"Welcome the Word"

I had the privilege of attending my home church this weekend and hearing a dynamic message from the Word of God. Pastor Bobby Blakey (our high school pastor) took us to 1 Thessalonians where he taught us how to receive biblical preaching and understanding the true honor it is to have the Word of God before us.

1 Thessalonians 2:13-16
And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. 14For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, 15who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men 16in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.

Before I get into the points Bobby laid out for us, we need to examine the way we prepare to hear God's Word. If you knew that God was going to tell you something very important wouldn't you prepare for that? Spend time in prayer and meditate on His Word prior? Obviously the answer is yes...well every time you sit in on a sermon GOD IS SPEAKING DIRECTLY TO YOU!! Prepare your hearts to respond.

1. Don't Just Hear God's Word ABSORB It (v 13)
-It should be the energy of our faith
-It should change us and define who we are
-We need to receive it for what it is...the WORD of God
-Acts 17:1-4 is an example in scripture of Paul and how those under His leadership responded to the Word...they realized it was God speaking DIRECTLY to them and they responded to that
-2 Timothy 3:16-18 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
-1 Peter 1:20-21 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
-2 Timothy 2:15 reminds us that study of the Word of God takes work! But think about that for a moment. We study many things throughout our lives, whether it be in school or for personal knowledge and none of those pertain to eternity except God's WORD...so treat it like that!
-Yet, don't blindly accept everything the pastors teach you either, check it against the Word of God like the Bereans in Acts 17

2. Expect to Be at Odds With People (v 14-15a)
-You will suffer and be persecuted at the hands of those who don't believe
-Be prepared for people to attack you because you know the truth
-God's Word displayed in your life will turn people's worlds around
-2 Timothy 3:12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, reminds us that all will be persecuted when pursuing holiness.
-Rejoice in your persecutions however as they are only present pain for eternal glory. Look at Matthew 5:11

3. Know God's Got YOUR Back (v 15b-16)
-God will judge those who are your enemies, in fact ultimately they are His enemies
-He is in control of it all! Rest assured
-Matthew 23:32-27 promises this judgement
-Knowing this should give you confidence and boldness to preach the Word
-Welcome the Word of God daily and LIVE IT OUT
-Let Him be glorified in You

So what are some practical ways to absorb a message? Especially when you are hearing multiple a week?
1. Take notes, and go over them...study them so that it sinks in
2. Look up the cross references the preacher/pastor throws out. Do your own Bible study of the study
3. Talk about it with others who heard it too whether that be one-on-one or in a small group

YOU SHOULD ALLOW THE WORD TO PENETRATE AND MANIFEST IN YOUR LIFE...WELCOME HIS WORD!