1 00:00:00,320 --> 00:00:04,680 Really tremendous. We're going to turn in our 2 00:00:04,680 --> 00:00:09,640 Bibles to 1st Thessalonians reading from chapter 2, and 3 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:13,000 we're going to read verses 13 through to 20. 4 00:00:13,600 --> 00:00:17,760 Let's hear the Word of God reading, of course, from the 5 00:00:17,760 --> 00:00:20,880 Authorised Version. The words will come up on screen 6 00:00:21,400 --> 00:00:25,320 for those online. We pray the Lord will richly 7 00:00:25,320 --> 00:00:28,600 bless to us the hearing of the Word of God. 8 00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:38,280 First Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 13. 9 00:00:41,160 --> 00:00:49,560 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when 10 00:00:49,560 --> 00:00:53,680 you received the Word of God, what you heard of us, you 11 00:00:53,680 --> 00:00:59,920 received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth the 12 00:00:59,920 --> 00:01:04,599 Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that 13 00:01:04,599 --> 00:01:08,680 believe. For ye brethren became followers 14 00:01:08,680 --> 00:01:15,200 of the churches of God, which is in Judea, are in Christ Jesus. 15 00:01:16,320 --> 00:01:21,200 For ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, 16 00:01:22,360 --> 00:01:27,800 even as they have of the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus 17 00:01:28,320 --> 00:01:31,720 and their own prophets, and have persecuted us. 18 00:01:32,240 --> 00:01:36,680 And they please not God and our country to all men, forbidding 19 00:01:36,680 --> 00:01:41,400 us to speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved to fill 20 00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:46,160 up their sins all way, for the wrath has come upon them to the 21 00:01:46,160 --> 00:01:51,120 uttermost. But we brethren, been taken from 22 00:01:51,120 --> 00:01:54,280 you for a short time, and presence not in heart, 23 00:01:54,880 --> 00:01:58,120 endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great 24 00:01:58,120 --> 00:02:01,480 desire. Wherefore we would have come 25 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:07,880 unto you, even I Paul once, then again, but Satan hindered us. 26 00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:12,400 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown, or rejoicing? 27 00:02:13,560 --> 00:02:17,400 Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ? 28 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:22,440 That is coming, For ye are our glory and joy. 29 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:25,240 Amen. The Lord will stamp with his own 30 00:02:25,240 --> 00:02:28,880 approval and blessing this reading of his own precious and 31 00:02:28,880 --> 00:02:32,040 infallible Word. Amen. 32 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:38,400 Now this morning we're continuing with our series of 33 00:02:38,400 --> 00:02:43,080 expository sermons in the book of First Thessalonians and my 34 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:48,240 text today is taken from First Thessalonians chapter 2 and in 35 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:55,040 the verse 13, my theme today I'm entitled The Wonderful Working 36 00:02:55,240 --> 00:02:59,960 of the Word of God. Let's hear the text for this 37 00:02:59,960 --> 00:03:03,600 cause also. Thank we God without ceasing 38 00:03:04,640 --> 00:03:09,800 because when you received the word of God, which you heard of 39 00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:14,640 us, you received it not as the word of man, but it as it is in 40 00:03:14,640 --> 00:03:19,160 truth the word of God, which he effectually worketh also in you 41 00:03:19,880 --> 00:03:22,120 that believe. Now this is a great text of 42 00:03:22,120 --> 00:03:27,560 Scripture, one that stands as a great treasure trove of truth 43 00:03:27,880 --> 00:03:32,720 for the reader to discover, and one that I was loved to just 44 00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:36,520 Passover. Let's think of some important 45 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:39,480 truths taught in this great text of Scripture. 46 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:44,680 First of all, you've got the title that is affirmed. 47 00:03:45,280 --> 00:03:47,760 Now look at the text very carefully. 48 00:03:48,120 --> 00:03:52,920 Think of these words, when you received the word of God, which 49 00:03:52,920 --> 00:03:58,360 he heard of us, you received it not as the word of man, but as 50 00:03:58,360 --> 00:04:02,920 it is in truth, the Word of God. Do you notice two times in the 51 00:04:02,920 --> 00:04:07,200 text you've got the words the Word of God. 52 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:12,360 The Word of God is a title for the Holy Bible, the Scriptures 53 00:04:12,560 --> 00:04:14,560 of truth. Now let me ask the question, 54 00:04:14,960 --> 00:04:17,680 what is your attitude to the Word of God? 55 00:04:18,200 --> 00:04:22,040 How do you view the Bible? How do you treat the Bible? 56 00:04:22,440 --> 00:04:25,320 You see, I believe that the Lord takes special note of her 57 00:04:25,320 --> 00:04:30,280 attitude to the Word of God. We live in a day when many deny 58 00:04:30,280 --> 00:04:33,960 the Bible. They refuse to hear it or hate 59 00:04:33,960 --> 00:04:36,760 it. They believe that it's a book 60 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:42,320 full of errors, mistakes. Well, I want to tell you it's 61 00:04:42,320 --> 00:04:45,400 not. There's those who doubt the 62 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:47,960 Bible. They doubt it is the word of 63 00:04:47,960 --> 00:04:50,280 God. They're full of unbelief. 64 00:04:51,920 --> 00:04:56,800 They're full of disbelief. Many others distort the Bible. 65 00:04:57,160 --> 00:04:59,480 They twist and rest the Scriptures to their own 66 00:04:59,480 --> 00:05:01,520 destruction. That is, they take a verse out 67 00:05:01,520 --> 00:05:06,480 of context, make a pretext, make it mean anything that they want 68 00:05:06,480 --> 00:05:08,000 to. And you can do that with the 69 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:10,000 Scriptures. Let me illustrate. 