’t have some art of persuasion.
It wasn’t followed out of respect for another person.
But by a conviction and belief that it is the breathed out words of God.
4. You can know the Word of God is at work when it is working.
4. You can know the Word of God is at work when it is working.
“The Word of God which is at work in you believers.”
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
4. You can know the Word of God is at work when it is working.
4. You can know the Word of God is at work when it is working.
The divine Word they heard through human channels continued to do its work in their lives.
It is an “effectual” working.
A powerful working.
A working that caused them to abandon their sinful lifestyle.
To turn from idols to the true and living God.
A working that continued to shape and guide their lives.
“We thank God constantly.”
When we see this in our lives, we give thanks again and again.
When we see this in others lives, we give thanks again and again.