70 00:05:10,000 --> 00:05:11,520 Here's a man who opened the Bible. 71 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:14,120 He was looking at word, a word from God. 72 00:05:14,120 --> 00:05:16,160 He was having a rough day. He needed a word of 73 00:05:16,160 --> 00:05:18,920 encouragement, a word of help. And this is what he read. 74 00:05:19,320 --> 00:05:21,040 Judas went out and hanged himself. 75 00:05:21,680 --> 00:05:23,240 Well, he didn't think that was helpful. 76 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:28,240 So we took another verse and this other verse said go and do 77 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:30,520 thy likewise. Well, that wasn't very 78 00:05:30,520 --> 00:05:33,040 encouraging. And then he got another verse 79 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:35,520 and it says what thou doest do quickly. 80 00:05:35,800 --> 00:05:39,200 And he shook the Bible. You see the Bible talks about 81 00:05:39,320 --> 00:05:43,840 resting the scriptures. In Second Corinthians chapter 2 82 00:05:43,840 --> 00:05:49,160 verse 17 we read for we are not as many which corrupt the word 83 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:51,000 of God. The word corrupt means deal 84 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:56,640 deceitfully with or or twist or rest, but as of sincerity, but 85 00:05:56,640 --> 00:06:01,320 as of God in the sight of God speak we in Christ. 86 00:06:01,320 --> 00:06:05,600 Paul did not deal deceitfully with the Word of God. 87 00:06:05,600 --> 00:06:09,200 He didn't handle the Word of God in a corrupt manner. 88 00:06:09,520 --> 00:06:14,920 He believed that every verse must be studied in its proper 89 00:06:15,080 --> 00:06:18,320 context. Sadly, there's many others and 90 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:21,040 they read and study the Bible to dissect it. 91 00:06:21,480 --> 00:06:23,720 They like to break it up into different parts. 92 00:06:23,840 --> 00:06:25,560 They love the facts of the Bible. 93 00:06:26,840 --> 00:06:30,760 You're in conversation with the name the shortest verse or name 94 00:06:30,760 --> 00:06:34,160 the longest verse, or what's the middle verse in the Bible, or 95 00:06:34,160 --> 00:06:38,000 how many times is this word used, or how many times is that 96 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:41,040 word used? All facts about this and that. 97 00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:46,800 And yet the reality is those who fill their mind with those 98 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:52,120 facts, having dissected the Scriptures into its proper 99 00:06:52,200 --> 00:06:56,360 constituent parts like the the law and the prophets and the 100 00:06:56,360 --> 00:07:00,880 writings in the Old Testament, they never focus on the true 101 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:03,800 meaning. And remember what John said, 102 00:07:03,880 --> 00:07:08,960 John 20 verse 31. But these are written that you 103 00:07:08,960 --> 00:07:13,920 might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that 104 00:07:13,920 --> 00:07:18,440 you believe in you might have life through his name. 105 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:21,520 See, here's why the scriptures are written. 106 00:07:22,520 --> 00:07:25,760 The scriptures are a guide to point us to Christ. 107 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:31,160 Old John the Apostle in the Isle of Patna said this in first John 108 00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:34,200 chapter 5 verse 20. And we know that the Son of God 109 00:07:34,200 --> 00:07:40,640 has come and has given us an understanding that we may know 110 00:07:40,640 --> 00:07:41,960 Him. That is true. 111 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:49,560 We are in Him that is true. You see, 10s of thousands of 112 00:07:49,560 --> 00:07:54,960 professing Christians have either a partial or a total 113 00:07:55,200 --> 00:08:01,440 disregard for the Bible. Where does the Bible sit? 114 00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:07,040 On the bottom shelf at home? Maybe under a pile of other 115 00:08:07,040 --> 00:08:11,960 books? Maybe at the bedside cabinet or 116 00:08:11,960 --> 00:08:16,160 in a drawer there? Or in the pocket of the car on 117 00:08:16,160 --> 00:08:20,760 open from one week to the next week and they make in a day of 118 00:08:20,760 --> 00:08:22,960 trouble when they need a word of encouragement. 119 00:08:23,080 --> 00:08:26,760 Get a few verses now and again. Are we Sam? 120 00:08:26,960 --> 00:08:29,680 And I'm saying this morning, and I say to the young people that 121 00:08:29,680 --> 00:08:34,960 are here, young people never ever treat the Bible like that 122 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:38,400 because the Bible is not in the other book. 123 00:08:38,480 --> 00:08:41,760 This is how men treat the Bible. They deny it, they doubt it, 124 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:44,440 they distort it. They, they, they, they deal 125 00:08:44,440 --> 00:08:47,520 deceitfully with it. They dissect it. 126 00:08:47,520 --> 00:08:52,720 They have a disregard for it. But never, ever treat the Bible 127 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:56,800 like any other book because the Bible is God's book. 128 00:08:57,360 --> 00:09:00,000 The Bible is the book of book. The Bible is different than its 129 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:04,640 origin, different in character, different in its content. 130 00:09:04,840 --> 00:09:11,080 The Bible is, as Paul says, it is twice here, the word of God. 131 00:09:12,160 --> 00:09:15,120 There's the title that is affirmed. 132 00:09:15,240 --> 00:09:21,000 The Bible has been miraculously produced because it's the word 133 00:09:21,280 --> 00:09:25,800 of God. It was produced of God and by 134 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:30,600 God, and this common title, the word of God is used something 135 00:09:30,600 --> 00:09:34,920 like 4000 times in the Authorised Version. 136 00:09:34,920 --> 00:09:37,760 See the Bible, how many times have I told you, doesn't merely 137 00:09:37,760 --> 00:09:43,040 contain the Word of God. The Bible is the infallible and 138 00:09:43,120 --> 00:09:46,280 errant authoritative word of God. 139 00:09:46,280 --> 00:09:51,480 It is a living, eternal, unchanging word. 140 00:09:52,040 --> 00:09:54,200 See, this book is divinely inspired. 141 00:09:55,200 --> 00:09:57,280 We could argue who wrote the Bible? 142 00:09:58,280 --> 00:10:03,560 Men wrote it. Human pen men, Isaiah, Paul, to 143 00:10:03,560 --> 00:10:12,200 name but 240 different authors over a period of 1500 years. 144 00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:17,680 If human pen men wrote the Bible, how could we say that 145 00:10:17,680 --> 00:10:20,880 it's the word of God? How could we say that God wrote 146 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:24,560 the Bible? Let me give you 2 key verses 147 00:10:25,080 --> 00:10:31,000 over there in Peter in second Peter chapter 1, and we'll read 148 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:37,440 there in verse 20 and 21 these words, knowing this first, that 149 00:10:37,440 --> 00:10:41,360 no prophecy of the Scriptures of any private interpretation, for 150 00:10:41,360 --> 00:10:44,760 the prophecy came not an old time by the will of man, but 151 00:10:44,760 --> 00:10:49,640 holy men of God speak as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 152 00:10:50,680 --> 00:10:53,640 Holy men of God speak as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 153 00:10:53,640 --> 00:10:56,800 That word moved means they were born along. 154 00:10:57,200 --> 00:10:59,360 Think of a sailing vessel out in the lake. 155 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:04,480 It's got no engine, you don't have any paddles and there's no 156 00:11:04,480 --> 00:11:05,880 wind. And you're just sitting there 157 00:11:05,880 --> 00:11:08,320 and you're thinking, how are we going to get the shore? 158 00:11:08,440 --> 00:11:11,240 Well, what you need is you need a gust of wind. 159 00:11:11,960 --> 00:11:15,600 You need the wind to blow and fill the seal, and then it'll 160 00:11:15,600 --> 00:11:19,960 move the sailing vessel along the lake or bring you back to 161 00:11:19,960 --> 00:11:22,000 the shore. That's the picture there. 162 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:26,800 Holy men of God speak as they were born, carried along, moved 163 00:11:26,960 --> 00:11:31,000 by the Holy Ghost. You see God the Holy Ghost come 164 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:36,280 upon them and and God chose the words in them through them. 165 00:11:36,720 --> 00:11:40,120 And God the Holy Spirit not only gave the words but guided them 166 00:11:40,280 --> 00:11:44,080 to write and their own individual style, I believe gave 167 00:11:44,080 --> 00:11:46,760 them the exact words, gave them the grammar, gave them the 168 00:11:46,760 --> 00:11:52,120 syntax. Here's another verse in Second 169 00:11:52,120 --> 00:11:57,560 Timothy. Remember, and in chapter 3, the 170 00:11:57,560 --> 00:12:00,440 apostle Paul said this, all Scripture is given by 171 00:12:00,440 --> 00:12:03,960 inspiration of God and it's profitable for doctrine, for 172 00:12:03,960 --> 00:12:07,600 reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 173 00:12:08,720 --> 00:12:10,800 inspiration. What does that mean? 174 00:12:11,520 --> 00:12:13,560 In the Greek? It's Theo neustos. 175 00:12:13,560 --> 00:12:16,880 Theo has to do with God. Neustos has to do with breath. 176 00:12:17,080 --> 00:12:18,720 It has to do with the breath of God. 177 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:23,360 All Scripture is given how? By the breath of God. 178 00:12:24,520 --> 00:12:29,720 This is a God breed book. See, God's Word is divinely 179 00:12:29,720 --> 00:12:32,880 inspired. God's Word is divinely 180 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:35,000 infallible. It's therefore without error. 181 00:12:35,200 --> 00:12:37,520 And God's Word is divinely preserved. 182 00:12:37,680 --> 00:12:41,320 And I believe today in the doctrine of the preservation of 183 00:12:41,320 --> 00:12:45,880 the Word of God, the Word of God will never, ever pass away. 184 00:12:47,320 --> 00:12:49,920 In the 2nd century, there's a man called Diocletian. 185 00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:53,840 He was the emperor of Rome and he decided that he was going to 186 00:12:53,880 --> 00:12:57,000 close down churches, he was going to burn Bibles, and he was 187 00:12:57,000 --> 00:12:59,960 going to put the Christians to death. 188 00:13:00,600 --> 00:13:03,920 And they believed that he'd got the last pyrer, a copy of the 189 00:13:03,920 --> 00:13:07,440 word of God. They had a fire and they built a 190 00:13:07,440 --> 00:13:10,800 monument over it. And the monument said this, that 191 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:15,520 Christianity is now extinct because I burnt the last copy of 192 00:13:15,520 --> 00:13:18,600 the Bible. And yet here we are with a copy 193 00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:22,560 of the word of God in the English language, and we can 194 00:13:22,600 --> 00:13:27,480 take up our Bibles, we can read. And as we read, God is speaking 195 00:13:27,480 --> 00:13:31,920 to us, and that word is precious, and that word is pure, 196 00:13:32,600 --> 00:13:35,560 and that word is powerful, and that word is perfect. 197 00:13:35,560 --> 00:13:38,200 It's not what the psalmist said. The law of the Lord is perfect, 198 00:13:38,320 --> 00:13:41,600 converting the soul. Jesus said man shall not live by 199 00:13:41,600 --> 00:13:44,760 bread alone, but be every word to proceedeth out of the mouth 200 00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:48,520 of God. And that's the right way to 201 00:13:48,520 --> 00:13:53,640 treat the Bible. So let me ask again, what is 202 00:13:53,640 --> 00:13:57,040 your attitude to the Bible? How do you treat the Bible? 203 00:13:57,040 --> 00:13:59,800 How do you view it? Because I believe the way a man 204 00:13:59,800 --> 00:14:03,120 or woman or a young person treats the Bible shows his 205 00:14:03,120 --> 00:14:07,480 attitude to the Bible, shows his true regard for the personal 206 00:14:07,480 --> 00:14:09,520 book of Christ. And I want to add this, you 207 00:14:09,520 --> 00:14:15,880 can't say I love Jesus. I loved for Jesus apart from the 208 00:14:15,880 --> 00:14:20,840 word of God. You can't know him outside often 209 00:14:20,840 --> 00:14:23,560 apart from this book. Haven't I already read to you 210 00:14:23,560 --> 00:14:28,480 what John said, but these are written for what reason or 211 00:14:28,480 --> 00:14:33,720 purpose that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the 212 00:14:33,720 --> 00:14:36,800 Son of God, and that the believing you might have life 213 00:14:37,120 --> 00:14:40,760 through his name. Just the first thing, the title 214 00:14:40,920 --> 00:14:44,120 that is affirmed. Here's the second thing, the 215 00:14:44,120 --> 00:14:48,280 testimony that is announced, if you go back to the text, what 216 00:14:48,280 --> 00:14:52,720 does it say there? It says this for this cause 217 00:14:52,720 --> 00:14:54,640 also. Thank me God without ceasing, 218 00:14:54,640 --> 00:14:59,800 because when you received the word of God, which you heard of 219 00:14:59,800 --> 00:15:04,560 us, you received it not as it is the word of man, but as it is in 220 00:15:04,560 --> 00:15:07,840 truth the word of God. Notice these words when you 221 00:15:07,840 --> 00:15:13,400 received and you received the apostle Paul remembers writing 222 00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:16,040 to new converts. Remember, these people were 223 00:15:16,040 --> 00:15:20,240 converted from paganism, from the deep darkness of idolatry. 224 00:15:20,760 --> 00:15:22,960 Paul and his team have come to Thessalonica. 225 00:15:22,960 --> 00:15:25,520 It's the second missionary journey, and they've come with 226 00:15:25,520 --> 00:15:28,440 the word of God. They've come with us precious, 227 00:15:28,440 --> 00:15:31,160 pure, perfect and powerful message. 228 00:15:31,760 --> 00:15:36,360 And the Jews and the Gentiles who heard them, many of them 229 00:15:36,360 --> 00:15:39,320 came to faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Redeemer. 230 00:15:39,480 --> 00:15:42,520 And how did that happen? Here's the answer. 231 00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:47,360 It was their reception of the Word of God. 232 00:15:47,800 --> 00:15:51,720 The Holy Spirit took this precious word of God, this word 233 00:15:51,720 --> 00:15:55,120 of God that's quick and powerful and applied it to the human 234 00:15:55,120 --> 00:15:57,400 heart and the people were converted. 235 00:15:57,800 --> 00:16:00,040 That's very important that you grasp that. 236 00:16:00,400 --> 00:16:04,480 Remember what Peter says. They are in first Peter chapter 237 00:16:04,480 --> 00:16:10,280 1 and in the verse 23. Listen to the word of God being 238 00:16:10,280 --> 00:16:13,440 born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible by 239 00:16:13,440 --> 00:16:16,800 the word of God which liveth and abideth forever. 240 00:16:17,440 --> 00:16:22,560 It was Joseph Alien that said the word generates faith and 241 00:16:22,560 --> 00:16:28,560 regenerates us. The revelation of who God is, 242 00:16:28,560 --> 00:16:31,920 what he's like and what he's done, creation, Providence, 243 00:16:31,920 --> 00:16:36,520 redemption, the revelation of the good news of the gospel of 244 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:41,120 Jesus Christ. We discover this, that there's 245 00:16:41,120 --> 00:16:46,440 no genuine experience of God's salvation apart from the word of 246 00:16:46,440 --> 00:16:49,680 God. The Word of God has a powerful, 247 00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:55,680 saving, life changing, transformative impact on the 248 00:16:55,680 --> 00:16:58,680 soul. Here's the manner that they 249 00:16:58,680 --> 00:17:02,720 received the Word of God. This is a fundamental hallmark. 250 00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:08,200 I repeat, there is no true conversion experience apart from 251 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:12,400 the Word of God entering the heart and the mind of the Sinner 252 00:17:13,560 --> 00:17:17,160 and saving the Sinner and changing and transforming the 253 00:17:17,160 --> 00:17:19,200 Sinner. Notice these words when you 254 00:17:19,200 --> 00:17:24,640 received. You see, there's two different 255 00:17:24,640 --> 00:17:29,000 words here when you received and you received not the same word 256 00:17:29,000 --> 00:17:32,000 in same word in the English, but not the same word in the Greek. 257 00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:36,080 Two different Greek words were two different, completely 258 00:17:36,160 --> 00:17:39,240 different meanings when you received. 259 00:17:39,520 --> 00:17:43,560 That was the first phrase it means to accept from another. 260 00:17:44,120 --> 00:17:47,440 It signifies the people listening to the Word of God, 261 00:17:48,440 --> 00:17:51,600 signifies that they were hearing from a messenger of God. 262 00:17:52,560 --> 00:17:56,480 There was a willingness to hear. There was a a wanting of the 263 00:17:56,480 --> 00:17:59,200 word. Notice these words when you 264 00:17:59,200 --> 00:18:01,840 received the word of God which you heard of us. 265 00:18:03,920 --> 00:18:05,920 See, you've got to think of a preacher coming into 266 00:18:05,920 --> 00:18:08,240 Thessalonica. You've got to think of the 267 00:18:09,360 --> 00:18:15,720 ordinance of preaching the word, a preacher with a word from God, 268 00:18:16,680 --> 00:18:20,600 a preacher with a word of God standing before a group of 269 00:18:20,600 --> 00:18:23,840 people, whether a large congregation or a small 270 00:18:23,840 --> 00:18:26,920 congregation, and you have a people willing and wanting to 271 00:18:26,920 --> 00:18:30,680 hear that word. They literally received the word 272 00:18:30,680 --> 00:18:32,720 that was spoken. Why? 273 00:18:32,880 --> 00:18:34,880 How was that possible? They were pagans. 274 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:36,920 They were in darkness. Here's the answer. 275 00:18:36,920 --> 00:18:41,520 Look at verse 5, Thessalonians, chapter one, verse 5. 276 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:45,200 For our gospel came not unto you in Word only, but also in power, 277 00:18:46,360 --> 00:18:50,440 and then the Holy Ghost, and then much assurance, as you know 278 00:18:50,440 --> 00:18:53,320 what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 279 00:18:53,960 --> 00:18:59,680 The gospel came in power, the gospel came in the Holy Ghost, 280 00:19:00,040 --> 00:19:03,400 and the gospel came in much assurance. 281 00:19:03,720 --> 00:19:06,680 You see, there was the outpouring of the Spirit of God 282 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:12,760 upon the people, and the people were born again, they were 283 00:19:12,760 --> 00:19:16,840 regenerated. And the Holy Ghost created the 284 00:19:16,840 --> 00:19:21,720 desire for the Word of God. And you need the Holy Ghost to 285 00:19:21,720 --> 00:19:25,720 want the Word. And the Holy Ghost gives to us 286 00:19:25,720 --> 00:19:30,560 the hearing ear faith. He creates a ready and willing 287 00:19:30,560 --> 00:19:37,080 mind to receive the Word of God. The Holy Ghost infuses the soul 288 00:19:37,680 --> 00:19:40,320 with a holy desire for the Word of God. 289 00:19:40,440 --> 00:19:43,560 There's a feeling of want. What do we want? 290 00:19:43,880 --> 00:19:46,920 We want the Word of God. I need this. 291 00:19:47,120 --> 00:19:50,160 I want the Word of God. That's what it means when you 292 00:19:50,160 --> 00:19:55,160 received the Word of God, to accept from another, because the 293 00:19:55,160 --> 00:19:57,760 Holy Spirit has created a want in the heart. 294 00:19:57,960 --> 00:20:02,760 Now notice this other word. It says ye received it. 295 00:20:04,440 --> 00:20:09,600 That's a different Greek word. It literally means to go beyond 296 00:20:09,600 --> 00:20:13,120 wanting the word to welcoming the word. 297 00:20:13,120 --> 00:20:15,840 The hearing ear. Faith leads to the hearing of 298 00:20:15,840 --> 00:20:19,240 the heart. The heart now welcomes what the 299 00:20:19,240 --> 00:20:23,360 ear has heard, and the heart appropriates that message. 300 00:20:23,520 --> 00:20:25,960 The heart appreciates that message. 301 00:20:27,480 --> 00:20:29,840 The heart welcomes what is spoken. 302 00:20:31,560 --> 00:20:34,440 Paul already said this in First Thessalonians chapter 1 and 303 00:20:34,440 --> 00:20:37,640 verse 6. And ye became followers of us 304 00:20:37,640 --> 00:20:41,600 and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction. 305 00:20:41,840 --> 00:20:44,200 The word received is the same word here. 306 00:20:44,280 --> 00:20:50,400 The second received in our text. It means to welcome the word. 307 00:20:51,040 --> 00:20:53,680 And how did they do it? They received the word in much 308 00:20:53,680 --> 00:20:55,680 affliction. These were terrible times. 309 00:20:55,840 --> 00:20:59,080 These were days of great persecution with much 310 00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:02,000 affliction. They received the word with joy 311 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:04,880 of the Holy Ghost. Do you see the connection in the 312 00:21:04,880 --> 00:21:09,240 midst of these deniers that came in the midst of the distorters 313 00:21:09,240 --> 00:21:12,320 and the doubters? There was a people in 314 00:21:12,320 --> 00:21:16,360 Thessalonica who not only wanted the Word, but welcomed the Word 315 00:21:16,920 --> 00:21:19,280 because God's worded the answer to their sin. 316 00:21:20,440 --> 00:21:22,640 God's worded the answer to their sin problem. 317 00:21:23,160 --> 00:21:25,960 God's worded the answer to their suffering problem. 318 00:21:26,520 --> 00:21:30,320 God's worded the answer to a sense of problems that they 319 00:21:30,320 --> 00:21:33,720 faced on life's journey. Notice this. 320 00:21:34,680 --> 00:21:39,600 You received it not as the word of man. 321 00:21:40,680 --> 00:21:42,280 Now look at your authorised version. 322 00:21:42,280 --> 00:21:45,280 You see the word it you received it, it's an italics. 323 00:21:45,760 --> 00:21:48,760 You see the word as? It's also an italics. 324 00:21:49,200 --> 00:21:56,080 It literally reads you received not the word of man. 325 00:21:58,080 --> 00:22:03,200 You receive not the word of man. You see, they heard the word of 326 00:22:03,200 --> 00:22:11,280 God, not man's word. It is an italics as is an 327 00:22:11,280 --> 00:22:14,240 italics. You receive not the words of 328 00:22:14,240 --> 00:22:16,280 men. That's very important. 329 00:22:17,720 --> 00:22:22,880 But as it isn't truth, the word of God, you see these people 330 00:22:22,880 --> 00:22:27,360 exercise discernment. In Paul's day was the world of 331 00:22:27,360 --> 00:22:33,160 Greek philosophy. It was a day of great education. 332 00:22:34,240 --> 00:22:38,920 The world of Plato and Aristotle and Socrates, great Greek 333 00:22:39,040 --> 00:22:42,360 philosophers that are healed and lauded to this day in the 334 00:22:42,360 --> 00:22:45,000 universities. He was a Greek speaking 335 00:22:45,000 --> 00:22:47,720 community with with a Greek philosophy. 336 00:22:48,280 --> 00:22:51,320 A multitude receives these words of men. 337 00:22:51,920 --> 00:22:55,040 Plato and Aristotle and Socrates and many others. 338 00:22:55,200 --> 00:22:59,360 Words of men about life. Words of men about the origins 339 00:22:59,360 --> 00:23:02,640 of the universe. Words of men about life and 340 00:23:02,640 --> 00:23:06,240 morality. Words of men about gods. 341 00:23:08,960 --> 00:23:18,640 But when they heard Paul preach, they refused to receive the 342 00:23:18,640 --> 00:23:21,800 words of men. You see, those who receive the 343 00:23:21,800 --> 00:23:27,760 words of men believe their words will help them, help them to 344 00:23:27,760 --> 00:23:34,320 understand, help them to discern things about life, whether it's 345 00:23:34,320 --> 00:23:37,040 arts, the level of education, philosophy. 346 00:23:38,400 --> 00:23:41,600 And that's what they had before Paul came the words of men. 347 00:23:42,400 --> 00:23:47,840 But when Paul came preaching the Word, they rejected the words of 348 00:23:47,840 --> 00:23:54,360 men and not only wanted the Word of God, but welcomed that word 349 00:23:56,280 --> 00:23:58,520 because they realised the words of men will not do them any 350 00:23:58,520 --> 00:24:02,160 good. And that's a powerful thing. 351 00:24:02,760 --> 00:24:07,520 That's their testimony. Thirdly, and quickly think of 352 00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:13,240 the truth that is acquired here. You see, the Holy Ghost creates 353 00:24:13,320 --> 00:24:18,280 A reverence and a love for the Word of God, and that is 354 00:24:18,440 --> 00:24:25,680 integral to true conversion. True conversion brings about a 355 00:24:25,680 --> 00:24:28,080 deep reverence for the Word of God. 356 00:24:28,640 --> 00:24:32,480 The Thessalonians heard the Word of God that they wanted and they 357 00:24:32,480 --> 00:24:35,760 welcomed it. They listened with a deep 358 00:24:35,760 --> 00:24:38,640 reverence. They revelled in the Word. 359 00:24:39,960 --> 00:24:42,880 And I believe the modern church, sadly, has little or no 360 00:24:42,880 --> 00:24:46,480 reverence for the Word of God. What we have today is lots of 361 00:24:46,480 --> 00:24:50,120 showmanship. What we have today is fleshly. 362 00:24:50,880 --> 00:24:54,880 What we have today draws attention to a mode of worship 363 00:24:54,880 --> 00:24:59,440 that's all about noise but lacks true reference for the Word of 364 00:24:59,440 --> 00:25:02,320 God. We have far too many self 365 00:25:02,320 --> 00:25:07,640 centred rather than Christ centred preachers. 366 00:25:08,160 --> 00:25:12,480 Let me illustrate. Think of the March for Jesus 367 00:25:12,480 --> 00:25:16,760 yesterday in Belfast. I got a report late last night 368 00:25:16,760 --> 00:25:20,880 from a friend. He was working, but he could see 369 00:25:20,880 --> 00:25:23,160 and hear what was going on. He said it was like a worldly 370 00:25:23,160 --> 00:25:25,960 pop concert. You had men and women talking 371 00:25:25,960 --> 00:25:29,840 about visions. You had an individual commanding 372 00:25:29,840 --> 00:25:34,360 God to do this or that, about pouring out a spirit. 373 00:25:35,480 --> 00:25:40,400 And that dear friend wrote and I quote using discernment. 374 00:25:40,400 --> 00:25:47,240 It was a big immecumenical mass. It dishonoured the true gospel. 375 00:25:48,160 --> 00:25:53,000 It made Christianity look pathetic and ridiculous. 376 00:25:54,360 --> 00:25:56,920 But there was little or no gospel preaching. 377 00:25:58,000 --> 00:26:01,200 There was no deep reference for God as the living and the true 378 00:26:01,200 --> 00:26:06,080 God, and there was no deep reference for the Word of God. 379 00:26:06,080 --> 00:26:09,560 Let me ask this question to those who marched for Jesus. 380 00:26:10,160 --> 00:26:14,880 Who is the Lord Jesus Christ? See, once you grasp the personal 381 00:26:14,880 --> 00:26:19,360 word of Christ, once you understand who He is and what 382 00:26:19,360 --> 00:26:23,920 He's like and what He's done, you will have reverence. 383 00:26:24,440 --> 00:26:30,200 You will revel not only in His person and His work, but you'll 384 00:26:30,200 --> 00:26:35,080 revel in His Word. Is that not true today? 385 00:26:35,080 --> 00:26:40,200 That there's a loss of true reverence for Christ in His 386 00:26:40,200 --> 00:26:44,120 Word. Even those who sit in Free 387 00:26:44,120 --> 00:26:47,640 Presbyterian churches may not have the reverence and the 388 00:26:47,640 --> 00:26:52,720 revelling that's required. Their minds can be full of their 389 00:26:52,720 --> 00:26:56,320 own thoughts. Their mouths can speak their own 390 00:26:56,320 --> 00:26:59,760 words. But that's a saying that the 391 00:26:59,760 --> 00:27:02,640 Spirit of God is not really at work. 392 00:27:03,080 --> 00:27:05,920 Because I'm saying to you this morning, listen to me carefully. 393 00:27:05,920 --> 00:27:09,720 I repeat this. A truly converted soul will have 394 00:27:09,720 --> 00:27:14,200 a deep love for the truth. It's not what Paul says. 395 00:27:14,280 --> 00:27:19,720 He received it not as the word of man, but as it is in truth 396 00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:26,200 the word of God. There has to be a deep reference 397 00:27:26,200 --> 00:27:29,960 for the scriptures and a non converted soul will not have 398 00:27:29,960 --> 00:27:31,880 that. An unconverted soul will not 399 00:27:31,880 --> 00:27:35,560 receive the Word. An unconverted soul will not 400 00:27:35,600 --> 00:27:39,080 revel or or or or reverence the word of God. 401 00:27:39,160 --> 00:27:42,080 And it's a saying. He's unconverted. 402 00:27:42,080 --> 00:27:45,760 He'll hear the words of men. He'll be interested in Plato and 403 00:27:45,760 --> 00:27:49,920 Aristotle and Socrates and many others who are modern day 404 00:27:49,920 --> 00:27:52,760 successors. But the words of men will not 405 00:27:52,760 --> 00:27:56,720 save him or them. The words of God, the words of 406 00:27:56,720 --> 00:27:59,800 men will not satisfy them. The words of men will not 407 00:27:59,800 --> 00:28:02,880 succour them or sanctify them. The the the words of men will 408 00:28:02,880 --> 00:28:04,800 not help them. The words of men will not give 409 00:28:04,800 --> 00:28:08,040 them hope. And they come to die because the 410 00:28:08,040 --> 00:28:10,080 words of men don't regenerate them. 411 00:28:11,560 --> 00:28:13,400 See, the Lord Jesus said about his sheep. 412 00:28:13,560 --> 00:28:19,120 Listen to this. My sheep hear my voice, and I 413 00:28:19,120 --> 00:28:24,400 know them, and they follow me. Do you know his voice? 414 00:28:25,240 --> 00:28:29,480 As you read the Scriptures, you see there's a parallel between 415 00:28:29,480 --> 00:28:31,560 the Lord Jesus Christ and the Word of God. 416 00:28:31,960 --> 00:28:34,520 The Lord Jesus Christ is called the Word of God in the Book of 417 00:28:34,520 --> 00:28:37,400 Revelation. And here we have got the title, 418 00:28:38,000 --> 00:28:41,360 The Word of God. The Lord Jesus called himself 419 00:28:41,360 --> 00:28:45,320 the bread of life. John 6 and 48 I am the bread of 420 00:28:45,320 --> 00:28:48,200 life, and yet the Bible's the bread of life. 421 00:28:48,240 --> 00:28:50,720 Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that 422 00:28:50,720 --> 00:28:52,840 proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 423 00:28:53,240 --> 00:28:55,680 The Lord Jesus Christ called himself the truth. 424 00:28:56,040 --> 00:28:59,200 I am the way, the truth to life. No man comes unto the Father but 425 00:28:59,200 --> 00:29:01,680 by me. And what do we read in John 17 426 00:29:01,680 --> 00:29:04,640 and 17? Sanctify them through thy word. 427 00:29:04,800 --> 00:29:08,040 Thy word is truth. The Lord Jesus Christ is 428 00:29:08,040 --> 00:29:12,080 eternal, He lives and abides forever, and the Bible, 429 00:29:12,200 --> 00:29:17,320 according to first Peter chapter 3, verse 23, is the living, 430 00:29:17,680 --> 00:29:24,840 eternal word of God. Do you revel in the scriptures? 431 00:29:25,760 --> 00:29:28,120 Do you have a reference for the Bible? 432 00:29:29,560 --> 00:29:33,720 Would you appreciate it in such a way that you'd rather have the 433 00:29:33,720 --> 00:29:36,920 Bible and food? Job said, I've esteemed thy word 434 00:29:36,920 --> 00:29:40,240 more than my necessary food. The Bible is bread and milk and 435 00:29:40,240 --> 00:29:44,280 meat and honey to our soul. Do you esteem the Bible greater 436 00:29:44,280 --> 00:29:47,160 riches than money? Remember what the psalmist said 437 00:29:47,160 --> 00:29:51,200 in Psalm 119 and verse 14. I've rejoiced in the way of thy 438 00:29:51,200 --> 00:29:55,520 testimonies as much as in all riches. 439 00:29:55,960 --> 00:29:59,520 He said in verse 72, These words, The law of thy mouth is 440 00:29:59,520 --> 00:30:03,560 better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. 441 00:30:04,560 --> 00:30:06,960 Would you rather have the word of God than sleep? 442 00:30:07,640 --> 00:30:09,760 Again? You see the psalmist said this 443 00:30:09,920 --> 00:30:14,000 in Psalm 119 verse 48. Listen to these words. 444 00:30:15,840 --> 00:30:18,840 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate 445 00:30:18,840 --> 00:30:21,000 in thy word. There was three night watches 446 00:30:21,880 --> 00:30:28,040 from sunset up to 1010 to 2 and then two to sunrise. 447 00:30:28,440 --> 00:30:31,240 And David was up at that time rather than sleeping. 448 00:30:31,560 --> 00:30:33,640 And I know we can talk about a long sermon. 449 00:30:33,640 --> 00:30:36,840 And I, I don't preach long sermons, but even in a long 450 00:30:36,840 --> 00:30:40,560 sermon, you can stand up encouraged or you can wake up 451 00:30:40,560 --> 00:30:41,960 refreshed. That's what the Reverend Ron 452 00:30:41,960 --> 00:30:44,640 Johnson said one time to the late Doctor Alan Kearns. 453 00:30:45,520 --> 00:30:48,600 You can stand up encouraged after a long sermon or you can 454 00:30:48,600 --> 00:30:52,600 wake up refreshed. But the true sheep hear the 455 00:30:52,600 --> 00:30:57,160 voice of the shepherd. The true sheep do not go after 456 00:30:57,160 --> 00:30:59,640 strangers. The true sheep don't place 457 00:30:59,640 --> 00:31:02,000 themselves under the voices of mere men. 458 00:31:02,120 --> 00:31:04,760 They don't listen to men. Men can sound well. 459 00:31:04,760 --> 00:31:07,280 Men can be attractive. Men can make you feel 460 00:31:07,520 --> 00:31:10,120 comfortable. And yet the word that they bring 461 00:31:10,120 --> 00:31:13,920 doesn't regenerate you, doesn't penetrate the soul, but just 462 00:31:13,920 --> 00:31:17,640 true conversion takes it right into the heart. 463 00:31:20,440 --> 00:31:24,640 You think if I use this with illustration, you come into the 464 00:31:24,640 --> 00:31:29,880 house and you're hungry. Mummy sets dinner in front of 465 00:31:29,880 --> 00:31:35,000 you and you sit there with the arms folded and you look at it. 466 00:31:36,160 --> 00:31:37,600 It's not going to do you any good. 467 00:31:38,000 --> 00:31:39,760 Even though you've got pangs of hunger. 468 00:31:40,400 --> 00:31:42,440 You have to make it your own, you have to eat. 469 00:31:43,960 --> 00:31:46,880 And there is a Saviour from all sin, if you only let him in. 470 00:31:48,560 --> 00:31:51,720 There is a salvation that you can experience through faith in 471 00:31:51,760 --> 00:31:54,760 Jesus Christ, because Christ came into the world to save 472 00:31:54,760 --> 00:31:57,600 sinners. Paul says, of whom I am chief, 473 00:31:57,640 --> 00:32:03,480 He came to shed his blood. Notice very quickly the test 474 00:32:03,480 --> 00:32:08,080 that is applied. It says, which effectually 475 00:32:08,080 --> 00:32:10,000 worketh also in you that believe. 476 00:32:10,760 --> 00:32:12,760 See that naturally follows, doesn't it? 477 00:32:13,720 --> 00:32:20,080 The power of the Word, that word worketh has to do with energy. 478 00:32:20,920 --> 00:32:27,320 It has to do with power. The the the word worked in their 479 00:32:27,320 --> 00:32:30,320 lives. The word changed and transformed 480 00:32:30,320 --> 00:32:33,880 because it's the word of God. It's inspired and fallible. 481 00:32:33,880 --> 00:32:35,400 It's an Aaron. It's preserved. 482 00:32:35,400 --> 00:32:37,960 It doesn't originate with Paul and his team. 483 00:32:38,120 --> 00:32:41,680 It's the Word of God, and the Word of God is not in the same 484 00:32:41,680 --> 00:32:44,760 level as the Word of men. It's in a different league. 485 00:32:44,920 --> 00:32:48,560 It's above the words of men. It's an infallible standard in 486 00:32:48,560 --> 00:32:51,640 how to live. Here's how we can know what to 487 00:32:51,640 --> 00:32:53,640 believe. Here's how we can behave. 488 00:32:53,720 --> 00:32:59,400 It's God's final authority. These pagans turn from idols to 489 00:32:59,400 --> 00:33:00,880 serve the living and the true God. 490 00:33:00,880 --> 00:33:03,080 Why? Because the Word was at work, 491 00:33:03,520 --> 00:33:07,080 there was a power and energy from the Word of God as applied 492 00:33:07,080 --> 00:33:10,240 by the Spirit. The word has power to energise 493 00:33:10,240 --> 00:33:12,160 because the Word is quick and powerful. 494 00:33:12,280 --> 00:33:16,720 The Word saves us. The Word suckers us. 495 00:33:18,400 --> 00:33:20,040 You need a word of encouragement. 496 00:33:20,720 --> 00:33:23,320 Where do you go to? Where can I go but to the Lord? 497 00:33:23,440 --> 00:33:25,600 And you go to the Lord and say, Lord, give me a word of 498 00:33:25,600 --> 00:33:29,360 encouragement, and that word can come and strengthen ye. 499 00:33:29,920 --> 00:33:34,080 And you can you can smile even in the deepest of storms and in 500 00:33:34,080 --> 00:33:37,680 the greatest of need, even when you face the threat of death. 501 00:33:37,680 --> 00:33:41,360 You can remember the psalmist said, I will fear no evil, for 502 00:33:41,360 --> 00:33:43,120 thou art with me. Where is he? 503 00:33:43,680 --> 00:33:47,320 In the valley of the death, in the valley of the shadow. 504 00:33:49,760 --> 00:33:53,160 What a tremendous comfort. The Word of God can strengthen 505 00:33:53,160 --> 00:33:54,920 us. The Word of God separates us 506 00:33:54,920 --> 00:33:56,960 under God. The Word of God sanctifies us. 507 00:33:57,240 --> 00:34:01,000 Here's the test that is applied. The Word of God changes and 508 00:34:01,000 --> 00:34:04,720 transforms our lives. And yet here's many professing 509 00:34:04,720 --> 00:34:07,400 Christians and we have to ask, what's their attitude to sin? 510 00:34:08,040 --> 00:34:09,719 What's their attitude to the Saviour? 511 00:34:10,639 --> 00:34:12,560 What's their attitude to the Scriptures? 512 00:34:13,199 --> 00:34:14,719 What's their attitude to sanctification? 513 00:34:14,719 --> 00:34:16,639 What's their attitude to the Sabbath day? 514 00:34:17,320 --> 00:34:19,400 One day and seven set aside for worship. 515 00:34:19,679 --> 00:34:24,360 Many churches claim to be Christian, but we're living in a 516 00:34:24,360 --> 00:34:26,760 day when the Lord's Day is now a day for sport. 517 00:34:28,199 --> 00:34:31,080 We have known churches in the past to hold the World Cup final 518 00:34:31,080 --> 00:34:36,280 on a Sunday, the Wimbledon final, the rugby final, and then 519 00:34:36,280 --> 00:34:40,040 bring people into the church for tea and buns after they've 520 00:34:40,040 --> 00:34:45,080 watched the match and the weaving service just go on home. 521 00:34:45,880 --> 00:34:49,719 I want to tell you that's wrong. It's sin what we're commanded. 522 00:34:49,719 --> 00:34:52,040 Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. 523 00:34:52,159 --> 00:34:54,719 And the book says to the law and to the testimony. 524 00:34:54,800 --> 00:34:57,600 If they speak not according to this word, it is because there's 525 00:34:57,600 --> 00:35:01,240 no light in them. And yet shopping has become the 526 00:35:01,240 --> 00:35:03,040 norm. Go down to forest side and it's 527 00:35:03,040 --> 00:35:06,960 packed today. People out washing their cars, 528 00:35:06,960 --> 00:35:10,320 fixing their cars, mowing their grass, going out golfing. 529 00:35:10,320 --> 00:35:13,880 Why? Because they have no reference 530 00:35:13,880 --> 00:35:19,400 for the word of God, it's a sign that their heart is unconverted, 531 00:35:20,200 --> 00:35:23,080 for there's never been changed in front of, but when professing 532 00:35:23,080 --> 00:35:28,480 Christians do it. Then here's the test which 533 00:35:29,280 --> 00:35:33,680 effectually worketh also in you that believe one final thing in 534 00:35:33,680 --> 00:35:36,240 our time is gone. The thanks that is appreciated. 535 00:35:37,080 --> 00:35:40,320 You see, Paul said this for this cause also thank me God without 536 00:35:40,320 --> 00:35:45,200 ceasing because here's the reason He rejoiced for a reason. 537 00:35:46,080 --> 00:35:49,400 This cause also here was an additional reason to rejoice, 538 00:35:49,400 --> 00:35:52,840 not only that they were converted, but he rejoiced in 539 00:35:52,840 --> 00:35:55,120 their response to the word of God. 540 00:35:55,600 --> 00:35:58,520 It was a good spiritual response. 541 00:35:58,680 --> 00:36:00,920 It was a good spiritual attitude. 542 00:36:01,480 --> 00:36:05,680 And I finish with this. What is your response to the 543 00:36:05,680 --> 00:36:09,360 Word of God? Do you delight in the Word of 544 00:36:09,360 --> 00:36:12,600 God? The Word of God has saved you, 545 00:36:13,240 --> 00:36:17,720 suckers you, strengthens you, sanctifies you, sets you apart. 546 00:36:18,760 --> 00:36:22,840 The Word of God has benefited you now and you're saved for 547 00:36:22,840 --> 00:36:25,840 time and eternity. And you have a love for the Word 548 00:36:25,840 --> 00:36:28,920 of God and you live by it and you're loyal to the scriptures. 549 00:36:29,960 --> 00:36:31,720 See, the Word of God was mixed with faith. 550 00:36:31,880 --> 00:36:36,120 It benefited them now and in the world to come benefit for 551 00:36:36,120 --> 00:36:38,600 eternity. But for many, the Word of God is 552 00:36:38,600 --> 00:36:43,280 not mixed with faith. Many do not believe the Word of 553 00:36:43,280 --> 00:36:45,600 God. Listen to this as I finish 554 00:36:46,160 --> 00:36:50,400 second Thessalonians 2 verse 11. And for this 'cause God shall 555 00:36:50,400 --> 00:36:54,440 send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie. 556 00:36:56,040 --> 00:37:00,760 See, those who refuse to believe the Bible, deny the Bible, doubt 557 00:37:00,760 --> 00:37:05,040 the Bible, distort the Bible, disbelieve the Bible, they end 558 00:37:05,040 --> 00:37:11,040 up believing a lie And that delusion, it's a darkness that 559 00:37:11,040 --> 00:37:12,760 has come upon their heart and mind. 560 00:37:13,560 --> 00:37:17,720 It's a form of judgement from God because God just veils them 561 00:37:17,720 --> 00:37:21,200 in darkness and leaves them alone without delight. 562 00:37:22,320 --> 00:37:26,800 But Paul is thankful, the thanks that is appreciated. 563 00:37:27,800 --> 00:37:31,680 He rejoiced in their response to the Word of God. 564 00:37:32,800 --> 00:37:39,440 Do you delight in the Word of God, or do you deny the Word of 565 00:37:39,440 --> 00:37:43,640 God? The wonderful working of the 566 00:37:43,640 --> 00:37:50,040 Word of God, the title that is here, the testimony that is 567 00:37:50,040 --> 00:37:55,560 here, the truth that is here, the test, the thanks, it's all 568 00:37:55,560 --> 00:38:00,560 bound up in this one word. May the Lord use His Word today 569 00:38:00,960 --> 00:38:02,040 for His glory. We're going.